They Do It With Mirrors

AgathaChristie
TheyDoItwithMirrors
AMissMarpleMystery
Contents
Cover
TitlePage
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
Epilogue
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Credits
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
One
Mrs.VanRydockmovedalittlebackfromthemirrorandsighed.
“Well,that’llhavetodo,”shemurmured.
“Thinkit’sallright,Jane?”
MissMarpleeyedtheLanvanellicreationappraisingly.
“Itseemstomeaverybeautifulgown,”shesaid.
“Thegown’sallright,”saidMrs.VanRydockandsighed.
“Takeitoff,Stephanie,”shesaid.
Theelderlymaidwiththegreyhairandthesmallpinchedmouth,easedthegowncarefullyupoverMrs.VanRydock’sup-stretchedarms.
Mrs.VanRydockstoodinfrontoftheglassinherpeachsatinslip.Shewasexquisitelycorseted.Herstillshapelylegswereencasedinfinenylonstockings.Herface,beneathalayerofcosmeticsandconstantlytonedupbymassage,appearedalmostgirlishataslightdistance.Herhairwaslessgreythantendingtohydrangeablueandwasperfectlyset.ItwaspracticallyimpossiblewhenlookingatMrs.VanRydock,toimaginewhatshewouldbelikeinanaturalstate.Everythingthatmoneycoulddohadbeendoneforher—reinforcedbydiet,massage,andconstantexercises.
RuthVanRydocklookedhumorouslyatherfriend.
“Doyouthinkmostpeoplewouldguess,Jane,thatyouandIarepracticallythesameage?”
MissMarplerespondedloyally.
“Notforamoment,I’msure,”shesaidreassuringly.“I’mafraid,youknow,thatIlookeveryminuteofmyage!”
MissMarplewaswhite-haired,withasoftpink-and-whitewrinkledfaceandinnocentchinablueeyes.Shelookedaverysweetoldlady.NobodywouldhavecalledMrs.VanRydockasweetoldlady.
“Iguessyoudo,Jane,”saidMrs.VanRydock.Shegrinnedsuddenly,“AndsodoI.Onlynotinthesameway.‘Wonderfulhowthatoldhagkeepsherfigure.’That’swhattheysayofme.ButtheyknowI’manoldhagallright!And,myGod,doIfeellikeone!”
Shedroppedheavilyontothesatin,quiltedchair.
“That’sallright,Stephanie,”shesaid.“Youcango.”
Stephaniegatheredupthedressandwentout.
“GoodoldStephanie,”saidRuthVanRydock.“She’sbeenwithmeforoverthirtyyearsnow.She’stheonlywomanwhoknowswhatIreallylooklike!Jane,Iwanttotalktoyou.”
MissMarpleleantforwardalittle.Herfacetookonareceptiveexpression.Shelooked,somehow,anincongruousfigureintheornatebedroomoftheexpensivehotelsuite.Shewasdressedinratherdowdyblack,carriedalargeshoppingbag,andlookedeveryinchalady.
“I’mworried,Jane.AboutCarrieLouise.”
“CarrieLouise?”MissMarplerepeatedthenamemusingly.Thesoundofittookheralongwayback.
ThepensionnatinFlorence.Herself,thepinkandwhiteEnglishgirlfromaCathedralclose.ThetwoMartingirls,Americans,excitingtotheEnglishgirlbecauseoftheirquaintwaysofspeechandtheirforthrightmannerandvitality.Ruth,tall,eager,ontopoftheworld,CarrieLouise,small,dainty,wistful.
“Whendidyouseeherlast,Jane?”
“Oh!notformanymanyyears.Itmustbetwenty-fiveatleast.Ofcourse,westillsendcardsatChristmas.”
Suchanoddthing,friendship!She,youngJaneMarple,andthetwoAmericans.Theirwaysdivergingalmostatonce,andyettheoldaffectionpersisting;occasionalletters,remembrancesatChristmas.StrangethatRuthwhosehome—orratherhomes—hadbeeninAmericashouldbethesisterwhomshehadseenthemoreoftenofthetwo.No,perhapsnotstrange.LikemostAmericansofherclass,Ruthhadbeencosmopolitan.EveryyearortwoshehadcomeovertoEurope,rushingfromLondontoParis,ontotheRiviera,andbackagain,andalwayskeentosnatchafewmomentswherevershewas,withheroldfriends.Therehadbeenmanymeetingslikethisone.InClaridge’s,ortheSavoy,ortheBerkeley,recherchémeal,affectionatereminiscences,andahurriedandaffectionategood-bye.RuthhadneverhadtimetovisitSt.MaryMead.MissMarplehadnot,indeed,everexpectedit.Everyone’slifehasatempo.Ruth’swasprestowhereasMissMarple’swascontenttobeadagio.
SoitwasAmericanRuthwhomshehadseenmostof,whereasCarrieLouisewholivedinEngland,shehadnotnowseenforovertwentyyears.Odd,butquitenatural,becausewhenonelivesinthesamecountrythereisnoneedtoarrangemeetingswitholdfriends.Oneassumesthat,soonerorlater,onewillseethemwithoutcontrivance.Only,ifyoumoveindifferentspheres,thatdoesnothappen.ThepathsofJaneMarpleandCarrieLouisedidnotcross.Itwasassimpleasthat.
“WhyareyouworriedaboutCarrieLouise,Ruth?”askedMissMarple.
“Inawaythat’swhatworriesmemost!Ijustdon’tknow.”
“She’snotill?”
“She’sverydelicate—alwayshasbeen.Iwouldn’tsayshe’dbeenanyworsethanusual—consideringthatshe’sgettingonjustasweallare.”
“Unhappy?”
“Ohno.”
No,itwouldn’tbethat,thoughtMissMarple.ItwouldbedifficulttoimagineCarrieLouiseunhappy—andyetthereweretimesinherlifewhenshemusthavebeen.Only—thepicturedidnotcomeclearly.Bewildered—yes—incredulous—yes—butviolentgrief—no.
Mrs.VanRydock’swordscameappositely.
“CarrieLouise,”shesaid,“hasalwayslivedrightoutofthisworld.Shedoesn’tknowwhatit’slike.Maybeit’sthatthatworriesme.”
“Hercircumstances,”beganMissMarple,thenstopped,shakingherhead.“No,”shesaid.
“No,it’ssheherself,”saidRuthVanRydock.“CarrieLouisewasalwaystheoneofuswhohadideals.Ofcourse,itwasthefashionwhenwewereyoungtohaveideals—weallhadthem,itwastheproperthingforyounggirls.Youweregoingtonurselepers,Jane,andIwasgoingtobeanun.Onegetsoverallthatnonsense.Marriage,Isupposeonemightsay,knocksitoutofone.Still,takeitbyandlarge,Ihaven’tdonebadlyoutofmarriage.”
MissMarplethoughtthatRuthwasexpressingitmildly.Ruthhadbeenmarriedthreetimes,eachtimetoanextremelywealthyman,andtheresultantdivorceshadincreasedherbankbalancewithoutintheleastsouringherdisposition.
“Ofcourse,”saidMrs.VanRydock,“I’vealwaysbeentough.Thingsdon’tgetmedown.I’venotexpectedtoomuchoflifeandcertainlynotexpectedtoomuchofmen—andI’vedoneverywelloutofit—andnohardfeelings.TommyandIarestillexcellentfriends,andJuliusoftenasksmemyopinionaboutthemarket.”Herfacedarkened.“Ibelievethat’swhatworriesmeaboutCarrieLouise—she’salwayshadatendency,youknow,tomarrycranks.”
“Cranks?”
“Peoplewithideals.CarrieLouisewasalwaysapushoverforideals.Thereshewas,asprettyastheymakethem,justseventeenandlisteningwithhereyesasbigassaucerstooldGulbrandsenholdingforthabouthisplansforthehumanrace.Overfifty,andshemarriedhim,awidowerwithafamilyofgrown-upchildren—allbecauseofhisphilanthropicideas.Sheusedtositlisteningtohimspellbound.JustlikeDesdemonaandOthello.OnlyfortunatelytherewasnoIagoabouttomessthingsup—andanywayGulbrandsenwasn’tcoloured.HewasaSwedeoraNorwegianorsomething.”
MissMarplenoddedthoughtfully.ThenameofGulbrandsenhadaninternationalsignificance.Amanwhowithshrewdbusinessacumenandperfecthonestyhadbuiltupafortunesocolossalthatreallyphilanthropyhadbeentheonlysolutiontothedisposalofit.Thenamestillheldsignificance.TheGulbrandsenTrust,theGulbrandsenResearchFellowships,theGulbrandsenAdministrativeAlmshouses,andbestknownofallthevasteducationalCollegeforthesonsofworkingmen.
“Shedidn’tmarryhimforhismoney,youknow,”saidRuth,“IshouldhaveifI’dmarriedhimatall.ButnotCarrieLouise.Idon’tknowwhatwouldhavehappenedifhehadn’tdiedwhenshewasthirty-two.Thirty-two’saveryniceageforawidow.She’sgotexperience,butshe’sstilladaptable.”
Thespinsterlisteningtoher,noddedgentlywhilsthermindreviewed,tentatively,widowsshehadknowninthevillageofSt.MaryMead.
“IwasreallyhappiestaboutCarrieLouisewhenshewasmarriedtoJohnnieRestarick.Ofcourse,hemarriedherforhermoney—orifnotexactlythat,atanyratehewouldn’thavemarriedherifshehadn’thadany.Johnniewasaselfishpleasure-lovinglazyhound,butthat’ssomuchsaferthanacrank.AllJohnniewantedwastolivesoft.HewantedCarrieLouisetogotothebestdressmakersandhaveyachtsandcarsandenjoyherselfwithhim.Thatkindofmanissoverysafe.Givehimcomfortandluxuryandhe’llpurrlikeacatandbeabsolutelycharmingtoyou.Inevertookthatscenedesigningandtheatricalstuffofhisveryseriously.ButCarrieLouisewasthrilledbyit—sawitallasArtwithacapitalAandreallyforcedhimbackintothosesurroundingsandthenthatdreadfulYugoslavianwomangotholdofhimandjustswepthimoffwithher.Hedidn’treallywanttogo.IfCarrieLouisehadwaitedandbeensensible,hewouldhavecomebacktoher.”
“Didshecareverymuch?”askedMissMarple.
“That’sthefunnything.Idon’treallybelieveshedid.Shewasabsolutelysweetaboutitall—butthenshewouldbe.Sheissweet.Quiteanxioustodivorcehimsothatheandthatcreaturecouldgetmarried.Andofferingtogivethosetwoboysofhisbyhisfirstmarriageahomewithherbecauseitwouldbemoresettledforthem.SotherepoorJohnniewas—hehadtomarrythewomanandsheledhimanawfulsixmonthsandthendrovehimoveraprecipiceinacarinafitofrage.Theysaiditwasanaccident,butIthinkitwasjusttemper!”
Mrs.VanRydockpaused,tookupamirrorandgazedatherfacesearchingly.Shepickeduphereyebrowtweezersandpulledoutahair.
“AndwhatdoesCarrieLouisedonextbutmarrythismanLewisSerrocold.Anothercrank!Anothermanwithideals!OhIdon’tsayheisn’tdevotedtoher—Ithinkheis—buthe’sbittenbythatsamebugofwantingtoimproveeverybody’slivesforthem.Andreally,youknow,nobodycandothatbutyourself.”
“Iwonder,”saidMissMarple.
“Only,ofcourse,there’safashioninthesethings,justlikethereisinclothes.(Mydear,haveyouseenwhatChristianDioristryingtomakeuswearinthewayofskirts?)WherewasI?Ohyes,fashion.Well,there’safashioninphilanthropytoo.ItusedtobeeducationinGulbrandsen’sday.Butthat’soutofdatenow.TheStatehassteppedin.Everyoneexpectseducationasamatterofright—anddoesn’tthinkmuchofitwhentheygetit!Juveniledelinquency—that’swhatistheragenowadays.Alltheseyoungcriminalsandpotentialcriminals.Everyone’smadaboutthem.YoushouldseeLewisSerrocold’seyessparklebehindthosethickglassesofhis.Crazywithenthusiasm!Oneofthosemenofenormouswillpowerwholikelivingonabananaandapieceoftoastandputalltheirenergiesintoacause.AndCarrieLouiseeatsitup—justasshealwaysdid.ButIdon’tlikeit,Jane.They’vehadmeetingsofthetrusteesandthewholeplacehasbeenturnedovertothisnewidea.It’satrainingestablishmentnowforthesejuvenilecriminals,completewithpsychiatristsandpsychologistsandalltherestofit.ThereLewisandCarrieLouiseare,livingthere,surroundedbytheseboys—whoaren’tperhapsquitenormal.Andtheplacestiffwithoccupationaltherapistsandteachersandenthusiasts,halfofthemquitemad.Cranks,allthelotofthem,andmylittleCarrieLouiseinthemiddleofitall!”
Shepaused—andstaredhelplesslyatMissMarple.
MissMarplesaidinafaintlypuzzledvoice:
“Butyouhaven’ttoldmeyet,Ruth,whatyouarereallyafraidof.”
“Itellyou,Idon’tknow!Andthat’swhatworriesme.I’vejustbeendownthere—foraflyingvisit.AndIfeltallalongthattherewassomethingwrong.Intheatmosphere—inthehouse—IknowI’mnotmistaken.I’msensitivetoatmosphere,alwayshavebeen.DidIevertellyouhowIurgedJuliustoselloutofAmalgamatedCerealsbeforethecrashcame?Andwasn’tIright?Yes,somethingiswrongdownthere.ButIdon’tknowwhyorwhat—ifit’sthesedreadfulyoungjailbirds—orifit’snearerhome.Ican’tsaywhatitis.There’sLewisjustlivingforhisideasandnotnoticinganythingelse,andCarrieLouise,blessher,neverseeingorhearingorthinkinganythingexceptwhat’salovelysight,oralovelysound,oralovelythought.It’ssweetbutitisn’tpractical.Thereissuchathingasevil—andIwantyou,Jane,togodownthererightawayandfindoutjustexactlywhat’sthematter.”
“Me?”exclaimedMissMarple.“Whyme?”
“Becauseyou’vegotanoseforthatsortofthing.Youalwayshad.You’vealwaysbeenasweetinnocentlookingcreature,Jane,andallthetimeunderneathnothinghaseversurprisedyou,youalwaysbelievetheworst.”
“Theworstissooftentrue,”murmuredMissMarple.
“Whyyouhavesuchapoorideaofhumannature,Ican’tthink—livinginthatsweetpeacefulvillageofyours,sooldworldandpure.”
“Youhaveneverlivedinavillage,Ruth.Thethingsthatgooninapurepeacefulvillagewouldprobablysurpriseyou.”
“OhIdaresay.Mypointisthattheydon’tsurpriseyou.SoyouwillgodowntoStonygatesandfindoutwhat’swrong,won’tyou?”
“But,Ruthdear,thatwouldbeamostdifficultthingtodo.”
“No,itwouldn’t.I’vethoughtitallout.Ifyouwon’tbeabsolutelymadatme,I’vepreparedthegroundalready.”
Mrs.VanRydockpaused,eyedMissMarpleratheruneasily,lightedacigarette,andplungedrathernervouslyintoexplanation.
“You’lladmit,I’msure,thatthingshavebeendifficultinthiscountrysincethewar,forpeoplewithsmallfixedincomes—forpeoplelikeyou,thatistosay,Jane.”
“Ohyes,indeed.Butforthekindness,thereallygreatkindnessofmynephewRaymond,Idon’tknowreallywhereIshouldbe.”
“Nevermindyournephew,”saidMrs.VanRydock.“CarrieLouiseknowsnothingaboutyournephew—orifshedoes,sheknowshimasawriterandhasnoideathathe’syournephew.Thepoint,asIputittoCarrieLouise,isthatit’sjusttoobadaboutdearJane.Reallysometimeshardlyenoughtoeat,andofcoursefartooproudevertoappealtooldfriends.Onecouldn’t,Isaid,suggestmoney—butanicelongrestinlovelysurroundings,withanoldfriendandwithplentyofnourishingfood,andnocaresorworries—”RuthVanRydockpausedandthenaddeddefiantly,“Nowgoon—bemadatmeifyouwanttobe.”
MissMarpleopenedherchinablueeyesingentlesurprise.
“ButwhyshouldIbemadatyou,Ruth?Averyingeniousandplausibleapproach.I’msureCarrieLouiseresponded.”
“She’swritingtoyou.You’llfindtheletterwhenyougetback.Honestly,Jane,youdon’tfeelthatI’vetakenanunpardonableliberty?Youwon’tmind—”
ShehesitatedandMissMarpleputherthoughtsdeftlyintowords.
“GoingtoStonygatesasanobjectofcharity—moreorlessunderfalsepretences?Notintheleast—ifitisnecessary.Youthinkitisnecessary—andIaminclinedtoagreewithyou.”
Mrs.VanRydockstaredather.
“Butwhy?Whathaveyouheard?”
“Ihaven’theardanything.It’sjustyourconviction.You’renotafancifulwoman,Ruth.”
“No,butIhaven’tanythingdefinitetogoupon.”
“Iremember,”saidMissMarplethoughtfully,“oneSundaymorningatchurch—itwasthesecondSundayinAdvent—sittingbehindGraceLambleandfeelingmoreandmoreworriedabouther.Quitesure,youknow,thatsomethingwaswrong—badlywrong—andyetbeingquiteunabletosaywhy.Amostdisturbingfeelingandvery,verydefinite.”
“Andwastheresomethingwrong?”
“Ohyes.Herfather,theoldadmiral,hadbeenverypeculiarforsometime,andtheverynextdayhewentforherwiththecoalhammer,roaringoutthatshewasAntichristmasqueradingashisdaughter.Henearlykilledher.Theytookhimawaytotheasylumandsheeventuallyrecoveredaftermonthsinhospital—butitwasaverynearthing.”
“Andyou’dactuallyhadapremonitionthatdayinchurch?”
“Iwouldn’tcallitapremonition.Itwasfoundedonfact—thesethingsusuallyare,thoughonedoesn’talwaysrecogniseitatthetime.ShewaswearingherSundayhatthewrongwayround.Verysignificant,really,becauseGraceLamblewasamostprecisewoman,notatallvagueorabsentminded—andthecircumstancesunderwhichshewouldnotnoticewhichwayherhatwasputontogotochurchwerereallyextremelylimited.Herfather,yousee,hadthrownamarblepaperweightatherandithadshatteredthelookingglass.Shehadcaughtupherhat,putiton,andhurriedoutofthehouse.Anxioustokeepupappearancesandfortheservantsnottohearanything.Sheputdowntheseactions,yousee,to‘dearPapa’sNavaltemper,’shedidn’trealisethathismindwasdefinitelyunhinged.Thoughsheoughttohaverealiseditclearlyenough.Hewasalwayscomplainingtoherofbeingspieduponandofenemies—alltheusualsymptoms,infact.”
Mrs.VanRydockgazedrespectfullyatherfriend.
“Maybe,Jane,”shesaid,“thatSt.MaryMeadofyoursisn’tquitetheidyllicretreatthatI’vealwaysimaginedit.”
“Humannature,dear,isverymuchthesameeverywhere.Itismoredifficulttoobserveitcloselyinacity,thatisall.”
“Andyou’llgotoStonygates?”
“I’llgotoStonygates.Alittleunfair,perhaps,onmynephewRaymond.Toletitbethoughtthathedoesnotassistme,Imean.StillthedearboyisinMexicoforsixmonths.Andbythattimeitshouldallbeover.”
“Whatshouldallbeover?”
“CarrieLouise’sinvitationwillhardlybeforanindefinitestay.Threeweeks,perhaps—amonth.Thatshouldbeample.”
“Foryoutofindoutwhatiswrong?”
“Formetofindoutwhatiswrong.”
“My,Jane,”saidMrs.VanRydock,“you’vegotalotofconfidenceinyourself,haven’tyou?”
MissMarplelookedfaintlyreproachful.
“Youhaveconfidenceinme,Ruth.Orsoyousay…IcanonlyassureyouthatIshallendeavourtojustifyyourconfidence.”
Two
BeforecatchinghertrainbacktoSt.MaryMead(Wednesdayspecialcheapdayreturn)MissMarple,inapreciseandbusinesslikefashion,collectedcertaindata.
“CarrieLouiseandIhavecorrespondedafterafashion,butithaslargelybeenamatterofChristmascardsorcalendars.It’sjustthefactsIshouldlike,Ruthdear—andalsosomeideaastowhomexactlyIshallencounterinthehouseholdatStonygates.”
“Well,youknowaboutCarrieLouise’smarriagetoGulbrandsen.TherewerenochildrenandCarrieLouisetookthatverymuchtoheart.Gulbrandsenwasawidower,andhadthreegrown-upsons.Eventuallytheyadoptedachild.Pippa,theycalledher—alovelylittlecreature.Shewasjusttwoyearsoldwhentheygother.”
“Wheredidshecomefrom?Whatwasherbackground?”
“Really,now,Jane,Ican’tremember—ifIeverheard,thatis.Anadoptionsociety,maybe?OrsomeunwantedchildthatGulbrandsenhadheardabout.Why?Doyouthinkit’simportant?”
“Well,onealwayslikestoknowthebackground,sotospeak.Butpleasegoon.”
“ThenextthingthathappenedwasthatCarrieLouisefoundthatshewasgoingtohaveababyafterall.Iunderstandfromdoctorsthatthatquiteoftenhappens.”
MissMarplenodded.
“Ibelieveso.”
“Anyway,itdidhappen,andinafunnykindofway,CarrieLouisewasalmostdisconcerted,ifyoucanunderstandwhatImean.Earlier,ofcourse,she’dhavebeenwildwithjoy.Asitwas,she’dgivensuchadevotedlovetoPippathatshefeltquiteapologetictoPippaforputtinghernoseoutofjoint,sotospeak.AndthenMildred,whenshearrived,wasreallyaveryunattractivechild.TookaftertheGulbrandsens—whoweresolidandworthy—butdefinitelyhomely.CarrieLouisewasalwayssoanxioustomakenodifferencebetweentheadoptedchildandherownchildthatIthinksherathertendedtooverindulgePippaandpassoverMildred.SometimesIthinkthatMildredresentedit.HoweverIdidn’tseethemoften.PippagrewupaverybeautifulgirlandMildredgrewupaplainone.EricGulbrandsendiedwhenMildredwasfifteenandPippaeighteen.AttwentyPippamarriedanItalian,theMarchesediSanSeveriano—ohquiteagenuineMarchese—notanadventurer,oranythinglikethat.Shewasbywayofbeinganheiress(naturally,orSanSeverianowouldn’thavemarriedher—youknowwhatItaliansare!).Gulbrandsenleftanequalsumintrustforbothhisownandhisadopteddaughter.MildredmarriedaCanonStrete—anicemanbutgiventocoldsinthehead.Abouttenorfifteenyearsolderthanshewas.Quiteahappymarriage,Ibelieve.
“HediedayearagoandMildredhascomebacktoStonygatestolivewithhermother.Butthat’sgettingontoofast;I’veskippedamarriageortwo.I’llgobacktothem.PippamarriedherItalian.CarrieLouisewasquitepleasedaboutthemarriage.Guidohadbeautifulmannersandwasveryhandsome,andhewasafinesportsman.AyearlaterPippahadadaughteranddiedinchildbirth.ItwasaterribletragedyandGuidoSanSeverianowasverycutup.CarrieLouisewenttoandfrobetweenItalyandEnglandagooddealanditwasinRomethatshemetJohnnieRestarickandmarriedhim.TheMarchesemarriedagainandhewasquitewillingforhislittledaughtertobebroughtupinEnglandbyherexceedinglywealthygrandmother.SotheyallsettleddownatStonygates,JohnnieRestarickandCarrieLouise,andJohnnie’stwoboys,AlexisandStephen(Johnnie’sfirstwifewasaRussian),andthebabyGina.MildredmarriedherCanonsoonafterwards.ThencameallthisbusinessofJohnnieandtheYugoslavianwomanandthedivorce.TheboysstillcametoStonygatesfortheirholidaysandweredevotedtoCarrieLouiseandthenin1938,Ithinkitwas,CarrieLouisemarriedLewis.”
Mrs.VanRydockpausedforbreath.
“You’venotmetLewis?”
MissMarpleshookherhead.
“No,IthinkIlastsawCarrieLouisein1928.SheverysweetlytookmetoCoventGarden—totheOpera.”
“Ohyes.Well,Lewiswasaverysuitablepersonforhertomarry.Hewastheheadofaverycelebratedfirmofcharteredaccountants.IthinkhemetherfirstoversomequestionofthefinancesoftheGulbrandsenTrustandtheCollege.Hewaswelloff,justaboutherownage,andamanofabsolutelyuprightlife.Buthewasacrank.Hewasabsolutelyrabidonthesubjectoftheredemptionofyoungcriminals.”
RuthVanRydocksighed.
“AsIsaidjustnow,Jane,therearefashionsinphilanthropy.InGulbrandsen’stimeitwaseducation.Beforethatitwassoupkitchens—”
MissMarplenodded.
“Yes,indeed.Portwinejellyandcalf’sheadbrothtakentothesick.Mymotherusedtodoit.”
“That’sright.Feedingthebodygavewaytofeedingthemind.Everyonewentmadoneducatingthelowerclasses.Well,that’spassed.Soon,Iexpect,thefashionablethingtodowillbenottoeducateyourchildren,preservetheirilliteracycarefullyuntilthey’reeighteen.AnywaytheGulbrandsenTrustandEducationFundwasinsomedifficultiesbecausethestatewastakingoveritsfunctions.ThenLewiscamealongwithhispassionateenthusiasmaboutconstructivetrainingforjuveniledelinquents.Hisattentionhadbeendrawntothesubjectfirstinthecourseofhisprofession—auditingaccountswhereingeniousyoungmenhadperpetratedfrauds.Hewasmoreandmoreconvincedthatjuveniledelinquentswerenotsubnormal—thattheyhadexcellentbrainsandabilitiesandonlyneededtherightdirection.”
“Thereissomethinginthat,”saidMissMarple.“Butitisnotentirelytrue.Iremember—”
Shebrokeoffandglancedatherwatch.
“Ohdear—Imustn’tmissthe6:30.”
RuthVanRydocksaidurgently:
“AndyouwillgotoStonygates?”
GatheringuphershoppingbagandherumbrellaMissMarplesaid:
“IfCarrieLouiseasksme—”
“Shewillaskyou.You’llgo?Promise,Jane?”
JaneMarplepromised.
Three
MissMarplegotoutofthetrainatMarketKindlestation.Akindlyfellowpassengerhandedouthersuitcaseafterher,andMissMarple,clutchingastringbag,afadedleatherhandbagandsomemiscellaneouswraps,utteredappreciativetwittersofthanks.
“Sokindofyou,I’msure…Sodifficultnowadays—notmanyporters.IgetsoflusteredwhenItravel.”
Thetwittersweredrownedbytheboomingnoiseofthestationannouncersayingloudlybutindistinctlythatthe3:18wasstandingatPlatform1andwasabouttoproceedtovariousunidentifiablestations.
MarketKindlewasalargeemptywindsweptstationwithhardlyanypassengersorrailwaystafftobeseenonit.Itsclaimtodistinctionlayinhavingsixplatformsandabaywhereaverysmalltrainofonecarriagewaspuffingimportantly.
MissMarple,rathermoreshabbilydressedthanwashercustom(soluckythatshehadn’tgivenawaytheoldspeckledy),waspeeringaroundheruncertainlywhenayoungmancameuptoher.
“MissMarple?”hesaid.Hisvoicehadanunexpectedlydramaticqualityaboutit,asthoughtheutteranceofhernamewerethefirstwordsofaparthewasplayinginamateurtheatricals.“I’vecometomeetyou—fromStonygates.”
MissMarplelookedgratefullyathim,acharminghelplesslookingoldladywith,ifhehadchancedtonoticeit,veryshrewdblueeyes.Thepersonalityoftheyoungmandidnotquitematchhisvoice.Itwaslessimportant,onemightalmostsayinsignificant.Hiseyelidshadatrickofflutteringnervously.
“Oh,thankyou,”saidMissMarple.“There’sjustthissuitcase.”
Shenoticedthattheyoungmandidnotpickuphersuitcasehimself.Heflippedafingerataporterwhowastrundlingsomepackingcasespastonatrolley.
“Bringitout,please,”hesaid,andaddedimportantly,“ForStonygates.”
Theportersaidcheerfully:
“Rightyho.Shan’tbelong.”
MissMarplefanciedthathernewacquaintancewasnottoopleasedaboutthis.ItwasasifBuckinghamPalacehadbeendismissedasnomoreimportantthan3LaburnumRoad.
Hesaid,“Therailwaysgetmoreimpossibleeveryday!”
GuidingMissMarpletowardstheexit,hesaid:“I’mEdgarLawson.Mrs.Serrocoldaskedmetomeetyou.IhelpMr.Serrocoldinhiswork.”
Therewasagainthefaintinsinuationthatabusyandimportantmanhad,verycharmingly,putimportantaffairsononesideoutofchivalrytohisemployer’swife.
Andagaintheimpressionwasnotwhollyconvincing—ithadatheatricalflavour.
MissMarplebegantowonderaboutEdgarLawson.
TheycameoutofthestationandEdgarguidedtheoldladytowherearatherelderlyFordV.8wasstanding.
Hewasjustsaying,“Willyoucomeinfrontwithme,orwouldyouprefertheback?”whentherewasadiversion.
Anewgleamingtwo-seaterRollsBentleycamepurringintothestationyardanddrewupinfrontoftheFord.Averybeautifulyoungwomanjumpedoutofitandcameacrosstothem.Thefactthatsheworedirtycorduroyslacksandasimpleaertexshirtopenattheneckseemedsomehowtoenhancethefactthatshewasnotonlybeautifulbutexpensive.
“Thereyouare,Edgar.IthoughtIwouldn’tmakeitintime.Iseeyou’vegotMissMarple.Icametomeether.”ShesmileddazzlinglyatMissMarpleshowingarowoflovelyteethinasunburntsouthernface.“I’mGina,”shesaid.“CarrieLouise’sgranddaughter.Whatwasyourjourneylike?Simplyfoul?Whatanicestringbag.Ilovestringbags.I’lltakeitandthecoatsandthenyoucangetinbetter.”
Edgar’sfaceflushed.Heprotested.
“Lookhere,Gina,IcametomeetMissMarple.Itwasallarranged….”
Againtheteethflashedinthatwide,lazysmile.
“OhIknow,Edgar,butIsuddenlythoughtitwouldbeniceifIcamealong.I’lltakeherwithmeandyoucanwaitandbringhercasesup.”
SheslammedthedooronMissMarple,ranroundtotheotherside,jumpedinthedrivingseat,andtheypurredswiftlyoutofthestation.
Lookingback,MissMarplenoticedEdgarLawson’sface.
“Idon’tthink,mydear,”shesaid,“thatMr.Lawsonisverypleased.”
Ginalaughed.
“Edgar’safrightfulidiot,”shesaid.“Alwayssopompousaboutthings.You’dreallythinkhemattered!”
MissMarpleasked,“Doesn’thematter?”
“Edgar?”TherewasanunconsciousnoteofcrueltyinGina’sscornfullaugh.“Oh,he’sbatsanyway.”
“Bats?”
“They’reallbatsatStonygates,”saidGina.“Idon’tmeanLewisandGrandamandmeandtheboys—andnotMissBellever,ofcourse.Buttheothers.SometimesIfeelI’mgoingabitbatsmyselflivingthere.EvenAuntMildredgoesoutonwalksandmutterstoherselfallthetime—andyoudon’texpectaCanon’swidowtodothat,doyou?”
Theyswungoutofthestationapproachandacceleratedupthesmooth-surfaced,emptyroad.Ginashotaswift,sidewaysglanceathercompanion.
“YouwereatschoolwithGrandam,weren’tyou?Itseemssoqueer.”
MissMarpleknewperfectlywhatshemeant.ToyouthitseemsveryoddtothinkthatagewasonceyoungandpigtailedandstruggledwithdecimalsandEnglishliterature.
“Itmust,”saidGinawithaweinhervoice,andobviouslynotmeaningtoberude,“havebeenaverylongtimeago.”
“Yes,indeed,”saidMissMarple.“Youfeelthatmorewithmethanyoudowithyourgrandmother,Iexpect?”
Ginanodded.“It’scuteofyousayingthat.Grandam,youknow,givesoneacuriouslyagelessfeeling.”
“ItisalongtimesinceI’veseenher.IwonderifIshallfindhermuchchanged.”
“Herhair’sgrey,ofcourse,”saidGinavaguely.“Andshewalkswithastickbecauseofherarthritis.It’sgotmuchworselately.Isupposethat—”shebrokeoff,andthenasked,“HaveyoubeentoStonygatesbefore?”
“No,never.I’veheardagreatdealaboutit,ofcourse.”
“It’sprettyghastlyreally,”saidGinacheerfully.“AsortofGothicmonstrosity.WhatStevecallsBestVictorianLavatoryperiod.Butit’sfun,too,inaway.Only,ofcourse,everything’smadlyearnest,andyoutumbleoverpsychiatristseverywhereunderfoot.Enjoyingthemselvesmadly.Ratherlikescoutmasters,onlyworse.Theyoungcriminalsareratherpets,someofthem.Oneshowedmehowtodiddlelockswithabitofwireandoneangelic-facedboygavemealotofpointsaboutcoshingpeople.”
MissMarpleconsideredthisinformationthoughtfully.
“It’sthethugsIlikebest,”saidGina.“Idon’tfancythequeerssomuch.Ofcourse,LewisandDr.Maverickthinkthey’reallqueers—Imeantheythinkit’srepresseddesiresanddisorderedhomelifeandtheirmothersgettingoffwithsoldiersandallthat.Idon’treallyseeitmyselfbecausesomepeoplehavehadawfulhomelivesandyethavemanagedtoturnoutquiteallright.”
“I’msureitisallaverydifficultproblem,”saidMissMarple.
Ginalaughed,againshowinghermagnificentteeth.
“Itdoesn’tworrymemuch.Isupposesomepeoplehavethesesortsofurgestomaketheworldabetterplace.Lewisisquitedippyaboutitall—he’sgoingtoAberdeennextweekbecausethere’sacasecomingupinthepolicecourt—aboywithfivepreviousconvictions.”
“Theyoungmanwhometmeatthestation?Mr.Lawson.HehelpsMr.Serrocold,hetoldme.Ishehissecretary?”
“OhEdgarhasn’tbrainsenoughtobeasecretary.He’sacase,really.HeusedtostayathotelsandpretendhewasaV.C.orafighterpilotandborrowmoneyandthendoaflit.Ithinkhe’sjustarotter.ButLewisgoesthrougharoutinewiththemall.Makesthemfeeloneofthefamilyandgivesthemjobstodoandallthattoencouragetheirsenseofresponsibility.Idaresayweshallbemurderedbyoneofthemoneofthesedays.”Ginalaughedmerrily.
MissMarpledidnotlaugh.
Theyturnedinthroughsomeimposinggateswhereacommissionairewasstandingondutyinamilitarymanneranddroveupadriveflankedwithrhododendrons.Thedrivewasbadlykeptandthegroundsseemedneglected.
Interpretinghercompanion’sglance,Ginasaid,“Nogardenersduringthewar,andsincewehaven’tbothered.Butitdoeslookratherterrible.”
TheycameroundacurveandStonygatesappearedinitsfullglory.Itwas,asGinahadsaid,avastedificeofVictorianGothic—akindoftempletoplutocracy.Philanthropyhadaddedtoitinvariouswingsandoutbuildingswhich,whilenotpositivelydissimilarinstyle,hadrobbedthestructureasawholeofanycohesionorpurpose.
“Hideous,isn’tit?”saidGinaaffectionately.“There’sGrandamontheterrace.I’llstophereandyoucangoandmeether.”
MissMarpleadvancedalongtheterracetowardsheroldfriend.
Fromadistance,theslimlittlefigurelookedcuriouslygirlishinspiteofthestickonwhichsheleanedandherslowandobviouslyratherpainfulprogress.Itwasasthoughayounggirlwasgivinganexaggeratedimitationofoldage.
“Jane,”saidMrs.Serrocold.
“DearCarrieLouise.”
Yes,unmistakablyCarrieLouise.Strangelyunchanged,strangelyyouthfulstill,although,unlikehersister,sheusednocosmeticsorartificialaidstoyouth.Herhairwasgrey,butithadalwaysbeenofasilveryfairnessandthecolourhadchangedverylittle.Herskinhadstillaroseleafpinkandwhiteappearance,thoughnowitwasacrumpledroseleaf.Hereyeshadstilltheirstarryinnocentglance.Shehadtheslenderyouthfulfigureofagirlandherheadkeptitseagerbirdliketilt.
“Idoblamemyself,”saidCarrieLouiseinhersweetvoice,“forlettingitbesolong.YearssinceIsawyou,Janedear.It’sjustlovelythatyou’vecomeatlasttopayusavisithere.”
FromtheendoftheterraceGinacalled:
“Yououghttocomein,Grandam.It’sgettingcold—andJollywillbefurious.”
CarrieLouisegaveherlittlesilverylaugh.
“Theyallfussaboutmeso,”shesaid.“TheyrubitinthatI’manoldwoman.”
“Andyoudon’tfeellikeone.”
“No,Idon’t,Jane.Inspiteofallmyachesandpains—andI’vegotplenty.InsideIgoonfeelingjustachitlikeGina.Perhapseveryonedoes.Theglassshowsthemhowoldtheyareandtheyjustdon’tbelieveit.ItseemsonlyafewmonthsagothatwewereatFlorence.DoyourememberFr?uleinSchweichandherboots?”
Thetwoelderlywomenlaughedtogetherateventsthathadhappenednearlyhalfacenturyago.
Theywalkedtogethertoasidedoor.Inthedoorwayagaunt,elderlyladymetthem.Shehadanarrogantnose,ashorthaircutandworestout,well-cuttweeds.
Shesaidfiercely:
“It’sabsolutelycrazyofyou,Cara,tostayoutsolate.You’reabsolutelyincapableoftakingcareofyourself.WhatwillMr.Serrocoldsay?”
“Don’tscoldme,Jolly,”saidCarrieLouisepleadingly.SheintroducedMissBellevertoMissMarple.
“ThisisMissBelleverwhoissimplyeverythingtome.Nurse,dragon,watchdog,secretary,housekeeper,andveryfaithfulfriend.”
JulietBelleversniffed,andtheendofherbignoseturnedratherpink,asignofemotion.
“IdowhatIcan,”shesaidgruffly.“Thisisacrazyhousehold.Yousimplycan’tarrangeanykindofplannedroutine.”
“DarlingJolly,ofcourseyoucan’t.Iwonderwhyyouevertry.WhereareyouputtingMissMarple?”
“IntheBlueRoom.ShallItakeherup?”askedMissBellever.
“Yes,pleasedo,Jolly.Andthenbringherdowntotea.It’sinthelibrarytoday,Ithink.”
TheBlueRoomhadheavycurtainsofarich,fadedbluebrocadethatmusthavebeen,MissMarplethought,aboutfiftyyearsold.Thefurniturewasmahogany,bigandsolid,andthebedwasavastmahoganyfourposter.MissBelleveropenedadoorintoaconnectingbathroom.Thiswasunexpectedlymodern,orchidincolouringandwithmuchdazzlingchromium.
Sheobservedgrimly:
“JohnRestarickhadtenbathroomsputintothehousewhenhemarriedCara.Theplumbingisabouttheonlythingthat’severbeenmodernized.Hewouldn’thearoftherestbeingaltered—saidthewholeplacewasaperfectperiodpiece.Didyoueverknowhimatall?”
“No,Inevermethim.Mrs.SerrocoldandIhavemetveryseldomthoughwehavealwayscorresponded.”
“Hewasanagreeablefellow,”saidMissBellever.“Nogood,ofcourse!Acompleterotter.Butpleasanttohaveaboutthehouse.Greatcharm.Womenlikedhimfartoomuch.Thatwashisundoingintheend.NotreallyCara’stype.”
Sheadded,withabrusqueresumptionofherpracticalmanner:
“Thehousemaidwillunpackforyou.Doyouwantawashbeforetea?”
Receivinganaffirmativeanswer,shesaidthatMissMarplewouldfindherwaitingatthetopofthestairs.
MissMarplewentintothebathroomandwashedherhandsanddriedthemalittlenervouslyonaverybeautifulorchidcolouredfacetowel.Thensheremovedherhatandpattedhersoftwhitehairintoplace.
OpeningherdoorshefoundMissBelleverwaitingforherandwasconducteddownthebiggloomystaircaseandacrossavastdarkhallandintoaroomwherebookshelveswentuptotheceilingandabigwindowlookedoutoveranartificiallake.
CarrieLouisewasstandingbythewindowandMissMarplejoinedher.
“Whataveryimposinghousethisis,”saidMissMarple.“Ifeelquitelostinit.”
“Yes,Iknow.It’sridiculous,really.Itwasbuiltbyaprosperousironmaster—orsomethingofthatkind.Hewentbankruptnotlongafter.Idon’twonderreally.Therewereaboutfourteenlivingrooms—allenormous.I’veneverseenwhatpeoplecanwantwithmorethanonesittingroom.Andallthosehugebedrooms.Suchalotofunnecessaryspace.Mineisterriblyoverpowering—andquitealongwaytowalkfromthebedtothedressingtable.Andgreatheavydarkcrimsoncurtains.”
“Youhaven’thaditmodernizedandredecorated?”
CarrieLouiselookedvaguelysurprised.
“No.Onthewholeit’sverymuchasitwaswhenIfirstlivedherewithEric.It’sbeenrepainted,ofcourse,buttheyalwaysdoitthesamecolour.Thosethingsdon’treallymatter,dothey?ImeanIshouldn’thavefeltjustifiedinspendingalotofmoneyonthatkindofthingwhentherearesomanythingsthataresomuchmoreimportant.”
“Havetherebeennochangesatallinthehouse?”
“Ohyes—heapsofthem.We’vejustkeptakindofblockinthemiddleofthehouseasitwas—theGreatHallandtheroomsoffandover.They’rethebestonesandJohnnie—mysecondhusband—waslyricaloverthemandsaidtheyshouldneverbetouchedoraltered—and,ofcourse,hewasanartistandadesignerandheknewaboutthesethings.ButtheEastandWestwingshavebeencompletelyremodelled.Alltheroomspartitionedoffanddividedup,sothatwehaveoffices,andbedroomsfortheteachingstaff,andallthat.TheboysareallintheCollegebuilding—youcanseeitfromhere.”
MissMarplelookedouttowardswherelargeredbrickbuildingsshowedthroughabeltofshelteringtrees.Thenhereyesfellonsomethingnearerathand,andshesmiledalittle.
“WhataverybeautifulgirlGinais,”shesaid.
CarrieLouise’sfacelitup.
“Yes,isn’tshe?”shesaidsoftly.“It’ssolovelytohaveherbackhereagain.IsenthertoAmericaatthebeginningofthewar—toRuth.DidRuthtalkaboutheratall?”
“No.Atleastshedidjustmentionher.”
CarrieLouisesighed.
“PoorRuth!ShewasfrightfullyupsetoverGina’smarriage.ButI’vetoldheragainandagainthatIdon’tblameherintheleast.Ruthdoesn’trealise,asIdo,thattheoldbarriersandclassshibbolethsaregone—oratanyratearegoing.
“Ginawasdoingwarwork—andshemetthisyoungman.Hewasamarineandhadaverygoodwarrecord.Andaweeklatertheyweremarried.Itwasallfartooquick,ofcourse,notimetofindoutiftheywerereallysuitedtoeachother—butthat’sthewayofthingsnowadays.Youngpeoplebelongtotheirgeneration.Wemaythinkthey’reunwiseinmanyoftheirdoings,butwehavetoaccepttheirdecisions.Ruth,though,wasterriblyupset.”
“Shedidn’tconsidertheyoungmansuitable?”
“Shekeptsayingthatonedidn’tknowanythingabouthim.Hecamefromthemiddlewestandhehadn’tanymoney—andnaturallynoprofession.Therearehundredsofboyslikethateverywhere—butitwasn’tRuth’sideaofwhatwasrightforGina.However,thethingwasdone.IwassogladwhenGinaacceptedmyinvitationtocomeoverherewithherhusband.There’ssomuchgoingonhere—jobsofeverykind,andifWalterwantstospecialiseinmedicineorgetadegreeoranythinghecoulddoitinthiscountry.Afterall,thisisGina’shome.It’sdelightfultohaveherback,tohavesomeonesowarmandgayandaliveinthehouse.”
MissMarplenoddedandlookedoutofthewindowagainatthetwoyoungpeoplestandingnearthelake.
“They’rearemarkablyhandsomecouple,too,”shesaid.“Idon’twonderGinafellinlovewithhim!”
“Oh,butthat—thatisn’tWally.”Therewas,quitesuddenly,atouchofembarrassment,orrestraint,inMrs.Serrocold’svoice.“That’sSteve—theyoungerofJohnnieRestarick’stwoboys.WhenJohnnie—whenhewentaway,he’dnoplacefortheboysintheholidays,soIalwayshadthemhere.Theylookonthisastheirhome.AndSteve’sherepermanentlynow.Herunsourdramaticbranch.Wehaveatheatre,youknow,andplays—weencouragealltheartisticinstincts.Lewissaysthatsomuchofthisjuvenilecrimeisduetoexhibitionism;mostoftheboyshavehadsuchathwarted,unhappyhomelife,andthesehold-upsandburglariesmakethemfeelheroes.Weurgethemtowritetheirownplaysandactinthemanddesignandpainttheirownscenery.Steveisinchargeofthetheatre.He’ssokeenandenthusiastic.It’swonderfulwhatlifehe’sputintothewholething.”
“Isee,”saidMissMarpleslowly.
Herlongdistancesightwasgood(asmanyofherneighboursknewtotheircostinthevillageofSt.MaryMead)andshesawveryclearlythedarkhandsomefaceofStephenRestarickashestoodfacingGina,talkingeagerly.Gina’sfaceshecouldnotsee,sincethegirlhadherbacktothem,buttherewasnomistakingtheexpressioninStephenRestarick’sface.
“Itisn’tanybusinessofmine,”saidMissMarple,“butIsupposeyourealise,CarrieLouise,thathe’sinlovewithher.”
“Ohno—”CarrieLouiselookedtroubled.“Ohno,Idohopenot.”
“Youwerealwaysupintheclouds,CarrieLouise.There’snottheleastdoubtaboutit.”
Four
1
BeforeMrs.Serrocoldcouldsayanything,herhusbandcameinfromthehallcarryingsomeopenlettersinhishand.
LewisSerrocoldwasashortman,notparticularlyimpressiveinappearance,butwithapersonalitythatimmediatelymarkedhimout.Ruthhadoncesaidofhimthathewasmorelikeadynamothanahumanbeing.Heusuallyconcentratedentirelyonwhatwasimmediatelyoccupyinghisattentionandpaidnoattentiontotheobjectsorpersonswhoweresurroundingit.
“Abadblow,dearest,”hesaid.“Thatboy,JackieFlint.Backathistricksagain.AndIreallydidthinkhemeanttogostraightthistimeifhegotaproperchance.Hewasmostearnestaboutit.Youknowwefoundhe’dalwaysbeenkeenonrailways—andbothMaverickandIthoughtthatifhegotajobontherailwayshe’dsticktoitandmakegood.Butit’sthesamestory.Pettythievingfromtheparcelsoffice.Notevenstuffhecouldwantorsell.Thatshowsthatitmustbepsychological.Wehaven’treallygottotherootofthetrouble.ButI’mnotgivingup.”
“Lewis—thisismyoldfriend,JaneMarple.”
“Oh,howd’youdo,”saidMr.Serrocoldabsently.“Soglad—they’llprosecute,ofcourse.Anicelad,too,nottoomanybrainsbutareallyniceboy.Unspeakablehomehecamefrom.I—”
Hesuddenlybrokeoff,andthedynamowasswitchedontotheguest.
“Why,MissMarple,I’msodelightedyou’vecometostaywithusforawhile.ItwillmakesuchagreatdifferencetoCarolinetohaveafriendofolddayswithwhomshecanexchangememories.Shehas,inmanyways,agrimtimehere—somuchsadnessinthestoriesofthesepoorchildren.Wedohopeyou’llstaywithusaverylongtime.”
MissMarplefeltthemagnetismandrealisedhowattractiveitwouldhavebeentoherfriend.ThatLewisSerrocoldwasamanwhowouldalwaysputcausesbeforepeopleshedidnotdoubtforamoment.Itmighthaveirritatedsomewomen,butnotCarrieLouise.
LewisSerrocoldsortedoutanotherletter.
“Atanyratewe’vesomegoodnews.ThisisfromtheWiltshireandSomersetBank.YoungMorrisisdoingextremelywell.They’rethoroughlysatisfiedwithhimand,infact,arepromotinghimnextmonth.Ialwaysknewthatallheneededwasresponsibility—that,andathoroughgraspofthehandlingofmoneyandwhatitmeans.”
HeturnedtoMissMarple.
“Halftheseboysdon’tknowwhatmoneyis.Itrepresentstothemgoingtothepicturesortothedogs,orbuyingcigarettes—andthey’recleverwithfiguresandfinditexcitingtojugglethemround.Well,Ibelievein—whatshallIsay?—rubbingtheirnosesinthestuff—traintheminaccountancy,infigures—showthemthewholeinnerromanceofmoney,sotospeak.Givethemskillandthenresponsibility—letthemhandleitofficially.Ourgreatestsuccesseshavebeenthatway—onlytwooutofthirty-eighthaveletusdown.One’sheadcashierinafirmofdruggists—areallyresponsibleposition—”
Hebrokeofftosay:“Tea’sin,dearest,”tohiswife.
“Ithoughtwewerehavingithere.ItoldJolly.”
“No,it’sintheHall.Theothersarethere.”
“Ithoughttheywereallgoingtobeout.”
CarrieLouiselinkedherarmthroughMissMarple’sandtheywentintotheGreatHall.Teaseemedaratherincongruousmealinitssurroundings.Theteathingswerepiledhaphazardonatray—whileutilitycupsmixedwiththeremnantsofwhathadbeenRockinghamandSpodeteaservices.Therewasaloafofbread,twopotsofjam,andsomecheapandunwholesome-lookingcakes.
Aplumpmiddle-agedwomanwithgreyhairsatbehindtheteatableandMrs.Serrocoldsaid:
“ThisisMildred,Jane.MydaughterMildred.Youhaven’tseenhersinceshewasatinygirl.”
MildredStretewasthepersonmostintunewiththehousethatMissMarplehadsofarseen.Shelookedprosperousanddignified.ShehadmarriedlateinherthirtiesaCanonoftheChurchofEnglandandwasnowawidow.ShelookedexactlylikeaCanon’swidow,respectableandslightlydull.Shewasaplainwomanwithalargeunexpressivefaceanddulleyes.Shehadbeen,MissMarplereflected,averyplainlittlegirl.
“AndthisisWallyHudd—Gina’shusband.”
Wallywasabigyoungman,withhairbrusheduponhisheadandasulkyexpression.Henoddedawkwardlyandwentoncrammingcakeintohismouth.
PresentlyGinacameinwithStephenRestarick.Theywerebothveryanimated.
“Gina’sgotawonderfulideaforthatbackcloth,”saidStephen.“Youknow,Gina,you’vegotaverydefiniteflairfortheatricaldesigning.”
Ginalaughedandlookedpleased.EdgarLawsoncameinandsatdownbyLewisSerrocold.WhenGinaspoketohim,hemadeapretenceofnotanswering.
MissMarplefounditallalittlebewilderingandwasgladtogotoherroomandliedownaftertea.
Thereweremorepeoplestillatdinner,ayoungDoctorMaverickwhowaseitherapsychiatristorapsychologist—MissMarplewasratherhazyaboutthedifference—andwhoseconversation,dealingalmostentirelywiththejargonofhistrade,waspracticallyunintelligibletoher.Therewerealsotwospectacledyoungmenwhoheldpostsontheteaching
Themealwasnotaparticularlyappetizingone.Itwasindifferentlycookedandindifferentlyserved.Avarietyofcostumeswasworn.MissBelleverworeahighblackdress,MildredStreteworeaneveningdressandawoollencardiganoverit.CarrieLouisehadonashortdressofgreywool—Ginawasresplendentinakindofpeasantgetup.Wallyhadnotchanged,norhadStephenRestarick,EdgarLawsonhadonaneat,darkbluesuit.LewisSerrocoldworetheconventionaldinnerjacket.Heateverylittleandhardlyseemedtonoticewhatwasonhisplate.
AfterdinnerLewisSerrocoldandDr.Maverickwentawaytothelatter’soffice.Theoccupationaltherapistandtheschoolmasterswentawaytosomelairoftheirown.Thethree“cases”wentbacktothecollege.GinaandStephenwenttothetheatretodiscussGina’sideaforaset.MildredknittedanindeterminategarmentandMissBelleverdarnedsocks.Wallysatinachairgentlytiltedbackwardsandstaredintospace.CarrieLouiseandMissMarpletalkedaboutolddays.Theconversationseemedstrangelyunreal.
EdgarLawsonaloneseemedunabletofindaniche.Hesatdownandthengotuprestlessly.
“IwonderifIoughttogotoMr.Serrocold,”hesaidratherloudly.“Hemayneedme.”
CarrieLouisesaidgently,“Oh,Idon’tthinkso.HewasgoingtotalkoveroneortwopointswithDr.Maverickthisevening.”
“ThenIcertainlywon’tbuttin!Ishouldn’tdreamofgoingwhereIwasn’twanted.I’vealreadywastedtimetodaygoingdowntothestationwhenMrs.Huddmeanttogoherself.”
“Sheoughttohavetoldyou,”saidCarrieLouise.“ButIthinkshejustdecidedatthelastmoment.”
“Youdorealise,Mrs.Serrocold,thatshemademelookacompletefool!Acompletefool!”
“No,no,”saidCarrieLouise,smiling.“Youmustn’thavetheseideas.”
“IknowI’mnotneededorwanted…I’mperfectlyawareofthat.Ifthingshadbeendifferent—ifI’dhadmyproperplaceinlifeitwouldbeverydifferent.Verydifferentindeed.It’snofaultofminethatIhaven’tgotmyproperplaceinlife.”
“Now,Edgar,”saidCarrieLouise.“Don’tworkyourselfupaboutnothing.Janethinksitwasverykindofyoutomeether.Ginaalwayshasthesesuddenimpulses—shedidn’tmeantoupsetyou.”
“Ohyes,shedid.Itwasdoneonpurpose—tohumiliateme—”
“OhEdgar—”
“Youdon’tknowhalfofwhat’sgoingon,Mrs.Serrocold.Well,Iwon’tsayanymorenowexceptgoodnight.”
Edgarwentoutshuttingthedoorwithaslambehindhim.
MissBelleversnorted:
“Atrociousmanners.”
“He’ssosensitive,”saidCarrieLouisevaguely.
MildredStreteclickedherneedlesandsaidsharply:
“Hereallyisamostodiousyoungman.Youshouldn’tputupwithsuchbehavior,Mother.”
“Lewissayshecan’thelpit.”
Mildredsaidsharply:
“Everyonecanhelpbehavingrudely.OfcourseIblameGinaverymuch.She’ssocompletelyscatterbrainedineverythingsheundertakes.Shedoesnothingbutmaketrouble.Onedaysheencouragestheyoungmanandthenextdayshesnubshim.Whatcanyouexpect?”
WallyHuddspokeforthefirsttimethatevening.
Hesaid:
“Thatguy’scrackers.That’sallthereistoit!Crackers!”
2
Inherbedroomthatnight,MissMarpletriedtoreviewthepatternofStonygates,butitwasasyettooconfused.Therewerecurrentsandcrosscurrentshere—butwhethertheycouldaccountforRuthVanRydock’suneasinessitwasimpossibletotell.ItdidnotseemtoMissMarplethatCarrieLouisewasaffectedinanywaybywhatwasgoingonroundher.StephenwasinlovewithGina.GinamightormightnotbeinlovewithStephen.WalterHuddwasclearlynotenjoyinghimself.Thesewereincidentsthatmightanddidoccurinallplacesandatmosttimes.Therewas,unfortunately,nothingexceptionalaboutthem.Theyendedinthedivorcecourtandeverybodyhopefullystartedagain—whenfreshtangleswerecreated.MildredStretewasclearlyjealousofGinaanddislikedher.That,MissMarplethought,wasverynatural.
ShethoughtoverwhatRuthVanRydockhadtoldher.CarrieLouise’sdisappointmentatnothavingachild—theadoptionoflittlePippa—andthenthediscoverythat,afterall,achildwasontheway.
“Oftenhappenslikethat,”MissMarple’sdoctorhadtoldher.“Reliefoftension,maybe,andthenNaturecandoitswork.”
Hehadaddedthatitwasusuallyhardlinesontheadoptedchild.
Butthathadnotbeensointhiscase.BothGulbrandsenandhiswifehadadoredlittlePippa.Shehadmadeherplacetoofirmlyintheirheartstobelightlysetaside.Gulbrandsenwasalreadyafather.Paternitymeantnothingnewtohim.CarrieLouise’smaternalyearningshadbeenassuagedbyPippa.Herpregnancyhadbeenuncomfortableandtheactualbirthdifficultandprolonged.PossiblyCarrieLouise,whohadnevercaredforreality,didnotenjoyherfirstbrushwithit.
Thereremainedtwolittlegirlsgrowingup,oneprettyandamusing,theotherplainanddull.Whichagain,MissMarplethought,wasquitenatural.Forwhenpeopleadoptababygirl,theychooseaprettyone.AndthoughMildredmighthavebeenluckyandtakenaftertheMartinswhohadproducedhandsomeRuthanddaintyCarrieLouise,NatureelectedthatsheshouldtakeaftertheGulbrandsenswhowerelargeandstolidanduncompromisinglyplain.
MoreoverCarrieLouisewasdeterminedthattheadoptedchildshouldneverfeelherpositionandinmakingsureofthisshewasoverindulgenttoPippaandsometimeslessthanfairtoMildred.
PippahadmarriedandgoneawaytoItaly,andMildred,foratime,hadbeentheonlydaughterofthehouse.ButthenPippahaddiedandCarrieLouisehadbroughtPippa’sbabybacktoStonygatesandoncemoreMildredhadbeenoutofit.Therehadbeenthenewmarriage—theRestarickboys.In1934MildredhadmarriedCanonStrete,ascholarlyantiquarianabouttenorfifteenyearsolder,andhadgoneawaytoliveinthesouthofEngland.Presumablyshehadbeenhappy—butonedidnotreallyknow.Therehadbeennochildren.Andnowhereshewas,backagaininthesamehousewhereshehadbeenbroughtup.Andonceagain,MissMarplethought,notparticularlyhappyinit.
Gina,Stephen,Wally,Mildred,MissBelleverwholikedanorderedroutineandwasunabletoenforceit.LewisSerrocold,whowasclearlyblissfullyandwholeheartedlyhappy,anidealistabletotranslatehisidealsintopracticalmeasures.InnoneofthesepersonalitiesdidMissMarplefindwhatRuth’swordshadledhertobelieveshemightfind.CarrieLouiseseemedsecure,remoteattheheartofthewhirlpool—asshehadbeenallherlife.Whatthen,inthatatmosphere,hadRuthfelttobewrong…?Didshe,JaneMarple,feelitalso?
Whatoftheouterpersonalitiesofthewhirlpool—theoccupationaltherapists,theschoolmasters,earnest,harmlessyoungmen,confidentyoungDr.Maverick,thethreepink-faced,innocent-eyedyoungdelinquents—EdgarLawson….
Andhere,justbeforeshefellasleep,MissMarple’sthoughtsstoppedandrevolvedspeculativelyroundthefigureofEdgarLawson.EdgarLawsonremindedherofsomeoneorsomething.TherewassomethingalittlewrongaboutEdgarLawson—perhapsmorethanalittle.EdgarLawsonwasmaladjusted—thatwasthephrase,wasn’tit?Butsurelythatdidn’t,andcouldn’t,touchCarrieLouise?
Mentally,MissMarpleshookherhead.
Whatworriedherwassomethingmorethanthat.
Five
1
Gentlyeludingherhostessthenextmorning,MissMarplewentoutintothegardens.Theirconditiondistressedher.Theyhadoncebeenanambitiouslyset-outachievement.Clumpsofrhododendrons,smoothslopesoflawn,massedbordersofherbaceousplants,clippedbox-hedgessurroundingaformalrosegarden.Nowallwaslargelyderelict,thelawnsraggedlymown,thebordersfullofweedswithtangledflowersstrugglingthroughthem,thepathsmoss-coveredandneglected.Thekitchengardensontheotherhand,enclosedbyredbrickwalls,wereprosperousandwellstocked.That,presumably,wasbecausetheyhadautilityvalue.So,also,alargeportionofwhathadoncebeenlawnandflowergarden,wasnowfencedoffandlaidoutintenniscourtsandabowlinggreen.
Surveyingtheherbaceousborder,MissMarpleclickedhertonguevexedlyandpulledupaflourishingplantofgroundsel.
Asshestoodwithitinherhand,EdgarLawsoncameintoview.SeeingMissMarple,hestoppedandhesitated.MissMarplehadnomindtolethimescape.Shecalledhimbriskly.Whenhecamesheaskedhimifheknewwhereanygardeningtoolswerekept.
Edgarsaidvaguelythattherewasagardenersomewherewhowouldknow.
“It’ssuchapitytoseethisbordersoneglected,”twitteredMissMarple.“I’msofondofgardens.”AndsinceitwasnotherintentionthatEdgarshouldgoinsearchofanynecessaryimplementshewentonquickly:
“It’saboutallanoldanduselesswomancanfindtodo.NowIdon’tsupposeyoueverbotheryourheadaboutgardens,Mr.Lawson.Youhavesomuchrealandimportantworktodo.Beinginaresponsiblepositionhere,withMr.Serrocold.Youmustfinditallmostinteresting.”
Heansweredquickly,almosteagerly:
“Yes—yes—itisinteresting.”
“AndyoumustbeofthegreatestassistancetoMr.Serrocold.”
Hisfacedarkened.
“Idon’tknow.Ican’tbesure.It’swhat’sbehinditall—”
Hebrokeoff.MissMarplewatchedhimthoughtfully.Apatheticundersizedyoungman,inaneatdarksuit.Ayoungmanthatfewpeoplewouldlookattwice,orrememberiftheydidlook….
TherewasagardenseatnearbyandMissMarpledriftedtowardsitandsat.Edgarstoodfrowninginfrontofher.
“I’msure,”saidMissMarplebrightly,“thatMr.Serrocoldreliesonyouagreatdeal.”
“Idon’tknow,”saidEdgar.“Ireallydon’tknow.”Hefrownedandalmostabsentlysatdownbesideher.“I’minaverydifficultposition.”
“Yes?”saidMissMarple.
TheyoungmanEdgarsatstaringinfrontofhim.
“Thisisallhighlyconfidential,”hesaidsuddenly.
“Ofcourse,”saidMissMarple.
“IfIhadmyrights—”
“Yes?”
“Imightaswelltellyou…youwon’tletitgoanyfurtherI’msure?”
“Ohno.”Shenoticedhedidnotwaitforherdisclaimer.
“Myfather—actually,myfatherisaveryimportantman.”
Thistimetherewasnoneedtosayanything.Shehadonlytolisten.
“NobodyknowsexceptMr.Serrocold.Yousee,itmightprejudicemyfather’spositionifthestorygotout.”Heturnedtoher.Hesmiled.Asad,dignifiedsmile.“Yousee,I’mWinstonChurchill’sson.”
“Oh,”saidMissMarple.“Isee.”
Andshedidsee.SherememberedarathersadstoryinSt.MaryMead—andthewayithadgone.
EdgarLawsonwenton,andwhathesaidhadthefamiliarityofastagescene.
“Therewerereasons.Mymotherwasn’tfree.Herownhusbandwasinanasylum—therecouldbenodivorce—noquestionofmarriage.Idon’treallyblamethem.Atleast,IthinkIdon’t…He’sdone,always,everythinghecould.Discreetly,ofcourse.Andthat’swherethetroublehasarisen.He’sgotenemies—andthey’reagainstme,too.They’vemanagedtokeepusapart.Theywatchme.WhereverIgo,theyspyonme.Andtheymakethingsgowrongforme.”
MissMarpleshookherhead.
“Dear,dear,”shesaid.
“InLondonIwasstudyingtobeadoctor.Theytamperedwithmyexams—theyalteredtheanswers.Theywantedmetofail.Theyfollowedmeaboutthestreets.Theytoldthingsaboutmetomylandlady.TheyhoundmewhereverIgo.”
“Oh,butyoucan’tbesureofthat,”saidMissMarplesoothingly.
“ItellyouIknow!Ohthey’reverycunning.Inevergetaglimpseofthemorfindoutwhotheyare.ButIshallfindout…Mr.SerrocoldtookmeawayfromLondonandbroughtmedownhere.Hewaskind—verykind.Butevenhere,youknow,I’mnotsafe.They’rehere,too.Workingagainstme.Makingtheothersdislikeme.Mr.Serrocoldsaysthatisn’ttrue—butMr.Serrocolddoesn’tknow.Orelse—Iwonder—sometimesI’vethought—”
Hebrokeoff.Hegotup.
“Thisisallconfidential,”hesaid.“Youdounderstandthat,don’tyou?Butifyounoticeanyonefollowingme—spying,Imean—youmightletmeknowwhoitis!”
Hewentaway,then—neat,pathetic,insignificant.MissMarplewatchedhimandwondered….
Avoicespoke.
“Nuts,”itsaid.“Justnuts.”
WalterHuddwasstandingbesideher.HishandswerethrustdeepinhispocketsandhewasfrowningashestaredafterEdgar’sretreatingfigure.
“Whatkindofajointisthis,anyway?”hesaid.“They’reallbughouse,thewholelotofthem.”
MissMarplesaidnothingandWalterwenton.
“ThatEdgarguy—whatdoyoumakeofhim?Sayshisfather’sreallyLordMontgomery.Doesn’tseemlikelytome!NotMonty!NotfromallI’veheardabouthim.”
“No,”saidMissMarple.“Itdoesn’tseemverylikely.”
“HetoldGinasomethingquitedifferent—somebunkaboutbeingreallytheheirtotheRussianthrone—saidhewassomeGrandDuke’ssonorother.Hell,doesn’tthechapknowwhohisfatherreallywas?”
“Ishouldimaginenot,”saidMissMarple.“Thatisprobablyjustthetrouble.”
Waltersatdownbesideher,droppinghisbodyontotheseatwithaslackmovement.Herepeatedhisformerstatement.
“They’reallbughousehere.”
“Youdon’tlikebeingatStonygates?”
Theyoungmanfrowned.
“Isimplydon’tgetit—that’sall!Idon’tgetit.Takethisplace—thehouse—thewholesetup.They’rerich,thesepeople.Theydon’tneeddough—they’vegotit.Andlookatthewaytheylive.Crackedantiquechinaandcheapplainstuffallmixedup.Noproperupperclassservants—justsomecasualhiredhelp.Tapestriesanddrapesandchaircoversallsatinandbrocadeandstuff—andit’sfallingtopieces!Bigsilverteaurnsandwhatdoyouknow—allyellowandtarnishedforwantofcleaning.Mrs.Serrocoldjustdoesn’tcare.Lookatthatdressshehadonlastnight.Darnedunderthearms,nearlywornout—andyetshecouldgotoastoreandorderwhatsheliked.BondStreetorwhateveritis.Dough?They’rerollingindough.”
Hepausedandsat,deliberating.
“Iunderstandbeingpoor.There’snothingmuchwrongwithit.Ifyou’reyoungandstrongandreadytowork.Ineverhadmuchmoney,butIwasallsettogetwhereIwanted.Iwasgoingtoopenagarage.I’dgotabitofmoneyputby.ItalkedtoGinaaboutit.Shelistened.Sheseemedtounderstand.Ididn’tknowmuchabouther.Allthosegirlsinuniform,theylookaboutthesame.Imeanyoucan’ttellfromlookingatthemwho’sgotdoughandwhohasn’t.Ithoughtshewasacutaboveme,perhaps,educationandallthat.Butitdidn’tseemtomatter.Wefellforeachother.Wegotmarried.I’dgotmybitputbyandGinahadsometoo,shetoldme.Weweregoingtosetupagasstationbackhome—Ginawaswilling.Justacoupleofcrazykidswewere—madabouteachother.ThenthatsnootyauntofGina’sstartedmakingtrouble…AndGinawantedtocomeheretoEnglandtoseehergrandmother.Well,thatseemedfairenough.Itwasherhome,andIwascurioustoseeEnglandanyway.I’dheardalotaboutit.Sowecame.Justavisit—that’swhatIthought.”
Thefrownbecameascowl.
“Butithasn’tturnedoutlikethat.We’recaughtupinthiscrazybusiness.Whydon’twestayhere—makeourhomehere—that’swhattheysay.Plentyofjobsforme.Jobs!Idon’twantajobfeedingcandytogangsterkidsandhelpingthemplayatkids’games…what’sthesenseofitall?Thisplacecouldbeswell—reallyswell—don’tpeoplewho’vegotmoneyunderstandtheirluck?Don’ttheyunderstandthatmostoftheworldcan’thaveaswellplacelikethisandthatthey’vegotone?Isn’titplaincrazytokickyourluckwhenyou’vegotit?Idon’tmindworkingifI’vegotto.ButI’llworkthewayIlikeandatwhatIlike—andI’llworktogetsomewhere.ThisplacemakesmefeelI’mtangledupinaspider’sweb.AndGina—Ican’tmakeGinaout.She’snotthesamegirlImarriedoverintheStates.Ican’t—dangitall—Ican’teventalktohernow.Ohhell!”
MissMarplesaidgently:
“Iquiteseeyourpointofview.”
Wallyshotaswiftglanceather.
“You’retheonlyoneI’veshotmymouthofftosofar.MostofthetimeIshutuplikeaclam.Don’tknowwhatitisaboutyou—you’reEnglishrightenough,reallyEnglish—butinthedurndestwayyouremindmeofmyauntBetsybackhome.”
“Nowthat’sverynice.”
“Alotofsenseshehad,”Wallycontinuedreflectively.“Lookedasfrailasthoughyoucouldsnapherintwo,butactuallyshewastough—yes,sir,I’llsayshewastough.”
Hegotup.
“Sorrytalkingtoyouthisway,”heapologised.Forthefirsttime,MissMarplesawhimsmile.ItwasaveryattractivesmileandWallyHuddwassuddenlytransfiguredfromanawkwardsulkyboyintoahandsomeandappealingyoungman.“Hadtogetthingsoffmychest,Isuppose.Buttoobadpickingonyou.”
“Notatall,mydearboy,”saidMissMarple.“Ihaveanephewofmyown—only,ofcourse,agreatdealolderthanyouare.”
HerminddweltforamomentonthesophisticatedmodernwriterRaymondWest.AgreatercontrasttoWalterHuddcouldnothavebeenimagined.
“You’vegotothercompanycoming,”saidWalterHudd.“Thatdamedoesn’tlikeme.SoI’llquit.Solong,ma’am.Thanksforthetalk.”
HestrodeawayandMissMarplewatchedMildredStretecomingacrossthelawntojoinher.
2
“Iseeyou’vebeenvictimisedbythatterribleyoungman,”saidMrs.Strete,ratherbreathlessly,asshesankdownontheseat.“Whatatragedythatis.”
“Atragedy?”
“Gina’smarriage.ItallcameaboutfromsendingherofftoAmerica.ItoldMotheratthetimeitwasmostunwise.Afterall,thisisquiteaquietdistrict.Wehadhardlyanyraidshere.Idosodislikethewaymanypeoplegavewaytopanicabouttheirfamilies—andthemselves,too,veryoften.”
“Itmusthavebeendifficulttodecidewhatwasrighttodo,”saidMissMarplethoughtfully.“Wherechildrenwereconcerned,Imean.Withtheprospectofpossibleinvasion,itmighthavemeanttheirbeingbroughtupunderaGermanregime—aswellasthedangerofbombs.”
“Allnonsense,”saidMrs.Strete.“Ineverhadtheleastdoubtthatweshouldwin.ButMotherhasalwaysbeenquiteunreasonablewhereGinaisconcerned.Thechildwasalwaysspoiltandindulgedineveryway.TherewasabsolutelynoneedtotakeherawayfromItalyinthefirstplace.”
“Herfatherraisednoobjection,Iunderstand?”
“OhSanSeveriano!YouknowwhatItaliansare.Nothingmatterstothembutmoney.HemarriedPippaforhermoney,ofcourse.”
“Dearme.Ialwaysunderstoodhewasverydevotedtoherandwasquiteinconsolableatherdeath.”
“Hepretendedtobe,nodoubt.WhyMotherevercountenancedhermarryingaforeigner,Ican’timagine.JusttheusualAmericanpleasureinatitle,Isuppose.”
MissMarplesaidmildly:
“IhavealwaysthoughtthatdearCarrieLouisewasalmosttoounworldlyinherattitudetolife.”
“OhIknow.I’venopatiencewithit.Mother’sfadsandwhimsandidealisticprojects.You’venoidea,AuntJane,ofallthatithasmeant.Icanspeakwithknowledge,ofcourse.Iwasbroughtupinthemiddleofitall.”
ItwaswithaveryfaintshockthatMissMarpleheardherselfaddressedasAuntJane.Andyetthathadbeentheconventionofthosetimes.HerChristmaspresentstoCarrieLouise’schildrenwerealwayslabelled“WithlovefromAuntJane”andas“AuntJane”theythoughtofher,whentheythoughtofheratall.Whichwasnot,MissMarplesupposed,veryoften.
Shelookedthoughtfullyatthemiddle-agedwomansittingbesideher.Atthepursedtightmouth,thedeeplinesfromthenosedown,thehandstightlypressedtogether.
Shesaidgently:
“Youmusthavehad—adifficultchildhood.”
MildredStreteturnedeagergratefuleyestoher.
“OhI’msogladthatsomebodyappreciatesthat.Peopledon’treallyknowwhatchildrengothrough.Pippa,yousee,wastheprettyone.ShewasolderthanIwas,too.Itwasalwaysshewhogotalltheattention.BothFatherandMotherencouragedhertopushherselfforward—notthatsheneededanyencouragement—toshowoff.Iwasalwaysthequietone.Iwasshy—Pippadidn’tknowwhatshynesswas.Achildcansufferagreatdeal,AuntJane.”
“Iknowthat,”saidMissMarple.
“‘Mildred’ssostupid’—that’swhatPippausedtosay.ButIwasyoungerthanshewas.NaturallyIcouldn’tbeexpectedtokeepupwithherinlessons.Andit’sveryunfaironachildwhenhersisterisalwaysputinfrontofher.
“‘Whatalovelylittlegirl,’peopleusedtosaytoMamma.Theynevernoticedme.AnditwasPippathatPapausedtojokeandplaywith.Someoneoughttohaveseenhowharditwasonme.Allthenoticeandattentiongoingtoher.Iwasn’toldenoughtorealisethatit’scharacterthatmatters.”
Herlipstrembled,thenhardenedagain.
“Anditwasunfair—reallyunfair—Iwastheirownchild.Pippawasonlyadopted.Iwasthedaughterofthehouse.Shewas—nobody.”
“Probablytheywereextraindulgenttoheronthataccount,”saidMissMarple.
“Theylikedherbest,”saidMildredStrete.Andadded:“Achildwhoseownparentsdidn’twanther—ormoreprobablyillegitimate.”
Shewenton:
“It’scomeoutinGina.There’sbadbloodthere.Bloodwilltell.Lewiscanhavewhattheorieshelikesaboutenvironment.Badblooddoestell.LookatGina.”
“Ginaisaverylovelygirl,”saidMissMarple.
“Hardlyinbehaviour,”saidMrs.Strete.“EveryonebutMothernoticeshowsheiscarryingonwithStephenRestarick.Quitedisgusting,Icallit.Admittedlyshemadeaveryunfortunatemarriage,butmarriageismarriageandoneshouldbepreparedtoabidebyit.Afterall,shechosetomarrythatdreadfulyoungman.”
“Ishesodreadful?”
“Ohdear,AuntJane!Hereallylookstomequitelikeagangster.Andsosurlyandrude.Hehardlyopenshismouth.Andhealwayslookssodirtyanduncouth.”
“Heisunhappy,Ithink,”saidMissMarplemildly.
“Ireallydon’tknowwhyheshouldbe—apartfromGina’sbehaviour,Imean.Everythinghasbeendoneforhimhere.Lewishassuggestedseveralwaysinwhichhecouldtrytomakehimselfuseful—buthepreferstoskulkaboutdoingnothing.”Sheburstout,“Ohthiswholeplaceisimpossible—quiteimpossible.Lewisthinksofnothingbutthesehorribleyoungcriminals.AndMotherthinksofnothingbuthim.EverythingLewisdoesisright.Lookatthestateofthegarden—theweeds—theovergrowth.Andthehouse—nothingproperlydone.Oh,Iknowadomesticstaffisdifficultnowadays,butitcanbegot.It’snotasthoughtherewereanyshortageofmoney.It’sjustthatnobodycares.Ifitweremyhouse—”Shestopped.
“I’mafraid,”saidMissMarple,“thatwehavealltofacethefactthatconditionsaredifferent.Theselargeestablishmentsareagreatproblem.Itmustbesadforyou,inaway,tocomebackhereandfindeverythingsodifferent.Doyoureallypreferlivinghereto—well—somewhereofyourown?”
MildredStreteflushed.
“Afterall,it’smyhome,”shesaid.“Itwasmyfather’shouse.Nothingcanalterthat.I’vearighttobehereifIchoose.AndIdochoose.IfonlyMotherwerenotsoimpossible!Shewon’tevenbuyherselfproperclothes.ItworriesJollyalot.”
“IwasgoingtoaskyouaboutMissBellever.”
“Suchacomforthavingherhere.SheadoresMother.She’sbeenwithheralongtimenow—shecameinJohnRestarick’stime.Andwaswonderful,Ibelieve,duringthewholesadbusiness.IexpectyouheardthatheranawaywithadreadfulYugoslavianwoman—amostabandonedcreature.She’shadanyamountoflovers,Ibelieve.Motherwasveryfineanddignifiedaboutitall.Divorcedhimasquietlyaspossible.EvenwentsofarastohavetheRestarickboysfortheirholidays—quiteunnecessary,really,otherarrangementscouldhavebeenmade.Itwouldhavebeenunthinkable,ofcourse,tohaveletthemgototheirfatherandthatwoman.Anyway,Motherhadthemhere…AndMissBelleverstoodbyallthroughthingsandwasatowerofstrength.IsometimesthinkshemakesMotherevenmorevaguethansheneedbe,bydoingallthepracticalthingsherself.ButIreallydon’tknowwhatMotherwoulddowithouther.”
Shepausedandthenremarkedinatoneofsurprise:
“HereisLewis.Howodd.Heseldomcomesoutinthegarden.”
Mr.Serrocoldcametowardstheminthesamesingle-mindedwaythathedideverything.HeappearednottonoticeMildred,becauseitwasonlyMissMarplewhowasinhismind.
“I’msosorry,”hesaid.“Iwantedtotakeyouroundourinstitutionandshowyoueverything.Carolineaskedmeto.UnfortunatelyIhavetogoofftoLiverpool.Thecaseofthatboyandtherailwaysparcelsoffice.ButMaverickwilltakeyou.He’llbehereinafewminutes.Ishan’tbebackuntilthedayaftertomorrow.Itwillbesplendidifwecangetthemnottoprosecute.”
MildredStretegotupandwalkedaway.LewisSerrocolddidnotnoticehergo.HisearnesteyesgazedatMissMarplethroughthickglasses.
“Yousee,”hesaid,“theMagistratesnearlyalwaystakethewrongview.Sometimesthey’retoosevere,butsometimesthey’retoolenient.Iftheseboysgetasentenceofafewmonthsit’snodeterrent—theygetakindofakickoutofit,even.Boastaboutittotheirgirlfriends.Butaseveresentenceoftensobersthem.Theyrealisethatthegameisn’tworthit.Orelseit’sbetternottoserveaprisonsentenceatall.Correctivetraining—constructionaltraininglikewehavehere.”
MissMarpleburstfirmlyintospeech.
“Mr.Serrocold,”shesaid.“AreyouquitesatisfiedaboutyoungMr.Lawson?Ishe—ishequitenormal?”
AdisturbedexpressionappearedonLewisSerrocold’sface.
“Idohopehe’snotrelapsing.Whathashebeensaying?”
“HetoldmethathewasWinstonChurchill’sson—”
“Ofcourse—ofcourse.Theusualstatements.He’sillegitimate,asyou’veprobablyguessed,poorlad,andofveryhumblebeginnings.HewasacaserecommendedtomebyasocietyinLondon.He’dassaultedamaninthestreetwhohesaidwasspyingonhim.Allverytypical—Dr.Maverickwilltellyou.Iwentintohiscasehistory.MotherwasofapoorclassbutarespectablefamilyinPlymouth.Fatherasailor—shedidn’tevenknowhisname…childbroughtupindifficultcircumstances.Startedromancingabouthisfatherandlaterabouthimself.Woreuniformanddecorationshewasn’tentitledto—allquitetypical.ButMaverickconsiderstheprognosishopeful.Ifwecangivehimconfidenceinhimself.I’vegivenhimresponsibilityhere,triedtomakehimappreciatethatit’snotaman’sbirththatmatters,butwhatheis.I’vetriedtogivehimconfidenceinhisownability.Theimprovementwasmarked.Iwasveryhappyabouthim.Andnowyousay—”
Heshookhishead.
“Mightn’thebedangerous,Mr.Serrocold?”
“Dangerous?Idon’tthinkhehasshownanysuicidaltendencies.”
“Iwasn’tthinkingofsuicide.Hetalkedtomeofenemies—ofpersecution.Isn’tthat,forgiveme—adangeroussign?”
“Idon’treallythinkithasreachedsuchapitch.ButI’llspeaktoMaverick.Sofar,hehasbeenhopeful—veryhopeful.”
Helookedathiswatch.
“Imustgo.Ah,hereisourdearJolly.Shewilltakechargeofyou.”
MissBellever,arrivingbriskly,said,“Thecarisatthedoor,Mr.Serrocold.Dr.MaverickrangthroughfromtheInstitute.IsaidIwouldbringMissMarpleover.Hewillmeetusatthegates.”
“Thankyou.Imustgo.Mybriefcase?”
“Inthecar,Mr.Serrocold.”
LewisSerrocoldhurriedaway.Lookingafterhim,MissBelleversaid:
“Somedaythatmanwilldropdowndeadinhistracks.It’sagainsthumannaturenevertorelaxorrest.Heonlysleepsfourhoursanight.”
“Heisverydevotedtothiscause,”saidMissMarple.
“Neverthinksofanythingelse,”saidMissBellevergrimly.“Neverdreamsoflookingafterhiswifeorconsideringherinanyway.She’sasweetcreature,asyouknow,MissMarple,andsheoughttohaveloveandattention.Butnothing’sthoughtoforconsideredhereexceptalotofwhiningboysandyoungmenwhowanttoliveeasilyanddishonestlyanddon’tcareabouttheideaofdoingalittlehardwork.Whataboutthedecentboysfromdecenthomes?Whyisn’tsomethingdoneforthem?Honestyjustisn’tinterestingtocrankslikeMr.SerrocoldandDr.Maverickandallthebunchofhalf-bakedsentimentalistswe’vegothere.Iandmybrotherswerebroughtupthehardway,MissMarple,andweweren’tencouragedtowhine.Soft,that’swhattheworldisnowadays!”
TheyhadcrossedthegardenandpassedthroughapalisadedgateandhadcometotheentrancegatewhichEricGulbrandsenhaderectedasanentrancetohisCollege,asturdilybuilt,hideous,redbrickbuilding.
Dr.Maverick,looking,MissMarpledecided,distinctlyabnormalhimself,cameouttomeetthem.
“Thankyou,MissBellever,”hesaid.“Now,Miss—er—ohyes,MissMarple—I’msureyou’regoingtobeinterestedinwhatwe’redoinghere.Inoursplendidapproachtothisgreatproblem.Mr.Serrocoldisamanofgreatinsight—greatvision.Andwe’vegotSirJohnStillwellbehindus—myoldchief.HewasattheHomeOfficeuntilheretired,andhisinfluenceturnedthescalesingettingthisstarted.It’samedicalproblem—that’swhatwe’vegottogetthelegalauthoritiestounderstand.Psychiatrycameintoitsowninthewar.Theonepositivegoodthatdidcomeoutofit—NowfirstofallIwantyoutoseeourinitialapproachtotheproblem.Lookup—”
MissMarplelookedupatthewordscarvedoverthelargearcheddoorway.
RECOVERHOPEALLYEWHOENTERHERE
“Isn’tthatsplendid?Isn’tthatjusttherightnotetostrike?Youdon’twanttoscoldtheselads—orpunishthem.That’swhatthey’rehankeringafterhalfthetime,punishment.Wewanttomakethemfeelwhatfinefellowstheyare.”
“LikeEdgarLawson?”saidMissMarple
“Interestingcase,that.Haveyoubeentalkingtohim?”
“Hehasbeentalkingtome,”saidMissMarple.Sheaddedapologetically,“Iwonderedif,perhaps,heisn’talittlemad?”
Dr.Mavericklaughedcheerfully.
“We’reallmad,dearlady,”hesaidasheusheredherinthroughthedoor.“That’sthesecretofexistence.We’reallalittlemad.”
Six
Onthewholeitwasratheranexhaustingday.Enthusiasminitselfcanbeextremelywearing,MissMarplethought.Shefeltvaguelydissatisfiedwithherselfandherownreactions.Therewasapatternhere—perhapsseveralpatterns,andyetsheherselfcouldobtainnoclearglimpseofitorthem.AnyvaguedisquietudeshefeltcenteredroundthepatheticbutinconspicuouspersonalityofEdgarLawson.Ifshecouldonlyfindinhermemorytherightparallel.
PainstakinglysherejectedthecuriousbehaviourofMr.Selkirk’sdeliveryvan—theabsentmindedpostman—thegardenerwhoworkedonWhitmonday—andthatverycuriousaffairofthesummerweightcombinations.
SomethingthatshecouldnotquiteputherfingeronwaswrongaboutEdgarLawson—somethingthatwentbeyondtheobservedandadmittedfacts.Butforthelifeofher,MissMarpledidnotseehowthatwrongness,whateveritwas,affectedherfriendCarrieLouise.IntheconfusedpatternsoflifeatStonygates,people’stroublesanddesiresimpingedoneachother.Butnoneofthem(againasfarasshecouldsee)impingedonCarrieLouise.
CarrieLouise…SuddenlyMissMarplerealisedthatitwasshealone,exceptfortheabsentRuth,whousedthatname.Toherhusband,shewasCaroline.ToMissBellever,Cara.StephenRestarickusuallyaddressedherasMadonna.ToWallyshewasformallyMrs.Serrocold,andGinaelectedtoaddressherasGrandam—amixture,shehadexplained,ofGrandeDameandGrandmamma.
Wastheresomesignificance,perhaps,inthevariousnamesthatwerefoundforCarolineLouiseSerrocold?Wasshetoallofthemasymbolandnotquitearealperson?
WhenonthefollowingmorningCarrieLouise,draggingherfeetalittleasshewalked,cameandsatdownonthegardenseatbesideherfriendandaskedherwhatshewasthinkingabout,MissMarplerepliedpromptly:
“You,CarrieLouise.”
“Whataboutme?”
“Tellmehonestly—isthereanythingherethatworriesyou?”
“Worriesme?”Theotherwomanraisedwondering,clearblueeyes.“But,Jane,whatshouldworryme?”
“Well,mostofushaveworries.”MissMarple’seyestwinkledalittle.“Ihave.Slugs,youknow—andthedifficultyofgettinglinenproperlydarned—andnotbeingabletogetsugarcandyformakingmydamsongin.Oh,lotsoflittlethings—itseemsunnaturalthatyoushouldn’thaveanyworriesatall.”
“IsupposeImusthavereally,”saidMrs.Serrocoldvaguely.“Lewisworkstoohard,andStephenforgetshismealsslavingatthetheatreandGinaisveryjumpy—butI’veneverbeenabletoalterpeople—Idon’tseehowyoucan.Soitwouldn’tbeanygoodworrying,wouldit?”
“Mildred’snotveryhappy,either,isshe?”
“Ohno,”saidCarrieLouise.“Mildredneverishappy.Shewasn’tasachild.QuiteunlikePippawhowasalwaysradiant.”
“Perhaps,”suggestedMissMarple,“Mildredhascausenottobehappy?”
CarrieLouisesaidquietly:
“Becauseofbeingjealous?Yes,Idaresay.Butpeopledon’treallyneedacauseforfeelingwhattheydofeel.They’rejustmadethatway.Don’tyouthinkso,Jane?”
MissMarplethoughtbrieflyofMissMoncrieff,aslavetoatyrannicalinvalidmother.PoorMissMoncrieffwholongedfortravelandtoseetheworld.AndofhowSt.MaryMeadinadecorouswayhadrejoicedwhenMrs.MoncrieffwaslaidinthechurchyardandMissMoncrieff,withanicelittleincome,wasfreeatlast.AndofhowMissMoncrieff,startingonhertravels,hadgotnofurtherthanHayéreswhere,callingtoseeoneof“mother’soldestfriends,”shehadbeensomovedbytheplightofanelderlyhypochondriacthatshehadcancelledhertravelreservationsandtakenupherabodeinthevillatobebullied,overworked,andtolong,wistfully,oncemore,forthejoysofawiderhorizon.
MissMarplesaid:
“Iexpectyou’reright,CarrieLouise.”
“Ofcourse,mybeingsofreefromcaresispartlyduetoJolly.DearJolly.ShecametomewhenJohnnieandIwerejustmarriedandwaswonderfulfromthefirst.ShetakescareofmeasthoughIwereababyandquitehelpless.She’ddoanythingforme.Ifeelquiteashamedsometimes.IreallybelieveJollywouldmurdersomeoneforme,Jane.Isn’tthatanawfulthingtosay?”
“She’scertainlyverydevoted,”agreedMissMarple.
“Shegetssoindignant.”Mrs.Serrocold’ssilverylaughrangout.“She’dlikemetobealwaysorderingwonderfulclothes,andsurroundingmyselfwithluxuries,andshethinkseverybodyoughttoputmefirstandtodanceattendanceonme.She’stheonepersonwho’sabsolutelyunimpressedbyLewis’enthusiasm.Allourpoorboysare,inherview,pamperedyoungcriminalsandnotworthtakingtroubleover.Shethinksthisplaceisdampandbadformyrheumatism,andthatIoughttogotoEgyptorsomewherewarmanddry.”
“Doyousuffermuchfromrheumatism?”
“It’sgotmuchworselately.Ifinditdifficulttowalk.Horridcrampsinmylegs.Ohwell”—againtherecamethatbewitchingelfinsmile,“agemusttell.”
MissBellevercameoutoftheFrenchwindowsandhurriedacrosstothem.
“Atelegram,Cara,justcameoverthetelephone.Arrivingthisafternoon,ChristianGulbrandsen.”
“Christian?”CarrieLouiselookedverysurprised.“I’dnoideahewasinEngland.”
“TheOakSuite,Isuppose?”
“Yes,please,Jolly.Thentherewillbenostairs.”
MissBellevernoddedandturnedbacktothehouse.
“ChristianGulbrandsenismystepson,”saidCarrieLouise.“Eric’seldestson.Actuallyhe’stwoyearsolderthanIam.Her’soneofthetrusteesoftheInstitute—theprincipaltrustee.HowveryannoyingthatLewisisaway.Christianhardlyeverstayslongerthanonenight.He’sanimmenselybusyman.Andtherearesuretobesomanythingstheywouldwanttodiscuss.”
ChristianGulbrandsenarrivedthatafternoonintimefortea.Hewasabigheavyfeaturedman,withaslowmethodicalwayoftalking.HegreetedCarrieLouisewitheverysignofaffection.
“AndhowisourlittleCarrieLouise?Youdonotlookadayolder.Notaday.”
Hishandsonhershoulders—hestoodsmilingdownather.Ahandtuggedhissleeve.
“Christian!”
“Ah”—heturned—“itisMildred?Howareyou,Mildred?”
“I’venotreallybeenatallwelllately.”
“Thatisbad.Thatisbad.”
TherewasastrongresemblancebetweenChristianGulbrandsenandhishalfsisterMildred.Therewasnearlythirtyyearsofdifferenceinageandtheymighteasilyhavebeentakenforfatheranddaughter.Mildredherselfseemedparticularlypleasedbyhisarrival.Shewasflushedandtalkative,andhadtalkedrepeatedlyduringthedayof“mybrother,”“mybrotherChristian,”“mybrother,Mr.Gulbrandsen.”
“AndhowislittleGina?”saidGulbrandsen,turningtothatyoungwoman.“Youandyourhusbandarestillhere,then?”
“Yes.We’vequitesettleddown,haven’twe,Wally?”
“Lookslikeit,”saidWally.
Gulbrandsen’ssmallshrewdeyesseemedtosumupWallyquickly.Wally,asusual,lookedsullenandunfriendly.
“SohereIamwithallthefamilyagain,”saidGulbrandsen.
Hisvoicedisplayedaratherdeterminedgeniality—butinactualfact,MissMarplethought,hewasnotfeelingparticularlygenial.Therewasagrimsettohislipsandacertainpreoccupationinhismanner.
IntroducedtoMissMarplehesweptakeenlookoverherasthoughmeasuringandappraisingthisnewcomer.
“We’dnoideayouwereinEngland,Christian,”saidMrs.Serrocold.
“No,Icameoverratherunexpectedly.”
“ItistoobadthatLewisisaway.Howlongcanyoustay?”
“Imeanttogotomorrow.WhenwillLewisbeback?”
“Tomorrowafternoonorevening.”
“Itseems,then,thatImuststayanothernight.”
“Ifyou’donlyletusknow—”
“MydearCarrieLouise,myarrangements,theyweremadeverysuddenly.”
“YouwillstaytoseeLewis?”
“Yes,itisnecessarythatIseeLewis.”
MissBelleversaidtoMissMarple,“Mr.GulbrandsenandMr.SerrocoldarebothtrusteesoftheGulbrandsenInstitute.TheothersaretheBishopofCromerandMr.Gilroy.”
Presumably,then,itwasonbusinessconcernedwiththeGulbrandsenInstitutethatChristianGulbrandsenhadcometoStonygates.ItseemedtobeassumedsobyMissBelleverandeveryoneelse.AndyetMissMarplewondered.
OnceortwicetheoldmancastathoughtfulpuzzledlookatCarrieLouisewhenshewasnotawareofit—alookthatpuzzledCarrieLouise’swatchingfriend.FromCarrieLouiseheshiftedhisgazetotheothers,examiningthemoneandallwithakindofcovertappraisalthatseemeddistinctlyodd.
AfterteaMissMarplewithdrewtactfullyfromtheotherstothelibrary,butrathertohersurprisewhenshehadsettledherselfwithherknitting,ChristianGulbrandsencameinandsatdownbesideher.
“Youareaveryoldfriend,Ithink,ofourdearCarrieLouise?”hesaid.
“WewereatschooltogetherinItaly,Mr.Gulbrandsen.Manymanyyearsago.”
“Ahyes.Andyouarefondofher?”
“Yes,indeed,”saidMissMarplewarmly.
“So,Ithink,iseveryone.Yes,Itrulythinkthat.Itshouldbeso.Forsheisaverydearandenchantingperson.Always,sincemyfathermarriedher,Iandmybrothershavelovedherverymuch.Shehasbeentouslikeaverydearsister.Shewasafaithfulwifetomyfatherandloyaltoallhisideas.Shehasneverthoughtofherself,butputthewelfareofothersfirst.”
“Shehasalwaysbeenanidealist,”saidMissMarple.
“Anidealist?Yes.Yes,thatisso.Andthereforeitmaybethatshedoesnottrulyappreciatetheevilthatthereisintheworld.”
MissMarplelookedathim,surprised.Hisfacewasverystern.
“Tellme,”hesaid.“Howisherhealth?”
AgainMissMarplefeltsurprised.
“Sheseemstomeverywell—apartfromarthritis—orrheumatism.”
“Rheumatism?Yes.Andherheart?Herheartisgood?”
“AsfarasIknow.”MissMarplewasstillmoresurprised.“ButuntilyesterdayIhadnotseenherformanyyears.Ifyouwanttoknowthestateofherhealth,youshouldasksomebodyinthehousehere.MissBellever,forinstance.”
“MissBellever—Yes,MissBellever.OrMildred?”
“Or,asyousay,Mildred.”
MissMarplewasfaintlyembarrassed.
ChristianGulbrandsenwasstaringatherveryhard.
“Thereisnotbetweenthemotheranddaughter,averygreatsympathy,wouldyousay?”
“No,Idon’tthinkthereis.”
“Iagree.Itisapity—heronlychild,butthereitis.NowthisMissBellever,youthink,isreallyattachedtoher?”
“Verymuchso.”
“AndCarrieLouiseleansonthisMissBellever?”
“Ithinkso.”
ChristianGulbrandsenwasfrowning.HespokeasthoughmoretohimselfthantoMissMarple.
“ThereisthelittleGina—butsheissoyoung.Itisdifficult—”Hebrokeoff.“Sometimes,”hesaidsimply,“itishardtoknowwhatisbesttobedone.Iwishverymuchtoactforthebest.Iamparticularlyanxiousthatnoharmandnounhappinessshouldcometothatdearlady.Butitisnoteasy—noteasyatall.”
Mrs.Stretecameintotheroomatthatmoment.
“Ohthereyouare,Christian.Wewerewonderingwhereyouwere.Dr.Maverickwantstoknowifyouwouldliketogooveranythingwithhim.”
“Thatisthenewyoungdoctorhere?No—no,IwillwaituntilLewisreturns.”
“He’swaitinginLewis’study.ShallItellhim—”
“Iwillhaveawordwithhimmyself.”
Gulbrandsenhurriedout.MildredStretestaredafterhimandthenstaredatMissMarple.
“Iwonderifanythingiswrong.Christianisveryunlikehimself…Didhesayanything—”
“Heonlyaskedmeaboutyourmother’shealth.”
“Herhealth?Whyshouldheaskyouaboutthat?”
Mildredspokesharply,herlargesquarefaceflushingunbecomingly.
“Ireallydon’tknow.”
“Mother’shealthisperfectlygood.Surprisinglysoforawomanofherage.Muchbetterthanmineasfarasthatgoes.”Shepausedamomentbeforesaying,“Ihopeyoutoldhimso?”
“Idon’treallyknowanythingaboutit,”saidMissMarple.“Heaskedmeaboutherheart.”
“Herheart?”
“Yes.”
“There’snothingwrongwithMother’sheart.Nothingatall!”
“I’mdelightedtohearyousayso,mydear.”
“WhatonearthputallthesequeerideasintoChristian’shead?”
“I’venoidea,”saidMissMarple.
Seven
1
Thenextdaypasseduneventfullytoallappearances,yettoMissMarpleitseemedthatthereweresignsofaninnertension.ChristianGulbrandsenspenthismorningwithDr.MaverickingoingroundtheInstituteandindiscussingthegeneralresultsoftheInstitute’spolicy.IntheearlyafternoonGinatookhimforadriveandafterthatMissMarplenoticedthatheinducedMissBellevertoshowhimsomethinginthegardens.Itseemedtoherthatitwasapretextforensuringatête-à-têtewiththatgrimwoman.Andyet,ifChristianGulbrandsen’sunexpectedvisithadonlytodowithbusinessmatters,whythiswishforMissBellever’scompany,sincethelatterdealtonlywiththedomesticsideofmatters?
Butinallthis,MissMarplecouldtellherselfthatshewasbeingfanciful.Theonlyreallydisturbingincidentofthedayhappenedaboutfouro’clock.Shehadrolledupherknittingandhadgoneoutinthegardentotakealittlestrollbeforetea.RoundingastragglingrhododendronshecameuponEdgarLawsonwhowasstridingalongmutteringtohimselfandwhonearlyranintoher.
Hesaid,“Ibegyourpardon,”hastily,butMissMarplewasstartledbythequeerstaringexpressionofhiseyes.
“Aren’tyoufeelingwell,Mr.Lawson?”
“Well?HowshouldIbefeelingwell?I’vehadashock—aterribleshock.”
“Whatkindofashock?”
Theyoungmangaveaswiftglancepasther,andthenasharpuneasyglancetoeitherside.HisdoingsogaveMissMarpleanervousfeeling.
“ShallItellyou?”Helookedatherdoubtfully.“Idon’tknow.Idon’treallyknow.I’vebeensospiedupon.”
MissMarplemadeuphermind.Shetookhimfirmlybythearm.
“Ifwewalkdownthispath…there,now,therearenotreesorbushesnear.Nobodycanoverhear.”
“No—no,you’reright.”Hedrewadeepbreath,benthisheadandalmostwhisperedhisnextwords.“I’vemadeadiscovery.Aterriblediscovery.”
“Whatkindofadiscovery?”
EdgarLawsonbegantoshakeallover.Hewasalmostweeping.
“Tohavetrustedsomeone!Tohavebelieved…anditwaslies—alllies.Liestokeepmefromfindingoutthetruth.Ican’tbearit.It’stoowicked.Yousee,hewastheonepersonItrusted,andnowtofindoutthatallthetimehe’sbeenatthebottomofitall.It’shewho’sbeenmyenemy!It’shewhohasbeenhavingmefollowedaboutandspiedupon.Buthecan’tgetawaywithitanymore.Ishallspeakout.IshalltellhimIknowwhathehasbeendoing.”
“Whois‘he’?”demandedMissMarple.
EdgarLawsondrewhimselfuptohisfullheight.Hemighthavelookedpatheticanddignified.Butactuallyheonlylookedridiculous.
“I’mspeakingofmyfather.”
“ViscountMontgomery—ordoyoumeanWinstonChurchill?”
Edgarthrewheraglanceofscorn.
“Theyletmethinkthat—justtokeepmefromguessingthetruth.ButIknownow.I’vegotafriend—arealfriend.AfriendwhotellsmethetruthandletsmeknowjusthowI’vebeendeceived.Well,myfatherwillhavetoreckonwithme.I’llthrowhisliesinhisface!I’llchallengehimwiththetruth.We’llseewhathe’sgottosaytothat.”
Andsuddenlybreakingaway,Edgarwentoffatarunanddisappearedinthepark.
Herfacegrave,MissMarplewentbacktothehouse.
“We’reallalittlemad,dearlady,”Dr.Maverickhadsaid.
ButitseemedtoherthatinEdgar’scaseitwentratherfurtherthanthat.
2
LewisSerrocoldarrivedbackatsixthirty.Hestoppedthecaratthegatesandwalkedtothehousethroughthepark.Lookingoutofherwindow,MissMarplesawChristianGulbrandsengoouttomeethimandthetwomen,havinggreetedoneanother,turnedandpacedtoandfro,upanddowntheterrace.
MissMarplehadbeencarefultobringherbirdglasseswithher.Atthismomentshebroughtthemintoaction.Wasthere,orwastherenot,aflightofsiskinsbythatfarclumpoftrees?
Shenotedastheglassessweptdownbeforerisingthatbothmenwerelookingseriouslydisturbed.MissMarpleleantoutalittlefurther.Scrapsofconversationfloateduptohernowandthen.Ifeitherofthemenshouldlookup,itwouldbequiteclearthatanenrapturedbird-watcherhadherattentionfixedonapointfarremovedfromtheirconversation.
“—howtospareCarrieLouisetheknowledge—”Gulbrandsenwassaying.
Thenexttimetheypassedbelow,LewisSerrocoldwasspeaking.
“—ifitcanbekeptfromher.Iagreethatitisshewhomustbeconsidered….”
Otherfaintsnatchescametothelistener.
“—Reallyserious—”“—notjustified—”“toobigaresponsibilitytotake—”“weshould,perhaps,takeoutsideadvice—”
FinallyMissMarpleheardChristianGulbrandsensay,“Ach,itgrowscold.Wemustgoinside.”
MissMarpledrewherheadinthroughthewindowwithapuzzledexpression.Whatshehadheardwastoofragmentarytobeeasilypiecedtogether—butitservedtoconfirmthatvagueapprehensionthathadbeengraduallygrowinguponherandaboutwhichRuthVanRydockhadbeensopositive.
WhateverwaswrongatStonygates,itdefinitelyaffectedCarrieLouise.
3
Dinnerthateveningwasasomewhatconstrainedmeal.BothGulbrandsenandLewiswereabsentmindedandabsorbedintheirownthoughts.WalterHuddgloweredevenmorethanusualand,foronce,GinaandStephenseemedtohavelittletosayeithertoeachotherortothecompanyatlarge.ConversationwasmostlysustainedbyDr.Maverickwhohadalengthy,technicaldiscussionwithMr.Baumgarten,theoccupationaltherapist.
WhentheymovedintotheHallafterdinner,ChristianGulbrandsenexcusedhimselfalmostatonce.Hesaidhehadanimportantlettertowrite.
“Soifyouwillforgiveme,dearCarrieLouise,Iwillgonowtomyroom.”
“Youhaveallyouwantthere?Jolly?”
“Yes,yes.Everything.Atypewriter,Iasked,andonehasbeenputthere.MissBelleverhasbeenmostkindandattentive.”
HelefttheGreatHallbythedoorontheleftwhichledpastthefootofthemainstaircaseandalongacorridor,attheendofwhichwasasuiteofbedroomandbathroom.
Whenhehadgoneout,CarrieLouisesaid:
“Notgoingdowntothetheatretonight,Gina?”
Thegirlshookherhead.Shewentoverandsatbythewindowoverlookingthefrontdriveandthecourt.
Stephenglancedather,thenstrolledovertothebiggrandpiano.Hesatdownatitandstrummedverysoftly—aqueermelancholylittletune.Thetwooccupationaltherapists,Mr.BaumgartenandMr.Lacy,andDr.Maverick,saidgoodnightandleft.WalterturnedtheswitchofareadinglampandwithacracklingnoisehalfthelightsintheHallwentout.
Hegrowled.
“Thatdarnedswitchisalwaysfaulty.I’llgoandputanewfusein.”
HelefttheHallandCarrieLouisemurmured,“Wally’ssocleverwithelectricalgadgetsandthingslikethat.Yourememberhowhefixedthattoaster?”
“Itseemstobeallhedoesdohere,”saidMildredStrete.“Mother,haveyoutakenyourtonic?”
MissBelleverlookedannoyed.
“IdeclareIcompletelyforgottonight.”Shejumpedupandwentintothediningroom,returningpresentlywithasmallglasscontainingalittlerose-colouredfluid.
Smilingalittle,CarrieLouiseheldoutanobedienthand.
“Suchhorridstuffandnobodyletsmeforgetit,”shesaid,makingawryface.
Andthen,ratherunexpectedly,LewisSerrocoldsaid:“Idon’tthinkIshouldtakeittonight,mydear.I’mnotsureitreallyagreeswithyou.”
Quietly,butwiththatcontrolledenergyalwayssoapparentinhim,hetooktheglassfromMissBelleverandputitdownonthebigoakWelshdresser.
MissBelleversaidsharply:
“Really,Mr.Serrocold,Ican’tagreewithyouthere.Mrs.Serrocoldhasbeenverymuchbettersince—”
Shebrokeoffandturnedsharply:
Thefrontdoorwaspushedviolentlyopenandallowedtoswingtowithacrash.EdgarLawsoncameintothebigdimHallwiththeairofastarperformermakingatriumphalentry.
Hestoodinthemiddleofthefloorandstruckanattitude.
Itwasalmostridiculous—butnotquiteridiculous.
Edgarsaidtheatrically:
“SoIhavefoundyou,Omineenemy!”
HesaidittoLewisSerrocold.
Mr.Serrocoldlookedmildlyastonished.
“Why,Edgar,whatisthematter?”
“Youcansaythattome—you!Youknowwhat’sthematter.You’vebeendeceivingme,spyingonme,workingwithmyenemiesagainstme.”
Lewistookhimbythearm.
“Now,now,mydearlad,don’texciteyourself.Tellmeallaboutitquietly.Comeintomyoffice.”
HeledhimacrosstheHallandthroughadoorontherightclosingitbehindhim.Afterhehaddoneso,therewasanothersound,thesharpsoundofakeybeingturnedinthelock.
MissBelleverlookedatMissMarple,thesameideainboththeirminds.ItwasnotLewisSerrocoldwhohadturnedthekey.
MissBelleversaidsharply:“Thatyoungmanisjustabouttogooffhisheadinmyopinion.Itisn’tsafe.”
Mildredsaid,“He’samostunbalancedyoungman—andabsolutelyungratefulforeverythingthat’sbeendoneforhim—yououghttoputyourfootdown,Mother.”
WithafaintsighCarrieLouisemurmured:
“There’snoharminhimreally.He’sfondofLewis.He’sveryfondofhim.”
MissMarplelookedathercuriously.TherehadbeennofondnessintheexpressionthatEdgarhadturnedonLewisSerrocoldafewmomentspreviously,veryfarfromit.Shewondered,asshehadwonderedbefore,ifCarrieLouisedeliberatelyturnedherbackonreality.
Ginasaidsharply:
“Hehadsomethinginhispocket.Edgar,Imean.Playingwithit.”
Stephenmurmuredashetookhishandsfromthekeys:
“Inafilmitwouldcertainlyhavebeenarevolver.”
MissMarplecoughed.
“Ithink,youknow,”shesaidapologetically,“itwasarevolver.”
FrombehindthecloseddoorsofLewis’officethesoundofvoiceshadbeenplainlydiscernible.Now,suddenly,theybecameclearlyaudible.EdgarLawsonshoutedwhilstLewisSerrocold’svoicekeptitseven,reasonablenote.
“Lies—lies—lies,alllies.You’remyfather.I’myourson.You’vedeprivedmeofmyrights.Ioughttoownthisplace.Youhateme—youwanttogetridofme!”
TherewasasoothingmurmurfromLewisandthenthehystericalvoicerosestillhigher.Itscreamedoutfoulepithets.Edgarseemedrapidlylosingcontrolofhimself.OccasionalwordscamefromLewis—“calm—justbecalm—youknownoneofthisistrue—”Buttheyseemednottosoothe,butonthecontrarytoenragetheyoungmanstillfurther.
InsensiblyeveryoneintheHallwassilent,listeningintentlytowhatwentonbehindthelockeddoorofLewis’study.
“I’llmakeyoulistentome,”yelledEdgar.“I’lltakethatsuperciliousexpressionoffyourface.I’llhaverevenge,Itellyou.Revengeforallyou’vemademesuffer.”
Theothervoicecamecurtly,unlikeLewis’usualunemotionaltones.
“Putthatrevolverdown!”
Ginacriedsharply:
“Edgarwillkillhim.He’scrazy.Can’twegetthepoliceorsomething?”
CarrieLouise,stillunmoved,saidsoftly:
“There’snoneedtoworry,Gina.EdgarlovesLewis.He’sjustdramatisinghimself,that’sall.”
Edgar’svoicesoundedthroughthedoorinalaughthatMissMarplehadtoadmitsoundeddefinitelyinsane.
“Yes,I’vegotarevolver—andit’sloaded.No,don’tspeak,don’tmove.You’regoingtohearmeout.It’syouwhostartedthisconspiracyagainstmeandnowyou’regoingtopayforit.”
Whatsoundedlikethereportofafirearmmadethemallstart,butCarrieLouisesaid:
“It’sallright,it’soutside—intheparksomewhere.”
Behindthelockeddoor,Edgarwasravinginahighscreamingvoice.
“Yousittherelookingatme—lookingatme—pretendingtobeunmoved.Whydon’tyougetdownonyourkneesandbegformercy?I’mgoingtoshoot,Itellyou.I’mgoingtoshootyoudead!I’myourson—yourunacknowledgeddespisedson—youwantedmehiddenaway,outoftheworldaltogether,perhaps.Yousetyourspiestofollowme—tohoundmedown—youplottedagainstme.You,myfather!Myfather.I’monlyabastard,aren’tI?Onlyabastard.Youwentonfillingmeupwithlies.Pretendingtobekindtome,andallthetime—allthetime…you’renotfittolive.Iwon’tletyoulive.”
Againtherecameastreamofobsceneprofanity.SomewhereduringthesceneMissMarplewasconsciousofMissBelleversaying:
“Wemustdosomething,”andleavingtheHall.
Edgarseemedtopauseforbreathandthenheshoutedout,
“You’regoingtodie—todie.You’regoingtodienow.Takethat,youdevil,andthat!”
Twosharpcracksrangout—notintheparkthistime,butdefinitelybehindthelockeddoor.
Somebody,MissMarplethoughtitwasMildred,criedout:
“OhGod,whatshallwedo?”
Therewasathudfrominsidetheroomandthenasound,almostmoreterriblethanwhathadgonebefore,thesoundofslow,heavysobbing.
SomebodystrodepastMissMarpleandstartedshakingandrattlingthedoor.
ItwasStephenRestarick.
“Openthedoor.Openthedoor,”heshouted.
MissBellevercamebackintotheHall.Inherhandsheheldanassortmentofkeys.
“Trysomeofthese,”shesaidbreathlessly.
Atthatmomentthefusedlightscameonagain.TheHallsprangintolifeagainafteritseeriedimness.
StephenRestarickbegantryingthekeys
Theyheardtheinsidekeyfalloutashedidso.
Inside,thatwilddesperatesobbingwenton.
WalterHudd,cominglazilybackintotheHall,stoppeddeadanddemanded:
“Say,what’sgoingonroundhere?”
Mildredsaidtearfully,
“ThatawfulcrazyyoungmanhasshotMr.Serrocold.”
“Please.”ItwasCarrieLouisewhospoke.Shegotupandcameacrosstothestudydoor.VerygentlyshepushedStephenRestarickaside.“Letmespeaktohim.”
Shecalled—verysoftly—“Edgar…Edgar…letmein,willyou?Please,Edgar.”
Theyheardthekeyfittedintothelock.Itturnedandthedoorwasslowlyopened.
ButitwasnotEdgarwhoopenedit.ItwasLewisSerrocold.Hewasbreathinghardasthoughhehadbeenrunning,butotherwisehewasunmoved.
“It’sallright,dearest,”hesaid.“Dearest,it’squiteallright.”
“Wethoughtyou’dbeenshot,”saidMissBellevergruffly.
LewisSerrocoldfrowned.Hesaidwithatrifleofasperity:
“OfcourseIhaven’tbeenshot.”
Theycouldseeintothestudybynow.EdgarLawsonhadcollapsedbythedesk.Hewassobbingandgasping.Therevolverlayonthefloorwhereithaddroppedfromhishand.
“Butweheardtheshots,”saidMildred.
“Ohyes,hefiredtwice.”
“Andhemissedyou?”
“Ofcoursehemissedme,”snappedLewis.
MissMarpledidnotconsiderthattherewasanyofcourseaboutit.Theshotsmusthavebeenfiredatfairlycloserange.
LewisSerrocoldsaidirritably:
“Where’sMaverick?It’sMaverickweneed.”
MissBelleversaid:
“I’llgethim.ShallIringupthepoliceaswell?”
“Police?Certainlynot.”
“Ofcourse,wemustringupthepolice,”saidMildred.“He’sdangerous.”
“Nonsense,”saidLewisSerrocold.“Poorlad.Doeshelookdangerous?”
Atthemomenthedidnotlookdangerous.Helookedyoungandpatheticandratherrepulsive.
Hisvoicehadlostitscarefullyacquiredaccent.
“Ididn’tmeantodoit,”hegroaned.“Idunnowhatcameoverme—talkingallthatstuff—Imusthavebeenmad.”
Mildredsniffed.
“Ireallymusthavebeenmad.Ididn’tmeanto.Please,Mr.Serrocold,Ireallydidn’tmeanto.”
LewisSerrocoldpattedhimontheshoulder.
“That’sallright,myboy.Nodamagedone.”
“Imighthavekilledyou,Mr.Serrocold.”
WalterHuddwalkedacrosstheroomandpeeredatthewallbehindthedesk.
“Thebulletswentinhere,”hesaid.Hiseyedroppedtothedeskandthechairbehindit.“Musthavebeenanearmiss,”hesaidgrimly.
“Ilostmyhead.Ididn’trightlyknowwhatIwasdoing.Ithoughthe’ddonemeoutofmyrights.Ithought—”
MissMarpleputinthequestionshehadbeenwantingtoaskforsometime.
“Whotoldyou,”sheasked,“thatMr.Serrocoldwasyourfather?”
Justforasecond,aslyexpressionpeepedoutofEdgar’sdistractedface.Itwasthereandgoneinaflash.
“Nobody,”hesaid.“Ijustgotitintomyhead.”
WalterHuddwasstaringdownattherevolverwhereitlayonthefloor.
“Wherethehelldidyougetthatgun?”hedemanded.
“Gun?”Edgarstareddownatit.
“Looksmightylikemygun,”saidWalter.Hestoopeddownandpickeditup.“Byheck,itis!Youtookitoutofmyroom,youcreepinglouseyou.”
LewisSerrocoldinterposedbetweenthecringingEdgarandthemenacingAmerican.
“Allthiscanbegoneintolater,”hesaid.“Ah,here’sMaverick.Takealookathim,willyou,Maverick?”
Dr.MaverickadvanceduponEdgarwithakindofprofessionalzest.“Thiswon’tdo,Edgar,”hesaid.“Thiswon’tdo,youknow.”
“He’sadangerouslunatic,”saidMildredsharply.“He’sbeenshootingoffarevolverandraving.Heonlyjustmissedmystepfather.”
EdgargavealittleyelpandDr.Mavericksaidreprovingly:
“Careful,please,Mrs.Strete.”
“I’msickofallthis.Sickofthewayyouallgoonhere!Itellyouthisman’salunatic.”
Withabound,EdgarwrenchedhimselfawayfromDr.MaverickandfelltotheflooratSerrocold’sfeet.
“Helpme.Helpme.Don’tletthemtakemeawayandshutmeup.Don’tletthem….”
Anunpleasingscene,MissMarplethought.
Mildredsaidangrily,“Itellyouhe’s—”
Hermothersaidsoothingly,
“Please,Mildred.Notnow.He’ssuffering.”
Waltermuttered,
“Sufferingcripes!They’reallcuckooroundhere.”
“I’lltakechargeofhim,”saidDr.Maverick.“Youcomewithme,Edgar.Bedandasedative—andwe’lltalkeverythingoverinthemorning.Nowyoutrustme,don’tyou?”
Risingtohisfeetandtremblingalittle,EdgarlookeddoubtfullyattheyoungdoctorandthenatMildredStrete.
“Shesaid—Iwasalunatic.”
“No,no,you’renotalunatic.”
MissBellever’sfootstepsrangpurposefullyacrosstheHall.Shecameinwithherlipspursedtogetherandaflushedface.
“I’vetelephonedthepolice,”shesaidgrimly.“Theywillbehereinafewminutes.”
CarrieLouisecried,“Jolly!”intonesofdismay.
Edgarutteredawail.
LewisSerrocoldfrownedangrily.
“Itoldyou,Jolly,Ididnotwantthepolicesummoned.Thisisamedicalmatter.”
“That’sasmaybe,”saidMissBellever.“I’vemyownopinion.ButIhadtocallthepolice.Mr.Gulbrandsen’sbeenshotdead.”
Eight
Itwasamomentortwobeforeanyonetookinwhatshewassaying.
CarrieLouisesaidincredulously:
“Christianshot?Dead?Oh,surely,that’simpossible.”
“Ifyoudon’tbelieveme,”saidMissBellever,pursingherlips,andaddressingnotsomuchCarrieLouise,astheassembledcompany,“goandlookforyourselves.”
Shewasangry.Andherangersoundedinthecrispsharpnessofhervoice.
Slowly,unbelievingly,CarrieLouisetookasteptowardsthedoor.LewisSerrocoldputahandonhershoulder.
“No,dearest,letmego.”
Hewentoutthroughthedoorway.Dr.Maverick,withadoubtfulglanceatEdgar,followedhim.MissBelleverwentwiththem.
MissMarplegentlyurgedCarrieLouiseintoachair.Shesatdown,hereyeslookinghurtandstricken.
“Christian—shot?”shesaidagain.
Itwasthebewildered,hurttoneofachild.
WalterHuddremainedclosebyEdgarLawson,gloweringdownathim.Inhishandheheldthegunthathehadpickedupfromthefloor.
Mrs.Serrocoldsaidinawonderingvoice:
“ButwhocouldpossiblywanttoshootChristian?”
Itwasnotaquestionthatdemandedananswer.
Waltermutteredunderhisbreath:
“Nuts!Thewholelotofthem.”
StephenhadmovedprotectivelyclosertoGina.Heryoung,startledfacewasthemostvividthingintheroom.
Suddenlythefrontdooropenedandarushofcoldair,togetherwithamaninabigovercoat,camein.
Theheartinessofhisgreetingseemedincrediblyshocking.
“Hullo,everybody,what’sgoingontonight?Alotoffogontheroad.Ihadtogodeadslow.”
Forastartledmoment,MissMarplethoughtthatshewasseeingdouble.SurelythesamemancouldnotbestandingbyGinaandcominginbythedoor.Thensherealisedthatitwasonlyalikenessandnot,whenyoulookedclosely,suchaverystronglikeness.Thetwomenwereclearlybrotherswithastrongfamilyresemblance,butnomore.
WhereStephenRestarickwasthintothepointofemaciation,thenewcomerwassleek.Thebigcoatwiththeastrakhancollarfittedthesleeknessofbodysnugly.Ahandsomeyoungmanandonewhoboreuponhimtheauthorityandgoodhumourofsuccess.
ButMissMarplenotedonethingabouthim.Hiseyes,asheenteredtheHall,lookedimmediatelyatGina.
Hesaid,alittledoubtfully:
“Youdidexpectme?Yougotmywire?”
HewasspeakingnowtoCarrieLouise.Hecametowardsher.
Almostmechanically,sheputupherhandtohim.Hetookitandkisseditgently.Itwasanaffectionateactofhomage,notameretheatricalcourtesy.
Shemurmured:
“Ofcourse,Alexdear—ofcourse.Only,yousee—thingshavebeenhappening—”
“Happening?”
Mildredgavetheinformation,gaveitwithakindofgrimrelishthatMissMarplefounddistasteful.
“ChristianGulbrandsen,”shesaid.“MybrotherChristianGulbrandsenhasbeenfoundshotdead.”
“GoodGod,”Alexregisteredamorethanlife-sizedismay.“Suicide,doyoumean?”
CarrieLouisemovedswiftly.
“Ohno,”shesaid.“Itcouldn’tbesuicide.NotChristian!Ohno.”
“UncleChristianwouldnevershoothimself,I’msure,”saidGina.
AlexRestaricklookedfromonepersontotheother.FromhisbrotherStephenhereceivedashortconfirmativenod.WalterHuddstaredbackathimwithfaintresentment.Alex’seyesrestedonMissMarplewithasuddenfrown.Itwasasthoughhehadfoundsomeunwantedproponastageset.
Helookedasthoughhewouldlikeherexplained.Butnobodyexplainedher,andMissMarplecontinuedtolookanold,fluffyandsweetlybewilderedoldlady.
“When?”askedAlex.“Whendidthishappen,Imean?”
“Justbeforeyouarrived,”saidGina.“About—ohthreeorfourminutesago,Isuppose.Why,ofcourse,weactuallyheardtheshot.Onlywedidn’tnoticeit—notreally.”
“Didn’tnoticeit?Whynot?”
“Well,yousee,therewereotherthingsgoingon…”Ginaspokeratherhesitantly.
“Surewere,”saidWalterwithemphasis.
JulietBellevercameintotheHallbythedoorfromthelibrary.
“Mr.Serrocoldsuggeststhatweshouldallwaitinthelibrary.Itwouldbeconvenientforthepolice.ExceptforMrs.Serrocold.You’vehadashock,Cara.I’veorderedsomehotbottlestobeputinyourbed.I’lltakeyouupand—”
Risingtoherfeet,CarrieLouiseshookherhead.
“ImustseeChristianfirst,”shesaid.
“Oh,no,dear.Don’tupsetyourself—”
CarrieLouiseputherverygentlytooneside.
“DearJolly—youdon’tunderstand.”Shelookedroundandsaid,“Jane?”
MissMarplehadalreadymovedtowardsher.
“Comewithme,willyou,Jane?”
Theymovedtogethertowardsthedoor.Dr.Maverick,comingin,almostcollidedwiththem.
MissBelleverexclaimed:
“Dr.Maverick.Dostopher.Sofoolish.”
CarrieLouiselookedcalmlyattheyoungdoctor.Sheevengaveatinysmile.
Dr.Mavericksaid:
“Youwanttogoand—seehim?”
“Imust.”
“Isee.”Hestoodaside.“Ifyoufeelyoumust,Mrs.Serrocold.Butafterwards,pleasegoandliedownandletMissBelleverlookafteryou.Atthemomentyoudonotfeeltheshock,butIassureyouthatyouwilldoso.”
“Yes.Iexpectyouarequiteright.Iwillbequitesensible.Come,Jane.”
Thetwowomenmovedoutthroughthedoor,pastthefootofthemainstaircaseandalongthecorridor,pastthediningroomontherightandthedoubledoor,leadingtothekitchenquartersontheleft,pastthesidedoortotheterraceandontothedoorthatgaveadmissiontotheOakSuitethathadbeenallotedtoChristianGulbrandsen.Itwasaroomfurnishedasasittingroommorethanabedroom,withabedinanalcovetoonesideandadoorleadingintoadressingroomandbathroom.
CarrieLouisestoppedonthethreshold.ChristianGulbrandsenhadbeensittingatthebigmahoganydeskwithasmallportabletypewriteropeninfrontofhim.Hesattherenow,butslumpedsidewaysinthechair.Thehigharmsofthechairpreventedhimfromslippingtothefloor.
LewisSerrocoldwasstandingbythewindow.Hehadpulledthecurtainalittleasideandwasgazingoutintothenight.
Helookedroundandfrowned.
“Mydearest,youshouldn’thavecome.”
Hecametowardsherandshestretchedoutahandtohim.MissMarpleretreatedasteportwo.
“Ohyes,Lewis.Ihadto—seehim.Onehastoknowjustexactlyhowthingsare.”
Shewalkedslowlytowardsthedesk.
Lewissaidwarningly:
“Youmustn’ttouchanything.Thepolicemusthavethingsleftexactlyaswefoundthem.”
“Ofcourse.Hewasshotdeliberatelybysomeone,then?”
“Ohyes.”LewisSerrocoldlookedalittlesurprisedthatthequestionhadevenbeenasked.“Ithought—youknewthat?”
“Ididreally.Christianwouldnotcommitsuicide,andhewassuchacompetentpersonthatitcouldnotpossiblyhavebeenanaccident.Thatonlyleaves”—shehesitatedamoment—“murder.”
Shewalkedupbehindthedeskandstoodlookingdownatthedeadman.Therewassorrowandaffectioninherface.
“DearChristian,”shesaid.“Hewasalwaysgoodtome.”
Softly,shetouchedthetopofhisheadwithherfingers.
“Blessyouandthankyou,dearChristian,”shesaid.
LewisSerrocoldsaidwithsomethingmorelikeemotionthanMissMarplehadeverseeninhimbefore:
“IwishtoGodIcouldhavesparedyouthis,Caroline.”
Hiswifeshookherheadgently.
“Youcan’treallyspareanyoneanything,”shesaid.“Thingsalwayshavetobefacedsoonerorlater.Andthereforeithadbetterbesooner.I’llgoandliedownnow.Isupposeyou’llstayhere,Lewis,untilthepolicecome?”
“Yes.”
CarrieLouiseturnedawayandMissMarpleslippedanarmaroundher.
Nine
InspectorCurryandhisentouragefoundMissBelleveraloneintheGreatHallwhentheyarrived.
Shecameforwardefficiently.
“IamJulietBellever,companionandsecretarytoMrs.Serrocold.”
“Itwasyouwhofoundthebodyandtelephonedtous?”
“Yes.Mostofthehouseholdareinthelibrary—throughthatdoorthere.Mr.SerrocoldremainedinMr.Gulbrandsen’sroomtoseethatnothingwasdisturbed.Dr.Maverick,whofirstexaminedthebody,willbehereveryshortly.Hehadtotakea—caseovertotheotherwing.ShallIleadtheway?”
“Ifyouplease.”
“Competentwoman,”thoughttheInspectortohimself.“Seemstohavegotthewholethingtaped.”
Hefollowedheralongthecorridor.
Forthenexttwentyminutestheroutineofpoliceprocedurewasdulysetinmotion.Thephotographertookthenecessarypictures.ThepolicesurgeonarrivedandwasjoinedbyDr.Maverick.Halfanhourlater,theambulancehadtakenawaythemortalremainsofChristianGulbrandsen,andInspectorCurrystartedhisofficialinterrogation.
LewisSerrocoldtookhimintothelibraryandheglancedkeenlyroundtheassembledpeoplemakingbriefnotesinhismind.Anoldladywithwhitehair,amiddle-agedlady,thegood-lookinggirlhe’dseendrivinghercarroundthecountryside,thatodd-lookingAmericanhusbandofhers.Acoupleofyoungmenwhoweremixedupintheoutfitsomewhereorotherandthecapablewoman,MissBellever,who’dphonedhimandmethimonarrival.
InspectorCurryhadalreadythoughtoutalittlespeechandhenowdelivereditasplanned.
“I’mafraidthisisallveryupsettingtoyou,”hesaid,“andIhopenottokeepyoutoolongthisevening.Wecangointothingsmorethoroughlytomorrow.ItwasMissBelleverwhofoundMr.GulbrandsendeadandI’llaskMissBellevertogivemeanoutlineofthegeneralsituationasthatwillsavetoomuchrepetition.Mr.Serrocold,ifyouwanttogouptoyourwife,pleasedoandwhenIhavefinishedwithMissBellever,Ishouldliketotalktoyou.Isthatallquiteclear?Perhapsthereissomesmallroomwhere—”
LewisSerrocoldsaid:
“Myoffice,Jolly?”
MissBellevernodded,andsaid,“Iwasjustgoingtosuggestit.”
SheledthewayacrosstheGreatHallandInspectorCurryandhisattendantsergeantfollowedher.
MissBelleverarrangedthemandherselfsuitably.ItmighthavebeensheandnotInspectorCurrywhowasinchargeoftheinvestigation.
Themomenthadcome,however,whentheinitiativepassedtohim.InspectorCurryhadapleasantvoiceandmanner.Helookedquietandseriousandjustalittleapologetic.Somepeoplemadethemistakeofunderratinghim.ActuallyhewasascompetentinhiswayasMissBelleverwasinhers.Buthepreferrednottomakeaparadeofthefact.
Heclearedhisthroat.
“I’vehadthemainfactsfromMr.Serrocold.Mr.ChristianGulbrandsenwastheeldestsonofthelateEricGulbrandsen,thefounderoftheGulbrandsenTrustandFellowship…andalltherestofit.Hewasoneofthetrusteesofthisplaceandhearrivedhereunexpectedlyyesterday.Thatiscorrect?”
“Yes.”
InspectorCurrywaspleasedbyherconciseness.Hewenton.
“Mr.SerrocoldwasawayinLiverpool.Hereturnedthiseveningbythe6:30train.”
“Yes.”
“Afterdinnerthisevening,Mr.Gulbrandsenannouncedhisintentionofworkinginhisownroomandlefttherestofthepartyhereaftercoffeehadbeenserved.Correct?”
“Yes.”
“Now,MissBellever,pleasetellmeinyourownwordshowyoucametodiscoverhimdead.”
“Therewasaratherunpleasantincidentthisevening.Ayoungman,apsychopathiccase,becameveryunbalancedandthreatenedMr.Serrocoldwitharevolver.Theywerelockedinthisroom.Theyoungmaneventuallyfiredtherevolver—youcanseethebulletholesinthewallthere.FortunatelyMr.Serrocoldwasunhurt.Afterfiringtheshots,thisyoungmanwentcompletelytopieces.Mr.SerrocoldsentmetofindDr.Maverick.Igotthroughonthehousephone,buthewasnotinhisroom.Ifoundhimwithoneofhiscolleaguesandgavehimthemessageandhecamehereatonce.Onmyownwayback,IwenttoMr.Gulbrandsen’sroom.Iwantedtoaskhimiftherewasanythinghewouldlike—hotmilk,orwhiskybeforesettlingforthenight.Iknocked,buttherewasnoresponse,soIopenedthedoor.IsawthatMr.Gulbrandsenwasdead.Ithenrangyouup.”
“Whatentrancesandexitsaretheretothehouse?Andhowaretheysecured?Couldanyonehavecomeinfromoutsidewithoutbeingheardorseen?”
“Anyonecouldhavecomeinbythesidedoortotheterrace.Thatisnotlockeduntilweallgotobed,aspeoplecomeinandoutthatwaytogototheCollegebuildings.”
“Andyouhave,Ibelieve,betweentwohundredandtwohundredandfiftyjuveniledelinquentsintheCollege?”
“Yes.ButtheCollegebuildingsarewellsecuredandpatrolled.IshouldsayitwasmostunlikelythatanyonecouldleavetheCollegeunsponsored.”
“Weshallhavetocheckuponthat,ofcourse.HadMr.Gulbrandsengivenanycausefor—shallwesay,rancour?Anyunpopulardecisionsastopolicy?”
MissBellevershookherhead.
“Ohno,Mr.GulbrandsenhadnothingwhatevertodowiththerunningoftheCollege,orwithadministrativematters.”
“Whatwasthepurposeofhisvisit?”
“Ihavenoidea.”
“ButhewasannoyedtofindMr.Serrocoldabsent,andimmediatelydecidedtowaituntilhereturned?”
“Yes.”
“SohisbusinessherewasdefinitelywithMr.Serrocold?”
“Yes.Butitwouldbe—becauseitwouldbealmostcertainlybusinesstodowiththeInstitute.”
“Yes,presumablythatisso.DidhehaveaconferencewithMr.Serrocold?”
“No,therewasnotime.Mr.Serrocoldonlyarrivedjustbeforedinnerthisevening.”
“Butafterdinner,Mr.Gulbrandsensaidhehadimportantletterstowriteandwentawaytodoso.Hedidn’tsuggestasessionwithMr.Serrocold?”
MissBelleverhesitated.
“No.No,hedidn’t.”
“Surelythatwasratherodd—ifhehadwaitedonatinconveniencetohimselftoseeMr.Serrocold?”
“Yes,itwasodd.”
TheoddnessofitseemedtostrikeMissBelleverforthefirsttime.
“Mr.Serrocolddidnotaccompanyhimtohisroom?”
“No.Mr.SerrocoldremainedintheHall.”
“AndyouhavenoideaatwhattimeMr.Gulbrandsenwaskilled?”
“Ithinkitispossiblethatweheardtheshot.Ifso,itwasattwenty-threeminutespastnine.”
“Youheardashot?Anditdidnotalarmyou?”
“Thecircumstanceswerepeculiar.”
SheexplainedinrathermoredetailthescenebetweenLewisSerrocoldandEdgarLawsonwhichhadbeeninprogress.
“Soitoccurredtonoonethattheshotmightactuallyhavecomefromwithinthehouse?”
“No.No,Icertainlydon’tthinkso.Wewereallsorelieved,youknow,thattheshotdidn’tcomefrominhere.”
MissBelleveraddedrathergrimly:
“Youdon’texpectmurderandattemptedmurderinthesamehouseonthesamenight.”
InspectorCurryacknowledgedthetruthofthat.
“Allthesame,”saidMissBellever,suddenly,“youknowIbelievethat’swhatmademegoalongtoMr.Gulbrandsen’sroomlater.Ididmeantoaskhimifhewouldlikeanything,butitwasakindofexcusetoreassuremyselfthateverythingwasallright.”
InspectorCurrystaredatherforamoment.
“Whatmadeyouthinkitmightn’tbeallright?”
“Idon’tknow.Ithinkitwastheshotoutside.Ithadn’tmeantanythingatthetime.Butafterwardsitcamebackintomymind.ItoldmyselfthatitwasonlyabackfirefromMr.Restarick’scar—”
“Mr.Restarick’scar?”
“Yes.AlexRestarick.Hearrivedbycarthisevening—hearrivedjustafterallthishappened.”
“Isee.WhenyoudiscoveredMr.Gulbrandsen’sbody,didyoutouchanythingintheroom?”
“Ofcoursenot.”MissBelleversoundedreproachful.“NaturallyIknewthatnothingmustbetouchedormoved.”
“Andjustnow,whenyoutookusintotheroom,everythingwasexactlyasithadbeenwhenyoufoundthebody?”
MissBelleverconsidered.Shesatbackscrewinguphereyes.Shehad,InspectorCurrythought,oneofthosephotographicmemories.
“Onethingwasdifferent,”shesaid.“Therewasnothinginthetypewriter.”
“Youmean,”saidInspectorCurry,“thatwhenyoufirstwentin,Mr.Gulbrandsenhadbeenwritingaletteronthetypewriter,andthatthatletterhadsincebeenremoved?”
“Yes,I’malmostsurethatIsawthewhiteedgeofthepaperstickingup.”
“Thankyou,MissBellever.Whoelsewentintothatroombeforewearrived?”
“Mr.Serrocold,ofcourse.HeremainedtherewhenIcametomeetyou.AndMrs.SerrocoldandMissMarplewentthere.Mrs.Serrocoldinsisted.”
“Mrs.SerrocoldandMissMarple,”saidInspectorCurry.“WhichisMissMarple?”
“Theoldladywithwhitehair.ShewasaschoolfriendofMrs.Serrocold’s.Shecameonavisitaboutfourdaysago.”
“Well,thankyou,MissBellever.Allthatyouhavetoldusisquiteclear.I’llgointothingswithMr.Serrocoldnow.Ah,butperhaps—MissMarple’sanoldlady,isn’tshe?I’lljusthaveawordwithherfirstandthenshecangoofftobed.Rathercrueltokeepanoldladylikethatup,”saidInspectorCurryvirtuously.“Thismusthavebeenashocktoher.”
“I’lltellher,shallI?”
“Ifyouplease.”
MissBelleverwentout.InspectorCurrylookedattheceiling.
“Gulbrandsen?”hesaid.“WhyGulbrandsen?Twohundredodd,maladjustedyoungstersonthepremises.Noreasonanyofthemshouldn’thavedoneit.Probablyoneofthemdid.ButwhyGulbrandsen?Thestrangerwithinthegates.”
SergeantLakesaid:“Ofcourse,wedon’tknoweverythingyet.”
InspectorCurrysaid:
“Sofar,wedon’tknowanythingatall.”
HejumpedupandwasgallantwhenMissMarplecamein.Sheseemedalittleflusteredandhehurriedtoputheratherease.
“Nowdon’tupsetyourself,Ma’am.”TheoldoneslikeMa’am,hethought.Tothem,policeofficersweredefinitelyofthelowerclassesandshouldshowrespecttotheirbetters.“Thisisallverydistressing,Iknow.Butwe’vejustgottogetthefactsclear.Getitallclear.”
“Ohyes,Iknow,”saidMissMarple.“Sodifficult,isn’tit?Tobeclearaboutanything,Imean.Becauseifyou’relookingatonething,youcan’tbelookingatanother.Andonesooftenlooksatthewrongthing,thoughwhetherbecauseonehappenstodosoorbecauseyou’remeantto,it’sveryhardtosay.Misdirection,theconjurerscallit.Soclever,aren’tthey?AndIneverhaveknownhowtheymanagewithabowlofgoldfish—becausereallythatcannotfoldupsmall,canit?”
InspectorCurryblinkedalittleandsaidsoothingly:
“Quiteso.Now,Ma’am,I’vehadanaccountofthisevening’seventsfromMissBellever.Amostanxioustimeforallofyou,I’msure.”
“Yes,indeed.Itwasallsodramatic,youknow.”
“Firstthisto-dobetweenMr.Serrocoldand”—helookeddownatanotehehadmade—“thisEdgarLawson.”
“Averyoddyoungman,”saidMissMarple.“Ihavefeltallalongthattherewassomethingwrongabouthim.”
“I’msureyouhave,”saidInspectorCurry.“Andthen,afterthatexcitementwasover,therecameMr.Gulbrandsen’sdeath.IunderstandthatyouwentwithMrs.Serrocoldtoseethe—er—thebody.”
“Yes,Idid.Sheaskedmetocomewithher.Weareveryoldfriends.”
“Quiteso.AndyouwentalongtoMr.Gulbrandsen’sroom.Didyoutouchanythingwhileyouwereintheroom,eitherofyou?”
“Ohno.Mr.Serrocoldwarnedusnotto.”
“Didyouhappentonotice,Ma’am,whethertherewasaletterorapieceofpaper,say,inthetypewriter?”
“Therewasn’t,”saidMissMarplepromptly.“Inoticedthatatoncebecauseitseemedtomeodd.Mr.Gulbrandsenwassittingthereatthetypewriter,sohemusthavebeentypingsomething.Yes,Ithoughtitveryodd.”
InspectorCurrylookedathersharply.Hesaid:
“DidyouhavemuchconversationwithMr.Gulbrandsenwhilehewashere?”
“Verylittle.”
“Thereisnothingespecial—orsignificantthatyoucanremember?”
MissMarpleconsidered.
“HeaskedmeaboutMrs.Serrocold’shealth.Inparticular,aboutherheart.”
“Herheart?Istheresomethingwrongwithherheart?”
“Nothingwhatever,Iunderstand.”
InspectorCurrywassilentforamomentortwo,thenhesaid:
“YouheardashotthiseveningduringthequarrelbetweenMr.SerrocoldandEdgarLawson?”
“Ididn’tactuallyhearitmyself.Iamalittledeaf,youknow.ButMrs.Serrocoldmentioneditasbeingoutsideinthepark.”
“Mr.Gulbrandsenleftthepartyimmediatelyafterdinner,Iunderstand?”
“Yes,hesaidhehadletterstowrite.”
“Hedidn’tshowanywishforabusinessconferencewithMr.Serrocold?”
“No.”
MissMarpleadded:
“Yousee,they’dalreadyhadonelittletalk.”
“Theyhad?When?IunderstoodthatMr.Serrocoldonlyreturnedhomejustbeforedinner.”
“That’squitetrue,buthewalkedupthroughthepark,andMr.Gulbrandsenwentouttomeethimandtheywalkedupanddowntheterracetogether.”
“Whoelseknowsthis?”
“Ishouldn’tthinkanybodyelse,”saidMissMarple.“Unless,ofcourse,Mr.SerrocoldtoldMrs.Serrocold.Ijusthappenedtobelookingoutofmywindow—atsomebirds.”
“Birds?”
“Birds.”MissMarpleaddedafteramomentortwo,“Ithought,perhaps,theymightbesiskins.”
InspectorCurrywasuninterestedinsiskins.
“Youdidn’t,”hesaiddelicately,“happento—er—overhearanythingofwhattheysaid?”
Innocent,chinablueeyesmethis.
“Onlyfragments,I’mafraid,”saidMissMarplegently.
“Andthosefragments?”
MissMarplewassilentamoment,thenshesaid:
“Idonotknowtheactualsubjectoftheirconversation,buttheirimmediateconcernwastokeepwhateveritwasfromtheknowledgeofMrs.Serrocold.Tospareher—thatwashowMr.Gulbrandsenputit,andMr.Serrocoldsaid,‘Iagreethatitisshewhomustbeconsidered.’Theyalsomentioneda‘bigresponsibility’andthattheyshould,perhaps,‘takeoutsideadvice.’”
Shepaused.
“Ithink,youknow,youhadbetteraskMr.Serrocoldhimselfaboutallthis.”
“Weshalldoso,Ma’am.Nowthereisnothingelsethatstruckyouasunusualthisevening?”
MissMarpleconsidered.
“Itwasallsounusual,ifyouknowwhatImean—”
“Quiteso.Quiteso.”
SomethingflickeredintoMissMarple’smemory.
“Therewasoneratherunusualincident.Mr.SerrocoldstoppedMrs.Serrocoldfromtakinghermedicine.MissBelleverwasquiteputoutaboutit.”
Shesmiledinadeprecatingfashion.
“Butthat,ofcourse,issuchalittlething….”
“Yes,ofcourse.Well,thankyou,MissMarple.”
AsMissMarplewentoutoftheroom,SergeantLakesaid:“She’sold,butshe’ssharp….”
Ten
LewisSerrocoldcameintotheofficeandimmediatelythewholefocusoftheroomshifted.Heturnedtoclosethedoorbehindhim,andindoingsohecreatedanatmosphereofprivacy.Hewalkedoverandsatdown,notinthechairMissMarplehadjustvacatedbutinhisownchairbehindthedesk.MissBelleverhadsettledInspectorCurryinachairdrawnuptoonesideofthedesk,asthoughunconsciouslyshehadreservedLewisSerrocold’schairagainsthiscoming.
Whenhehadsatdown,LewisSerrocoldlookedatthetwopoliceofficersthoughtfully.Hisfacelookeddrawnandtired.Itwasthefaceofamanwhowaspassingthroughasevereordeal,anditsurprisedInspectorCurryalittlebecause,thoughChristianGulbrandsen’sdeathmustundeniablyhavebeenashocktoLewisSerrocold,yetGulbrandsenhadnotbeenaclosefriendorrelation,onlyaratherremoteconnectionbymarriage.
Inanoddway,thetablesseemedtohavebeenturned.ItdidnotseemasthoughLewisSerrocoldhadcomeintotheroomtoanswerpolicequestioning.ItseemedratherthatLewisSerrocoldhadarrivedtopresideoveracourtofinquiry.ItirritatedInspectorCurryalittle.
Hesaidbriskly:“Now,Mr.Serrocold—”
LewisSerrocoldstillseemedlostinthought.Hesaidwithasigh,“Howdifficultitistoknowtherightthingtodo.”
InspectorCurrysaid:
“Ithinkwewillbethejudgesastothat,Mr.Serrocold.NowaboutMr.Gulbrandsen,hearrivedunexpectedly,Iunderstand?”
“Quiteunexpectedly.”
“Youdidnotknowhewascoming?”
“Ihadnottheleastideaofit.”
“Andyouhavenoideaofwhyhecame?”
LewisSerrocoldsaidquietly,
“Ohyes,Iknowwhyhecame.Hetoldme.”
“When?”
“Iwalkedupfromthestation.Hewaswatchingfromthehouseandcameouttomeetme.Itwasthenthatheexplainedwhathadbroughthimhere.”
“BusinessconnectedwiththeGulbrandsenInstitute,Isuppose?”
“Ohno,itwasnothingtodowiththeGulbrandsenInstitute.”
“MissBelleverseemedtothinkitwas.”
“Naturally.Thatwouldbetheassumption.Gulbrandsendidnothingtocorrectthatimpression.NeitherdidI.”
“Why,Mr.Serrocold?”
LewisSerrocoldsaidslowly:
“Becauseitseemedtobothofusimportantthatnohintshouldariseastotherealpurposeofhisvisit.”
“Whatwastherealpurpose?”
LewisSerrocoldwassilentforaminuteortwo.Hesighed.
“Gulbrandsencameoverhereregularlytwiceayearformeetingsofthetrustees.Thelastmeetingwasonlyamonthago.Consequentlyhewasnotduetocomeoveragainforanotherfivemonths.Ithink,therefore,thatanyonemightrealisethatthebusinessthatbroughthimmustdefinitelybeurgentbusiness,butIstillthinkthatthenormalassumptionwouldbethatitwasabusinessvisit,andthatthematter—howeverurgent—wouldbeaTrustmatter.AsfarasIknow,Gulbrandsendidnothingtocontradictthatimpression—orthoughthedidn’t.Yes,perhapsthatisnearerthetruth—hethoughthedidn’t.”
“I’mafraid,Mr.Serrocold,thatIdon’tquitefollowyou.”
LewisSerrocolddidnotansweratonce.Thenhesaidgravely:
“IfullyrealisethatwithGulbrandsen’sdeath—whichwasmurder,undeniablymurder,Ihavegottoputallthefactsbeforeyou.But,frankly,Iamconcernedformywife’shappinessandpeaceofmind.Itisnotformetodictatetoyou,Inspector,butifyoucanseeyourwaytokeepingcertainthingsfromherasfaraspossible,Ishallbegrateful.Yousee,InspectorCurry,ChristianGulbrandsencamehereexpresslytotellmethathebelievedmywifewasbeingslowlyandcold-bloodedlypoisoned.”
“What?”
Curryleanedforwardincredulously.
Serrocoldnodded.
“Yes,itwas,asyoucanimagine,atremendousshocktome.Ihadhadnosuspicionofsuchathingmyself,butassoonasChristiantoldme,Irealisedthatcertainsymptomsmywifehadcomplainedoflately,werequitecompatiblewiththatbelief.Whatshetooktoberheumatism,legcramps,pain,andoccasionalsickness.Allthatfitsinverywellwiththesymptomsofarsenicpoisoning.”
“MissMarpletoldusthatChristianGulbrandsenaskedherabouttheconditionofMrs.Serrocold’sheart?”
“Didhenow?Thatisinteresting.Isupposehethoughtthataheartpoisonwouldbeusedsinceitpavedthewaytoasuddendeathwithoutunduesuspicion.ButIthinkmyselfthatarsenicismorelikely.”
“Youdefinitelythink,then,thatChristianGulbrandsen’ssuspicionswerewellfounded?”
“Ohyes,Ithinkso.Foronething,Gulbrandsenwouldhardlycometomewithsuchasuggestionunlesshewasfairlysureofhisfacts.Hewasacautiousandhardheadedman,difficulttoconvince,butveryshrewd.”
“Whatwashisevidence?”
“Wehadnotimetogointothat.Ourinterviewwasahurriedone.Itservedonlythepurposeofexplaininghisvisit,andamutualagreementthatnothingwhatevershouldbesaidtomywifeaboutthematteruntilweweresureofourfacts.”
“Andwhomdidhesuspectofadministeringpoison?”
“Hedidnotsay,andactuallyIdon’tthinkheknew.Hemayhavesuspected.Ithinknowthatheprobablydidsuspect—otherwisewhyshouldhebekilled?”
“Buthementionednonametoyou?”
“Hementionednoname.Weagreedthatwemustinvestigatethematterthoroughly,andhesuggestedinvitingtheadviceandcooperationofDr.Galbraith,theBishopofCromer.Dr.GalbraithisaveryoldfriendoftheGulbrandsensandisoneofthetrusteesoftheInstitute.Heisamanofgreatwisdomandexperienceandwouldbeofgreathelpandcomforttomywifeif—ifitwasnecessarytotellherofoursuspicions.Wemeanttorelyonhisadviceastowhetherornottoconsultthepolice.”
“Quiteextraordinary,”saidCurry.
“GulbrandsenleftusafterdinnertowritetoDr.Galbraith.Hewasactuallyintheactoftypingalettertohimwhenhewasshot.”
“Howdoyouknow?”
Lewissaidcalmly,
“BecauseItooktheletteroutofthetypewriter.Ihaveithere.”
Fromhisbreastpocket,hedrewoutafoldedtypewrittensheetofpaperandhandedittoCurry.
Thelattersaidsharply.
“Youshouldn’thavetakenthis,ortouchedanythingintheroom.”
“Itouchednothingelse.IknowthatIcommittedanunpardonableoffenceinyoureyesinmovingthis,butIhadaverystrongreason.IfeltcertainthatmywifewouldinsistoncomingintotheroomandIwasafraidthatshemightreadsomethingofwhatiswrittenhere.Iadmitmyselfinthewrong,butIamafraidIwoulddothesameagain.Iwoulddoanything—anything—tosavemywifeunhappiness.”
InspectorCurrysaidnomoreforthemoment.Hereadthetypewrittensheet.
DearDr.Galbraith.Ifitisatallpossible,IbegthatyouwillcometoStonygatesassoonasyoureceivethis.AcrisisofextraordinarygravityhasarisenandIamatalosshowtodealwithit.IknowhowdeepyouraffectionisforourdearCarrieLouise,andhowgraveyourconcernwillbeforanythingthataffectsher.Howmuchhasshegottoknow?Howmuchcanwekeepfromher?ThosearethequestionsthatIfindsodifficulttoanswer.Nottobeataboutthebush,Ihavereasontobelievethatthatsweetandinnocentladyisbeingslowlypoisoned.Ifirstsuspectedthiswhen—
Heretheletterbrokeoffabruptly.
Currysaid:
“Andwhenhehadreachedthispoint,ChristianGulbrandsenwasshot?”
“Yes.”
“Butwhyonearthwasthisletterleftinthetypewriter?”
“Icanonlyconceiveoftworeasons—onethatthemurdererhadnoideatowhomGulbrandsenwaswritingandwhatwasthesubjectoftheletter.Secondly—hemaynothavehadtime.Hemayhaveheardsomeonecomingandonlyhadjusttimetoescapeunobserved.”
“AndGulbrandsengaveyounohintastowhohesuspected—ifhedidsuspectanyone?”
Therewas,perhaps,averyslightpausebeforeLewisanswered.“Nonewhatever.”
Headded,ratherobscurely:
“Christianwasaveryfairman.”
“Howdoyouthinkthispoison,arsenicorwhateveritmaybe—wasorisbeingadministered?”
“IthoughtoverthatwhilstIwaschangingfordinner,anditseemedtomethatthemostlikelyvehiclewassomemedicine,atonic,thatmywifewastaking.Asregardsfoodweallpartookofthesamedishesandmywifehasnothingspeciallypreparedforher.Butanyonecouldaddarsenictothemedicinebottle.”
“Wemusttakethemedicineandhaveitanalysed.”
Lewissaidquietly:
“Ialreadyhaveasampleofit.Itookitthiseveningbeforedinner.”
Fromadrawerinthedesk,hetookoutasmall,corkedbottlewitharedfluidinit.
InspectorCurrysaidwithacuriousglance:
“Youthinkofeverything,Mr.Serrocold.”
“Ibelieveinactingpromptly.Tonight,Istoppedmywifefromtakingherusualdose.ItisstillinaglassontheoakdresserintheHall—thebottleoftonicitselfisinthedrawingroom.”
Curryleanedforwardacrossthedesk.Heloweredhisvoiceandspokeconfidentiallyandwithoutofficialdom.
“You’llexcuseme,Mr.Serrocold,butjustwhyareyousoanxioustokeepthisfromyourwife?Areyouafraidshe’dpanic?Surely,forherownsake,itwouldbeaswellifshewerewarned.”
“Yes—yes,thatmaywellbeso.ButIdon’tthinkyouquiteunderstand.Withoutknowingmywife,Caroline,itwouldbedifficult.Mywife,InspectorCurry,isanidealist,acompletelytrustfulperson.Ofheritmaytrulybesaidthatsheseesnoevil,hearsnoevil,andspeaksnoevil.Itwouldbeinconceivabletoherthatanyonecouldwishtokillher.Butwehavetogofartherthanthat.Itisnotjust‘anyone.’Itisacase—surelyyouseethat—ofsomebodypossiblyverynearanddeartoher….”
“Sothat’swhatyouthink?”
“Wehavegottofacefacts.Closeathandwehaveacoupleofhundredwarpedandstuntedpersonalitieswhohaveexpressedthemselvesoftenenoughbycrudeandsenselessviolence.Butbytheverynatureofthings,noneofthemcanbesuspectinthiscase.Aslowpoisonerissomeonelivingintheintimacyoffamilylife.Thinkofthepeoplewhoarehereinthishouse;herhusband,herdaughter,hergranddaughter,hergranddaughter’shusband,herstepsonwhomsheregardsasherownson,MissBellever,herdevotedcompanionandfriendofmanyyears.Allverynearanddeartoher—andyetthesuspicionmustarise—isitoneofthem?”
Curryansweredslowly,
“Thereareoutsiders—”
“Yes,inasense.ThereisDr.Maverick,oneortwoofthestaffareoftenwithus,therearetheservants—but,frankly,whatpossiblemotivecouldtheyhave?”
InspectorCurrysaid,
“Andthere’syoung—whatishisnameagain—EdgarLawson?”
“Yes.Buthehasonlybeendownhereasacasualvisitorjustlately.Hehasnopossiblemotive.Besides,heisdeeplyattachedtoCaroline—justaseveryoneis.”
“Buthe’sunbalanced.Whataboutthisattackonyoutonight?”
Serrocoldwaveditasideimpatiently.
“Sheerchildishness.Hehadnointentionofharmingme.”
“Notwiththesetwobulletholesinthewall?Heshotatyou,didn’the?”
“Hedidn’tmeantohitme.Itwasplayacting,nomore.”
“Ratheradangerousformofplayacting,Mr.Serrocold.”
“Youdon’tunderstand.Youmusttalktoourpsychiatrist,Dr.Maverick.Edgarisanillegitimatechild.Hehasconsoledhimselfforhislackofafatherandahumbleoriginbypretendingtohimselfthatheisthesonofacelebratedman.It’sawell-knownphenomenon,Iassureyou.Hewasimproving,improvingverymuch.Then,forsomereason,hehadasetback.Heidentifiedmeashis‘father’andmadeamelodramaticattack,wavingarevolverandutteringthreats.Iwasnotintheleastalarmed.Whenhehadactuallyfiredtherevolver,hebrokedownandsobbed,andDr.Mavericktookhimawayandgavehimasedative.He’llprobablybequitenormaltomorrowmorning.”
“Youdon’twishtobringachargeagainsthim?”
“Thatwouldbetheworstthingpossible—forhim,Imean.”
“Frankly,Mr.Serrocold,itseemstomeheoughttobeunderrestraint.Peoplewhogoaboutfiringoffrevolverstobolsteruptheiregos—!Onehastothinkofthecommunity,youknow.”
“TalktoDr.Maverickonthesubject,”urgedLewis.“He’llgiveyoutheprofessionalpointofview.Inanycase,”headded,“poorEdgarcertainlydidnotshootGulbrandsen.Hewasinherethreateningtoshootme.”
“That’sthepointIwascomingto,Mr.Serrocold.We’vecoveredtheoutside.Anyone,itseems,couldhavecomeinfromoutside,andshotMr.Gulbrandsen,sincetheterracedoorwasunlocked.Butthereisanarrowerfieldinsidethehouse,andinviewofwhatyouhavebeentellingme,itseemstomethatverycloseattentionmustbepaidtothat.Itseemspossiblethat,withtheexceptionofoldMiss—er—yes,Marplewhohappenedtobelookingoutofherbedroomwindow,noonewasawarethatyouandChristianGulbrandsenhadalreadyhadaprivateinterview.Ifso,Gulbrandsenmayhavebeenshottopreventhimcommunicatinghissuspicionstoyou.Ofcourse,itistooearlytosayasyetwhatothermotivesmayexist.Mr.Gulbrandsenwasawealthyman,Ipresume?”
“Yes,hewasaverywealthyman.Hehassonsanddaughtersandgrandchildren—allofwhomwillprobablybenefitbyhisdeath.ButIdonotthinkthatanyofhisfamilyareinthiscountry,andtheyareallsolidandhighlyrespectablepeople.AsfarasIknow,therearenoblacksheepamongstthem.”
“Hadheanyenemies?”
“Ishouldthinkitmostunlikely.Hewas—really,hewasnotthattypeofman.”
“Soitboilsdown,doesn’tit,tothishouseandthepeopleinit?Whofrominsidethehousecouldhavekilledhim?”
LewisSerrocoldsaidslowly,
“Thatisdifficultformetosay.Therearetheservantsandthemembersofmyhouseholdandourguests.Theyare,fromyourpointofview,allpossibilities,Isuppose.Icanonlytellyouthat,asfarasIknow,everyoneexcepttheservantswasintheGreatHallwhenChristianleftitandwhilstIwasthere,nobodyleftit.”
“Nobodyatall?”
“Ithink”—Lewisfrownedinaneffortofremembrance—“ohyes.Someofthelightsfused—Mr.WalterHuddwenttoseetoit.”
“That’stheyoungAmericangentleman?”
“Yes—ofcourse,Idon’tknowwhattookplaceafterEdgarandIcameinhere.”
“Andyoucan’tgivemeanythingnearerthanthat,Mr.Serrocold?”
LewisSerrocoldshookhishead.
“No,I’mafraidIcan’thelpyou.It’s—it’sallquiteinconceivable.”
InspectorCurrysighed.Hesaid:
“Youcantellthepartythattheycanallgotobed.I’lltalktothemtomorrow.”
WhenSerrocoldhadlefttheroom,InspectorCurrysaidtoLake:
“Well—whatdoyouthink?”
“Knows—orthinksheknows,whodidit,”saidLake.
“Yes.Iagreewithyou.Andhedoesn’tlikeitabit….”
Eleven
1
GinagreetedMissMarplewitharushasthelattercamedowntobreakfastthenextmorning.
“Thepolicearehereagain,”shesaid.“They’reinthelibrarythistime.Wallyisabsolutelyfascinatedbythem.Hecan’tunderstandtheirbeingsoquietandsoremote.Ithinkhe’sreallyquitethrilledbythewholething.I’mnot.Ihateit.Ithinkit’shorrible.WhydoyouthinkI’msoupset?BecauseI’mhalfItalian?”
“Verypossibly.Atleastperhapsitexplainswhyyoudon’tmindshowingwhatyoufeel.”
MissMarplesmiledjustalittleasshesaidthis.
“Jolly’sfrightfullycross,”saidGina,hangingonMissMarple’sarmandpropellingherintothediningroom.“Ithinkreallybecausethepoliceareinchargeandshecan’texactly‘run’themlikesherunseverybodyelse.
“AlexandStephen,”continuedGinaseverely,astheycameintothediningroomwherethetwobrotherswerefinishingtheirbreakfast,“justdon’tcare.”
“Ginadearest,”saidAlex,“youaremostunkind.Goodmorning,MissMarple.Icareintensely.ExceptforthefactthatIhardlyknewyourUncleChristian,I’mfarandawaythebestsuspect.Youdorealisethat,Ihope.”
“Why?”
“Well,Iwasdrivinguptothehouseatabouttherighttime,itseems.Andthey’vebeencheckingupontimesanditseemsthatItooktoomuchtimebetweenthelodgeandthehouse—timeenough,theimplicationis,toleavethecar,runroundthehouse,gointhroughthesidedoor,shootChristianandrushoutandbacktothecaragain.”
“Andwhatwereyoureallydoing?”
“Ithoughtlittlegirlsweretaughtquiteyoungnottoaskindelicatequestions.Likeanidiot,IstoodforseveralminutestakinginthefogeffectintheheadlightsandthinkingwhatI’dusetogetthateffectonastage.Formynew‘Limehouse’ballet.”
“Butyoucantellthemthat!”
“Naturally.Butyouknowwhatpolicemenarelike.Theysay‘thankyou’verycivillyandwriteitalldown,andyou’venoideawhattheyarethinkingexceptthatonedoesfeeltheyhaveratherscepticalminds.”
“Itwouldamusemetoseeyouinaspot,Alex,”saidStephenwithhisthin,rathercruelsmile.“NowI’mquiteallright!IneverlefttheHalllastnight.”
Ginacried,“Buttheycouldn’tpossiblythinkitwasoneofus!”
Herdarkeyeswereroundanddismayed.
“Don’tsayitmusthavebeenatramp,dear,”saidAlex,helpinghimselflavishlytomarmalade.“It’ssohackneyed.”
MissBelleverlookedinatthedoorandsaid:
“MissMarple,whenyouhavefinishedyourbreakfast,willyougotothelibrary?”
“Youagain,”saidGina.“Beforeanyofus.”
Sheseemedalittleinjured.
“Hi,whatwasthat?”askedAlex.
“Didn’thearanything,”saidStephen
“Itwasapistolshot.”
“They’vebeenfiringshotsintheroomwhereUncleChristianwaskilled,”saidGina.“Idon’tknowwhy.Andoutsidetoo.”
ThedooropenedagainandMildredStretecamein.Shewaswearingblackwithsomeonyxbeads.
Shemurmuredgoodmorningwithoutlookingatanyoneandsatdown.
Inahushedvoiceshesaid:
“Sometea,please,Gina.Nothingmuchtoeat—justsometoast.”
Shetouchedhernoseandeyesdelicatelywiththehandkerchiefsheheldinonehand.Thensheraisedhereyesandlookedinanun-seeingwayatthetwobrothers.StephenandAlexbecameuncomfortable.Theirvoicesdroppedtoalmostawhisperandpresentlytheygotupandleft.
MildredStretesaid,whethertotheuniverseorMissMarplewasnotquitecertain,“Notevenablacktie!”
“Idon’tsuppose,”saidMissMarpleapologetically,“thattheyknewbeforehandthatamurderwasgoingtohappen.”
GinamadeasmotheredsoundandMildredStretelookedsharplyather.
“Where’sWalterthismorning?”sheasked.
Ginaflushed.
“Idon’tknow.Ihaven’tseenhim.”
Shesatthereuneasilylikeaguiltychild.
MissMarplegotup.
“I’llgotothelibrarynow,”shesaid.
2
LewisSerrocoldwasstandingbythewindowinthelibrary.
Therewasnooneelseintheroom.
HeturnedasMissMarplecameinandcameforwardtomeether,takingherhandinhis.
“Ihope,”hesaid,“thatyouarenotfeelingtheworsefortheshock.Tobeatclosequarterswithwhatisundoubtedlymurdermustbeagreatstrainonanyonewhohasnotcomeincontactwithsuchathingbefore.”
ModestyforbadeMissMarpletoreplythatshewas,bynow,quiteathomewithmurder.ShemerelysaidthatlifeinSt.MaryMeadwasnotquitesoshelteredasoutsidepeoplebelieved.
“Verynastythingsgooninavillage,Iassureyou,”shesaid.“Onehasanopportunityofstudyingthingstherethatonewouldneverhaveinatown.”
LewisSerrocoldlistenedindulgently,butwithonlyhalfanear.
Hesaidverysimply:“Iwantyourhelp.”
“Butofcourse,Mr.Serrocold.”
“Itisamatterthataffectsmywife—affectsCaroline.Ithinkthatyouarereallyattachedtoher?”
“Yes,indeed.Everyoneis.”
“ThatiswhatIbelieved.ItseemsthatIamwrong.WiththepermissionofInspectorCurry,Iamgoingtotellyousomethingthatnooneelseasyetknows.OrperhapsIshouldsaywhatonlyonepersonknows.”
Briefly,hetoldherwhathehadtoldInspectorCurrythenightbefore.
MissMarplelookedhorrified.
“Ican’tbelieveit,Mr.Serrocold.Ireallycan’tbelieveit.”
“ThatiswhatIfeltwhenChristianGulbrandsentoldme.”
“IshouldhavesaidthatdearCarrieLouisehadnotgotanenemyintheworld.”
“Itseemsincrediblethatsheshouldhave.Butyouseetheimplication?Poisoning—slowpoisoning—isanintimatefamilymatter.Itmustbeoneofourcloselyknitlittlehousehold—”
“Ifitistrue.AreyousurethatMr.Gulbrandsenwasnotmistaken?”
“Christianwasnotmistaken.Heistoocautiousamantomakesuchastatementwithoutfoundation.Besides,thepolicetookawayCaroline’smedicinebottleandaseparatesampleofitscontents.Therewasarsenicinbothofthem—andarsenicwasnotprescribed.Theactualquantitativetestswilltakelonger—buttheactualfactofarsenicbeingpresentisestablished.”
“Thenherrheumatism—thedifficultyinwalking—allthat—”
“Yes,legcrampsaretypical,Iunderstand.Also,beforeyoucame,Carolinehadhadoneortwosevereattacksofagastricnature—IneverdreameduntilChristiancame—”
Hebrokeoff.MissMarplesaidsoftly:“SoRuthwasright!”
“Ruth?”
LewisSerrocoldsoundedsurprised.MissMarpleflushed.
“ThereissomethingIhavenottoldyou.Mycomingherewasnotentirelyfortuitous.Ifyouwillletmeexplain—I’mafraidItellthingssobadly.Pleasehavepatience.”
LewisSerrocoldlistenedwhilstMissMarpletoldhimofRuth’suneaseandurgency.
“Extraordinary,”hecommented.“Ihadnoideaofthis.”
“Itwasallsovague,”saidMissMarple.“Ruthherselfdidn’tknowwhyshehadthisfeeling.Theremustbeareason—inmyexperiencetherealwaysis—but‘somethingwrong’wasasnearasshecouldget.”
LewisSerrocoldsaidgrimly:
“Well,itseemsthatshewasright.Now,MissMarple,youseehowIamplaced.AmItotellCarolineofthis?”
MissMarplesaidquickly,“Ohno,”inadistressedvoice,andthenflushedandstareddoubtfullyatLewis.Henodded.
“SoyoufeelasIdo?AsChristianGulbrandsendid.Shouldwefeellikethatwithanordinarywoman?”
“CarrieLouiseisnotanordinarywoman.Shelivesbyhertrust,byherbeliefinhumannature—ohdear,Iamexpressingmyselfverybadly.ButIdofeelthatuntilweknowwho—”
“Yes,thatisthecrux.Butyoudosee,MissMarple,thatthereisariskinsayingnothing—”
“Andsoyouwantmeto—howshallIputit?—watchoverher?”
“Yousee,youaretheonlypersonwhomIcantrust,”saidLewisSerrocoldsimply.“Everyonehereseemsdevoted.Butarethey?Nowyourattachmentgoesbackmanyyears.”
“AndalsoIonlyarrivedafewdaysago,”saidMissMarplepertinently.
LewisSerrocoldsmiled.
“Exactly.”
“Itisaverymercenaryquestion,”saidMissMarpleapologetically.“ButwhoexactlywouldbenefitifdearCarrieLouiseweretodie?”
“Money!”saidLewisbitterly.“Italwaysboilsdowntomoney,doesit?”
“Well,Ireallythinkitmustinthiscase.BecauseCarrieLouiseisaverysweetpersonwithagreatdealofcharm,andonecannotreallyimagineanyonedislikingher.Shecouldn’t,Imean,haveanenemy.Sothenitdoesboildown,asyouputit,toaquestionofmoney,becauseasyoudon’tneedmetotellyou,Mr.Serrocold,peoplewillquiteoftendoanythingformoney.”
“Isupposeso,yes.”
Hewenton:“NaturallyInspectorCurryhasalreadytakenupthatpoint.Mr.GilroyiscomingdownfromLondontodayandcangivedetailedinformation.Gilroy,Gilroy,JaimesandGilroyareaveryeminentfirmoflawyers.ThisGilroy’sfatherwasoneoftheoriginaltrusteesandtheydrewupbothCaroline’swillandtheoriginalwillofEricGulbrandsen.Iwillputitinsimpletermsforyou—”
“Thankyou,”saidMissMarplegratefully.“Somystifyingthelaw,Ialwaysthink.”
“EricGulbrandsenafterendowmentoftheCollegeandhisvariousfellowshipsandtrustsandothercharitablebequests,andhavingsettledanequalsumonhisdaughterMildredandonhisadopteddaughterPippa(Gina’smother),lefttheremainderofhisvastfortuneintrust,theincomefromittobepaidtoCarolineforherlifetime.”
“Andafterherdeath?”
“AfterherdeathitwastobedividedequallybetweenMildredandPippa—ortheirchildren,iftheythemselveshadpredeceasedCaroline.”
“Sothat,infact,itgoestoMrs.StreteandtoGina.”
“Yes.Carolinehasalsoquiteaconsiderablefortuneofherown—thoughnotintheGulbrandsenclass.Halfofthisshemadeovertomefouryearsago.Oftheremainingamount,shelefttenthousandpoundstoJulietBellever,andtherestequallydividedbetweenAlexandStephenRestarick,hertwostepsons.”
“Ohdear,”saidMissMarple.“That’sbad.That’sverybad.”
“Youmean?”
“Itmeanseveryoneinthehousehadafinancialmotive.”
“Yes.Andyet,youknow,Ican’tbelievethatanyofthesepeoplewoulddomurder.Isimplycan’t…Mildredisherdaughter—andalreadyquitewellprovidedfor.Ginaisdevotedtohergrandmother.Sheisgenerousandextravagant,buthasnoacquisitivefeelings.JollyBelleverisfanaticallydevotedtoCaroline.ThetwoRestarickscareforCarolineasthoughshewerereallytheirmother.Theyhavenomoneyoftheirowntospeakof,butquitealotofCaroline’sincomehasgonetowardsfinancingtheirenterprises—especiallysowithAlex.Isimplycan’tbelieveeitherofthosetwowoulddeliberatelypoisonherforthesakeofinheritingmoneyatherdeath.Ijustcan’tbelieveanyofit,MissMarple.”
“There’sGina’shusband,isn’tthere?”
“Yes,”saidLewisgravely.“ThereisGina’shusband.”
“Youdon’treallyknowmuchabouthim.Andonecan’thelpseeingthathe’saveryunhappyyoungman.”
Lewissighed.
“Hehasn’tfittedinhere—no.He’snointerestinorsympathyforwhatwe’retryingtodo.Butafterall,whyshouldhe?He’syoung,crude,andhecomesfromacountrywhereamanisesteemedbythesuccesshemakesoflife.”
“Whilstherewearesoveryfondoffailures,”saidMissMarple.
LewisSerrocoldlookedathersharplyandsuspiciously.
Sheflushedalittleandmurmuredratherincoherently:
“Ithinksometimes,youknow,onecanoverdothingstheotherway…Imeantheyoungpeoplewithagoodheredity,andbroughtupwiselyinagoodhome—andwithgritandpluckandtheabilitytogetoninlife—well,theyarereally,whenonecomesdowntoit—thesortofpeopleacountryneeds.”
LewisfrownedandMissMarplehurriedon,gettingpinkerandpinkerandmoreandmoreincoherent.
“NotthatIdon’tappreciate—Idoindeed—youandCarrieLouise—areallynoblework—realcompassion—andoneshouldhavecompassion—becauseafterallit’swhatpeoplearethatcounts—goodandbadluck—andmuchmoreexpected(andrightly)oftheluckyones.ButIdothinksometimesone’ssenseofproportion—oh,Idon’tmeanyou,Mr.Serrocold.ReallyIdon’tknowwhatImean—buttheEnglishareratheroddthatway.Eveninwar,somuchprouderoftheirdefeatsandtheirretreatsthanoftheirvictories.Foreignersnevercanunderstandwhywe’resoproudofDunkerque.It’sthesortofthingthey’dprefernottomentionthemselves.Butwealwaysseemtobealmostembarrassedbyavictory—andtreatitasthoughitweren’tquitenicetoboastaboutit.Andlookatallourpoets!‘TheChargeoftheLightBrigade.’AndthelittleRevengewentdownintheSpanishMain.It’sreallyaveryoddcharacteristicwhenyoucometothinkofit!”
MissMarpledrewafreshbreath.
“WhatIreallymeanisthateverythingheremustseemratherpeculiartoyoungWalterHudd.”
“Yes,”Lewisallowed.“Iseeyourpoint.AndWalterhascertainlyafinewarrecord.There’snodoubtabouthisbravery.”
“Notthatthathelps,”saidMissMarplecandidly.“Becausewarisonething,andeverydaylifeisquiteanother.Andactuallytocommitamurder,Ithinkyoudoneedbravery—orperhaps,moreoften,justconceit.Yes,conceit.”
“ButIwouldhardlysaythatWalterHuddhadasufficientmotive.”
“Wouldn’tyou?”saidMissMarple.“Hehatesithere.Hewantstogetaway.HewantstogetGinaaway.Andifit’sreallymoneyhewants,itwouldbeimportantforGinatogetallthemoneybeforeshe—er—definitelyformsanattachmenttosomeoneelse.”
“Anattachmenttosomeoneelse,”saidLewis,inanastonishedvoice.
MissMarplewonderedattheblindnessofenthusiasticsocialreformers.
“That’swhatIsaid.BoththeRestaricksareinlovewithher,youknow.”
“Oh,Idon’tthinkso,”saidLewisabsently.
Hewenton:
“Stephen’sinvaluabletous—quiteinvaluable.Thewayhe’sgotthoseladscomingalong—keen—interested.Theygaveasplendidshowlastmonth.Scenery,costumes,everything.Itjustshows,asI’vealwayssaidtoMaverick,thatit’slackofdramaintheirlivesthatleadstheseboystocrime.Todramatiseyourselfisachild’snaturalinstinct.Mavericksays—ahyes,Maverick—”
Lewisbrokeoff.
“IwantMavericktoseeInspectorCurryaboutEdgar.Thewholethingissoridiculousreally.”
“WhatdoyoureallyknowaboutEdgarLawson,Mr.Serrocold?”
“Everything,”saidLewispositively.“Everything,thatis,thatoneneedstoknow.Hisbackground,upbringing—hisdeep-seatedlackofconfidenceinhimself—”
MissMarpleinterrupted.
“Couldn’tEdgarLawsonhavepoisonedMrs.Serrocold?”sheasked.
“Hardly.He’sonlybeenhereafewweeks.Andanyway,it’sridiculous!WhyshouldEdgarwanttopoisonmywife?Whatcouldhepossiblygainbydoingso?”
“Nothingmaterial,Iknow.Buthemighthave—someoddreason.Heisodd,youknow.”
“Youmeanunbalanced?”
“Isupposeso.No,Idon’t—notquite.WhatImeanis,he’sallwrong.”
Itwasnotaverylucidexpositionofwhatshefelt.LewisSerrocoldacceptedthewordsattheirfacevalue.
“Yes,”hesaidwithasigh.“He’sallwrong,poorlad.Andhewasshowingsuchmarkedimprovement.Ican’treallyunderstandwhyhehadthissuddensetback….”
MissMarpleleanedforwardeagerly.
“Yes,that’swhatIwondered.If—”
ShebrokeoffasInspectorCurrycameintotheroom.
Twelve
1
LewisSerrocoldwentawayandInspectorCurrysatdownandgaveMissMarplearatherpeculiarsmile.
“SoMr.Serrocoldhasbeenaskingyoutoactaswatchdog,”hesaid.
“Well,yes,”sheaddedapologetically.“Ihopeyoudon’tmind—”
“Idon’tmind.Ithinkit’saverygoodidea.DoesMr.Serrocoldknowjusthowwellqualifiedyouareforthepost?”
“Idon’tquiteunderstand,Inspector.”
“Isee.Hethinksyou’rejustaverynice,elderlyladywhowasatschoolwithhiswife.”Heshookhisheadather.“Weknowyou’reabitmorethanthat,MissMarple,aren’tyou?Crimeisrightdownyourstreet.Mr.Serrocoldonlyknowsoneaspectofcrime—thepromisingbeginners.Makesmeabitsick,sometimes.DaresayI’mwrongandold-fashioned.Butthereareplentyofgooddecentladsabout,ladswhocoulddowithastartinlife.Butthere,honestyhastobeitsownreward—millionairesdon’tleavetrustfundstohelptheworthwhile.Well—well,don’tpayanyattentiontome.I’mold-fashioned.I’veseenboys—andgirls—witheverythingagainstthem,badhomes,badluck,everydisadvantage,andthey’vehadthegrittowinthrough.That’sthekindIshallleavemypacketto,ifIeverhaveone.Butthen,ofcourse,that’swhatInevershallhave.Justmypensionandanicebitofgarden.”
HenoddedhisheadatMissMarple.
“SuperintendentBlackertoldmeaboutyoulastnight.Saidyou’dhadalotofexperienceoftheseamysideofhumannature.Wellnow,let’shaveyourpointofview.Who’stheniggerinthewoodpile?TheG.I.husband?”
“That,”saidMissMarple,“wouldbeveryconvenientforeverybody.”
InspectorCurrysmiledsoftlytohimself.
“AG.I.pinchedmybestgirl,”hesaidreminiscently.“Naturally,I’mprejudiced.Hismannerdoesn’thelp.Let’shavetheamateurpointofview.Who’sbeensecretlyandsystematicallypoisoningMrs.Serrocold?”
“Well,”saidMissMarplejudicially,“oneisalwaysinclined,humannaturebeingwhatitis,tothinkofthehusband.Orifit’stheotherwayround,thewife.That’sthefirstassumption,don’tyouthink,inapoisoningcase?”
“Iagreewithyoueverytime,”saidInspectorCurry.
“Butreally—inthiscase—”MissMarpleshookherhead.“No,frankly—IcannotseriouslyconsiderMr.Serrocold.Becauseyousee,Inspector,hereallyisdevotedtohiswife.Naturallyhewouldmakeaparadeofbeingso—butitisn’taparade.It’sveryquiet,butit’sgenuine.Heloveshiswife,andI’mquitecertainhewouldn’tpoisonher.”
“Tosaynothingofthefactthathewouldn’thaveanymotivefordoingso.She’smadeoverhermoneytohimalready.”
“Ofcourse,”saidMissMarpleprimly,“thereareotherreasonsforagentlemanwantinghiswifeoutoftheway.Anattachmenttoayoungwoman,forinstance.ButIreallydon’tseeanysignsofitinthiscase.Mr.Serrocolddoesnotactasthoughhehadanyromanticpreoccupation.I’mreallyafraid,”shesoundedquiteregretfulaboutit,“weshallhavetowashhimout.”
“Regrettable,isn’tit?”saidtheInspector.Hegrinned.“Andanyway,hecouldn’thavekilledGulbrandsen.Itseemstomethatthere’snodoubtthattheonethinghingesontheother.WhoeverispoisoningMrs.SerrocoldkilledGulbrandsentopreventhimspillingthebeans.Whatwe’vegottogetatnowiswhohadanopportunitytokillGulbrandsenlastnight.Andourprizesuspect—there’snodoubtaboutit—isyoungWalterHudd.Itwashewhoswitchedonareadinglampwhichresultedinafusegoing,therebygivinghimtheopportunitytoleavetheHallandgotothefusebox.Thefuseboxisinthekitchenpassagewhichopensofffromthemaincorridor.ItwasduringhisabsencefromtheGreatHallthattheshotwasheard.Sothat’ssuspectNo1perfectlyplacedforcommittingthecrime.”
“AndsuspectNo2?”askedMissMarple
“Suspect2isAlexRestarickwhowasaloneinhiscarbetweenthelodgeandthehouseandtooktoolonggettingthere.”
“Anybodyelse?”MissMarpleleanedforwardeagerly—rememberingtoadd,“It’sverykindofyoutotellmeallthis.”
“It’snotkindness,”saidInspectorCurry.“I’vegottohaveyourhelp.Youputyourfingeronthespotwhenyousaid‘Anybodyelse?’BecausethereI’vegottodependonyou.Youwerethere,intheHalllastnight,andyoucantellmewholeftit….”
“Yes—yes,Ioughttobeabletotellyou…butcanI?Yousee—thecircumstances—”
“YoumeanthatyouwerealllisteningtotheargumentgoingonbehindthedoorofMr.Serrocold’sstudy.”
MissMarplenoddedvehemently.
“Yes,youseewewereallreallyveryfrightened.Mr.Lawsonlooked—hereallydid—quitedemented.ApartfromMrs.Serrocoldwhoseemedquiteunaffected,weallfearedthathewoulddoamischieftoMr.Serrocold.Hewasshouting,youknow,andsayingthemostterriblethings—wecouldhearthemquiteplainly—andwhatwiththatandwithmostofthelightsbeingout—Ididn’treallynoticeanythingelse.”
“Youmeanthatwhilstthatscenewasgoingon,anybodycouldhaveslippedoutoftheHall,gonealongthecorridor,shotMr.Gulbrandsen,andslippedbackagain?”
“Ithinkitwouldhavebeenpossible….”
“CouldyousaydefinitelythatanybodywasintheGreatHallthewholetime?”
MissMarpleconsidered.
“IcouldsaythatMrs.Serrocoldwas—becauseIwaswatchingher.Shewassittingquiteclosetothestudydoor,andshenevermovedfromherseat.Itsurprisedme,youknow,thatshewasabletoremainsocalm.”
“Andtheothers?”
“MissBelleverwentout—butIthink—Iamalmostsure—thatthatwasaftertheshot.Mrs.Strete?Ireallydon’tknow.Shewassittingbehindme,yousee.Ginawasoverbythefarwindow.Ithinksheremainedtherethewholetimebut,ofcourse,Icannotbesure.Stephenwasatthepiano.Hestoppedplayingwhenthequarrelbegantogetheated—”
“Wemustn’tbemisledbythetimeyouheardtheshot,”saidInspectorCurry.“That’satrickthat’sbeendonebeforenow,youknow.Fakeupashotsoastofixthetimeofacrime,andfixitwrong.IfMissBelleverhadcookedupsomethingofthatkind(farfetched—butyouneverknow)thenshe’dleaveasshedid,openly,aftertheshotwasheard.No,wecan’tgobytheshot.ThelimitsarebetweenwhenChristianGulbrandsenlefttheHalltothemomentwhenMissBelleverfoundhimdead,andwecanonlyeliminatethosepeoplewhowereknownnottohavehadopportunity.ThatgivesusLewisSerrocoldandyoungEdgarLawsoninthestudy,andMrs.SerrocoldintheHall.It’sveryunfortunate,ofcourse,thatGulbrandsenshouldbeshotonthesameeveningthatthisschemozzlehappenedbetweenSerrocoldandthisyoungLawson.”
“Justunfortunate,youthink?”murmuredMissMarple.
“Oh?Whatdoyouthink?”
“Itoccurredtome,”murmuredMissMarple,“thatitmighthavebeencontrived.”
“Sothat’syouridea?”
“Well,everybodyseemstothinkitveryoddthatEdgarLawsonshouldquitesuddenlyhavearelapse,sotospeak.He’dgotthiscuriouscomplex,orwhateverthetermis,abouthisunknownfather.WinstonChurchillandViscountMontgomery—allquitelikelyinhisstateofmind.Justanyfamousmanhehappenedtothinkof.Butsupposesomebodyputsitintohisheadthatit’sLewisSerrocoldwhoisreallyhisfather,thatit’sLewisSerrocoldwhohasbeenpersecutinghim—thatheought,byrights,tobethecrownprince,asitwere,ofStonygates.Inhisweakmentalstatehe’llaccepttheidea—workhimselfupintoafrenzy,andsoonerorlaterwillmakethekindofscenehedidmake.Andwhatawonderfulcoverthatwillbe!Everybodywillhavetheirattentionfixedonthedangeroussituationthatisdeveloping—especiallyifsomebodyhasthoughtfullysuppliedhimwitharevolver.”
“Hm,yes.WalterHudd’srevolver.”
“Ohyes,”saidMissMarple,“I’dthoughtofthat.Butyouknow,Walterisuncommunicativeandhe’scertainlysullenandungracious,butIdon’treallythinkhe’sstupid.”
“Soyoudon’tthinkit’sWalter?”
“IthinkeverybodywouldbeveryrelievedifitwasWalter.Thatsoundsveryunkind,butit’sbecauseheisanoutsider.”
“Whatabouthiswife?”askedInspectorCurry.“Wouldsheberelieved?”
MissMarpledidnotanswer.ShewasthinkingofGinaandStephenRestarickstandingtogetherasshehadseenthemonherfirstday.AndshethoughtofthewayAlexRestarick’seyeshadgonestraighttoGinaashehadenteredtheHalllastnight.WhatwasGina’sownattitude?
2
TwohourslaterInspectorCurrytiltedbackhischair,stretchedhimself,andsighed.
“Well,”hesaid,“we’veclearedagooddealofground.”
SergeantLakeagreed.
“Theservantsareout,”hesaid.“Theyweretogetherallthroughthecriticalperiod—thosethatsleephere.Theonesthatdon’tliveinhadgonehome.”
Currynodded.Hewassufferingfrommentalfatigue.
Hehadinterviewedphysiotherapists,membersoftheteachingstaff,andwhathecalledtohimself,the“twoyounglags”whoseturnithadbeentodinewiththefamilythatnight.Alltheirstoriesdovetailedandchecked.Hecouldwritethemoff.Theiractivitiesandhabitswerecommunal.Therewerenolonelysoulsamongthem.Whichwasusefulforthepurposesofalibis.CurryhadkeptDr.Maverickwhowas,asfarashecouldjudge,thechiefpersoninchargeoftheInstitute,totheend.
“Butwe’llhavehiminnow,Lake.”
Sotheyoungdoctorbustledin,neatandspruceandratherinhuman-lookingbehindhispince-nez.
Maverickconfirmedthestatementsofhisstaff,andagreedwithCurry’sfindings.Therehadbeennoslackness,noloopholeintheCollegeimpregnability.ChristianGulbrandsen’sdeathcouldnotbelaidtotheaccountofthe“youngpatients”asCurryalmostcalledthem—sohypnotizedhadhebecomebytheferventmedicalatmosphere.
“Butpatientsisexactlywhattheyare,Inspector,”saidDr.Maverickwithalittlesmile.
Itwasasuperiorsmile,andInspectorCurrywouldnothavebeenhumanifhehadnotresenteditjustalittle.
Hesaidprofessionally:
“Nowasregardsyourownmovements,Dr.Maverick?Canyougivemeanaccountofthem?”
“Certainly.Ihavejottedthemdownforyouwiththeapproximatetimes.”
Dr.MaverickhadlefttheGreatHallatfifteenminutesafterninewithMr.LacyandMr.Baumgarten.TheyhadgonetoMr.Baumgarten’sroomswheretheyhadallthreeremaineddiscussingcertaincoursesoftreatmentuntilMissBelleverhadcomehurryinginandaskedDr.MavericktogototheGreatHall.Thatwasatapproximatelyhalfpastnine.HehadgoneatoncetotheHallandhadfoundEdgarLawsoninastateofcollapse.
InspectorCurrystirredalittle.
“Justaminute,Dr.Maverick.Isthisyoungman,inyouropinion,definitelyamentalcase?”
Dr.Mavericksmiledthesuperiorsmileagain.
“Weareallmentalcases,InspectorCurry.”
Tomfoolanswer,thoughttheInspector.Heknewquitewellhewasn’tamentalcase,whateverDr.Maverickmightbe!
“Isheresponsibleforhisactions?Heknowswhatheisdoing,Isuppose?”
“Perfectly.”
“ThenwhenhefiredthatrevolveratMr.Serrocolditwasdefinitelyattemptedmurder.”
“No,no,InspectorCurry.Nothingofthatkind.”
“Comenow,Dr.Maverick.I’veseenthetwobulletholesinthewall.TheymusthavegonedangerouslyneartoMr.Serrocold’shead.”
“Perhaps.ButLawsonhadnointentionofkillingMr.Serrocoldorevenofwoundinghim.HeisveryfondofMr.Serrocold.”
“Itseemsacuriouswayofshowingit.”
Dr.Mavericksmiledagain.InspectorCurryfoundthatsmileverytrying.
“Everythingonedoesisintentional.Everytimeyou,Inspector,forgetanameorafaceitisbecause,unconsciously,youwishtoforgetit.”
InspectorCurrylookedunbelieving.
“Everytimeyoumakeaslipofthetongue,thatsliphasameaning.EdgarLawsonwasstandingafewfeetawayfromMr.Serrocold.Hecouldeasilyhaveshothimdead.Instead,hemissedhim.Whydidhemisshim?Becausehewantedtomisshim.Itisassimpleasthat.Mr.Serrocoldwasneverinanydanger—andMr.Serrocoldhimselfwasquiteawareofthatfact.HeunderstoodEdgar’sgestureforexactlywhatitwas—agestureofdefianceandresentmentagainstauniversethathasdeniedhimthesimplenecessitiesofachild’slife—securityandaffection.”
“IthinkI’dliketoseethisyoungman.”
“Certainlyifyouwish.Hisoutburstlastnighthashadacatharticeffect.Thereisagreatimprovementtoday.Mr.Serrocoldwillbeverypleased.”
InspectorCurrystaredhardathim,butDr.Maverickwasseriousasalways.
Currysighed.
“Doyouhaveanyarsenic?”heasked.
“Arsenic?”ThequestiontookDr.Maverickbysurprise.Itwasclearlyunexpected.“Whataverycuriousquestion.Whyarsenic?”
“Justanswerthequestion,please.”
“No,Ihavenoarsenicofanykindinmypossession.”
“Butyouhavesomedrugs?”
“Ohcertainly.Sedatives.Morphia—thebarbiturates.Theusualthings.”
“DoyouattendMrs.Serrocold?”
“No.Dr.GunterofMarketKimbleisthefamilyphysician.Iholdamedicaldegree,ofcourse,butIpracticepurelyasapsychiatrist.”
“Isee.Well,thankyouverymuch,Dr.Maverick.”
AsDr.Maverickwentout,InspectorCurrymurmuredtoLakethatpsychiatristsgavehimapainintheneck.
“We’llgetontothefamilynow,”hesaid.“I’llseeyoungWalterHuddfirst.”
WalterHudd’sattitudewascautious.Heseemedtobestudyingthepoliceofficerwithaslightlywaryexpression.Buthewasquitecooperative.
TherewasagooddealofdefectivewiringinStonygates—thewholeelectricsystemwasveryold-fashioned.Theywouldn’tstandforasystemlikethatintheStates.
“Itwasinstalled,Ibelieve,bythelateMr.Gulbrandsenwhenelectriclightwasanovelty,”saidInspectorCurrywithafaintsmile.
“I’llsaythat’sso!SweetoldfeudalEnglishandneverbeenbroughtuptodate.”
ThefusewhichcontrolledmostofthelightsintheGreatHallhadgone,andhehadgoneouttothefuseboxtoseeaboutit.Induecoursehegotitrepairedandcameback.
“Howlongwereyouaway?”
“Why,thatIcouldn’tsayforsure.Thefuseboxisinanawkwardplace.Ihadtogetstepsandacandle.Iwasmaybetenminutes—perhapsaquarterofanhour.”
“Didyouhearashot?”
“Whyno,Ididn’thearanythinglikethat.Therearedoubledoorsthroughtothekitchenquarters,andoneofthemislinedwithakindoffelt.”
“Isee.AndwhenyoucamebackintotheHall,whatdidyousee?”
“TheywereallcrowdedroundthedoorintoMr.Serrocold’sstudy.Mrs.StretesaidthatMr.Serrocoldhadbeenshot—butactuallythatwasn’tso.Mr.Serrocoldwasquiteallright.Theboobhadmissedhim.”
“Yourecognisedtherevolver?”
“SureIrecognisedit!Itwasmine.”
“Whendidyouseeitlast?”
“Twoorthreedaysago.”
“Wheredidyoukeepit?”
“Inthedrawerinmyroom.”
“Whoknewthatyoukeptitthere?”
“Iwouldn’tknowwhoknowswhatinthishouse.”
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat,Mr.Hudd?”
“Aw,they’reallnuts!”
“WhenyoucameintotheHall,waseverybodyelsethere?”
“Whatd’youmeanbyeverybody?”
“Thesamepeoplewhoweretherewhenyouwenttorepairthefuse.”
“Ginawasthere…andtheoldladywithwhitehair—andMissBellever…Ididn’tnoticeparticularly—butIshouldsayso.”
“Mr.Gulbrandsenarrivedquiteunexpectedlythedaybeforeyesterday,didhenot?”
“Iguessso.Itwasn’thisusualroutine,Iunderstand.”
“Didanyoneseemupsetbyhisarrival?”
WalterHuddtookamomentortwobeforeheanswered,“Whyno,Iwouldn’tsayso.”
Oncemoretherewasatouchofcautioninhismanner.
“Haveyouanyideawhyhecame?”
“TheirpreciousGulbrandsenTrustIsuppose.Thewholesetuphereiscrazy.”
“Youhavethese‘setups’asyoucallit,intheStates.”
“It’sonethingtoendowascheme,andanothertogiveitthepersonaltouchastheydohere.Ihadenoughofpsychiatristsinthearmy.Thisplaceisstiffwiththem.Teachingyoungthugstomakeraffiabasketsandcarvepiperacks.Kids’games!It’ssissy!”
InspectorCurrydidnotcommentonthiscriticism.Possiblyheagreedwithit.
Hesaid,eyeingWaltercarefully:
“SoyouhavenoideawhocouldhavekilledMrGulbrandsen?”
“OneofthebrightboysfromtheCollegepractisinghistechnique,I’dsay.”
“No,Mr.Hudd,that’sout.TheCollege,inspiteofitscarefullyproducedatmosphereoffreedom,isnonethelessaplaceofdetentionandisrunonthoselines.Nobodycanruninandoutofitafterdarkandcommitmurders.”
“Iwouldn’tputitpastthem!Well—ifyouwanttofixitnearerhome,I’dsayyourbestbetwasAlexRestarick.”
“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Hehadtheopportunity.Hedroveupthroughthegroundsaloneinhiscar.”
“AndwhyshouldhekillChristianGulbrandsen?”
Waltershruggedhisshoulders.
“I’mastranger.Idon’tknowthefamilysetups.MaybetheoldboyhadheardsomethingaboutAlexandwasgoingtospillthebeanstotheSerrocolds.”
“Withwhatresult?”
“Theymightcutoffthedough.Hecanusedough—usesagooddealofitbyallaccounts.”
“Youmean—intheatricalenterprises?”
“That’swhathecallsit?”
“Doyousuggestitwasotherwise?”
AgainWalterHuddshruggedhisshoulders.
“Iwouldn’tknow,”hesaid.
Thirteen
1
AlexRestarickwasvoluble.Healsogesturedwithhishands.
“Iknow,Iknow!I’mtheidealsuspect.Idrivedownherealoneandonthewaytothehouse,Igetacreativefit.Ican’texpectyoutounderstand.Howshouldyou?”
“Imight,”Curryputindrily,butAlexRestarickswepton.
“It’sjustoneofthosethings!Theycomeuponyouthere’snoknowingwhenorhow.Aneffect—anidea—andeverythingelsegoestothewinds.I’mproducingLimehouseNightsnextmonth.Suddenly—lastnight—thesetupwaswonderful…theperfectlighting.Fog—andtheheadlightscuttingthroughthefogandbeingthrownback—andreflectingdimlyatallpileofbuildings.Everythinghelped!Theshots—therunningfootsteps—andthechug-chuggingoftheelectricpowerengine—couldhavebeenalaunchontheThames.AndIthought—that’sit—butwhatamIgoingtousetogetjusttheseeffects?—and—”
InspectorCurrybrokein.
“Youheardshots?Where?”
“Outofthefog,Inspector.”Alexwavedhishandsintheair—plump,well-kepthands.“Outofthefog.Thatwasthewonderfulpartaboutit.”
“Itdidn’toccurtoyouthatanythingwaswrong?”
“Wrong?Whyshouldit?”
“Areshotssuchausualoccurrence?”
“Ah,Iknewyouwouldn’tunderstand!TheshotsfittedintothesceneIwascreating.Iwantedshots.Danger—opium—crazybusiness.WhatdidIcarewhattheywerereally?Backfiresfromalorryontheroad?Apoacherafterrabbits?”
“Theysnarerabbitsmostlyroundhere.”
Alexswepton:
“Achildlettingofffireworks?Ididn’teventhinkaboutthemas—shots.IwasinLimehouse—orratheratthebackofthestalls—lookingatLimehouse.”
“Howmanyshots?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidAlexpetulantly.“Twoorthree.Twoclosetogether,Idorememberthat.”
InspectorCurrynodded.
“Andthesoundofrunningfootsteps,Ithinkyousaid?Wherewerethey?”
“Theycametomeoutofthefog.Somewherenearthehouse.”
InspectorCurrysaidgently:
“ThatwouldsuggestthatthemurdererofChristianGulbrandsencamefromoutside.”
“Ofcourse.Whynot?Youdon’treallysuggest,doyou,thathecamefrominsidethehouse?”
Stillverygently,InspectorCurrysaid:
“Wehavetothinkofeverything.”
“Isupposeso,”saidAlexRestarickgenerously.“Whatasoul-destroyingjobyoursmustbe,Inspector!Thedetails,thetimesandplaces,thepettifoggingpettinessofit.Andintheend—whatgoodisitall?DoesitbringthewretchedChristianGulbrandsenbacktolife?”
“There’squiteasatisfactioningettingyourman,Mr.Restarick.”
“TheWildWesterntouch!”
“DidyouknowMr.Gulbrandsenwell?”
“Notwellenoughtomurderhim,Inspector.Ihadmethim,offandon,sinceIlivedhereasaboy.Hemadebriefappearancesfromtimetotime.Oneofourcaptainsofindustry.Thetypedoesnotinterestme.Hehasquiteacollection,Ibelieve,ofThorwaldsen’sstatuary—”Alexshuddered.“Thatspeaksforitself,doesitnot?MyGod,theserichmen!”
InspectorCurryeyedhimmeditatively.Thenhesaid,“Doyoutakeanyinterestinpoisons,Mr.Restarick?”
“Inpoisons?Mydearman,hewassurelynotpoisonedfirstandshotafterwards.Thatwouldbetoomadlydetectivestory.”
“Hewasnotpoisoned.Butyouhaven’tansweredmyquestion.”
“Poisonhasacertainappeal…Ithasnotthecrudenessoftherevolverbulletorthebluntweapon.Ihavenospecialknowledgeofthesubject,ifthatiswhatyoumean.”
“Haveyoueverhadarsenicinyourpossession?”
“Insandwiches—aftertheshow?Theideahasitsallurements.Youdon’tknowRoseGlidon?Theseactresseswhothinktheyhaveaname!No,Ihaveneverthoughtofarsenic.Oneextractsitfromweedkillerorflypapers,Ibelieve.”
“Howoftenareyoudownhere,Mr.Restarick?”
“Itvaries,Inspector.Sometimesnotforseveralweeks.ButItrytogetdownforweekendswheneverIcan.IalwaysregardStonygatesasmytruehome.”
“Mrs.Serrocoldhasencouragedyoutodoso?”
“WhatIoweMrs.Serrocoldcanneverberepaid.Sympathy,understanding,affection—”
“Andquitealotofsolidcashaswell,Ibelieve?”
Alexlookedfaintlydisgusted.
“Shetreatsmeasason,andshehasbeliefinmywork.”
“Hassheeverspokentoyouaboutherwill?”
“Certainly.ButmayIaskwhatisthepointofallthesequestions,Inspector?ThereisnothingwrongwithMrs.Serrocold.”
“Therehadbetternotbe,”saidInspectorCurrygrimly.
“Nowwhatcanyoupossiblymeanbythat?”
“Ifyoudon’tknow,somuchthebetter,”saidInspectorCurry.“Andifyoudo—I’mwarningyou.”
WhenAlexhadgoneSergeantLakesaid:
“Prettybogus,wouldyousay?”
Curryshookhishead.
“Difficulttosay.Hemayhavegenuinecreativetalent.Hemayjustlikelivingsoftandtalkingbig.Onedoesn’tknow.Heardrunningfootsteps,didhe?I’dbepreparedtobethemadethatup.”
“Foranyparticularreason?”
“Definitelyforaparticularreason.Wehaven’tcometoityet,butwewill.”
“Afterall,sir,oneofthosesmartladsmayhavegotoutoftheCollegebuildingsunbeknownst.Probablyafewcatburglarsamongstthem,andifso—”
“That’swhatwe’remeanttothink.Veryconvenient.Butifthat’sso,Lake,I’lleatmynewsofthat.”
2
“Iwasatthepiano,”saidStephenRestarick.“I’dbeenstrummingsoftlywhentherowblewup.BetweenLewisandEdgar.”
“Whatdidyouthinkofit?”
“Well—totellthetruthIdidn’treallytakeitseriously.Thepoorbeggarhasthesefitsofvenom.He’snotreallyloopy,youknow.Allthisnonsenseisakindofblowingoffsteam.Thetruthis,weallgetunderhisskin—particularlyGina,ofcourse.”
“Gina?YoumeanMrs.Hudd?Whydoesshegetunderhisskin?”
“Becauseshe’sawoman—andabeautifulwoman,andbecauseshethinkshe’sfunny!She’shalfItalian,youknow,andtheItalianshavethatunconsciousveinofcruelty.They’venocompassionforanyonewho’soldorugly,orpeculiarinanyway.Theypointwiththeirfingersandjeer.That’swhatGinadid,metaphoricallyspeaking.She’dnouseforyoungEdgar.Hewasridiculous,pompous,and,atbottom,fundamentallyunsureofhimself.Hewantedtoimpress,andheonlysucceededinlookingsilly.Itwouldn’tmeananythingtoherthatthepoorfellowsufferedalot.”
“AreyousuggestingthatEdgarLawsonisinlovewithMrs.Hudd?”askedInspectorCurry.
Stephenrepliedcheerfully:
“Ohyes.Asamatteroffactweallare,moreorless!Shelikesusthatway.”
“Doesherhusbandlikeit?”
“Hetakesadimview.Hesuffers,too,poorfellow.Thethingcan’tlast,youknow.Theirmarriage,Imean.Itwillbreakupbeforelong.Itwasjustoneofthesewaraffairs.”
“Thisisallveryinteresting,”saidtheInspector.“Butwe’regettingawayfromoursubject,whichisthemurderofChristianGulbrandsen.”
“Quite,”saidStephen.“ButIcan’ttellyouanythingaboutit.Isatatthepiano,andIdidn’tleavethepianountildearJollycameinwithsomerustyoldkeysandtriedtofitonetothelockofthestudydoor.”
“Youstayedatthepiano.Didyoucontinuetoplaythepiano?”
“AgentleobbligatotothelifeanddeathstruggleinLewis’study?No,Istoppedplayingwhenthetemporose.NotthatIhadanydoubtsastotheoutcome.LewishaswhatIcanonlydescribeasadynamiceye.HecouldeasilybreakupEdgarjustbylookingathim.”
“YetEdgarLawsonfiredtwoshotsathim.”
Stephenshookhisheadgently.
“Justputtingonanact,thatwas.Enjoyinghimself.Mydearmotherusedtodoit.ShediedorranawaywithsomeonewhenIwasfour,butIrememberherblazingoffwithapistolifanythingupsether.Shediditatanightclubonce.Madeapatternonthewall.Shewasanexcellentshot.Quiteabitoftroubleshecaused.ShewasaRussiandancer,youknow.”
“Indeed.Canyoutellme,Mr.Restarick,wholefttheHallyesterdayeveningwhilstyouwerethere—duringtherelevanttime?”
“Wally—tofixthelights.JulietBellevertofindakeytofitthestudydoor.Nobodyelse,asfarasIknow.”
“Wouldyouhavenoticedifsomebodydid?”
Stephenconsidered.
“Probablynot.Thatis,iftheyjusttiptoedoutandbackagain.ItwassodarkintheHall—andtherewasthefighttowhichwewerealllisteningavidly.”
“Isthereanyoneyouaresurewastherethewholetime?”
“Mrs.Serrocold—yes,andGina.I’dsweartothem.”
“Thankyou,Mr.Restarick.”
Stephenwenttowardsthedoor.Thenhehesitatedandcameback.
“What’sallthis,”hesaid,“aboutarsenic?”
“Whomentionedarsenictoyou?”
“Mybrother.”
“Ah—yes.”
Stephensaid:
“HassomebodybeengivingMrs.Serrocoldarsenic?”
“WhyshouldyoumentionMrs.Serrocold?”
“I’vereadofthesymptomsofarsenicpoisoning.Peripheralneuritis,isn’tit?Itwouldsquaremoreorlesswithwhatshe’sbeensufferingfromlately.AndthenLewissnatchingawayhertoniclastnight.Isthatwhat’sbeengoingonhere?”
“Thematterisunderinvestigation,”saidInspectorCurryinhismostofficialmanner.
“Doessheknowaboutitherself?”
“Mr.Serrocoldwasparticularlyanxiousthatsheshouldnotbe—alarmed.”
“Alarmedisn’ttherightword,Inspector.Mrs.Serrocoldisneveralarmed…IsthatwhatliesbehindChristianGulbrandsen’sdeath?Didhefindoutshewasbeingpoisoned—buthowcouldhefindout?Anyway,thewholethingseemsmostimprobable.Itdoesn’tmakesense.”
“Itsurprisesyouverymuch,doesit,Mr.Restarick?”
“Yes,indeed.WhenAlexspoketome,Icouldhardlybelieveit.”
“Who,inyouropinion,wouldbelikelytoadministerarsenictoMrs.Serrocold?”
Foramoment,agrinappeareduponStephenRestarick’shandsomeface.
“Nottheusualperson.Youcanwashoutthehusband.LewisSerrocold’sgotnothingtogain.Andalsoheworshipsthatwoman.Hecan’tbearhertohaveanacheinherlittlefinger.”
“Whothen?Haveyouanyidea?”
“Ohyes.I’dsayitwasacertainty.”
“Explainplease.”
Stephenshookhishead.
“It’sacertaintypsychologicallyspeaking.Notinanyotherway.Noevidenceofanykind.Andyouprobablywouldn’tagree.”
StephenRestarickwentoutnonchalantly,andInspectorCurrydrewcatsonthesheetofpaperinfrontofhim.
Hewasthinkingthreethings.A,thatStephenRestarickthoughtagooddealofhimself,B,thatStephenRestarickandhisbrotherpresentedaunitedfront;andC,thatStephenRestarickwasahandsomemanwhereWalterHuddwasaplainone.
Hewonderedabouttwootherthings—whatStephenmeantby“psychologicallyspeaking”andwhetherStephencouldpossiblyhaveseenGinafromhisseatatthepiano.Heratherthoughtnot.
3
IntotheGothicgloomofthelibrary,Ginabroughtanexoticglow.EvenInspectorCurryblinkedalittleattheradiantyoungwomanwhosatdown,leanedforwardoverthetableandsaidexpectantly,“Well?”
InspectorCurry,observingherscarletshirtanddarkgreenslackssaiddrily:
“Iseeyou’renotwearingmourning,Mrs.Hudd?”
“Ihaven’tgotany,”saidGina.“Iknoweveryoneissupposedtohavealittleblacknumberandwearitwithpearls.ButIdon’t.Ihateblack.Ithinkit’shideous,andonlyreceptionistsandhousekeepersandpeoplelikethatoughttowearit.AnywayChristianGulbrandsenwasn’treallyarelation.He’smygrandmother’sstepson.”
“AndIsupposeyoudidn’tknowhimverywell?”
Ginashookherhead.
“HecameherethreeorfourtimeswhenIwasachild,buttheninthewarIwenttoAmerica,andIonlycamebackheretoliveaboutsixmonthsago.”
“Youhavedefinitelycomebackheretolive?You’renotjustonavisit?”
“Ihaven’treallythought,”saidGina.
“YouwereintheGreatHalllastnight,whenMr.Gulbrandsenwenttohisroom?”
“Yes.Hesaidgoodnightandwentaway.Grandamaskedifhehadeverythinghewantedandhesaidyes—thatJollyhadfixedhimupfine.Notthosewords,butthatkindofthing.Hesaidhehadletterstowrite.”
“Andthen?”
GinadescribedthescenebetweenLewisandEdgarLawson.ItwasthesamestoryasInspectorCurryhadbynowheardmanytimes,butittookanaddedcolour,anewgusto,underGina’shandling.Itbecamedrama.
“ItwasWally’srevolver,”shesaid.“FancyEdgar’shavingthegutstogoandpinchitoutofhisroom.I’dneverhavebelievedhe’dhavetheguts.”
“WereyoualarmedwhentheywentintothestudyandEdgarLawsonlockedthedoor?”
“Ohno,”saidGina,openingherenormousbrowneyesverywide.“Ilovedit.Itwassoham,youknow,andsomadlytheatrical.EverythingEdgardoesisalwaysridiculous.Onecan’ttakehimseriouslyforamoment.”
“Hedidfiretherevolver,though?”
“Yes.Weallthoughtthenthathe’dshotLewisafterall.”
“Anddidyouenjoythat?”InspectorCurrycouldnotrefrainfromasking.
“Ohno,Iwasterrified,then.Everyonewas,exceptGrandam.Sheneverturnedahair.”
“Thatseemsratherremarkable.”
“Notreally.She’sthatkindofperson.Notquiteinthisworld.She’sthesortofpersonwhoneverbelievesanythingbadcanhappen.She’ssweet.”
“Duringallthisscene,whowasintheHall?”
“Oh,wewereallthere.ExceptUncleChristian,ofcourse.”
“Notall,Mrs.Hudd.Peoplewentinandout.”
“Didthey?”askedGinavaguely.
“Yourhusband,forinstance,wentouttofixthelights.”
“Yes.Wally’sgreatatfixingthings.”
“Duringhisabsence,ashotwasheard,Iunderstand.Ashotthatyouallthoughtcamefromthepark?”
“Idon’trememberthat…Ohyes,itwasjustafterthelightshadcomeonagainandWallyhadcomeback.”
“DidanyoneelseleavetheHall?”
“Idon’tthinkso.Idon’tremember.”
“Wherewereyousitting,Mrs.Hudd?”
“Overbythewindow.”
“Nearthedoortothelibrary?”
“Yes.”
“DidyouyourselfleavetheHallatall?”
“Leave?Withalltheexcitement?Ofcoursenot.”
Ginasoundedscandalisedbytheidea.
“Whereweretheotherssitting?”
“Mostlyroundthefireplace,Ithink.AuntMildredwasknittingandsowasAuntJane—MissMarple,Imean—Grandamwasjustsitting.”
“AndMr.StephenRestarick?”
“Stephen?Hewasplayingthepianotobeginwith.Idon’tknowwherehewentlater.”
“AndMissBellever?”
“Fussingabout,asusual.Shepracticallyneversitsdown.Shewaslookingforkeysorsomething.”
Shesaidsuddenly:
“What’sallthisaboutGrandam’stonic?Didthechemistmakeamistakeinmakingituporsomething?”
“Whyshouldyouthinkthat?”
“Becausethebottle’sdisappearedandJolly’sbeenfussingroundmadlylookingforit,innoendofastew.Alextoldherthepolicehadtakenitaway.Didyou?”
Insteadofreplyingtothequestion,InspectorCurrysaid:
“MissBelleverwasupset,yousay?”
“Oh!Jollyalwaysfusses,”saidGinacarelessly.“Shelikesfussing.SometimesIwonderhowGrandamcanstandit.”
“Justonelastquestion,Mrs.Hudd.You’venoideasyourselfastowhokilledChristianGulbrandsenandwhy?”
“Oneofthequeersdidit,Ishouldthink.Thethugonesarereallyquitesensible.Imeantheyonlycoshpeoplesoastorobatillorgetmoneyorjewelry—notjustforfun.Butoneofthequeers—youknow,whattheycallmentallymaladjusted—mightdoitforfun,don’tyouthink?BecauseIcan’tseewhatotherreasontherecouldbeforkillingUncleChristianexceptfun,doyou?AtleastIdon’tmeanfun,exactly—but—”
“Youcan’tthinkofamotive?”
“Yes,that’swhatImean,”saidGinagratefully.“Hewasn’trobbedoranything,washe?”
“Butyouknow,Mrs.Hudd,theCollegebuildingswerelockedandbarred.Nobodycouldgetoutfromtherewithoutapass.”
“Don’tyoubelieveit,”Ginalaughedmerrily.“Thoseboyscouldgetoutfromanywhere!They’vetaughtmealotoftricks.”
“She’salivelyone,”saidLakewhenGinahaddeparted.“FirsttimeI’veseenhercloseup.Lovelyfigure,hasn’tshe.Sortofaforeignfigure,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
InspectorCurrythrewhimacoldglance.SergeantLakesaidhastilythatshewasamerryone.“Seemstohaveenjoyeditall,asyoumightsay.”
“WhetherStephenRestarickisrightornotabouthermarriagebreakingup,InoticethatshewentoutofherwaytomentionthatWalterHuddwasbackintheGreatHall,beforethatshotwasheard.”
“Which,accordingtoeveryoneelse,isn’tso?”
“Exactly.”
“Shedidn’tmentionMissBelleverleavingtheHalltolookforkeys,either.”
“No,”saidtheInspectorthoughtfully,“shedidn’t….”
Fourteen
1
Mrs.StretefittedintothelibraryverymuchbetterthanGinaHuddhaddone.TherewasnothingexoticaboutMrs.Strete.Sheworeblackwithonyxbeads,andsheworeahairnetovercarefullyarrangedgreyhair.
Shelooked,InspectorCurryreflected,exactlyastherelictofacanonoftheEstablishedChurchshouldlook—whichwasalmostodd,becausesofewpeopleeverdidlooklikewhattheyreallywere
Eventhetightlineofherlipshadanasceticecclesiasticalflavour.SheexpressedChristianEndurance,andpossiblyChristianFortitude.Butnot,Currythought,ChristianCharity.
MoreoveritwasclearthatMrs.Stretewasoffended.
“Ishouldhavethoughtthatyoucouldhavegivenmesomeideaofwhenyouwouldwantme,Inspector.Ihavebeenforcedtositaroundwaitingallthemorning.”
Itwas,Curryjudged,hersenseofimportancethatwashurt.Hehastenedtopouroilonthetroubledwaters.
“I’mverysorry,Mrs.Strete.Perhapsyoudon’tquiteknowhowwesetaboutthesethings.Westart,youknow,withthelessimportantevidence—getitoutoftheway,sotospeak.It’svaluabletokeeptothelastapersononwhosejudgementwecanrely—agoodobserver—bywhomwecancheckwhathasbeentoldusuptodate.”
Mrs.Stretesoftenedvisibly.
“Oh,Isee.Ihadn’tquiterealised….”
“Nowyou’reawomanofmaturejudgement,Mrs.Strete.Awomanoftheworld.Andthenthisisyourhome—you’rethedaughterofthehouse,andyoucantellmeallaboutthepeoplewhoareinit.”
“Icancertainlydothat,”saidMildredStrete.
“SoyouseethatwhenwecometothequestionofwhokilledChristianGulbrandsen,youcanhelpusagreatdeal.”
“Butisthereanyquestion?Isn’titperfectlyobviouswhokilledmybrother?”
InspectorCurryleantbackinhischair.Hishandstrokedhissmallneatmoustache.
“Well—wehavetobecareful,”hesaid.“Youthinkit’sobvious?”
“Ofcourse.ThatdreadfulAmericanhusbandofpoorGina’s.He’stheonlystrangerhere.Weknowabsolutelynothingabouthim.He’sprobablyoneofthesedreadfulAmericangangsters.”
“Butthatwouldn’tquiteaccountforhiskillingChristianGulbrandsen,wouldit?Whyshouldhe?”
“BecauseChristianhadfoundoutsomethingabouthim.That’swhathecamehereforsosoonafterhislastvisit.”
“Areyousureofthat,Mrs.Strete?”
“Againitseemstomequiteobvious.HeletitbethoughthisvisitwasinconnectionwiththeTrust—butthat’snonsense.Hewashereforthatonlyamonthago.Andnothingofimportancehasarisensince.Sohemusthavecomeonsomeprivatebusiness.HesawWalteronhislastvisit,andhemayhaverecognisedhim—orperhapsmadeinquiriesabouthimintheStates—naturallyhehasagentsallovertheworld—andfoundoutsomethingreallydamaging.Ginaisaverysillygirl.Shealwayshasbeen.Itisjustlikehertomarryamansheknowsnothingabout—she’salwaysbeenmanmad!Amanwantedbythepolice,perhaps,oramanwho’salreadymarried,orsomebadcharacterintheunderworld.ButmybrotherChristianwasn’taneasymantodeceive.Hecamehere,I’msure,tosettlethewholebusiness.ExposeWalterandshowhimupforwhatheis.Andso,naturally,Waltershothim.”
InspectorCurry,addingsomeout-sizedwhiskerstooneofthecatsonhisblottingpad,said:
“Ye—es.”
“Don’tyouagreewithmethatthat’swhatmusthavehappened?”
“Itcouldbe—yes,”admittedtheInspector.
“Whatothersolutioncouldtherebe?Christianhadnoenemies.WhatIcan’tunderstandiswhyyouhaven’talreadyarrestedWalter?”
“Well,yousee,Mrs.Strete,wehavetohaveevidence.”
“Youcouldprobablygetthateasilyenough.IfyouwiredtoAmerica—”
“Ohyes,weshallcheckuponMr.WalterHudd.Youcanbesureofthat.Butuntilwecanprovemotive,there’snotverymuchtogoupon.There’sopportunity,ofcourse—”
“HewentoutjustafterChristian,pretendingthelightshadfused—”
“Theydidfuse.”
“Hecouldeasilyarrangethat.”
“True.”
“Thatgavehimhisexcuse.HefollowedChristiantohisroom,shothimandthenrepairedthefuseandcamebacktotheHall.”
“Hiswifesayshecamebackbeforeyouheardtheshotfromoutside.”
“Notabitofit!Ginawouldsayanything.TheItaliansarenevertruthful.Andshe’saRomanCatholic,ofcourse.”
InspectorCurrysidesteppedtheecclesiasticalangle.
“Youthinkhiswifewasinitwithhim?”
MildredStretehesitatedforamoment.
“No—no,Idon’tthinkthat.”Sheseemedratherdisappointednottothinkso.Shewenton,“Thatmusthavebeenpartlythemotive—topreventGina’slearningthetruthabouthim.Afterall,Ginaishisbreadandbutter.”
“Andaverybeautifulgirl.”
“Ohyes.I’vealwayssaidGinaisgood-looking.AverycommontypeinItaly,ofcourse.Butifyouaskme,it’smoneythatWalterHuddisafter.That’swhyhecameoverhereandhassettleddownlivingontheSerrocolds.”
“Mrs.Huddisverywelloff,Iunderstand?”
“Notatpresent.MyfathersettledthesamesumonGina’smother,ashedidonme.But,ofcourse,shetookherhusband’snationality(Ibelievethelawisalterednow)andwhatwiththewarandhisbeingaFascist,Ginahasverylittleofherown.Mymotherspoilsher,andherAmericanaunt,Mrs.VanRydock,spentfabuloussumsonherandboughthereverythingshewantedduringthewaryears.Nevertheless,fromWalter’spointofview,hecan’tlayhishandsonmuchuntilmymother’sdeathwhenaverylargefortunewillcometoGina.”
“Andtoyou,Mrs.Strete.”
AfaintcolourcameintoMildredStrete’scheek.
“Andtome,asyousay.Myhusbandandmyselfalwayslivedquietly.Hespentverylittlemoneyexceptonbooks—hewasagreatscholar.Myownmoneyhasalmostdoubleditself.Itismorethanenoughformysimpleneeds.Stillonecanalwaysusemoneyforbenefitofothers.Anymoneythatcomestome,Ishallregardasasacredtrust.”
“Butitwon’tbeinaTrust,willit?”saidCurry,wilfullymisunderstanding.“Itwillcometoyou,absolutely.”
“Ohyes—inthatsense.Yes,itwillbemineabsolutely.”
SomethingintheringofthatlastwordmadeInspectorCurryraisehisheadsharply.Mrs.Stretewasnotlookingathim.Hereyeswereshining,andherlongthinmouthwascurvedinatriumphantsmile.
InspectorCurrysaidinaconsideringvoice:
“Soinyourview—and,ofcourse,you’vehadampleopportunitiesofjudging—Mr.WalterHuddwantsthemoneythatwillcometohiswifewhenMrs.Serrocolddies.Bytheway,she’snotverystrongisshe,Mrs.Strete?”
“Mymotherhasalwaysbeendelicate.”
“Quiteso.Butdelicatepeopleoftenliveaslongorlongerthanpeoplewhohaverobusthealth.”
“Yes,Isupposetheydo.”
“Youhaven’tnoticedyourmother’shealthfailingjustlately?”
“Shesuffersfromrheumatism.Butthenonemusthavesomethingasonegrowsolder.I’venosympathywithpeoplewhomakeafussoverinevitableachesandpains.”
“DoesMrs.Serrocoldmakeafuss?”
MildredStretewassilentforamoment.Shesaidatlast:
“Shedoesnotmakeafussherself,butsheisusedtobeingmadeafussof.Mystepfatherisfartoosolicitous.AndasforMissBellever,shemakesherselfpositivelyridiculous.Inanycase,MissBelleverhashadaverybadinfluenceinthishouse.Shecameheremanyyearsago,andherdevotiontomymother,thoughadmirableinitself,hasreallybecomesomewhatofaninfliction.Sheliterallytyrannisesovermymother.Sherunsthewholehouseandtakesfartoomuchuponherself.IthinkitannoysLewissometimes.Ishouldneverbesurprisedifhetoldhertogo.Shehasnotact—notactwhatever,anditistryingforamantofindhiswifecompletelydominatedbyabossywoman.”
InspectorCurrynoddedhisheadgently.
“Isee…Isee….”
Hewatchedherspeculatively.
“There’sonethingIdon’tquiteget,Mrs.Strete.ThepositionofthetwoRestarickbrothers?”
“Morefoolishsentiment.Theirfathermarriedmypoormotherforhermoney.Twoyearsafterwards,heranawaywithaYugoslaviansingerofthelowestmorals.Hewasaveryunworthyperson.Mymotherwassoftheartedenoughtobesorryforthesetwoboys.Sinceitwasoutofthequestionforthemtospendtheirholidayswithawomanofsuchnotoriousmorals,shemoreorlessadoptedthem.Theyhavebeenhangers-onhereeversince.Ohyes,we’veplentyofspongersinthishouse,Icantellyouthat.”
“AlexRestarickhadanopportunityofkillingChristianGulbrandsen.Hewasinhiscaralone—drivingfromthelodgetothehouse—whataboutStephen?”
“StephenwasintheHallwithus.Idon’tapproveofAlexRestarick—heisgettingtolookverycoarseandIimagineheleadsanirregularlife—butIdon’treallyseehimasamurderer.Besides,whyshouldhekillmybrother?”
“That’swhatwealwayscomebackto,isn’tit?”saidInspectorCurrygenially.“WhatdidChristianGulbrandsenknow—aboutsomeone—thatmadeitnecessaryforthatsomeonetokillhim?”
“Exactly,”saidMrs.Stretetriumphantly.“ItmustbeWalterHudd.”
“Unlessit’ssomeonenearerhome.”
Mildredsaidsharply:
“Whatdidyoumeanbythat?”
InspectorCurrysaidslowly:
“Mr.GulbrandsenseemedveryconcernedaboutMrs.Serrocold’shealthwhilsthewashere.”
Mrs.Stretefrowned.
“MenalwaysfussoverMotherbecauseshelooksfragile.Ithinkshelikesthemto!OrelseChristianhadbeenlisteningtoJulietBellever.”
“You’renotworriedaboutyourmother’shealthyourself,Mrs.Strete?”
“No.IhopeI’msensible.NaturallyMotherisnotyoung—”
“Anddeathcomestoallofus,”saidInspectorCurry.“Butnotaheadofitsappointedtime.That’swhatwehavetoprevent.”
Hespokemeaningly.MildredStreteflaredintosuddenanimation.
“Ohit’swicked—wicked.Nooneelseherereallyseemstocare.Whyshouldthey?I’mtheonlypersonwhowasabloodrelationtoChristian.ToMother,hewasonlyagrown-upstepson.ToGina,heisn’treallyanyrelationatall.Buthewasmyownbrother.”
“Halfbrother,”suggestedInspectorCurry.
“Halfbrother,yes.ButwewerebothGulbrandsensinspiteofthedifferenceinage.”
Currysaidgently,“Yes—yes,Iseeyourpoint….”
Tearsinhereyes,MildredStretemarchedout.CurrylookedatLake.
“Soshe’squitesureit’sWalterHudd,”hesaid.“Won’tentertainforamomenttheideaofitsbeinganybodyelse.”
“Andshemayberight.”
“Shecertainlymay.Wallyfits.Opportunity—andmotive.Becauseifhewantsmoneyquick,hiswife’sgrandmotherwouldhavetodie.SoWallytamperswithhertonic,andChristianGulbrandsenseeshimdoit—orhearsaboutitinsomeway.Yes,itfitsverynicely.”
Hepausedandsaid:
“Bytheway,MildredStretelikesmoney…Shemayn’tspendit,butshelikesit.I’mnotsurewhy…Shemaybeamiser—withamiser’spassion.Orshemaylikethepowerthatmoneygives.Moneyforbenevolence,perhaps?She’saGulbrandsen.ShemaywanttoemulateFather.”
“Complex,isn’tit?”saidSergeantLake,andscratchedhishead.
InspectorCurrysaid:
“We’dbetterseethisscrewyyoungman,Lawson,andafterthatwe’llgototheGreatHallandworkoutwhowaswhere—andifandwhy—andwhen…we’veheardoneortworatherinterestingthingsthismorning.”
2
Itwasverydifficult,InspectorCurrythought,togetatrueestimateofsomeonefromwhatotherpeoplesaid.
EdgarLawsonhadbeendescribedbyagoodmanydifferentpeoplethatmorning,butlookingathimnow,Curry’sownimpressionswerealmostludicrouslydifferent.
Edgardidnotimpresshimas“queer”or“dangerous”or“arrogant”orevenas“abnormal.”Heseemedaveryordinaryyoungman,verymuchcastdownandinastateofhumilityapproachingthatofUriahHeep’s.Helookedyoungandslightlycommonandratherpathetic.
Hewasonlytooanxioustotalkandtoapologize.
“IknowI’vedoneverywrong.Idon’tknowwhatcameoverme—reallyIdon’t.Makingthatsceneandkickingupsucharow.Andactuallyshootingoffapistol.AtMr.Serrocold,too,who’sbeensogoodtomeandsopatient,too.”
Hetwistedhishandsnervously.Theywereratherpathetichands,withbonywrists.
“IfI’vegottobehadupforit,I’llcomewithyouatonce.Ideserveit.I’llpleadguilty.”
“Nochargehasbeenmadeagainstyou,”saidInspectorCurrycrisply.“Sowe’venoevidenceonwhichtoact.AccordingtoMr.Serrocold,lettingoffthepistolwasanaccident.”
“That’sbecausehe’ssogood.ThereneverwasamanasgoodasMr.Serrocold!He’sdoneeverythingforme.AndIgoandrepayhimbyactinglikethis.”
“Whatmadeyouactasyoudid?”
Edgarlookedembarrassed.
“Imadeafoolofmyself.”
InspectorCurrysaiddrily:
“Soitseems.YoutoldMr.Serrocoldinthepresenceofwitnessesthatyouhaddiscoveredthathewasyourfather.Wasthattrue?”
“No,itwasn’t.”
“Whatputthatideaintoyourhead?Didsomeonesuggestittoyou?”
“Well,it’sabithardtoexplain.”
InspectorCurrylookedathimthoughtfully,thensaidinakindlyvoice:
“Supposeyoutry.Wedon’twanttomakethingshardforyou.”
“Well,yousee,Ihadratherahardtimeofitasakid.Theotherboysjeeredatme.BecauseIhadn’tgotafather.SaidIwasalittlebastard—whichIwas,ofcourse.Mumwasusuallydrunkandshehadmencominginallthetime.Myfatherwasaforeignseaman,Ibelieve.Thehousewasalwaysfilthyanditwasallprettyfairhell.AndthenIgottothinkingsupposemyDadhadbeennotjustsomeforeignsailor,butsomeoneimportant—andIusedtomakeupathingortwo.Kidstufffirst—changedatbirth—reallytherightfulheir—thatsortofthing.AndthenIwenttoanewschoolandItrieditononceortwicehintingthings.SaidmyfatherwasreallyanAdmiralinthenavy.Igottobelievingitmyself.Ididn’tfeelsobadthen.”
Hepausedandthenwenton.
“Andthen—later—Ithoughtupsomeotherideas.Iusedtostayathotelsandtoldalotofsillystoriesaboutbeingafighterpilot—oraboutbeinginmilitaryintelligence.Igotallsortofmixedup.Ididn’tseemabletostoptellinglies.
“OnlyIdidn’treallytrytogetmoneybyit.Itwasjustswanksoastomakepeoplethinkabitmoreofme.Ididn’twanttobedishonest.Mr.Serrocoldwilltellyou—andDr.Maverick—they’vegotallthestuffaboutit.”
InspectorCurrynodded.HehadalreadystudiedEdgar’scasehistoryandhispolicerecord.
“Mr.Serrocoldgotmeclearintheendandbroughtmedownhere.Hesaidheneededasecretarytohelphim—andIdidhelphim!Ireallydid.Onlytheotherslaughedatme.Theywerealwayslaughingatme.”
“Whatothers?Mrs.Serrocold?”
“No,notMrs.Serrocold.She’salady—she’salwaysgentleandkind.No,butGinatreatedmelikedirt.AndStephenRestarick.AndMrs.Stretelookeddownonmefornotbeingagentleman.SodidMissBellever—andwhat’sshe?She’sapaidcompanion,isn’tshe?”
Currynotedthesignsofrisingexcitement.
“Soyoudidn’tfindthemverysympathetic?”
Edgarsaidpassionately:
“Itwasbecauseofmebeingabastard.IfI’dhadaproperfathertheywouldn’thavegoneonlikethat.”
“Soyouappropriatedacoupleoffamousfathers?”
Edgarblushed.
“Ialwaysseemtogettotellinglies,”hemuttered.
“Andfinally,yousaidMr.Serrocoldwasyourfather.Why?”
“Becausethatwouldstopthemonceforall,wouldn’tit?Ifhewasmyfathertheycouldn’tdoanythingtome!”
“Yes.Butyouaccusedhimofbeingyourenemy—ofpersecutingyou.”
“Iknow—”Herubbedhisforehead.“Igotthingsallwrong.TherearetimeswhenIdon’t—whenIdon’tgetthingsquiteright.Igetmuddled.”
“AndyoutooktherevolverfromMr.WalterHudd’sroom?”
Edgarlookedpuzzled.
“DidI?IsthatwhereIgotit?”
“Don’tyourememberwhereyougotit?”
Edgarsaid:
“ImeanttothreatenMr.Serrocoldwithit.Imeanttofrightenhim.Itwaskidstuffalloveragain.”
InspectorCurrysaidpatiently,“Howdidyougettherevolver?”
“Youjustsaid—outofWalter’sroom.”
“Yourememberdoingthatnow?”
“Imusthavegotitfromhisroom.Icouldn’thavegotholdofitanyotherway,couldI?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidInspectorCurry.“Somebody—mighthavegivenittoyou?”
Edgarwassilent—hisfaceablank.
“Isthathowithappened?”
Edgarsaidpassionately:
“Idon’tremember.Iwassoworkedup.Iwalkedaboutthegardeninaredmistofrage.Ithoughtpeoplewerespyingonme,watchingme,tryingtohoundmedown.Eventhatnicewhite-hairedoldlady…Ican’tunderstanditallnow.IfeelImusthavebeenmad.Idon’trememberwhereIwasandwhatIwasdoinghalfofthetime!”
“SurelyyourememberwhotoldyouMr.Serrocoldwasyourfather?”
Edgargavethesameblankstare.
“Nobodytoldme,”hesaidsullenly.“Itjustcametome.”
InspectorCurrysighed.Hewasnotsatisfied.Buthejudgedhecouldmakenofurtherprogressatpresent.
“Well,watchyourstepinfuture,”hesaid.
“Yes,sir.Yes,indeed,Iwill.”
AsEdgarwentInspectorCurryslowlyshookhishead.
“Thesepathologicalcasesarethedevil!”
“D’youthinkhe’smad,sir?”
“MuchlessmadthanI’dimagined.Weak-headed,boastful,aliar—yetacertainpleasantsimplicityabouthim.HighlysuggestibleIshouldimagine….”
“Youthinksomeonedidsuggestthingstohim?”
“Ohyes,oldMissMarplewasrightthere.She’sashrewdoldbird.ButIwishIknewwhoitwas.Hewon’ttell.Ifweonlyknewthat…Comeon,Lake,let’shaveathoroughreconstructionofthesceneintheHall.”
3
“Thatfixesitprettywell.”
InspectorCurrywassittingatthepiano.SergeantLakewasinachairbythewindowoverlookingthelake.
Currywenton.
“IfI’mhalf-turnedonthepianostool,watchingthestudydoor,Ican’tseeyou.”
SergeantLakerosesoftlyandedgedquietlythroughthedoortothelibrary.
“Allthissideoftheroomwasdark.Theonlylightsthatwereonweretheonesbesidethestudydoor.No,Lake,Ididn’tseeyougo.Onceinthelibrary,youcouldgooutthroughtheotherdoortothecorridor—twominutestorunalongtotheOakSuite,shootGulbrandsenandcomebackthroughthelibrarytoyourchairbythewindow.
“Thewomenbythefirehavetheirbackstoyou.Mrs.Serrocoldwassittinghere—ontherightofthefireplace,nearthestudydoor.Everyoneagreesshedidn’tmoveandshe’stheonlyonewho’sinthelineofdirectvision.MissMarplewashere.ShewaslookingpastMrs.Serrocoldtothestudy.Mrs.Stretewasontheleftofthefireplace—closetothedooroutoftheHalltothelobby,andit’saverydarkcorner.Shecouldhavegoneandcomeback.Yes,it’spossible.”
Currygrinnedsuddenly.
“AndIcouldgo.”Heslippedoffthemusicstoolandsidledalongthewallandoutthroughthedoor.“TheonlypersonwhomightnoticeIwasn’tstillatthepianowouldbeGinaHudd.AndyourememberwhatGinasaid,‘Stephenwasatthepianotobeginwith.Idon’tknowwherehewaslater.’”
“Soyouthinkit’sStephen?”
“Idon’tknowwhoitis,”saidCurry.“Itwasn’tEdgarLawsonorLewisSerrocoldorMrs.SerrocoldorMissJaneMarple.Butfortherest—”Hesighed.“It’sprobablytheAmerican.Thosefusedlightswereabittooconvenient—acoincidence.Andyet,youknow,Iratherlikethechap.Still,thatisn’tevidence.”
Hepeeredthoughtfullyatsomemusiconthesideofthepiano.“Hindemith?Who’she?Neverheardofhim.Shostakovitch!Whatnamesthesepeoplehave.”Hegotupandthenlookeddownattheold-fashionedmusicstool.Heliftedthetopofit.
“Here’stheold-fashionedstuff.Handel’sLargo.Czerny’sExercises.DatesbacktooldGulbrandsen,mostofthis.‘IknowalovelyGarden’—Vicar’swifeusedtosingthatwhenIwasaboy—”
Hestopped—theyellowpagesofthesonginhishand.Beneaththem,reposingonChopin’sPreludes,wasasmallautomaticpistol.
“StephenRestarick,”exclaimedSergeantLakejoyfully.
“Nowdon’tjumptoconclusions,”InspectorCurrywarnedhim.“Tentoonethat’swhatwe’remeanttothink.”
Fifteen
1
MissMarpleclimbedthestairsandtappedonthedoorofMrs.Serrocold’sbedroom.
“MayIcomein,CarrieLouise?”
“Ofcourse,Janedear.”
CarrieLouisewassittinginfrontofthedressingtable,brushinghersilveryhair.Sheturnedherheadoverhershoulder.
“Isitthepolice?I’llbereadyinafewminutes.”
“Areyouallright?”
“Yes,ofcourse.Jollyinsistedonmyhavingmybreakfastinbed.AndGinacameintotheroomwithitontiptoeasthoughImightbeatdeath’sdoor!Idon’tthinkpeoplerealisethattragedieslikeChristian’sdeatharemuchlessshocktosomeoneold.Becauseoneknowsbythenhowanythingmayhappen—andhowlittleanythingreallymattersthathappensinthisworld.”
“Ye—es,”saidMissMarpledubiously.
“Don’tyoufeelthesame,Jane?Ishouldhavethoughtyouwould.”
MissMarplesaidslowly:
“Christianwasmurdered.”
“Yes…Iseewhatyoumean.Youthinkthatdoesmatter?”
“Don’tyou?”
“NottoChristian,”saidCarrieLouisesimply.“Itmatters,ofcourse,towhoevermurderedhim.”
“Haveyouanyideawhomurderedhim?”
Mrs.Serrocoldshookherheadinabewilderedfashion.
“No,I’veabsolutelynoidea.Ican’teventhinkofareason.Itmusthavebeensomethingtodowithhisbeingherebefore—justoveramonthago.BecauseotherwiseIdon’tthinkhewouldhavecomeheresuddenlyagainfornoparticularreason.Whateveritwasmusthavestartedoffthen.I’vethoughtandI’vethought,butIcan’trememberanythingunusual.”
“Whowashereinthehouse?”
“Oh!thesamepeoplewhoareherenow—yes,AlexwasdownfromLondonaboutthen.And—ohyes,Ruthwashere.”
“Ruth?”
“Herusualflyingvisit.”
“Ruth,”saidMissMarpleagain.Hermindwasactive.ChristianGulbrandsenandRuth?Ruthhadcomeawayworriedandapprehensive,buthadnotknownwhy.SomethingwaswrongwasallthatRuthcouldsay.ChristianGulbrandsenhadalsobeenworriedandapprehensive,butChristianGulbrandsenhadknownorsuspectedsomethingthatRuthdidnot.HehadknownorsuspectedthatsomeonewastryingtopoisonCarrieLouise.HowhadChristianGulbrandsencometoentertainthosesuspicions?Whathadheseenorheard?WasitsomethingthatRuthalsohadseenorheardbutwhichshehadfailedtoappreciateatitsrightfulsignificance?MissMarplewishedthatsheknewwhatitcouldpossiblyhavebeen.Herownvaguehunchthatit(whateveritwas)hadtodowithEdgarLawsonseemedunlikelysinceRuthhadnotevenmentionedhim.
Shesighed.
“You’reallkeepingsomethingfromme,aren’tyou?”askedCarrieLouise.
MissMarplejumpedalittleasthequietvoicespoke.
“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Becauseyouare.NotJolly.Buteveryoneelse.EvenLewis.HecameinwhileIwashavingmybreakfast,andheactedveryoddly.Hedranksomeofmycoffeeandevenhadabitoftoastandmarmalade.That’ssounlikehim,becausehealwayshastea,andhedoesn’tlikemarmalade,sohemusthavebeenthinkingofsomethingelse—andIsupposehemusthaveforgottentohavehisownbreakfast.Hedoesforgetthingslikemeals,andhelookedsoconcernedandpreoccupied.”
“Murder—”beganMissMarple.
CarrieLouisesaidquickly:
“Oh,Iknow.It’saterriblething.I’veneverbeenmixedupinitbefore.Youhave,haven’tyou,Jane?”
“Well—yes—actuallyIhave,”MissMarpleadmitted.
“SoRuthtoldme.”
“Didshetellyouthatlasttimeshewasdownhere?”askedMissMarplecuriously.
“No,Idon’tthinkitwasthen.Ican’treallyremember.”
CarrieLouisespokevaguely,almostabsentmindedly.
“Whatareyouthinkingabout,CarrieLouise?”
Mrs.Serrocoldsmiledandseemedtocomebackfromalongwayaway.
“IwasthinkingofGina,”shesaid.“AndofwhatyousaidaboutStephenRestarick.Gina’sadeargirl,youknow,andshedoesreallyloveWally.I’msureshedoes.”
MissMarplesaidnothing.
“GirlslikeGinaliketokickuptheirheelsabit.”Mrs.Serrocoldspokeinanalmostpleadingvoice.“They’reyoungandtheyliketofeeltheirpower.It’snatural,really.IknowWallyHuddisn’tthesortofmanweimaginedGinamarrying.Normallyshe’dneverhavemethim.Butshedidmeethim,andfellinlovewithhim—andpresumablysheknowsherownbusinessbest.”
“Probablyshedoes,”saidMissMarple
“Butit’ssoveryimportantthatGinashouldbehappy.”
MissMarplelookedcuriouslyatherfriend.
“It’simportant,Isuppose,thateveryoneshouldbehappy.”
“Ohyes.ButGina’saveryspecialcase.Whenwetookhermother—whenwetookPippa—wefeltthatitwasanexperimentthathadsimplygottosucceed.Yousee,Pippa’smother—”
CarrieLouisepaused.
MissMarplesaid,“WhowasPippa’smother?”
CarrieLouisesaid,“EricandIagreedthatwewouldnevertellanybodythat.Sheneverknewherself.”
“I’dliketoknow,”saidMissMarple
Mrs.Serrocoldlookedatherdoubtfully
“Itisn’tjustcuriosity,”saidMissMarple.“Ireally—well—needtoknow.Icanholdmytongue,youknow.”
“Youcouldalwayskeepasecret,Jane,”saidCarrieLouisewithareminiscentsmile.“Dr.Galbraith—he’stheBishopofCromernow—heknows.Butnooneelse.Pippa’smotherwasKatherineElsworth.”
“Elsworth?Wasn’tthatthewomanwhoadministeredarsenictoherhusband?Ratheracelebratedcase.”
“Yes.”
“Shewashanged?”
“Yes.Butyouknowit’snotatallsurethatshedidit.Thehusbandwasanarseniceater—theydidn’tunderstandsomuchaboutthosethingsthen.”
“Shesoakedflypapers.”
“Themaid’sevidence,wealwaysthought,wasdefinitelymalicious.”
“AndPippawasherdaughter?”
“Yes.EricandIdeterminedtogivethechildafreshstartinlife—withloveandcareandallthethingsachildneeds.Wesucceeded.Pippawas—herself.Thesweetest,happiestcreatureimaginable.”
MissMarplewassilentalongtime.
CarrieLouiseturnedawayfromthedressingtable.
“I’mreadynow.Perhapsyou’llasktheInspectororwhateverheistocomeuptomysittingroom.Hewon’tmind,I’msure.”
2
InspectorCurrydidnotmind.Infact,heratherwelcomedthechanceofseeingMrs.Serrocoldonherownterritory.
Ashestoodtherewaitingforher,helookedroundhimcuriously.Itwasnothisideaofwhathetermedtohimself“arichwoman’sboudoir.”
Ithadanold-fashionedcouchandsomeratheruncomfortablelookingVictorianchairswithtwistedwoodworkbacks.ThechintzeswereoldandfadedbutofanattractivepatterndisplayingtheCrystalPalace.Itwasoneofthesmallerrooms,thougheventhenitwaslargerthanthedrawingroomofmostmodernhouses.Butithadacosy,rathercrowdedappearancewithitslittletables,itsbric-a-brac,anditsphotographs.Currylookedatanoldsnapshotoftwolittlegirls,onedarkandlively,theotherplain,andstaringoutsulkilyontheworldfromunderaheavyfringe.Hehadseenthatsameexpressionthatmorning.“PippaandMildred”waswrittenonthephotograph.TherewasaphotographofEricGulbrandsenhangingonthewall,withagoldmountandaheavyebonyframe.Curryhadjustfoundaphotographofagood-lookingmanwitheyescrinklingwithlaughter,whomhepresumedwasJohnRestarick,whenthedooropenedandMrs.Serrocoldcamein.
Sheworeblack,afloatinganddiaphanousblack.Herlittlepink-and-whitefacelookedunusuallysmallunderitscrownofsilveryhair,andtherewasafrailnessaboutherthatcaughtsharplyatInspectorCurry’sheart.Heunderstood,atthatmoment,agooddealthathadperplexedhimearlierinthemorning.HeunderstoodwhypeopleweresoanxioustospareCarolineLouiseSerrocoldeverythingthatcouldbesparedher.
Andyet,hethought,sheisn’tthekindthatwouldevermakeafuss….
Shegreetedhim,askedhimtositdown,andtookachairnearhim.Itwaslesshewhoputherathereasethanshewhoputhimathis.Hestartedtoaskhisquestionsandsheansweredthemreadilyandwithouthesitation.Thefailureofthelights,thequarrelbetweenEdgarLawsonandherhusband,theshottheyhadheard….
“Itdidnotseemtoyouthattheshotwasinthehouse?”
“No,Ithoughtitcamefromoutside.Ithoughtitmighthavebeenthebackfireofacar.”
“DuringthequarrelbetweenyourhusbandandthisyoungfellowLawsoninthestudy,didyounoticeanybodyleavingtheHall?”
“Wallyhadalreadygonetoseeaboutthelights.MissBelleverwentoutshortlyafterwards—togetsomething,butIcan’trememberwhat.”
“WhoelselefttheHall?”
“Nobody,sofarasIknow.”
“Wouldyouknow,Mrs.Serrocold?”
Shereflectedamoment.
“No,Idon’tthinkIshould.”
“Youwerecompletelyabsorbedinwhatyoucouldheargoingoninthestudy?”
“Yes.”
“Andyouwereapprehensiveastowhatmighthappenthere?”
“No—no,Iwouldn’tsaythat.Ididn’tthinkanythingwouldreallyhappen.”
“ButLawsonhadarevolver?”
“Yes.”
“Andwasthreateningyourhusbandwithit?”
“Yes.Buthedidn’tmeanit.”
InspectorCurryfelthisusualslightexasperationatthisstatement.Soshewasanotherofthem!
“Youcan’tpossiblyhavebeensureofthat,Mrs.Serrocold.”
“Well,butIwassure.Inmyownmind,Imean.Whatisittheyoungpeoplesay—puttingonanact?That’swhatIfeltitwas.Edgar’sonlyaboy.Hewasbeingmelodramaticandsillyandfancyinghimselfasabolddesperatecharacter.Seeinghimselfasthewrongedheroinaromanticstory.Iwasquitesurehewouldneverfirethatrevolver.”
“Buthedidfireit,Mrs.Serrocold.”
CarrieLouisesmiled.
“Iexpectitwentoffbyaccident.”
AgainexasperationmountedinInspectorCurry.
“Itwasnotbyaccident.Lawsonfiredthatrevolvertwice—andfireditatyourhusband.Thebulletsonlyjustmissedhim.”
CarrieLouiselookedstartledandthengrave.
“Ican’treallybelievethat.Ohyes—”shehurriedontoforestalltheInspector’sprotest.“Ofcourse,Ihavetobelieveit,ifyoutellmeso.ButIstillfeeltheremustbeasimpleexplanation.PerhapsDr.Maverickcanexplainittome.”
“Ohyes,Dr.Maverickwillexplainitallright,”saidCurrygrimly.“Dr.Maverickcanexplainanything.I’msureofthat.”
UnexpectedlyMrs.Serrocoldsaid:
“Iknowthatalotofwhatwedohereseemstoyoufoolishandpointless,andpsychiatristscanbeveryirritatingsometimes.Butwedoachieveresults,youknow.Wehaveourfailures,butwehavesuccessestoo.Andwhatwetrytodoisworthdoing.Andthoughyouprobablywon’tbelieveit,Edgarisreallydevotedtomyhusband.HestartedthissillybusinessaboutLewis’beinghisfatherbecausehewantssomuchtohaveafatherlikeLewis.ButwhatIcan’tunderstandiswhyheshouldsuddenlygetviolent.Hehadbeensoverymuchbetter—reallypracticallynormal.Indeed,hehasalwaysseemednormaltome.”
TheInspectordidnotarguethepoint.
Hesaid,“TherevolverthatEdgarLawsonhadwasonebelongingtoyourgranddaughter’shusband.PresumablyLawsontookitfromWalterHudd’sroom.Nowtellme,haveyoueverseenthisweaponbefore?”
Onthepalmofhishandheheldoutthesmallblackautomatic.
CarrieLouiselookedatit.
“No,Idon’tthinkso.”
“Ifounditinthepianostool.Ithasrecentlybeenfired.Wehaven’thadtimetocheckonitfullyyet,butIshouldsaythatitisalmostcertainlytheweaponwithwhichMr.Gulbrandsenwasshot.”
Shefrowned.
“Andyoufounditinthepianostool?”
“Undersomeveryoldmusic.MusicthatIshouldsayhadnotbeenplayedforyears.”
“Hidden,then?”
“Yes.Yourememberwhowasatthepianolastnight?”
“StephenRestarick.”
“Hewasplaying?”
“Yes.Justsoftly.Afunny,melancholylittletune.”
“Whendidhestopplaying,Mrs.Serrocold?”
“Whendidhestop?Idon’tknow.”
“Buthedidstop?Hedidn’tgoonplayingallthroughthequarrel?”
“No.Themusicjustdieddown.”
“Didhegetupfromthepianostool?”
“Idon’tknow.I’venoideawhathediduntilhecameovertothestudydoortotryandfitakeytoit.”
“CanyouthinkofanyreasonwhyStephenRestarickshouldshootMr.Gulbrandsen?”
“Nonewhatever,”sheaddedthoughtfully,“Idon’tbelievehedid.”
“Gulbrandsenmighthavefoundsomethingdiscreditableabouthim.”
“Thatseemstomeveryunlikely.”
InspectorCurryhadawildwishtoreply:
“Pigsmayflybutthey’reveryunlikelybirds.”Ithadbeenasayingofhisgrandmother’s.MissMarple,hethought,wassuretoknowit.
3
CarrieLouisecamedownthebroadstairway,andthreepeopleconvergeduponherfromdifferentdirections,Ginafromthelongcorridor,MissMarplefromthelibrary,andJulietBelleverfromtheGreatHall.
Ginaspokefirst.
“Darling!”sheexclaimedpassionately.“Areyouallright?Theyhaven’tbulliedyouorgivenyouthirddegreeoranything?”
“Ofcoursenot,Gina.Whatoddideasyouhave!InspectorCurrywascharmingandmostconsiderate.”
“Soheoughttobe,”saidMissBellever.“Now,Cara,I’vegotallyourlettershereandaparcel.Iwasgoingtobringthemuptoyou.”
“Bringthemintothelibrary,”saidCarrieLouise.
Allfourofthemwentintothelibrary.
CarrieLouisesatdownandbeganopeningherletters.Therewereabouttwentyorthirtyofthem.
Assheopenedthem,shehandedthemtoMissBelleverwhosortedthemintoheaps,explainingtoMissMarpleasshedidso,“Threemaincategories.One—fromrelationsoftheboys.ThoseIhandovertoDr.Maverick.BegginglettersIdealwithmyself.Andtherestarepersonal—andCaragivesmenotesonhowtodealwiththem.”
Thecorrespondenceoncedisposedof,Mrs.Serrocoldturnedherattentiontotheparcel,cuttingthestringwithscissors.
Outoftheneatwrappings,thereappearedanattractiveboxofchocolatestiedupwithagoldribbon.
“Someonemustthinkit’smybirthday,”saidMrs.Serrocoldwithasmile.
Sheslippedofftheribbonandopenedthebox.Insidewasavisitingcard.CarrieLouiselookedatitwithslightsurprise.
“WithlovefromAlex,”sheread.“Howoddofhimtosendmeaboxofchocolatesbypostonthesamedayhewascomingdownhere.”
UneasinessstirredinMissMarple’smind.
Shesaidquickly:
“Waitaminute,CarrieLouise.Don’teatoneyet.”
Mrs.Serrocoldlookedfaintlysurprised
“Iwasgoingtohandthemround.”
“Well,don’t.WaitwhileIask—isAlexaboutthehouse,doyouknow,Gina?”
Ginasaidquickly,“AlexwasintheHalljustnow,Ithink.”
Shewentacross,openedthedoor,andcalledhim.
AlexRestarickappearedinthedoorwayamomentlater.
“Madonnadarling!Soyou’reup.Nonetheworse?”
HecameacrosstoMrs.Serrocoldandkissedhergentlyonbothcheeks.
MissMarplesaid:
“CarrieLouisewantstothankyouforthechocolates.”
Alexlookedsurprised.
“Whatchocolates?”
“Thesechocolates,”saidCarrieLouise.
“ButIneversentyouanychocolates,darling.”
“Theboxhasgotyourcardin,”saidMissBellever.
Alexpeereddown.
“Soithas.Howodd.Howveryodd…Icertainlydidn’tsendthem.”
“Whataveryextraordinarything,”saidMissBellever.
“Theylookabsolutelyscrumptious,”saidGina,peeringintothebox.“Look,Grandam,thereareyourfavouriteKirschonesinthemiddle.”
MissMarplegentlybutfirmlytooktheboxawayfromher.WithoutawordshetookitoutoftheroomandwenttofindLewisSerrocold.IttookhersometimebecausehehadgoneovertotheCollege—shefoundhiminDr.Maverick’sroomthere.Sheputtheboxonthetableinfrontofhim.Helistenedtoherbriefaccountofthecircumstances.Hisfacegrewsuddenlysternandhard.
Carefully,heandthedoctorliftedoutchocolateafterchocolateandexaminedthem.
“Ithink,”saidDr.Maverick,“thattheseonesIhaveputasidehavealmostcertainlybeentamperedwith.Youseetheunevennessofthechocolatecoatingunderneath?Thenextthingtodoistogetthemanalysed.”
“Butitseemsincredible,”saidMissMarple.“Why,everyoneinthehousemighthavebeenpoisoned!”
Lewisnodded.Hisfacewasstillwhiteandhard.
“Yes.Thereisaruthlessness—adisregard—”hebrokeoff.“Actually,IthinkalltheseparticularchocolatesareKirschflavouring.ThatisCaroline’sfavourite.So,yousee,thereisknowledgebehindthis.”
MissMarplesaidquietly:
“Ifitisasyoususpect—ifthereis—poison—inthesechocolates,thenI’mafraidCarrieLouisewillhavetoknowwhatisgoingon.Shemustbeputuponherguard.”
LewisSerrocoldsaidheavily:
“Yes.Shewillhavetoknowthatsomeonewantstokillher.Ithinkthatshewillfinditalmostimpossibletobelieve.”
Sixteen
1
“’Ere,Miss.Isittrueasthere’san’ideouspoisoneratwork?”
Ginapushedthehairbackfromherforehead,andjumpedasthehoarsewhisperreachedher.Therewaspaintonhercheekandpaintonherslacks.SheandherselectedhelpershadbeenbusyonthebackclothoftheNileatsunsetfortheirnexttheatricalproduction.
Itwasoneofthesehelperswhowasnowaskingthequestion.Ernie,theboywhohadgivenhersuchvaluablelessonsinthemanipulationsoflocks.Ernie’sfingerswereequallydextrousatstagecarpentry,andhewasoneofthemostenthusiastictheatricalassistants.
Hiseyesnowwerebrightandbeadywithpleasurableanticipation.
“Whereonearthdidyougetthatidea?”askedGinaindignantly.
Ernieshutoneeye.
“It’sallroundthedorms,”hesaid.“Butlook’ere,Miss,itwasn’toneofus.Notathinglikethat.Andnobodywouldn’tdoathingtoMrs.Serrocold.EvenJenkinswouldn’tcoshher.’Tisn’tasthoughitwastheoldbitch.Wouldn’t’alfliketopoison’er,Iwouldn’t.”
“Don’ttalklikethataboutMissBellever.”
“Sorry,Miss.Itslippedout.Whatpoisonwasit,Miss?Strickline,wasit?Makesyouarchyourbackanddieinagonies,thatdoes.OrwasitPrussianacid?”
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,Ernie.”
Erniewinkedagain.
“Not’alfyoudon’t.Mr.Alexitwasdoneit,sotheysay.BroughtthemchocsdownfromLondon.Butthat’salie.Mr.Alexwouldn’tdoathinglikethat,wouldhe,Miss?”
“Ofcoursehewouldn’t,”saidGina.
“MuchmorelikelytobeMr.Birnbaum.Whenhe’sgivingusP.T.hemakesthemostawfulfacesandDonandIthinkashe’sbatty.”
“Justmovethatturpentineoutoftheway.”
Ernieobeyed,murmuringtohimself:
“Don’t’arfseelife’ere!OldGulbrandsendoneinyesterdayandnowasecretpoisoner.D’youthinkit’sthesamepersondoingboth?Whatudyousay,Miss,ifItoldyouasIknowooitwasdone’imin?”
“Youcan’tpossiblyknowanythingaboutit.”
“Coo,carn’tIneither?Supposin’Iwasoutsidelastnightandsawsomething.”
“Howcouldyouhavebeenout?TheCollegeislockedupafterrollcallatseven.”
“Rollcall…IcangetoutwheneverIlikes,Miss.Locksdon’tmeannothingtome.Getoutandwalkroundthegroundsjustforthefunofit,Ido.”
Ginasaid:
“Iwishyou’dstoptellinglies,Ernie.”
“Who’stellinglies?”
“Youare.Youtellliesandyouboastaboutthingsthatyou’veneverdoneatall.”
“That’swhatyousay,Miss.YouwaittillthecopperscomeroundandarskmeallaboutwhatIsawlastnight.”
“Well,whatdidyousee?”
“Ah,”saidErnie,“wouldn’tyouliketoknow?”
Ginamadearushathimandhebeatastrategicretreat.StephencameoverfromtheothersideofthetheatreandjoinedGina.Theydiscussedvarioustechnicalmattersandthen,sidebyside,theywalkedbacktowardsthehouse.
“TheyallseemtoknowaboutGrandamandthechocs,”saidGina.“Theboys,Imean.Howdotheygettoknow?”
“Localgrapevineofsomekind.”
“AndtheyknewaboutAlex’scard.Stephen,surelyitwasverystupidtoputAlex’scardintheboxwhenhewasactuallycomingdownhere.”
“Yes,butwhoknewhewascomingdownhere?Hedecidedtocomeonthespurofthemomentandsentatelegram.Probablytheboxwaspostedbythen.Andifhehadn’tcomedown,puttinghiscardinwouldhavebeenquiteagoodidea.BecausehedoessendCarolinechocolatessometimes.”
Hewentonslowly:
“WhatIsimplycan’tunderstandis—”
“IswhyanyoneshouldwanttopoisonGrandam,”Ginacutin.“Iknow.It’sinconceivable!She’ssoadorable—andabsolutelyeveryonedoesadoreher.”
Stephendidnotanswer.Ginalookedathimsharply.
“Iknowwhatyou’rethinking,Steve!”
“Iwonder.”
“You’rethinkingthatWally—doesn’tadoreher.ButWallywouldneverpoisonanyone.Theidea’slaughable.”
“Theloyalwife!”
“Don’tsaythatinthatsneeringtoneofvoice.”
“Ididn’tmeantosneer.Ithinkyouareloyal.Iadmireyouforit.But,darlingGina,youcan’tkeepitup,youknow.”
“Whatdoyoumean,Steve?”
“YouknowquitewellwhatImean.YouandWallydon’tbelongtogether.It’sjustoneofthosethingsthatdoesn’twork.Heknowsit,too.Thesplitisgoingtocomeanydaynow.Andyou’llbothbemuchhappierwhenithascome.”
Ginasaid:
“Don’tbeidiotic.”
Stephenlaughed.
“Comenow,youcan’tpretendthatyou’resuitedtoeachotherorthatWally’shappyhere.”
“Oh,Idon’tknowwhat’sthematterwithhim,”criedGina.“Hesulksthewholetime.Hehardlyspeaks.I—Idon’tknowwhattodoabouthim.Whycan’theenjoyhimselfhere?Wehadsuchfuntogetheronce—everythingwasfun—andnowhemightbeadifferentperson.Whydopeoplehavetochangeso?”
“DoIchange?”
“No,Stevedarling.You’realwaysSteve.DoyourememberhowIusedtotagroundafteryouintheholidays?”
“AndwhatanuisanceIusedtothinkyou—thatmiserablelittlekidGina.Well,thetablesareturnednow.You’vegotmewhereyouwantme,haven’tyou,Gina?”
Ginasaidquickly:
“Idiot.”Shewentonhurriedly,“DoyouthinkErniewaslying?Hewaspretendinghewasroamingaboutinthefoglastnight,andhintingthathecouldtellthingsaboutthemurder.Doyouthinkthatmightbetrue?”
“True?Ofcoursenot.Youknowhowheboasts.Anythingtomakehimselfimportant.”
“OhIknow.Ionlywondered—”
Theywalkedalongsidebysidewithoutspeaking.
2
Thesettingsunilluminedthewestfa?adeofthehouse.InspectorCurrylookedtowardsit.
“Isthisabouttheplacewhereyoustoppedyourcarlastnight?”heasked.
AlexRestarickstoodbackalittleasthoughconsidering.
“Nearenough,”hesaid.“It’sdifficulttotellexactlybecauseofthefog.Yes,Ishouldsaythiswastheplace.”
InspectorCurrystoodlookingroundwithanappraisingeye.
Thegravelledsweepofdrivesweptroundinaslowcurve,andatthispoint,emergingfromascreenofrhododendrons,thewestfa?adeofthehousecamesuddenlyintoviewwithitsterraceandyewhedgesandstepsleadingdowntothelawns.Thereafterthedrivecontinuedinitscurvingprogress,sweepingthroughabeltoftreesandroundbetweenthelakeandthehouseuntilitendedinthebiggravelsweepattheeastsideofthehouse.
“Dodgett,”saidInspectorCurry.
PoliceConstableDodgett,whohadbeenholdinghimselfattheready,startedspasmodicallyintomotion.Hehurledhimselfacrosstheinterveningspaceoflawninadiagonallinetowardsthehouse,reachedtheterrace,andwentinbythesidedoor.Afewmomentslater,thecurtainsofoneofthewindowswereviolentlyagitated.ThenConstableDodgettreappearedoutofthegardendoor,andranbacktorejointhem,breathinglikeasteamengine.
“Twominutesandforty-twoseconds,”saidInspectorCurry,clickingthestopwatchwithwhichhehadbeentiminghim.“Theydon’ttakelong,thesethings,dothey?”
Histonewaspleasantlyconversational.
“Idon’trunasfastasyourconstable,”saidAlex.“Ipresumeitismysupposedmovementsyouhavebeentiming?”
“I’mjustpointingoutthatyouhadtheopportunitytodomurder.That’sall,Mr.Restarick.I’mnotmakinganyaccusations—asyet.”
AlexRestaricksaidkindlytoConstableDodgettwhowasstillpanting:
“Ican’trunasfastasyoucan,butIbelieveI’minbettertraining.”
“It’ssince’avingthebronchitislastwinter,”saidDodgett.
AlexturnedbacktotheInspector.
“Seriously,though,inspiteoftryingtomakemeuncomfortableandobservingmyreactions—andyoumustrememberthatweartisticfolkareoh!sosensitive,suchtenderplants!”—hisvoicetookonamockingnote—“youcan’treallybelieveIhadanythingtodowithallthis?I’dhardlysendaboxofpoisonedchocolatestoMrs.Serrocoldandputmycardinside,wouldI?”
“Thatmightbewhatwearemeanttothink.There’ssuchathingasadoublebluff,Mr.Restarick.”
“Oh,Isee.Howingeniousyouare.Bytheway,thosechocolateswerepoisoned?”
“ThesixchocolatescontainingKirschflavouringinthetoplayerwerepoisoned,yes.Theycontainedaconitine.”
“Notoneofmyfavouritepoisons,Inspector.Personally,Ihaveaweaknessforcurare.”
“Curarehastobeintroducedintothebloodstream,Mr.Restarick,notintothestomach.”
“Howwonderfullyknowledgeablethepoliceforceare,”saidAlexadmiringly.
InspectorCurrycastaquietsidewaysglanceattheyoungman.Henotedtheslightlypointedears,theun-EnglishMongoliantypeofface.Theeyesthatdancedwithmischievousmockery.ItwouldhavebeenhardatanytimetoknowwhatAlexRestarickwasthinking.Asatyr—ordidhemeanafaun?Anoverfedfaun,InspectorCurrythoughtsuddenly,andsomehowtherewasanunpleasantnessaboutthatidea.
Atwisterwithbrains—that’showhewouldsumupAlexRestarick.Clevererthanhisbrother.MotherhadbeenaRussianorsohehadheard.“Russians”toInspectorCurrywerewhat“Bony”hadbeenintheearlydaysofthenineteenthcenturyandwhat“theHuns”hadbeenintheearlytwentiethcentury.AnythingtodowithRussiawasbadinInspectorCurry’sopinion,andifAlexRestarickhadmurderedGulbrandsenhewouldbeaverysatisfactorycriminal.ButunfortunatelyCurrywasbynomeansconvincedthathehad.
ConstableDodgett,havingrecoveredhisbreath,nowspoke.
“Imovedthecurtainsasyoutoldme,sir,”hesaid.“Andcountedthirty.Inoticedthatthecurtainshaveahooktornoffatthetop.Meansthatthere’sagap.You’dseethelightintheroomfromoutside.”
InspectorCurrysaidtoAlex:
“Didyounoticelightstreamingoutfromthatwindowlastnight?”
“Icouldn’tseethehouseatallbecauseofthefog.Itoldyouso.”
“Fog’spatchy,though.Sometimesitclearsforaminutehereandthere.”
“ItneverclearedsothatIcouldseethehouse—themainpart,thatis.Thegymnasiumbuildingcloseathandloomedupoutofthemistinadeliciouslyunsubstantialway.Itgaveaperfectillusionofdockwarehouses.AsItoldyou,IamputtingonaLimehouseBalletand—”
“Youtoldme,”agreedInspectorCurry
“Onegetsinthehabit,youknow,oflookingatthingsfromthepointofviewofastageset,ratherthanfromthepointofviewofreality.”
“Idaresay.Andyetastageset’srealenough,isn’tit,Mr.Restarick?”
“Idon’tseeexactlywhatyoumean,Inspector.”
“Well,it’smadeofrealmaterials—canvasandwoodandpaintandcardboard.Theillusionisintheeyeofthebeholder,notinthesetitself.That,asIsay,isrealenough,asrealbehindthescenesasitisinfront.”
Alexstaredathim.
“Nowthat,youknow,isaverypenetratingremark,Inspector.It’sgivenmeanidea.”
“Foranotherballet?”
“No,notforanotherballet…Dearme,Iwonderifwe’veallbeenratherstupid?”
3
TheInspectorandDodgettwentbacktothehouseacrossthelawn.(Lookingforfootprints,Alexsaidtohimself.Butherehewaswrong.Theyhadlookedforfootprintsveryearlythatmorningandhadbeenunsuccessfulbecauseithadrainedheavilyat2A.M.)Alexwalkedslowlyupthedrive,turningoverinhismindthepossibilitiesofhisnewidea.
HewasdivertedfromthishoweverbythesightofGinawalkingonthepathbythelake.Thehousewasonaslighteminence,andthegroundslopedgentlydownfromthefrontsweepsofgraveltothelake,whichwasborderedbyrhododendronsandothershrubs.AlexrandownthegravelandfoundGina.
“IfyoucouldblackoutthatabsurdVictorianmonstrosity,”hesaid,screwinguphiseyes,“thiswouldmakeaverygoodSwanLake,withyou,Gina,astheSwanMaiden.YouaremoreliketheSnowQueenthough,whenIcometothinkofit.Ruthless,determinedtohaveyourownway,quitewithoutpityorkindlinessortherudimentsofcompassion.Youareveryveryfeminine,Ginadear.”
“Howmaliciousyouare,Alexdear!”
“BecauseIrefusetobetakeninbyyou?You’reverypleasedwithyourself,aren’tyou,Gina?You’vegotusallwhereyouwantus.Myself,Stephen,andthatlarge,simplehusbandofyours.”
“You’retalkingnonsense.”
“Ohno,I’mnot.Stephen’sinlovewithyou,I’minlovewithyou,andWally’sdesperatelymiserable.Whatmorecouldawomanwant?”
Ginalookedathimandlaughed.
Alexnoddedhisheadvigorously.
“Youhavetherudimentsofhonesty,I’mgladtosee.That’stheLatininyou.Youdon’tgotothetroubleofpretendingthatyou’renotattractivetomen—andthatyou’reterriblysorryaboutitiftheyareattractedtoyou.Youlikehavingmeninlovewithyou,don’tyou,cruelGina?EvenmiserablelittleEdgarLawson!”
Ginalookedathimsteadily.
Shesaidinaquietserioustone:
“Itdoesn’tlastverylong,youknow.Womenhaveamuchworsetimeofitintheworldthanmendo.They’remorevulnerable.Theyhavechildren,andtheymind—terribly—abouttheirchildren.Assoonastheylosetheirlooks,thementheylovedon’tlovethemanymore.They’rebetrayedanddesertedandpushedaside.Idon’tblamemen.I’dbethesamemyself.Idon’tlikepeoplewhoareoldoruglyorill,orwhowhineabouttheirtroubles,orwhoareridiculouslikeEdgar,struttingaboutandpretendinghe’simportantandworthwhile.YousayI’mcruel?It’sacruelworld!Soonerorlateritwillbecrueltome!ButnowI’myoungandI’mnicelookingandpeoplefindmeattractive.”Herteethflashedoutinherpeculiar,warmsunnysmile.“Yes,Ienjoyit,Alex.Whyshouldn’tI?”
“Whyindeed?”saidAlex.“WhatIwanttoknowiswhatyouaregoingtodoaboutit.AreyougoingtomarryStephenorareyougoingtomarryme?”
“I’mmarriedtoWally.”
“Temporarily.Everywomanshouldmakeonemistakematrimonially—butthere’snoneedtodwellonit.Havingtriedouttheshowintheprovinces,thetimehascometobringittotheWestEnd.”
“Andyou’retheWestEnd?”
“Indubitably.”
“Doyoureallywanttomarryme?Ican’timagineyoumarried.”
“Iinsistonmarriage.Affaires,Ialwaysthink,aresoveryold-fashioned.Difficultieswithpassportsandhotelsandallthat.IshallneverhaveamistressunlessIcan’tgetheranyotherway!”
Gina’slaughrangoutfreshandclear.
“Youdoamuseme,Alex.”
“Itismyprincipalasset.StephenismuchbetterlookingthanIam.He’sextremelyhandsomeandveryintensewhich,ofcourse,womenadore.Butintensityisfatiguinginthehome.Withme,Gina,youwillfindlifeentertaining.”
“Aren’tyougoingtosayyoulovememadly?”
“Howevertruethatmaybe,Ishallcertainlynotsayit.ItwouldbeoneuptoyouandonedowntomeifIdid.No,allIampreparedtodoistomakeyouabusinesslikeofferofmarriage.”
“Ishallhavetothinkaboutit,”saidGina,smiling.
“Naturally.Besides,you’vegottoputWallyoutofhismiseryfirst.I’vealotofsympathywithWally.Itmustbeabsolutehellforhimtobemarriedtoyouandtrailedalongatyourchariotwheelsintothisheavy,familyatmosphereofphilanthropy.”
“Whatabeastyouare,Alex!”
“Aperceptivebeast.”
“Sometimes,”saidGina,“Idon’tthinkWallycaresformeonelittlebit.Hejustdoesn’tnoticemeanymore.”
“You’vestirredhimupwithastickandhedoesn’trespond?Mostannoying.”
Likeaflash,GinaswungherpalmanddeliveredaringingslaponAlex’ssmoothcheek.
“Touché!”criedAlex.
Withaquick,deftmovement,hegatheredherintohisarmsandbeforeshecouldresist,hislipsfastenedonhersinalongardentkiss.Shestruggledamomentandthenrelaxed….
“Gina!”
Theysprangapart.MildredStrete,herfacered,herlipsquivering,glaredatthembalefully.Foramoment,theeagernessofherwordschokedtheirutterance.
“Disgusting…disgusting…youabandonedbeastlygirl…you’rejustlikeyourmother…You’reabadlot…Ialwaysknewyouwereabadlot…utterlydepraved…andyou’renotonlyanadulteress—you’reamurderesstoo.Ohyes,youare.IknowwhatIknow!”
“Andwhatdoyouknow?Don’tberidiculous,AuntMildred.”
“I’mnoauntofyours,thankgoodness.Nobloodrelationtoyou.Whyyoudon’tevenknowwhoyourmotherwasorwhereshecamefrom!Butyouknowwellenoughwhatmyfatherwaslikeandmymother.Whatsortofachilddoyouthinktheywouldadopt?Acriminal’schildoraprostitute’sprobably!That’sthesortofpeopletheywere.Theyoughttohaverememberedthatbadbloodwilltell.ThoughIdaresaythatit’stheItalianinyouthatmakesyouturntopoison.”
“Howdareyousaythat?”
“IshallsaywhatIlike.Youcan’tdenynow,canyou,thatsomebodytriedtopoisonMother?Andwho’sthemostlikelypersontodothat?WhocomesintoanenormousfortuneifMotherdies?Youdo,Gina,andyoumaybesurethatthepolicehavenotoverlookedthatfact.”
Stilltrembling,Mildredmovedrapidlyaway.
“Pathological,”saidAlex.“Definitelypathological.Reallymostinteresting.ItmakesonewonderaboutthelateCanonStrete…religiousscruples,perhaps?…Orwouldyousayimpotent?”
“Don’tbedisgusting,Alex.OhIhateher,Ihateher,Ihateher.”
Ginaclenchedherhandsandshookwithfury.
“Luckyyouhadn’tgotaknifeinyourstocking,”saidAlex.“Ifyouhad,dearMrs.Stretemighthaveknownsomethingaboutmurderfromthepointofviewofthevictim.Calmdown,Gina.Don’tlooksomelodramaticandlikeItalianOpera.”
“HowdareshesayItriedtopoisonGrandam?”
“Well,darling,somebodytriedtopoisonher.Andfromthepointofviewofmotiveyou’rewellinthepicture,aren’tyou?”
“Alex!”Ginastaredathim,dismayed.“Dothepolicethinkso?”
“It’sextremelydifficulttoknowwhatthepolicethink…Theykeeptheirowncounselremarkablywell.They’rebynomeansfools,youknow.Thatremindsme—”
“Whereareyougoing?”
“Toworkoutanideaofmine.”
Seventeen
1
“Yousaysomebodyhasbeentryingtopoisonme?”
CarrieLouise’svoiceheldbewildermentanddisbelief.
“Youknow,”shesaid,“Ican’treallybelieveit….”
Shewaitedafewmoments,hereyeshalfclosed.
Lewissaidgently,“IwishIcouldhavesparedyouthis,dearest.”
Almostabsentlyshestretchedoutahandtohimandhetookit.
MissMarple,sittingcloseby,shookherheadsympathetically.
CarrieLouiseopenedhereyes.
“Isitreallytrue,Jane?”sheasked.
“I’mafraidso,mydear.”
“Theneverything—”CarrieLouisebrokeoff.
Shewenton:
“I’vealwaysthoughtIknewwhatwasrealandwhatwasn’t…Thisdoesn’tseemreal—butitis…soImaybewrongeverywhere…butwhocouldwanttodosuchathingtome?Nobodyinthishousecouldwantto—killme?”
Hervoicestillheldincredulity.
“That’swhatIwouldhavethought,”saidLewis.“Iwaswrong.”
“AndChristianknewaboutit?Thatexplainsit.”
“Explainswhat?”askedLewis.
“Hismanner,”saidCarrieLouise.“Itwasveryodd,youknow.Notatallhisusualself.Heseemed—upsetaboutme—andasthoughhewaswantingtosaysomethingtome—andthennotsayingit.Andheaskedmeifmyheartwasstrong.AndifI’dbeenwelllately.Tryingtohinttome,perhaps.Butwhynotsaysomethingstraightout?It’ssomuchsimplerjusttosaystraightout.”
“Hedidn’twantto—causeyoupain,Caroline.”
“Pain?Butwhy—OhIsee…”Hereyeswidened.“Sothat’swhatyoubelieve.Butyou’rewrong,Lewis,quitewrong.Icanassureyouofthat.”
Herhusbandavoidedhereyes.
“I’msorry,”saidMrs.Serrocoldafteramomentortwo.“ButIcan’tbelieveanythingofwhathashappenedlatelyistrue.Edgarshootingatyou.GinaandStephen.Thatridiculousboxofchocolates.Itjustisn’ttrue.”
Nobodyspoke.
CarolineLouiseSerrocoldsighed.
“Isuppose,”shesaid,“thatImusthavelivedoutsiderealityforalongtime…Please,bothofyou,IthinkIwouldliketobealone…I’vegottotryandunderstand….”
2
MissMarplecamedownthestairsandintotheGreatHalltofindAlexRestarickstandingnearthelarge,archedentrancedoorwithhishandflungoutinasomewhatflamboyantgesture.
“Comein,comein,”saidAlexhappilyandasthoughheweretheowneroftheGreatHall.“I’mjustthinkingaboutlastnight.”
LewisSerrocold,whohadfollowedMissMarpledownfromCarrieLouise’ssittingroom,crossedtheGreatHalltohisstudyandwentinandshutthedoor.
“Areyoutryingtoreconstructthecrime?”askedMissMarplewithsubduedeagerness.
“Eh?”Alexlookedatherwithafrown.Thenhisbrowcleared.
“Oh,that,”hesaid.“No,notexactly.Iwaslookingatthewholethingfromanentirelydifferentpointofview.Iwasthinkingofthisplaceinthetermsofthetheatre.Notreality,butartificiality!Justcomeoverhere.Thinkofitinthetermsofastageset.Lighting,entrances,exits.DramatisPersonae.Noisesoff.Allveryinteresting.Notallmyownidea.TheInspectorgaveittome.Ithinkhe’sratheracruelman.Hedidhisbesttofrightenmethismorning.”
“Anddidhefrightenyou?”
“I’mnotsure.”
AlexdescribedtheInspector’sexperimentandthetimingoftheperformanceofthepuffingConstableDodgett.
“Time,”hesaid,“issoverymisleading.Onethinksthingstakesuchalongtime,butreally,ofcourse,theydon’t.”
“No,”saidMissMarple.
Representingtheaudience,shemovedtoadifferentposition.Thestagesetnowconsistedofavast,tapestry-coveredwallgoinguptodimness,withagrandpianoupL.andawindowandwindowseatupR.Verynearthewindowseatwasthedoorintothelibrary.Thepianostoolwasonlyabouteightfeetfromthedoorintothesquarelobby,whichledtothecorridor.Twoveryconvenientexits!Theaudience,ofcourse,hadanexcellentviewofbothofthem….
Butlastnighttherehadbeennoaudience.Nobody,thatistosay,hadbeenfacingthestagesetthatMissMarplewasnowfacing.Theaudience,lastnight,hadbeensittingwiththeirbackstothatparticularstage.
Howlong,MissMarplewondered,wouldithavetakentoslipoutoftheroom,runalongthecorridor,shootGulbrandsenandcomeback?Notnearlysolongasonewouldthink.Measuredinminutesandseconds,averyshorttimeindeed….
WhathadCarrieLouisemeantwhenshehadsaidtoherhusband:“Sothat’swhatyoubelieve—butyou’rewrong,Lewis!”
“ImustsaythatthatwasaverypenetratingremarkoftheInspector’s,”Alex’svoicecutinonhermeditations.“Aboutastagesetbeingreal.Madeofwoodandcardboardandstucktogetherwithglueandasrealontheunpaintedasonthepaintedside.‘Theillusion,’hepointedout,‘isintheeyesoftheaudience.’”
“Likeconjurers,”MissMarplemurmuredvaguely.“Theydoitwithmirrorsis,Ibelieve,theslangphrase.”
StephenRestarickcamein,slightlyoutofbreath.
“Hullo,Alex,”hesaid.“Thatlittlerat,ErnieGregg—Idon’tknowifyourememberhim?”
“TheonewhoplayedFestewhenyoudidTwelfthNight?QuiteabitoftalentthereIthought.”
“Yes,he’sgottalentofasort.Verygoodwithhishands,too.Doesalotofourcarpentry.However,that’sneitherherenorthere.He’sbeenboastingtoGinathathegetsoutatnightandwandersaboutthegrounds.Sayshewaswanderingroundlastnightandboastshesawsomething.”
Alexspunround.
“Sawwhat?”
“Sayshe’snotgoingtotell!Actually,I’mprettycertainhe’sonlytryingtoshowoffandgetintothelimelight.He’sanawfulliar,butIthoughtperhapsheoughttobequestioned.”
Alexsaidsharply,“Ishouldleavehimforabit.Don’tlethimthinkwe’retoointerested.”
“Perhaps—yesIthinkyoumayberightthere.Thisevening,perhaps.”
Stephenwentonintothelibrary.
MissMarple,movinggentlyroundtheHallinhercharacterofmobileaudience,collidedwithAlexRestarickashesteppedbacksuddenly.
MissMarplesaid,“I’msosorry.”
Alexfrownedather,saidinanabsentsortofway,
“Ibegyourpardon,”andthenaddedinasurprisedvoice,“Oh,it’syou.”
ItseemedtoMissMarpleanoddremarkforsomeonewithwhomshehadbeenconversingforsomeconsiderabletime.
“Iwasthinkingofsomethingelse,”saidAlexRestarick.“ThatboyErnie—”Hemadevaguemotionswithbothhands.
Then,withasuddenchangeofmanner,hecrossedtheHallandwentthroughthelibrarydoorshuttingitbehindhim.
Themurmurofvoicescamefrombehindthecloseddoor,butMissMarplehardlynoticedthem.ShewasuninterestedintheversatileErnieandwhathehadseenorpretendedtosee.ShehadashrewdsuspicionthatErniehadseennothingatall.Shedidnotbelieveforamomentthatonacoldrawfoggynightlikelastnight,Erniewouldhavetroubledtousehispicklockingactivitiesandwanderaboutinthepark.Inallprobability,heneverhadgotoutatnight.Boasting,thatwasallithadbeen.
“LikeJohnnieBackhouse,”thoughtMissMarplewhoalwayshadagoodstorehouseofparallelstodrawupon,selectedfrominhabitantsofSt.MaryMead.
“Iseenyoulastnight,”hadbeenJohnnieBackhouse’sunpleasanttaunttoallhethoughtitmightaffect.
Ithadbeenasurprisinglysuccessfulremark.Somanypeople,MissMarplereflected,havebeeninplaceswheretheyareanxiousnottobeseen!
ShedismissedJohnniefromhermindandconcentratedonavaguesomethingwhichAlex’saccountofInspectorCurry’sremarkshadstirredtolife.ThoseremarkshadgivenAlexanidea.Shewasnotsurethattheyhadnotgivenheranidea,too.Thesameidea?Oradifferentone?
ShestoodwhereAlexRestarickhadstood.Shethoughttoherself,“Thisisnotarealhall.Thisisonlycardboardandcanvasandwood.Thisisastagescene….”Scrappyphrasesflashedacrosshermind.“Illusion—”“Intheeyesoftheaudience.”“Theydoitwithmirrors….”Bowlsofgoldfish…yardsofcolouredribbon…vanishingladies…Allthepanoplyandmisdirectionoftheconjurer’sart….
Somethingstirredinherconsciousness—apicture—somethingthatAlexhadsaid…somethingthathehaddescribedtoher…ConstableDodgettpuffingandpanting…panting…somethingshiftedinhermind—cameintosuddenfocus….
“Whyofcourse!”saidMissMarple.“Thatmustbeit….”
Eighteen
1
“Oh,Wally,howyoustartledme!”
Gina,emergingfromtheshadowsbythetheatre,jumpedbackalittle,asthefigureofWallyHuddmaterialisedoutofthegloom.Itwasnotyetquitedark,buthadthateeriehalflightwhenobjectslosetheirrealityandtakeonthefantasticshapesofnightmare.
“Whatareyoudoingdownhere?Younevercomenearthetheatreasarule.”
“MaybeIwaslookingforyou,Gina.It’susuallythebestplacetofindyou,isn’tit?”
Wally’ssoft,faintlydrawlingvoiceheldnospecialinsinuationandyetGinaflinchedalittle.
“It’sajobandI’mkeenonit.Iliketheatmosphereofpaintandcanvas,andbackstagegenerally.”
“Yes.Itmeansalottoyou.I’veseenthat.Tellme,Gina,howlongdoyouthinkitwillbebeforethisbusinessisallclearedup?”
“Theinquest’stomorrow.Itwilljustbeadjournedforafortnightorsomethinglikethat.Atleast,that’swhatInspectorCurrygaveustounderstand.”
“Afortnight,”saidWallythoughtfully.“Isee.Saythreeweeks,perhaps.Andafterthat—we’refree.I’mgoingbacktotheStatesthen.”
“Oh!butIcan’trunofflikethat,”criedGina.“Icouldn’tleaveGrandam.Andwe’vegotthesetwonewproductionswe’reworkingon”—
“Ididn’tsay‘we.’IsaidIwasgoing.”
Ginastoppedandlookedupatherhusband.Somethingintheeffectoftheshadowsmadehimseemverybig.Abig,quietfigure—andinsomeway,orsoitseemedtoher,faintlymenacing…standingoverher.Threatening—what?
“Doyoumean”—shehesitated—“youdon’twantmetocome?”
“Why,no—Ididn’tsaythat.”
“Youdon’tcareifIcomeornot?Isthatit?”
Shewassuddenlyangry.
“Seehere,Gina.Thisiswherewe’vegottohaveashowdown.Wedidn’tknowmuchabouteachotherwhenwemarried—notmuchabouteachother’sbackgrounds,notmuchabouttheotherone’sfolks.Wethoughtitdidn’tmatter.Wethoughtnothingmatteredexcepthavingaswelltimetogether.Well,stageoneisover.Yourfolksdidn’t—anddon’t—thinkmuchofme.Maybethey’reright.I’mnottheirkind.ButifyouthinkI’mstayingonhere,kickingmyheels,anddoingoddjobsinwhatIconsiderisjustacrazysetup—well,thinkagain!Iwanttoliveinmyowncountry,doingthekindofjobIwanttodo,andcando.Myideaofawifeisthekindofwifewhousedtogoalongwiththeoldpioneers,readyforanything,hardship,unfamiliarcountry,danger,strangesurroundings…Perhapsthat’stoomuchtoaskofyou,butit’sthatornothing!MaybeIhustledyouintomarriage.Ifso,you’dbettergetfreeofmeandstartagain.It’suptoyou.Ifyoupreferoneoftheseartyboys—it’syourlifeandyou’vegottochoose.ButI’mgoinghome.”
“Ithinkyou’reanabsolutepig,”saidGina.“I’menjoyingmyselfhere.”
“Isthatso?Well,I’mnot.Youevenenjoymurder,Isuppose?”
Ginadrewinherbreathsharply.
“That’sacruel,wickedthingtosay.IwasveryfondofUncleChristian.Anddon’tyourealisethatsomeonehasbeenquietlypoisoningGrandamformonths?It’shorrible!”
“ItoldyouIdidn’tlikeithere.Idon’tlikethekindofthingsthatgoon.I’mquitting.”
“Ifyou’reallowedto!Don’tyourealiseyou’llprobablybearrestedforUncleChristian’smurder?IhatethewayInspectorCurrylooksatyou.He’sjustlikeacatwatchingamousewithanastysharp-clawedpawallreadytopounce.JustbecauseyouwereoutoftheHallfixingthoselights,andbecauseyou’renotEnglish,I’msurethey’llgofasteningitonyou.”
“They’llneedsomeevidencefirst.”
Ginawailed:
“I’mfrightenedforyou,Wally.I’vebeenfrightenedallalong.”
“Nogoodbeingscared.Itellyou,they’vegotnothingonme!”
Theywalkedinsilencetowardsthehouse.
Ginasaid:
“Idon’tbelieveyoureallywantmetocomebacktoAmericawithyou….”
WalterHudddidnotanswer.
GinaHuddturnedonhimandstampedherfoot.
“Ihateyou.Ihateyou.Youarehorrible—abeast—acruel,unfeelingbeast.AfterallI’vetriedtodoforyou!Youwanttoberidofme.Youdon’tcareifyouneverseemeagain.Well,Idon’tcareifIneverseeyouagain!Iwasastupidlittlefoolevertomarryyou,andIshallgetadivorceassoonaspossible,andIshallmarryStephenorAlexisandbemuchhappierthanIevercouldbewithyou.AndIhopeyougobacktotheStatesandmarrysomehorriblegirlwhomakesyoureallymiserable!”
“Fine!”saidWally.“Nowweknowwhereweare!”
2
MissMarplesawGinaandWallygointothehousetogether.
ShewasstandingatthespotwhereInspectorCurryhadmadehisexperimentwithConstableDodgettearlierintheafternoon.
MissBellever’svoicebehindhermadeherjump.
“You’llgetachill,MissMarple,standingaboutlikethatafterthesun’sgonedown.”
MissMarplefellmeeklyintostepwithherandtheywalkedbrisklythroughthehouse.
“Iwasthinkingaboutconjuringtricks,”saidMissMarple.“Sodifficultwhenyou’rewatchingthemtoseehowthey’redone,andyet,oncetheyareexplained,soabsurdlysimple.(Although,evennow,Ican’timaginehowconjurersproducebowlsofgoldfish!)DidyoueverseetheLadywhoisSawninHalf?—suchathrillingtrick.ItfascinatedmewhenIwaselevenyearsold,Iremember.AndInevercouldthinkhowitwasdone.Buttheotherdaytherewasanarticleinsomepapergivingthewholethingaway.Idon’tthinkanewspapershoulddothat,doyou?Itseemsit’snotonegirl—buttwo.Theheadoftheoneandthefeetoftheother.Youthinkit’sonegirlandit’sreallytwo—andtheotherwayroundwouldworkequallywell,wouldn’tit?”
MissBelleverlookedatherwithfaintsurprise.MissMarplewasnotoftensofluffyandincoherentasthis.“It’sbeentoomuchfortheoldlady,allthis,”shethought.
“Whenyouonlylookatonesideofathing,youonlyseeoneside,”continuedMissMarple.“Buteverythingfitsinperfectlywellifyoucanonlymakeupyourmindwhatisrealityandwhatisillusion.”Sheaddedabruptly,“IsCarrieLouise—allright?”
“Yes,”saidMissBellever.“She’sallright.Butitmusthavebeenashock,youknow—findingoutthatsomeonewantedtokillher.Imeanparticularlyashocktoher,becauseshedoesn’tunderstandviolence.”
“CarrieLouiseunderstandssomethingsthatwedon’t,”saidMissMarplethoughtfully.“Shealwayshas.”
“Iknowwhatyoumean—butshedoesn’tliveintherealworld.”
“Doesn’tshe?”
MissBelleverlookedatherinsurprise
“ThereneverwasamoreunworldlypersonthanCara—”
“Youdon’tthinkthatperhaps—”MissMarplebrokeoff,asEdgarLawsonpassedthem,swingingalongatagreatpace.Hegaveakindofshamefacednod,butavertedhisfaceashepassed.
“I’verememberednowwhoheremindsmeof,”saidMissMarple.“Itcametomesuddenly,justafewmomentsago.HeremindsmeofayoungmancalledLeonardWylie.Hisfatherwasadentist,buthegotoldandblindandhishandusedtoshake,andsopeoplepreferredtogototheson.Buttheoldmanwasverymiserableaboutit,andmoped,saidhewasnogoodforanythinganymore,andLeonard,whowasverysoftheartedandratherfoolish,begantopretendhedrankmorethanheshould.Healwayssmeltofwhisky,andheusedtoshambeingratherfuddledwhenhispatientscame.Hisideawasthatthey’dgobacktothefatheragainandsaytheyoungermanwasnogood.”
“Anddidthey?”
“Ofcoursenot,”saidMissMarple.“Whathappenedwaswhatanybodywithanysensecouldhavetoldhimwouldhappen!ThepatientswenttoMr.Reilly,therivaldentist.Somanypeoplewithgoodheartshavenosense.Besides,LeonardWyliewassounconvincing…Hisideaofdrunkennesswasn’tintheleastlikerealdrunkenness,andheoverdidthewhisky—spillingitonhisclothes,youknow,toaperfectlyimpossibleextent.”
Theywentintothehousebythesidedoor.
Nineteen
Insidethehouse,theyfoundthefamilyassembledinthelibrary.Lewiswaswalkingupanddown,andtherewasanairofgeneraltensionintheatmosphere.
“Isanythingthematter?”askedMissBellever.
Lewissaidshortly,“ErnieGreggismissingfromrollcalltonight.”
“Hasherunaway?”
“Wedon’tknow.Maverickandsomeofthestaffaresearchingthegrounds.Ifwecannotfindhimwemustcommunicatewiththepolice.”
“Grandam!”GinaranovertoCarrieLouise,startledbythewhitenessofherface.“Youlookill.”
“Iamunhappy.Thepoorboy….”
Lewissaid,“Iwasgoingtoquestionhimthiseveningastowhetherhehadseenanythingnoteworthylastnight.IhavetheofferofagoodpostforhimandIthoughtthatafterdiscussingthat,Iwouldbringuptheothertopic.Now—”hebrokeoff.
MissMarplemurmuredsoftly:
“Foolishboy…poor,foolishboy….”
Sheshookherhead,andMrs.Serrocoldsaidgently:
“Soyouthinksotoo,Jane…?”
StephenRestarickcamein.Hesaid,“Imissedyouatthetheatre,Gina.Ithoughtyousaidyouwould—Hullo,what’sup?”
Lewisrepeatedhisinformation,andashefinishedspeaking,Dr.Maverickcameinwithafair-hairedboywithpinkcheeksandasuspiciouslyangelicexpression.MissMarplerememberedhisbeingatdinneronthenightshehadarrivedatStonygates.
“I’vebroughtArthurJenkinsalong,”saidDr.Maverick.“HeseemstohavebeenthelastpersontotalktoErnie.”
“Now,Arthur,”saidLewisSerrocold,“pleasehelpusifyoucan.WherehasErniegone?Isthisjustaprank?”
“Idunno,sir.Straight,Idon’t.Didn’tsaynothingtome,hedidn’t.Allfulloftheplayatthetheatrehewas,that’sall.Saidashowhe’dhadasmashingideaforthescenery,whatMrs.HuddandMr.Stephenthoughtwasfirstclass.”
“There’sanotherthing,Arthur.Ernieclaimshewasprowlingaboutthegroundsafterlockuplastnight.Wasthattrue?”
“’Courseitain’t.Justboasting,that’sall.Perishingliar,Ernie.Henevergotoutatnight.Usedtoboasthecould,buthewasn’tthatgoodwithlocks!Hecouldn’tdoanythingwithalockaswasalock.Anyway’ewasinlarstnight,thatIdoknow.”
“You’renotsayingthatjusttosatisfyus,Arthur?”
“Crossmyheart,”saidArthurvirtuously.
Lewisdidnotlookquitesatisfied.
“Listen,”saidDr.Maverick.“What’sthat?”
Amurmurofvoiceswasapproaching.Thedoorwasflungopenand,lookingverypaleandill,thespectacledMr.Birnbaumstaggeredin.
Hegaspedout,“We’vefoundhim—them.It’shorrible….”
Hesankdownonachairandmoppedhisforehead.
MildredStretesaidsharply:
“Whatdoyoumean—foundthem?”
Birnbaumwasshakingallover.
“Downatthetheatre,”hesaid.“Theirheadscrushedin—thebigcounterweightmusthavefallenonthem.AlexisRestarickandthatboyErnieGregg.They’rebothdead….”
Twenty
“I’vebroughtyouacupofstrongsoup,CarrieLouise,”saidMissMarple.“Nowpleasedrinkit.”
Mrs.Serrocoldsatupinthebigcarvedoakfourposterbed.Shelookedverysmallandchildlike.Hercheekshadlosttheirrosepinkflush,andhereyeshadacuriouslyabsentlook.ShetookthesoupobedientlyfromMissMarple.Asshesippedit,MissMarplesatdowninachairbesidethebed.
“First,Christian,”saidCarrieLouise,“andnowAlex—andpoor,sharp,sillylittleErnie.Didhereally—knowanything?”
“Idon’tthinkso,”saidMissMarple.“Hewasjusttellinglies—makinghimselfimportantbyhintingthathehadseenorknewsomething.Thetragedyisthatsomebodybelievedhislies….”
CarrieLouiseshivered.Hereyeswentbacktotheirfarawaylook.
“Wemeanttodosomuchfortheseboys…wediddosomething.Someofthemhavedonewonderfullywell.Severalofthemareinreallyresponsiblepositions.Afewslidback—thatcan’tbehelped.Moderncivilisedconditionsaresocomplex—toocomplexforsomesimpleandundevelopednatures.YouknowLewis’greatscheme?Healwaysfeltthattransportationwasathingthathadsavedmanyapotentialcriminalinthepast.Theywereshippedoverseas—andtheymadenewlivesinsimplersurroundings.Hewantstostartamodernschemeonthatbasis.Tobuyupagreattractofterritory—oragroupofislands.Financeitforsomeyears,makeitacooperativeself-supportingcommunity—witheveryonehavingastakeinit.Butcutoffsothattheearlytemptationtogobacktocitiesandthebadoldwayscanbeneutralised.It’shisdream.Butitwilltakealotofmoney,ofcourse,andtherearen’tmanyphilanthropistswithvisionnow.WewantanotherEric.Ericwouldhavebeenenthusiastic.”
MissMarplepickedupalittlepairofscissorsandlookedatthemcuriously.
“Whatanoddpairofscissors,”shesaid.“They’vegottwofingerholesononesideandoneontheother.”
CarrieLouise’seyescamebackfromthatfrighteningfardistance.
“Alexgavethemtomethismorning,”shesaid.“They’resupposedtomakeiteasiertocutyourright-handnails.Dearboy,hewassoenthusiastic.Hemademetrythemthenandthere.”
“AndIsupposehegatheredupthenailclippingsandtookthemtidilyaway,”saidMissMarple.
“Yes,”saidCarrieLouise.“He—”shebrokeoff.“Whydidyousaythat?”
“IwasthinkingaboutAlex.Hehadbrains.Yes,hehadbrains.”
“Youmean—that’swhyhedied?”
“Ithinkso—yes.”
“HeandErnie—itdoesn’tbearthinkingabout.Whendotheythinkithappened?”
“Latethisevening.Betweensixandseveno’clockprobably….”
“Afterthey’dknockedoffworkfortheday?”
“Yes.”
Ginahadbeendowntherethatevening—andWallyHudd.Stephen,too,saidhehadbeendowntolookforGina….
Butasfarasthatwent,anybodycouldhave—
MissMarple’strainofthoughtwasinterrupted.
CarrieLouisesaidquietlyandunexpectedly:
“Howmuchdoyouknow,Jane?”
MissMarplelookedupsharply.Theeyesofthetwowomenmet.
MissMarplesaidslowly,“IfIwasquitesure….”
“Ithinkyouaresure,Jane.”
JaneMarplesaidslowly,“Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”
Carrieleanedbackagainstherpillows.
“Itisinyourhands,Jane.You’lldowhatyouthinkright.”
Sheclosedhereyes.
“Tomorrow”—MissMarplehesitated—“IshallhavetotryandtalktoInspectorCurry—ifhe’lllisten….”
Twenty-one
InspectorCurrysaidratherimpatiently:
“Yes,MissMarple?”
“Couldwe,doyouthink,gointotheGreatHall?”
InspectorCurrylookedfaintlysurprised.
“Isthatyourideaofprivacy?Surelyinhere—”
Helookedroundthestudy.
“It’snotprivacyI’mthinkingofsomuch.It’ssomethingIwanttoshowyou.SomethingAlexRestarickmademesee.”
InspectorCurry,stiflingasigh,gotupandfollowedMissMarple.
“Somebodyhasbeentalkingtoyou?”hesuggestedhopefully.
“No,”saidMissMarple.“It’snotaquestionofwhatpeoplehavesaid.It’sreallyaquestionofconjuringtricks.Theydoitwithmirrors,youknow—thatsortofthing—ifyouunderstandme.”
InspectorCurrydidnotunderstand.HestaredandwonderedifMissMarplewasquiterightinthehead.
MissMarpletookupherstandandbeckonedtheInspectortostandbesideher.
“Iwantyoutothinkofthisplaceasastageset,Inspector.AsitwasonthenightChristianGulbrandsenwaskilled.You’rehereintheaudiencelookingatthepeopleonthestage.Mrs.SerrocoldandmyselfandMrs.StreteandGinaandStephen—andjustlikeonthestage,thereareentrancesandexitsandthecharactersgoouttodifferentplaces.Onlyyoudon’tthinkwhenyou’reintheaudiencewheretheyarereallygoingto.Theygoout‘tothefrontdoor’or‘tothekitchen’andwhenthedooropensyouseealittlebitofpaintedbackcloth.Butreallyofcoursetheygoouttothewings—orthebackofthestagewithcarpentersandelectricians,andothercharacterswaitingtocomeon—theygoout—toadifferentworld.”
“Idon’tquitesee,MissMarple—”
“Oh,Iknow—Idaresayitsoundsverysilly—butifyouthinkofthisasaplayandthesceneis‘theGreatHallatStonygates’—whatexactlyisbehindthescene?—Imean—whatisbackstage?Theterrace—isn’tit?—theterraceandalotofwindowsopeningontoit.
“Andthat,yousee,ishowtheconjuringtrickwasdone.ItwasthetrickoftheLadySawninHalfthatmademethinkofit.”
“TheLadySawninHalf?”InspectorCurrywasnowquitesurethatMissMarplewasamentalcase.
“Amostthrillingconjuringtrick.Youmusthaveseenit—onlynotreallyonegirlbuttwogirls.Theheadofoneandthefeetoftheother.Itlookslikeonepersonandisreallytwo.AndsoIthoughtitcouldjustaswellbetheotherwayabout.Twopeoplecouldbereallyoneperson.”
“Twopeoplereallyone?”InspectorCurrylookeddesperate.
“Yes.Notforlong.Howlongdidyourconstabletakeintheparktoruntothishouseandback?Twominutesandforty-fiveseconds,wasn’tit?Thiswouldbelessthanthat.Wellundertwominutes.”
“Whatwasundertwominutes?”
“Theconjuringtrick.Thetrickwhenitwasn’ttwopeoplebutoneperson.Inthere—inthestudy.We’reonlylookingatthevisiblepartofthestage.Behindthescenes,thereistheterraceandarowofwindows.Soeasywhentherearetwopeopleinthestudytoopenthestudywindow,getout,runalongtheterrace(thosefootstepsAlexheard),inatthesidedoor,shootChristianGulbrandsenandrunback,andduringthattime,theotherpersoninthestudydoesbothvoicessothatwe’reallquitesuretherearetwopeopleinthere.Andsothereweremostofthetime,butnotforthatlittleperiodofunder—twominutes.”
InspectorCurryfoundhisbreathandhisvoice.
“DoyoumeanthatitwasEdgarLawsonwhoranalongtheterraceandshotGulbrandsen?EdgarLawsonwhopoisonedMrs.Serrocold?”
“Butyousee,Inspector,noonehasbeenpoisoningMrs.Serrocoldatall.That’swherethemisdirectioncomesin.SomeoneverycleverlyusedthefactthatMrs.Serrocold’ssufferingsfromarthritiswerenotunlikethesymptomsofarsenicpoisoning.It’stheoldconjurer’strickofforcingacardonyou.Quiteeasytoaddarsenictoabottleoftonic—quiteeasytoaddafewlinestoatypewrittenletter.ButtherealreasonforMr.Gulbrandsen’scomingherewasthemostlikelyreason—somethingtodowiththeGulbrandsenTrust.Money,infact.Supposethattherehadbeenembezzlement—embezzlementonaverybigscale—youseewherethatpoints?Tojustoneperson—”
“LewisSerrocold?”
“LewisSerrocold….”
Twenty-two
PartofaletterfromGinaHuddtoherauntMrs.VanRydock:
—andsoyousee,darlingAuntRuth,thewholethinghasbeenjustlikeanightmare—especiallytheendofit.I’vetoldyouallaboutthisfunnyyoungmanEdgarLawson.Healwayswasacompleterabbit—andwhentheInspectorbeganquestioninghimandbreakinghimdown,helosthisnervecompletelyandscuttledlikearabbit.Justlosthisnerveandran—literallyran.Jumpedoutofthewindowandroundthehouseanddownthedrive,andthentherewasapolicemancomingtoheadhimoff,andheswervedandranfulltiltforthelake.Heleapedintoarottenoldpuntthat’smoulderedthereforyearsandpushedoff.Quiteamad,senselessthingtodo,ofcourse,butasIsayhewasjustapanic-strickenrabbit.AndthenLewisgaveagreatshoutandsaid,“Thatpunt’srotten”andracedofftothelake,too.ThepuntwentdownandtherewasEdgarstrugglinginthewater.Hecouldn’tswim.Lewisjumpedinandswamouttohim.Hegottohim,buttheywerebothindifficultybecausethey’dgotamongthereeds.OneoftheInspector’smenwentinwitharoperoundhim,buthegotentangled,too,andtheyhadtopullhimin.AuntMildredsaid“They’lldrown—they’lldrown—they’llbothdrown…”inasillysortofway,andGrandamjustsaid“Yes.”Ican’tdescribetoyoujusthowshemadethatonewordsound.Just“yes”anditwentthroughyoulike—likeasword.
AmIbeingjustsillyandmelodramatic?IsupposeIam.Butitdidsoundlikethat….
Andthen—whenitwasallover,andthey’dgotthemoutandtriedartificialrespiration(butitwasnogood),theInspectorcametousandsaidtoGrandam:
“I’mafraid,Mrs.Serrocold,there’snohope.”
Grandamsaidveryquietly:
“Thankyou,Inspector.”
Thenshelookedatusall.Me,longingtohelpbutnotknowinghow,andJolly,lookinggrimandtenderandreadytoministerasusual,andStephen,stretchingouthishands,andfunnyoldMissMarplelookingsosad,andtired,andevenWallylookingupset.Allsofondofherandwantingtodosomething.
ButGrandamjustsaid,“Mildred.”AndAuntMildredsaid,“Mother.”Andtheywentawaytogetherintothehouse,GrandamlookingsosmallandfrailandleaningonAuntMildred.Ineverrealised,untilthen,howfondofeachothertheywere.Itdidn’tshowmuch,youknow
Ginapausedandsuckedtheendofherfountainpen.Sheresumed:
AboutmeandWally—we’recomingbacktotheStatesassoonaswecan….
Twenty-three
“Whatmadeyouguess,Jane?”
MissMarpletookhertimeaboutreplying.Shelookedthoughtfullyattheothertwo—CarrieLouisethinnerandfrailerandyetcuriouslyuntouched—andtheoldmanwiththesweetsmileandthethickwhitehair.Dr.Galbraith,BishopofCromer.
TheBishoptookCarrieLouise’shandinhis.
“Thishasbeenagreatsorrowtoyou,mypoorchild,andagreatshock.”
“Asorrow,yes,butnotreallyashock.”
“No,”saidMissMarple.“That’swhatIdiscovered,youknow.EveryonekeptsayinghowCarrieLouiselivedinanotherworldfromthisandwasoutoftouchwithreality.Butactually,CarrieLouise,itwasrealityyouwereintouchwith,andnottheillusion.Youareneverdeceivedbyillusionlikemostofusare.WhenIsuddenlyrealisedthat,IsawthatImustgobywhatyouthoughtandfelt.Youwerequitesurethatnoonewouldtrytopoisonyou,youcouldn’tbelieveit—andyouwerequiterightnottobelieveit,becauseitwasn’tso!YouneverbelievedthatEdgarwouldharmLewis—andagainyouwereright.HeneverwouldhaveharmedLewis.YouweresurethatGinadidnotloveanyonebutherhusband—andthat,again,wasquitetrue.
“Sotherefore,ifIwastogobyyou,allthethingsthatseemedtobetruewereonlyillusions.Illusionscreatedforadefinitepurpose—inthesamewaysthatconjurerscreateillusions,todeceiveanaudience.Weweretheaudience.
“AlexRestarickgotaninklingofthetruthfirstbecausehehadthechanceofseeingthingsfromadifferentangle—fromtheoutsideangle.HewaswiththeInspectorinthedrive,andhelookedatthehouseandrealisedthepossibilitiesofthewindows—andherememberedthesoundofrunningfeethehadheardthatnight,andthen,thetimingoftheconstableshowedhimwhataveryshorttimethingstaketowhatweshouldimaginetheywouldtake.Theconstablepantedalot,andlater,thinkingofapuffingconstable,IrememberedthatLewisSerrocoldwasoutofbreaththatnightwhenheopenedthestudydoor.He’djustbeenrunninghard,yousee….
“ButitwasEdgarLawsonthatwasthepivotofitalltome.TherewasalwayssomethingwrongtomeaboutEdgarLawson.Allthethingshesaidanddidwereexactlyrightforwhathewassupposedtobe,buthehimselfwasn’tright.Becausehewasactuallyanormalyoungmanplayingthepartofaschizophrenic—andhewasalways,asitwere,alittlelargerthanlife.Hewasalwaystheatrical.
“Itmusthaveallbeenverycarefullyplannedandthoughtout.LewismusthaverealisedontheoccasionofChristian’slastvisitthatsomethinghadarousedhissuspicions.AndheknewChristianwellenoughtoknowthatifhesuspectedhewouldnotrestuntilhehadsatisfiedhimselfthathissuspicionswereeitherjustifiedorunfounded.”
CarrieLouisestirred.
“Yes,”shesaid.“Christianwaslikethat.Slowandpainstaking,butactuallyveryshrewd.Idon’tknowwhatitwasarousedhissuspicionsbuthestartedinvestigating—andhefoundoutthetruth.”
TheBishopsaid:“Iblamemyselffornothavingbeenamoreconscientioustrustee.”
“Itwasneverexpectedofyoutounderstandfinance,”saidCarrieLouise.“ThatwasoriginallyMr.Gilroy’sprovince.Then,whenhedied,Lewis’greatexperienceputhiminwhatamountedtocompletecontrol.Andthat,ofcourse,waswhatwenttohishead.”
Thepinkcolourcameupinhercheeks.
“Lewiswasagreatman,”shesaid.“Amanofgreatvision,andapassionatebelieverinwhatcouldbeaccomplished—withmoney.Hedidn’twantitforhimself—or,atleast,notinthegreedyvulgarsense—hedidwantthepowerofit—hewantedthepowertodogreatgoodwithit—”
“Hewanted,”saidtheBishop,“tobeGod.”Hisvoicewassuddenlystern.“HeforgotthatmanisonlythehumbleinstrumentofGod’swill.”
“AndsoheembezzledtheTrustfunds?”saidMissMarple.
Dr.Galbraithhesitated.
“Itwasn’tonlythat….”
“Tellher,”saidCarrieLouise.“Sheismyoldestfriend.”
TheBishopsaid:
“LewisSerrocoldwaswhatonemightcallafinancialwizard.Inhisyearsofhighlytechnicalaccountancy,hehadamusedhimselfbyworkingoutvariousmethodsofswindlingwhichwerepracticallyfoolproof.Thishadbeenmerelyanacademicstudy,butwhenheoncebegantoenvisagethepossibilitiesthatavastsumofmoneycouldencompass,heputthesemethodsintopractice.Yousee,hehadathisdisposalsomefirstclassmaterial.Amongsttheboyswhopassedthroughhere,hechoseoutasmallselectband.Theywereboyswhosebentwasnaturallycriminal,wholovedexcitement,andwhohadaveryhighorderofintelligence.We’venotgotnearlytothebottomofitall,butitseemsclearthatthisesotericcirclewassecretandspeciallytrainedandbyandbywereplacedinkeypositions,where,bycarryingoutLewis’directions,bookswerefalsifiedinsuchawaythatlargesumsofmoneywereconvertedwithoutanysuspicionbeingaroused.Igatherthattheoperationsandtheramificationsaresocomplicatedthatitwillbemonthsbeforetheauditorscanunravelitall.Butthenetresultseemstobethatundervariousnamesandbankingaccountsandcompanies,
“Itwasadreamthatmighthavecometrue,”saidCarrieLouise.
“Yes,itmighthavecometrue.ButthemeansLewisSerrocoldadoptedweredishonestmeans,andChristianGulbrandsendiscoveredthat.Hewasveryupset,particularlybytherealisationofwhatthediscoveryandtheprobableprosecutionofLewiswouldmeantoyou,CarrieLouise.”
“That’swhyheaskedmeifmyheartwasstrong,andseemedsoworriedaboutmyhealth,”saidCarrieLouise.“Icouldn’tunderstandit.”
“ThenLewisSerrocoldarrivedbackfromtheNorth,andChristianmethimoutsidethehouseandtoldhimthatheknewwhatwasgoingon.Lewistookitcalmly,Ithink.Bothmenagreedtheymustdoalltheycouldtospareyou.Christiansaidhewouldwritetomeandaskmetocomehere,asaco-trustee,todiscusstheposition.”
“Butofcourse,”saidMissMarple.“LewisSerrocoldhadalreadypreparedforthisemergency.Itwasallplanned.HehadbroughttheyoungmanwhowastoplaythepartofEdgarLawsontothehouse.TherewasarealEdgarLawson—ofcourse—incasethepolicelookeduphisrecord.ThisfalseEdgarknewexactlywhathehadtodo—actthepartofaschizophrenicvictimofpersecution—andgiveLewisSerrocoldanalibiforafewvitalminutes.
“Thenextstephadbeenthoughtouttoo.Lewis’storythatyou,CarrieLouise,werebeingslowlypoisoned—whenoneactuallycametothinkofittherewasonlyLewis’storyofwhatChristianhadtoldhim—that,andafewlinesaddedonthetypewriterwhilsthewaswaitingforthepolice.Itwaseasytoaddarsenictothetonic.Nodangerforyouthere—sincehewasonthespottopreventyoudrinkingit.Thechocolateswerejustanaddedtouch—andofcoursetheoriginalchocolatesweren’tpoisoned—onlythosehesubstitutedbeforeturningthemovertoInspectorCurry.”
“AndAlexguessed,”saidCarrieLouise.
“Yes—that’swhyhecollectedyournailparings.Theywouldshowifarsenicactuallyhadbeenadministeredoveralongperiod.”
“PoorAlex—poorErnie.”
Therewasamoment’ssilenceastheothertwothoughtofChristianGulbrandsen,ofAlexisRestarick,andoftheboyErnie—andofhowquicklytheactofmurdercoulddistortanddeform.
“Butsurely,”saidtheBishop,“LewiswastakingabigriskinpersuadingEdgartobehisaccomplice—evenifhehadsomeholdoverhim—”
Carrieshookherhead.
“Itwasn’texactlyaholdoverhim.EdgarwasdevotedtoLewis.”
“Yes,”saidMissMarple.“LikeLeonardWylieandhisfather.Iwonderperhapsif—”
Shepauseddelicately.
“Yousawthelikeness,Isuppose?”saidCarrieLouise.
“Soyouknewthatallalong?”
“Iguessed.IknewLewishadoncehadashortinfatuationforanactress,beforehemetme.Hetoldmeaboutit.Itwasn’tserious,shewasagolddiggingtypeofwomanandshedidn’tcareforhim,butI’venodoubtatallthatEdgarwasactuallyLewis’son….”
“Yes,”saidMissMarple.“Thatexplainseverything….”
“Andhegavehislifeforhimintheend,”saidCarrieLouise.ShelookedpleadinglyattheBishop.“Hedid,youknow.”
Therewasasilence,andthenCarrieLouisesaid:
“I’mgladitendedthatway…withhislifegiveninthehopeofsavingtheboy…peoplewhocanbeverygoodcanbeverybad,too.IalwaysknewthatwastrueaboutLewis…But—helovedmeverymuch—andIlovedhim.”
“Didyou—eversuspecthim?”askedMissMarple.
“No,”saidCarrieLouise.“BecauseIwaspuzzledbythepoisoning.IknewLewiswouldneverpoisonme,andyetthatletterofChristian’ssaiddefinitelythatsomeonewaspoisoningme—soIthoughtthateverythingIthoughtIknewaboutpeoplemustbewrong….”
MissMarplesaid,“ButwhenAlexandErniewerefoundkilled.Yoususpectedthen?”
“Yes,”saidCarrieLouise.“BecauseIdidn’tthinkanyoneelsebutLewiswouldhavedared.AndIbegantobeafraidofwhathemightdonext….”
Sheshiveredslightly.
“IadmiredLewis.Iadmiredhis—whatshallIcallit—hisgoodness?ButIdoseethatifyou’re—good,youhavetobehumbleaswell.”
Dr.Galbraithsaidgently:
“That,CarrieLouise,iswhatIhavealwaysadmiredinyou—yourhumility.”
Thelovelyblueeyesopenedwideinsurprise.
“ButI’mnotclever—andnotparticularlygood.Icanonlyadmiregoodnessinotherpeople.”
“DearCarrieLouise,”saidMissMarple.
Epilogue
“IthinkGrandamwillbequiteallrightwithAuntMildred,”saidGina.“AuntMildredseemsmuchnicernow—notsopeculiar,ifyouknowwhatImean?”
“Iknowwhatyoumean,”saidMissMarple.
“SoWallyandIwillgobacktotheStatesinafortnight’stime.”
Ginacastalooksidewaysatherhusband.
“IshallforgetallaboutStonygatesandItalyandallmygirlishpastandbecomeahundredpercentAmerican.OursonwillbealwaysaddressedasJunior.Ican’tsayfairerthanthat,canI,Wally?”
“Youcertainlycannot,Kate,”saidMissMarple.
Wally,smilingindulgentlyatanoldladywhogotnameswrong,correctedhergently:
“Gina,notKate.”
ButGinalaughed.
“Sheknowswhatshe’ssaying!Yousee—she’llcallyouPetruchioinamoment!”
“Ijustthink,”saidMissMarpletoWalter,“thatyouhaveactedverywisely,mydearboy.”
“Shethinksyou’rejusttherighthusbandforme,”saidGina.
MissMarplelookedfromonetotheother.Itwasverynice,shethought,toseetwoyoungpeoplesomuchinlove,andWalterHuddwascompletelytransformedfromthesulkyyoungmanshehadfirstencountered,intoagood-humouredsmilinggiant….
“Youtworemindme,”shesaid,“of—”
GinarushedforwardandplacedahandfirmlyoverMissMarple’smouth.
“No,darling,”sheexclaimed.“Don’tsayit.I’msuspiciousofthesevillageparallels.They’vealwaysgotastinginthetail.Youreallyareawickedoldwoman,youknow.”
Hereyeswentmisty.
“WhenIthinkofyou,andAuntRuthandGrandamallbeingyoungtogether…howIwonderwhatyouwerealllike!Ican’timagineitsomehow….”
“Idon’tsupposeyoucan,”saidMissMarple.“Itwasallalongtimeago….”
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEHERCULEPOIROTMYSTERIES
MatchyourwitswiththefamousBelgiandetective.
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
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEMISSMARPLEMYSTERIES
JointhelegendaryspinstersleuthfromSt.MaryMeadinsolvingmurdersfarandwide.
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50FromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
THETOMMYANDTUPPENCEMYSTERIES
Jumponboardwiththeentertainingcrime-solvingcouplefromYoungAdventurersLtd.
TheSecretAdversaryPartnersinCrimeNorM?BythePrickingofMyThumbsPosternofFate
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
Don’tmissasingleoneofAgathaChristie’sstand-alonenovelsandshort-storycollections.
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
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
AbouttheAuthor
AgathaChristieisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltimeandinanylanguage,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.HerbookshavesoldmorethanabillioncopiesinEnglishandanotherbillioninahundredforeignlanguages.Sheistheauthorofeightycrimenovelsandshort-storycollections,nineteenplays,twomemoirs,andsixnovelswrittenunderthenameMaryWestmacott.
ShefirsttriedherhandatdetectivefictionwhileworkinginahospitaldispensaryduringWorldWarI,creatingthenowlegendaryHerculePoirotwithherdebutnovelTheMysteriousAffairatStyles.WithTheMurderintheVicarage,publishedin1930,sheintroducedanotherbelovedsleuth,MissJaneMarple.Additionalseriescharactersincludethehusband-and-wifecrime-fightingteamofTommyandTuppenceBeresford,privateinvestigatorParkerPyne,andScotlandYarddetectivesSuperintendentBattleandInspectorJapp.
ManyofChristie’snovelsandshortstorieswereadaptedintoplays,films,andtelevisionseries.TheMousetrap,hermostfamousplayofall,openedin1952andisthelongest-runningplayinhistory.Amongherbest-knownfilmadaptationsareMurderontheOrientExpress(1974)andDeathontheNile(1978),withAlbertFinneyandPeterUstinovplayingHerculePoirot,respectively.OnthesmallscreenPoirothasbeenmostmemorablyportrayedbyDavidSuchet,andMissMarplebyJoanHicksonandsubsequentlyGeraldineMcEwanandJuliaMcKenzie.
ChristiewasfirstmarriedtoArchibaldChristieandthentoarchaeologistSirMaxMallowan,whomsheaccompaniedonexpeditionstocountriesthatwouldalsoserveasthesettingsformanyofhernovels.In1971sheachievedoneofBritain’shighesthonorswhenshewasmadeaDameoftheBritishEmpire.Shediedin1976attheageofeighty-five.Heronehundredandtwentiethanniversarywascelebratedaroundtheworldin2010.
www.AgathaChristie.com
Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthors.
THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuitTheSecretofChimneysTheSevenDialsMysteryTheMysteriousMr.QuinTheSittafordMysteryParkerPyneInvestigatesWhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?MurderIsEasyTheRegattaMysteryandOtherStoriesAndThenThereWereNoneTowardsZeroDeathComesastheEndSparklingCyanideTheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStoriesCrookedHouseThreeBlindMiceandOtherStoriesTheyCametoBaghdadDestinationUnknownOrdealbyInnocenceDoubleSinandOtherStoriesThePaleHorseStaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStoriesEndlessNightPassengertoFrankfurtTheGoldenBallandOtherStoriesTheMousetrapandOtherPlaysTheHarlequinTeaSet
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStylesTheMurderontheLinksPoirotInvestigatesTheMurderofRogerAckroydTheBigFourTheMysteryoftheBlueTrainPerilatEndHouseLordEdgwareDiesMurderontheOrientExpressThreeActTragedyDeathintheCloudsTheA.B.C.MurdersMurderinMesopotamiaCardsontheTableMurderintheMewsandOtherStoriesDumbWitnessDeathontheNileAppointmentwithDeathHerculePoirot’sChristmasSadCypressOne,Two,BuckleMyShoeEvilUndertheSunFiveLittlePigsTheHollowTheLaborsofHerculesTakenattheFloodTheUnderdogandOtherStoriesMrs.McGinty’sDeadAftertheFuneralHickoryDickoryDockDeadMan’sFollyCatAmongthePigeonsTheClocksThirdGirlHallowe’enPartyElephantsCanRememberCurtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarageTheBodyintheLibraryTheMovingFingerAMurderIsAnnouncedTheyDoItwithMirrorsAPocketFullofRye4:50fromPaddingtonTheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSideACaribbeanMysteryAtBertram’sHotelNemesisSleepingMurderMissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversaryPartnersinCrimeNorM?BythePrickingofMyThumbsPosternofFateCredits
CoverillustrationanddesignbySaraWood
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
ThistitlewaspreviouslypublishedasMurderwithMirrors.
AGATHACHRISTIE?MARPLE?MISSMARPLE?THEYDOITWITHMIRRORS?.Copyright?2011AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.TheyDoItwithMirrorswasfirstpublishedin1952.
THEYDOITWITHMIRRORS?1952.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.