Vanishing Point

He said with a faintly sardonic inflection,

“You think of everything, don’t you?” And then, “Perhaps you can tell me why anyone should want to disable or kill Miss Cu

She said very gravely indeed,

“What was the motive for the removal of Maggie Bell and of Miss Holiday? Miss Cu

“But, my dear ma’am, she has been pressed. Didn’t I tell you?”

“I think not, Frank.”

He said in an apologetic tone,

“I’ve been run off my feet. But here it is. De

“She did not say what the word was about?”

He laughed.

“I don’t suppose it was about anything. De

Miss Silver was not knitting at quite her usual speed. After a moment she said,

“Thank you, Frank. I ca

“You are suggesting that Miss Holiday had acquired some dangerous knowledge, and that she may have indicated as much to Miss Cu

Miss Silver inclined her head.

“Quite so. But I think Mrs. Maple is negligible. The contact between her and Miss Holiday was brief, and any confidence very unlikely when it would have to be shouted into the ear of so deaf a person.”

“What about Mrs. Selby-a very likely candidate? Nobody seems to have tried to get her out of the way.”

Miss Silver put her head a little on one side in the ma

“I find the immunity of Mrs. Selby very interesting, my dear Frank.”

CHAPTER 26

Rosamond and Je

The sound of Lydia Crewe’s bell brought her to her feet with an effort. Je

“Je

Je

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it just happened when you said it? Ping!-and no more bell! I think I’d blast Aunt Lydia too whilst I was about it.”

“Je

Je

“Oh, go along! I’ll say something much worse than that if it goes on ringing.”

Rosamond went into the crowded room with an intensification of the feeling it always gave her. There were so many things- the air was so hot and heavy that it was like moving against a sluggish tide. Her limbs were heavy too, and for a moment her head swam.

Lydia Crewe sat in her upright chair. Her grey features were composed. An old purple wrap flowed round her to her feet. The stones in her rings glittered under the chandelier. Every light was on.

“What is it, Aunt Lydia?”

Lydia Crewe said in her harsh voice,

“Come in and sit down. I want to talk to you.”

Rosamond felt a stirring of alarm. You didn’t talk to Aunt Lydia. She interrogated you, and she laid down the law. There was a cold remembrance of an interview when everyone thought that Je

“Yes, Aunt Lydia?”

“She is a great deal better. In fact, to all intents and purposes I think we may say that she is well. We have now to consider what the next step should be.”

“Yes-” The word came heavy and halting. She had not meant to let it stand alone, but Lydia Crewe did not wait for her to add anything to the one lame word. She went on in her decided way.

“It has been unavoidable, but no one can pretend that Je

It was what Craig had said-it was what she herself believed. But coming from Lydia Crewe it struck like a blow. Before she could find the right words the dominant voice was saying,

“I have therefore been instituting some enquiries. Miss Simmington’s school at Brinton appears to me to be just what is required. It is neither too small nor too large, the air is bracing, and the pupils are equipped to earn their own living. Lady Westerham gives me a very good account of the school and of Miss Simmington. She was left with a cousin’s children on her hands and has very kindly made herself responsible for their education, as I am prepared to do for Je