Overture to Death

iv

Alleyn laid down his pen and stretched his cramped fingers.

He was, he supposed, the only waking being in the i

His window looked up the Vale. High above him he could see a light. “They are late at bed at Pen Cuckoo,” he thought, and opened the window. The sound of water dripping from the eaves came into the room and the smell of wet grass and earth. “Perhaps it will be fine to-morrow,” he thought, and went happily to bed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Frightened Lady

i

“— Let me remind you, gentlemen,” said the coroner, looking severely at Mr. Prosser, “that you are not concerned with theories. It is your duty to decide how this unfortunate lady met with her death. If you find you are able to do so, you must then make up your minds whether you are to return a verdict of accident, suicide or murder. If you are unable to arrive at this second decision, you must say so. Now, there is no difficulty in describing the ma

“O upright beak!” said Alleyn as Mr. Prosser and the jury retired. “O admirable and economic coroner! Slap, bang, and away they go. Slap, bang, and here they are again.”

They had indeed only gone into a huddle in the doorway, and returned looking rather as if they had all washed their faces in rectitude.

“Yes, Mr. Prosser?”

“We are all agreed, sir.”

“Yes?”

“We return a verdict of murder,” said Mr. Prosser, looking as if he feared he hadn’t got it quite as it ought to be, “against person or persons unknown.”

“Thank you. The only possible conclusion, gentlemen.”

“I should like to add,” said the smallest juryman, suddenly, “that I think them water-pistols ought to be put down by law.”

ii

Immediately after the inquest, Fox and Ford left for Duck Cottage. Alleyn’s hand was on the door of Nigel’s car, when he heard his name called. He turned and found himself face to face with Mrs. Ross.

“Mr. Alleyn — I’m so sorry to bother you, but may I come and see you? I’ve remembered something that I think you ought to know.”

“Certainly,” said Alleyn. “Now, if it suits you.”

“You’re staying at the Jernigham Arms, aren’t you? May I come there in ten minutes?”

“Yes, of course. I shall drive straight there.”

“Thank you so much.”

Alleyn replaced his hat and climbed into the car.

“Now, what the devil?” he wondered. “It’s fallen out rather well, as it happens. Fox will have a longer session with the pretty housemaid.”

Nigel came out and drove him to the i

Nigel was told to take himself off.

“Why should I? Who are you going to see?”

“Mrs. Ross”

“Why can’t I be there?”

“Because I think she’ll speak more freely if she sees me alone.”

“Well, let me sit in the next room with the slide a crack open.”

Alleyn looked thoughtfully at him.

“Very well,” he said, “you may do that. Take notes. It can’t be used in evidence, but it may be handy. Wait a second. You’ve got your camera?”

“Yes.”

“See if you can get a shot of her as she comes in. Careful about it. Get there quickly. She’ll arrive in a second.”

Nigel was only just in time. In five minutes the pot-boy a

“It is nice of you to see me,” she said. “Ever since I remembered it, I’ve been so worried about this thing. I felt very bold, accosting you outside the hall of justice or whatever it was. You must be rushed off your feet.”

“It’s my job to listen,” said Alleyn.

“May I sit down?”

“Please. I think this is the most comfortable chair.”

She sat down with a pretty air of intimacy. She drew off her gloves, rummaged in her bag for her cigarettes, and then accepted one of his. Alleyn remained standing.

“You know,” said Mrs. Ross, ‘“you’re not a bit my idea of a detective.”

“No?”

“Not a bit. That enormous man who drives about with you looks much more the thing done at the Yard.”

“Perhaps you would rather see Inspector Fox?”

“No, I’d much rather see you. Don’t snub me.”

“I’m sorry if I seemed to do that. What is it you would like to tell me?”

She leant forward. Her ma

“You’ll think I was such a fool not to remember it before,” she said; “but the whole thing’s been rather a shock. I suppose I simply had a blank moment or something. Not that I had any affection for the poor old thing; but, for all that, it was rather a shock.”

“I’m sure it was.”

“When you came to see me yesterday I had a ghastly headache and could hardly think. Did you ask me if I went out on Friday night?”

“Yes. You told me you were at home.”