AGATHA CHRISTIE - SHADOWS AND SECRETS (Audiobook) Detective Tales

dear friends here is a small collection of Agatha Christie's stories about Hercule puau for you this is Jason Fraser speaking please don't forget to subscribe and give the video a like it will greatly support our project thank you so much we wish you an enjoyable listening experience Agatha Christie the shadow on the glass listen to this said lady Cynthia Dr she read aloud from the journal she held in her hand Mr and Mrs unton are entertaining a party at greenway's house this week amongst the guests are lady Cynthia Dr Mr and Mrs Richard Scott major

Porter DSO Mrs staverton captain allenson and Mr sawe it's as well remarked lady Cynthia casting away the paper to know what we're in for but they have made a mess of things her companion that same Mr sawe whose name figured at the end of the list of guests looked at her interrogatively it had been said that if Mr satthwa were found at the houses of those Rich who had newly arrived it was a sign either that the cooking was unusually good or that a drama of human life was to be enacted there Mr sawe was

abnormally interested in the comedies and tragedies of his fellow men lady Cynthia who was a middle-aged woman with a hard face and a liberal allowance of makeup tapped him smartly with the newest thing in parasols which lay rakishly across her knee don't pretend you don't understand me you do perfectly what's more I believe you're here on purpose to see the Fur Fly Mr sawe protested vigorously he didn't know what she was talking about I'm talking about Richard Scott do you pretend you've never heard of him no of course not he's the big game man isn't

he that's it great big bears and tigers Etc as the song says of course he's a great lion himself just now the antons would naturally be mad to get hold of him and the bride a Charming child oh quite a Charming child but so naive only 20 you know and he must be at least 45 Mrs Scott seems to be very Charming said Mr sawe sedately yes poor child why poor child lady Cynthia cast him a look of reproach and went on approaching the point at issue in her own manner Porter's all right a dull

dog though another of these African Hunters all sunburnt and Silent second fiddle to Richard Scott and always has been lifelong friends and all that sort of thing when I come to think of it I believe they were together on that trip which trip the trip the Miss staverton trip you'll be saying next you've never heard of Mrs staverton I have heard of Mrs staverton said Mr sawe almost with unwillingness and he and Lady Cynthia exchanged glances it's so exactly like the unon wailed the latter they are absolutely hopeless socially I mean the idea of asking

those two together of course they'd heard that Mrs stavon was a sportswoman and a traveler and all that and about her book people like the unon don't even begin to realize what pitfalls there are I've been running them myself for the last year and what I've gone through nobody knows one has to be constantly at their elbow don't do that you can't do this thank goodness I'm through with it now not that we've quarreled oh no I never quarrel but somebody else can take on the job as I've always said I can put up with

vulgarity but I can't stand meanness after this somewhat cryptic utterance lady Cynthia was silent for a moment ruminating on the Anton's meanness as displayed to herself if I'd still been running the show for them she went on presently I should have said quite firmly and plainly you can't ask Mrs stavon with the Richard Scots she and he were once she stopped eloquently but were they once asked Mr satthwa my dear man it's well known that trip into the interior I'm surprised the woman had the face to accept the invitation perhaps she didn't know the others

were coming suggested Mr satthwa perhaps she did that's far more likely you think she's what I call a dangerous woman the sort of woman who'd stick at nothing I wouldn't be in Richard Scott's shoes this weekend and his wife knows nothing you think I'm certain of it but I suppose some kind friend will Enlighten her sooner or later here's Jimmy allenson such a nice boy he saved my life in Egypt last winter I was so bored you know hello Jimmy come here at once Captain allenson obeyed dropping down on the turf beside her he was

a handsome young fellow of 30 with white teeth and an in ious smile I'm glad somebody wants me he observed the Scots are doing the turtle dove stunt two required not three Porter's devouring the field and I've been in Mortal danger of being entertained by my hostess he laughed lady Cynthia laughed with him Mr sawe who was in some ways a little oldfashioned so much so that he seldom made fun of his host and Hostess until after he had left their house remained grave poor Jimmy said lady Cynthia mine not to reason why mine but

to swiftly fly I had a barrow Escape of being told the family ghost story an unton ghost said lady Cynthia how screaming not an unton ghost said Mr sawe a Greenways ghost they bought it with the house of course said lady Cynthia I remember now but it doesn't Clank chains does it it's only something to do with a window Jimmy allenson looked up quickly a window but for the moment Mr sawe did not answer he was looking over Jimmy's Head at three figures approaching from the direction of the house a slim girl between two men

there was a superficial resemblance between the men both were tall and dark with bronzed faces and quick eyes but looked at more closely the resemblance vanished Richard Scott Hunter and explorer was a man of extraordin arily Vivid personality he had a manner that radiated magnetism John Porter his friend and fellow Hunter was a man of square build with an impassive rather wooden face and very thoughtful gray eyes he was a quiet man content always to play second fiddle to his friend and between these two walked Moira Scott who until 3 months ago had been MOA

oconnell a slender figure big wistful brown eyes and golden red hair that stood out around her small face like a Saints Halo that child mustn't be hurt said Mr sawe to himself it would be abominable that a child like that should be hurt lady Cynthia greeted the newcomers with a wave of the latest thing in parasols sit down and don't interrupt she said Mr satthwa is telling us a ghost story I love ghost stories said Moira Scott she dropped down on the grass the ghost of greenway's house asked Richard Scott yes you know about it

Scott nodded I used to stay here in the old days he explained before The Elliots had to sell up the watching Cavalier that's it isn't it the watching Cavalier said his wife softly I like that it sounds interesting please go on but Mr satthwa seemed somewhat loathed to do so he assured her that it was not really interesting at all now you've done it satthwa said Richard Scott sardonically that hint of reluctance clinches it in response to popular clamor Mr sawe was forced to speak it's really very uninteresting he said apologetically I believe the original

story centers round a Cavalier ancestor of the Elliot family his wife had a roundhead lover the husband was killed by the lover in an upstairs room and the guilty pair fled but as they fled they looked back at the house and saw the face of the dead husband at the window watching them that is the legend but the ghost story is only concerned with a pane of glass in the window of that particular room on which is an irregular stain almost imperceptible from near at hand but which from far away certainly gives the effect of

a man's face looking out which window is it asked Mrs Scott looking up at the house you can't see it from here said said Mr sawe it is round the other side but was boarded up from the inside some years ago 40 years ago I think to be accurate what did they do that for I thought you said the ghost didn't walk it doesn't Mr sawe assured her I suppose well I suppose there grew to be a superstitious feeling about it that's all then deafly enough he succeeded in turning the conversation Jimmy allenson was perfectly

ready to hold forth upon Egyptians sand divers frauds most of them ready enough to tell you vague things about the past but won't commit themselves as to the future I should have thought it was usually the other way about remarked John Porter it's illegal to tell the future in this country isn't it said Richard Scott Moira persuaded a gypsy into telling her Fortune but the woman gave her her Shilling back and said there was nothing doing or words to that effect perhaps she saw something so frightful that she didn't like to tell it me said

said Moira don't pile on the agony Mrs Scott said allenson lightly I for one refuse to believe that an unlucky fate is hanging over you I wonder thought Mr sawe to himself I wonder then he looked up sharply two women were coming from the house a short Stout woman with black hair inappropriately dressed in jade green and a tall slim figure in creamy white the first woman was his Hostess Mrs unton the second was a woman he had often heard of but never met here's Mrs stavon announced Mrs Anton in a tone of great satisfaction

all friends here I think these people have an uncanny gift for saying just the most awful things they can murmured lady Cynthia but Mr satthwa was not listening he was watching Mrs staverton very easy very natural her careless hello Richard ages since we met sorry I couldn't come to the wedding is this your wife you must be tired of meeting all your husband's weather-beaten old friends moira's response suitable rather shy the Elder woman's Swift appraising glance that went on lightly to another old friend hello John the same easy tone but with a subtle difference in

it a warming quality that had been absent before and then that sudden smile it transformed her lady Cynthia had been quite right a dangerous woman very fair deep blue eyes not the traditional coloring of the siren a face almost Haggard in Repose a woman with a slow dragging voice and a sudden dazzling smile Iris stavon sat down she became naturally and inevitably the center of the group so you felt it would always be Mr sawe was recalled from his thoughts by Major Porters was suggesting a stroll Mr sawe who was not as a general rule

much given to strolling acquiesced the two men sauntered off together across the lawn very interesting story of yours just now said the major I will show you the window said Mr sawe he led the way round to the west side of the house here there was a small formal Garden the privy Garden it was always called and there was some point in the name for it was surrounded by High poly Hedges and even the entrance to it ran zigzag between the same high prickly Hedges once inside it was very Charming with an oldw World charm

of formal flower beds flagged paths and a low Stone seat exquisitely carved when they had reached the center of the garden Mr sawe turned and pointed up at the house the length of Greenways house ran North and South in this narrow West Wall there was only one window a window on the first floor almost overgrown by ivy with grimy pains and which you could just see was boarded up on the inside there you are said Mr sawe craning his neck a little Porter looked up I can see a kind of discoloration on one of the

pains nothing more we're too near said Mr sawe there's a clearing higher up in the woods where you get a really good view he led the way out of the privy garden and turning sharply to the left struck Into the Woods a certain enthusiasm of Showmanship possessed him and he hardly noticed that the man at his side was absent and inattentive they had of course to make another window when they boarded up this one he explained the new one faces South overlooking the lawn where we were sitting just now I rather fancy the scores have

the room in question that is why I didn't want to pursue the subject Mrs Scott might have felt nervous if she had realized that she was sleeping in what might be called The Haunted room yes I see said Porter Mr sawe looked at him sharply and realized that the other had not heard a word of what he was saying very interesting said Porter he slashed with his stick at some tall Fox gloves and frowning he said she ought not to have come she ought never to have come people often spoke after this fashion to Mr

sawe he seemed to matter so little to have so negative a personality he was merely a glorified listener no said Porter she ought never to have come Mr sawe knew instinctively that it was not of Mrs Scott he spoke you think not he asked Porter shook his head as though in forboding I was on that trip he said abruptly the three of us went Scott and I and Iris shek a wonderful woman and a damned fine shot he paused what made them ask her he finished abruptly Mr sawe Shrugged his shoulders ignorance he said there's

going to be trouble said the other we must stand by and do what we can but surely Mrs stavon I'm talking of Scott He paused you see there's Mrs Scott to consider Mr sawe had been considering her all along but he did not think it necessary to say so since the other man had so clearly forgotten her until this minute how did Scott meet his wife he asked last winter in Cairo a quick business they were engaged in 3 weeks and married in six she seems to me very Charming she is no doubt about it

and he adores her but that will make no difference and again major Porter repeated to himself using the pronoun that meant to him one person only hang it all she shouldn't have come just then they stepped out upon a high grassy null at some little from the house with again something of the pride of the showman Mr sawe stretched out his arm look he said it was fast growing dusk the window could still be plainly descried and apparently pressed against one of the panes was a man's face surmounted by a plumed Cavaliers hat very curious

said Porter really very curious what will happen when that pan of glass gets smashed someday Mr sawe smiled that is one of the most interesting parts of the story that pane of glass has been replaced to my certain knowledge at least 11 times perhaps oftener the last time was 12 years ago when the then owner of the house determined to destroy the myth but it's always the same the stain reappears not all at once the discoloration spreads gradually it takes a month or two as a rule for the first time Porter showed signs of real

interest he gave a sudden quick shiver damned odd these things no accounting for them what's the real reason of having the room boarded up inside well an idea got about that the room was unlucky the eams were in it just before the divorce then Stanley and his wife were staying here and had that room when he ran off with his chorus girl Porter raised his eyebrows I see danger not to life but to morals and now thought Mr sawe to himself the Scots have it I wonder they retraced their steps in silence to the house

walking almost noiselessly on the soft Turf each absorbed in his own thoughts they became unwittingly eavesdroppers they were rounding the corner of the Holly hedge when they heard Iris staton's voice raised Fierce and clear from the depths of the privy Garden you shall be sorry sorry for this Scott's voice answered low and uncertain so that the words could not be distinguished and then then the woman's voice rose again speaking words that they were to remember later jealousy it drives one to the devil it is the devil it can drive one to Black murder be careful

Richard for God's sake be careful and then on that she had come out of the privy Garden ahead of them and on round the corner of the house without seeing them walking swiftly almost running like a woman hag ridden and pursued Mr s thought again of Lady Cynthia's words a dangerous woman for the first time he had a premonition of tragedy coming Swift and inexorable not to be gains said yet that evening he felt ashamed of his fears everything seemed normal and pleasant Mrs stavon with her easy insence showed no sign of strain Moira Scott

was her Charming unaffected self the two women appeared to be getting on very well Richard Scott himself seemed to be in boisterous Spirits the most worried looking person was Stout Mrs unton she confided at length in Mr sawe think it silly or not as you like there's something giving me the creeps and I'll tell you frankly I've sent for the Glazier unbeknown to Ned the Glazier to put a new pane of glass in that window it's all very well Ned's proud of it says it gives the house a tone I don't like it I tell

you flat we'll have a a nice plain modern pan of glass with no nasty stories attached to it you forget said Mr sawe or perhaps you don't know the stain comes back that's as it may be said Mrs unton all I can say is if it does it's against nature Mr sawe raised his eyebrows but did not reply and what if it does pursued Mrs unton defiantly wek not so bankrupt Ned and I that we can't afford a new pan of glass every month or every week if need be for the matter of that Mr

sawe did not meet the challenge he had seen too many things crumple and fall before the power of money to believe that even a Cavalier ghost could put up a successful fight nevertheless he was interested by Mrs Anton's manifest uneasiness even she was not exempt from the tension in the atmosphere only she attributed it to an attenuated ghost story not to The Clash of personalities amongst her guests Mr sawe was fated to hear yet another scrap of conversation which threw light upon the situation he was going up the wide staircase to bed John Porter and

Mrs stavon were sitting together in an Al Cove of the big Hall she was speaking with a faint irritation in her golden voice I hadn't the least idea the Scots were going to be here I dare say if I had known I shouldn't have come but I can assure you my dear John that now I am here I'm not going to run away Mr sawe passed on up the staircase out of earshot he thought to himself I wonder now how much of that is true did she know I wonder what's going to come of it

he shook his head in the clear light of the morning he felt that he had perhaps been a little melodramatic in his imaginings of the evening before a moment of strain yes certainly inevitable under the circumstances but nothing more people adjusted themselves his fancy that some great catastrophe was pending was nerves pure nerves or possibly liver yes that was it liver he was due at carlbad in another Fortnight on his own account he proposed a little stroll that evening just as it was growing dusk he suggested to Major Porter that they should go up to

the clearing and see if Mrs unton had been as good as her word and had a new pane of glass put in to himself he said exercise that's what I I need exercise the two men walked slowly through the woods Porter as usual was taciturn I can't help feeling said Mr sawe loquaciously that we were a little foolish in our imaginings yesterday expecting uh trouble you know after all people have to behave themselves swallow their feelings and that sort of thing perhaps said for after a minute or two he added civilized people you mean um

people who've lived outside civilization a good deal sometimes go back revert whatever you call it they emerged onto the grassy null Mr sawe was breathing rather fast he never enjoyed going uphill he looked towards the window the face was still there more lifelike than ever our Hostess has repented I see Porter threw at only a cursory glance unon cut up rough I expect he said indifferently he's the sort of man who is willing to be proud of another family's ghost and who isn't going to run the risk of having it driven away when he's paid

spot cash for it he was silent a minute or two staring not at the house but at the thick undergrowth by which they were surrounded has it ever struck you he said that civilizations damn dangerous dangerous such a revolutionary remark shocked Mr sawe to the core yes there are no safety valves you see he turned abruptly and they descended the path by which they had come I really am quite at a loss to understand you said Mr satthwa pattering along with Nimble steps to keep up with the others strides reasonable people Porter laughed a short

disconcerting laugh then he looked at the correct little gentleman by his side you think it's all bunkum on my part Mr sath weight but there are people you know who can tell you when a storm's coming they feel it beforehand in the air and other people can foretell trouble there's trouble coming now Mr sawe big trouble it may come any minute it may He Stopped dead clutching Mr sawa's arm and in that tense minute of Silence it came the sound of two shots and following them a cry a cry in a woman's voice my God

cried Porter it's come he raced down the path Mr sawe panting behind him in a minute they came out onto the lawn close by the hedge of the privy Garden at the same time Richard Scott and Mr unton came around the opposite corner of the house they halted facing each other to left and right of the entrance to the privy Garden it it came from in there said Anon pointing with a flabby hand we must see said Porter he led the way into the enclosure as he rounded the last Bend of the Holly hedge he

stopped dead Mr sawe peered over his shoulder a loud cry burst from Richard Scott there were three people in the privy Garden two of them lay on the grass near The Stone seat a man and a woman the third was Mrs stavon she was standing quite close to them by the Holly hedge gazing with horror stricken eyes and holding something in her right hand Iris cried Porter Iris for God's sake what's that you've got in your hand she looked down at it then with a kind of Wonder an unbelievable indifference it's a pistol she said

wonderingly and then after what seemed an interminable time but was in reality only a few seconds I picked it up Mr sawe had gone forward to where Anton and Scott were kneeling on the turf a doctor the latter was murmuring we must have a doctor but it was too late for any doctor Jimmy allenson who had complained that the sand diviners hedged about the future and Moira Scott to whom the Gypsy had returned a shilling lay there in the last great Stillness it was Richard Scott who completed a brief examination the iron nerve of the

man showed in this crisis after the first Cry of Agony he was himself again he laid his wife gently down again shot from behind he said briefly the bullet has passed right through her then he handled Jimmy allenson the wound here was in the breast and the bullet was lodged in the body John Porter came towards them nothing should be touched he said sternly the police must see it all exactly as it is now the police said Richard Scott his eyes lit up with a sudden flame as he looked at the woman standing by the

Holly hedge he made a step in that direction but at the same time John Porter also moved so as to Bar his way for a moment it seemed as though there was a duel of eyes between the two friends Porter very quietly shook his head no Richard he said it looks like it but you're wrong Richard Scott spoke with difficulty moistening his dry lips then why has she got that in her hand and again Iris stavon said in the same lifeless tone I picked it up the police said unon Rising we must send for the

police at once you will telephone perhaps Scott someone should stay here yes I am sure someone should stay here in his quiet gentlemanly manner Mr sawe offered to do so his host accepted the offer with manifest relief the ladies he explained I must break the news to the ladies lady Cynthia and my dear wife Mr sawe stayed in the privy Garden looking down on the body of that which had once been Moira Scott poor child he said to himself poor child he quoted to himself the tag about the evil men do living after them for

was not Richard Scott in a way responsible for his innoc ENT wife's death they would hang Iris ston he supposed not that he liked to think of it but was not it at least a part of the blame he laid at the man's door the evil that men do ah and the girl the innocent girl had paid he looked down at her with a very deep pity her small face so white and wistful a half smile on the lips still the ruffled Golden Hair the delicate ear there was a spot of Blood on the lobe

of it with an inner feeling of being something of a detective Mr sawe deduced an earring torn away in her fall he craned his neck forward yes he was right there was a small Pearl drop hanging from the other ear poor child poor child and now sir said inspector winkfield they were in the library the inspector a shrewd looking forceful man of 40 odd was concluding his investigations he had questioned most of the guests and had by now pretty well made up his mind on the case he was listening to what major Porter and Mr

sawe had to say Mr unton sat heavily in a chair staring with protruding eyes at the opposite wall as I understand it gentlemen said the inspector you'd been for a walk you were returning to the house by a path that winds around the left side of what they call the privy Garden is that correct quite correct inspector you heard two shots and a woman's scream yes you then ran as fast as you could emerged from the woods and made your way to the entrance of the privy Garden if anybody had left that Garden they could

only do so by one entrance the holly bushes are impassible if anyone had run out of the garden and turned to the right he would have been met by Mr Anon and Mr Scott if he had turned to the left he could not have done so without being seen by you is that right that is so said major Porter his face was very white that seems to settle it said the inspector Mr and Mrs unton and Lady Cynthia Dr were sitting on the lawn Mr Scott was in the billiard room which opens onto that lawn

at 10 minutes 6 Mrs stavon came out of the house spoke a word or two to those sitting there and went round the corner of the house towards the privy Garden 2 minutes later the shots were heard heard Mr Scott rushed out of the house and together with Mr unton ran to the privy Garden at the same time you and Mr uh sawe arrived from the opposite direction Mrs staverton was in the privy garden with a pistol in her hand from which two shots had been fired as I see it she shot the lady first

from behind as she was sitting on the bench then Captain allenson sprang up and went for her and she shot him in the chest as he came towards her I understand that the there had been a a previous attachment between her and Mr Richard Scott that's a damned lie said Porter his voice rang out horar and defiant the inspector said nothing merely shook his head what is her own story asked Mr sawe she says that she went into the privy Garden to be quiet for a little just before she rounded the last hedge she heard

the shots she came around the corner saw the pistol lying at her feet and picked it up no one passed her and she saw no one in the garden but the two victims the inspector gave an eloquent pause that's what she says and although I cautioned her she insisted on making a statement if she said that said major Porter and his face was still deadly white she was speaking the truth I know Iris stavon well sir said the inspector there'll be plenty of time to go into all that later in the meantime I've got my

duty to do with an Abrupt movement Porter turned to Mr sawe you can't you help can't you do something Mr sawe could not help feeling immensely flattered he had been appealed to be most insignificant of men and by a man like John Porter he was just about to flutter out a regretful reply when the butler Thompson entered with a card Upon A salver which he took to his master with an apologetic cough Mr unton was still sitting huddled up in a chair taking no part in the proceedings I told the gentleman you would probably not

be able to see him sir said Thompson but he insisted that he had an appointment and that it was most urgent unton took the card Mr Harley Quinn he read I remember he was to see me about a picture I did make an appointment but as things are but Mr satthwa had started forward Mr Harley Quinn did you say he cried how extraordinary how very extraordinary major Porter you asked me if I could help you I think I can this Mr Quinn is a friend or I should say an acquaintance of mine he is a

most remarkable man one of these amateur solvers of crime I suppose remarked the inspector disparagingly no said Mr sawe he is not that kind of man at all but he has a power an almost uncanny power of showing you what you have seen with your own eyes of making clear to you what you have heard with your own ears let us at any rate give him an outline of the case and hear what he has to say Mr Anton glanced at the inspector who merely snorted and looked at the ceiling then the former gave a

short nod to Thompson who left the room and returned ushering in a tall slim stranger Mr unton The Stranger shook him by the hand I am sorry to intrude upon you at such a time we must leave our little picture chat until another time ah my friend Mr satthwa still as fond of the drama as ever a faint smile played for a minute around the stranger's lips as he said these last words Mr Quinn said Mr sawe impressively we have a drama here we are in the midst of one I should like and my friend

major Porter would like to have your opinion of it Mr Quinn sat down the red shaded lamp threw a broad band of colored light over the checked pattern of his overcoat and left his face in Shadow almost as though he wore a mask succinctly Mr sawe recited the main points of the tragedy then he paused breathlessly awaiting the words of the Oracle but Mr Quinn merely shook his head a sad story he said a very sad and shocking tragedy the lack of motive makes it very intriguing unton stared at him you don't understand he said

Mrs stavon Was Heard to threaten Richard Scott she was bitterly jealous of his wife jealousy I agree said Mr Quinn jealousy or demoniac possession it's all the same but you misunderstand me I was not referring to the murder of Mrs Scott but to that of Captain allenson you're right cried Porter springing forward there's a flaw there if Iris had ever contemplated shooting Mrs Scott she'd have got her alone somewhere no we're on the wrong Tack and I think I see another solution only those three people went into the privy Garden that is indisputable and I

don't intend to dispute it but I reconstruct the tragedy differently supposing Jimmy allenson shoots first Mrs Scott and then himself that's possible isn't it he flings the pistol from him as he falls Mrs stavon finds it lying on the ground and picks it up just as she said how's that the inspector shook his head won't wash major Porter if Captain allenson had fired that shot close to his body the cloth would have been singed he might have held the pistol at arms length why should he no sense in it besides there's no motive might have

gone off his head suddenly muttered Porter but without any great conviction he fell to silence again suddenly rousing himself to say defiantly well Mr Quinn the latter shook his head I'm not a magician I'm not even a criminologist but I will tell you one thing I believe in the value of impressions in any time of Crisis there is always one moment that stands out from all the others one picture that remains when all else has faded Mr sawe is I think likely to have been the most unprejudiced Observer of the those present will you cast

your mind back Mr sawe and tell us the moment that made the strongest impression on you was it when you heard the shots was it when you first saw the dead bodies was it when you first observed the pistol in Mrs staton's hand clear your mind of any preconceived standard of values and tell us Mr sawe fixed his eyes on Mr Quinn's face rather as a school boy might repeat a lesson of which he was not sure no he said slowly it was not any of those the moment that I shall always remember was when

I stood alone by the bodies afterwards looking down on Mrs Scott she was lying on her side her hair was ruffled there was a spot of blood on her little ear and instantly as he said it he felt that he had said a terrific a significant thing blood on her ear yes I remember said Anon slowly her earring must have been torn out when she fell explained Mr sawe but it sounded a little improbable as he said it she was lying on her left side said Porter I suppose it was that ear no said Mr

sawe quickly it was her right ear the inspector coughed I found this in the grass he vouch safed he held up a loop of gold wire but my God man cried Porter the thing can't can't have been wrenched to Pieces by a mere fall it's more as though it had been shot away by a bullet so it was cried Mr satthwa it was a bullet it must have been there were only two shots said the inspector a shot can't have grazed her ear and shot her in the back as well and if one shot carried

away the earring and the second shot killed her it can't have killed Captain allenson as well not unless he was standing close in front of her very close facing her as it might be oh I know not even then unless that is unless she was in his arms you were going to say said Mr Quinn with a queer little smile well why not everyone stared at each other the idea was so vitally strange to them allenson and Mrs Scott Mr unton voiced the same feeling but they hardly knew each other he said I don't know

said Mr sawe thoughtfully they might have known each other better than we thought lady Cynthia said he saved her from being bored in Egypt last winter and you he turned to Porter you told me that Richard Scott met his wife in Ciro last winter they might have known each other very well indeed out there they didn't seem to be together much said unton no they rather avoided each other it was almost unnatural now I come to think of it um they all looked at Mr Quinn as if a little startled at the conclusions at which

they had arrived so unexpectedly Mr Quinn Rose to his feet you see he said what Mr sawa's impression has done for us he turned to Anton it is your turn now I don't understand you you were very thoughtful when I came into this room I should like to know exactly what thought it was that obsessed you never mind if it has nothing to do with the tragedy never mind if it seems to you superstitious Mr Anton started ever so slightly tell us I don't mind telling you said unton though it's nothing to do with the

business and you'll probably laugh at me into the bargain I was wishing that my M had left well alone and not replaced that pan of glass in the haunted window I feel as though doing that has maybe brought a curse upon us he was unable to understand why the two men opposite him stared so but she hasn't replaced it yet said Mr sawe at last yes she has man came first things this morning my God said Porter I begin to understand that room it's paneled I suppose not paper yes but what does that but Porter

had swung out of the room the other followed him he went straight upstairs to the Scott's bedroom it was a Charming room paneled in cream with two windows facing south Porter felt with his hands along the panels on the Western Wall there's a spring somewhere must be ah there was a click and a section of the paneling rolled back it disclosed the grimy Pains of the Haunted window one pan of glass was clean and new Porter stooped quickly and picked up something he held it out on the palm of his hand it was a fragment

of ostrich feather then he looked at Mr Quinn Mr Quinn nodded he went across to the Hat cupboard in the bedroom there were several hats in it the dead woman's hats he took out one with a large brim and curling feathers an elaborate Ascot hat Mr Quinn began speaking in a gentle reflective voice let us suppose said Mr Quinn a man who is by nature intensely jealous a man who has stayed here in bygone years and knows the secret of the spring in the paneling to amuse himself he opens it one day and looks out

over the privy Garden there secure as they think from being overlooked he sees his wife and another man there can be no possible doubt in his mind as to the relations between them he is mad with rage what shall he do an idea comes to him he goes to the cupboard and puts on the Hat with the brim and Feathers it is growing Dusk and he remembers the story of the stain on the glass anyone looking up at the window will see as they think the watching Cavalier thus secure he watches them and at the

moment they are clasped in each other's arms he shoots he is a good shot a wonderful shot as they fall he fires once more that shot carries away the earring he flings the pistol out of the window into the privy Garden rushes downstairs and out through the billiard room Porter took a step towards him but he let her be accused he cried he stood by and let her be accused why why I think I know why said Mr Quinn I should guess it's only guess work on my part mind that Richard Scott was once madly

in love with Iris stavon so madly that even meeting her years afterwards stirred up the Embers of jealousy again I should say that Iris stavon once fancied that she might love him that she went on a hunting trip with him and another and that she came back in love with the Better Man the better man muttered Porter dazed you mean yes said Mr Quinn with a faint smile I mean you he paused a minute and then said if I were you I should go to her now I will said Porter he turned and left the

room Agatha Christie at the bells in Motley Mr sawe was annoyed altogether it had been an unfortunate day they had started late there had been two punctures already finally they had taken the wrong turning and lost themselves amidst the Wilds of Salsbury plain now it was close on 8:00 they were still a matter of 40 m from marwick Manor with they were bound and a third puncture had supervened to render matters still more trying Mr sawe looking like some small bird whose plumage had been ruffled walked up and down in front of the village garage

whilst his chauffeur conversed inoar undertones with the local expert half an hour at least said that worthy pronouncing judgment and lucky at that supplemented Masters the chauffeur more like 3/4 if you ask me what is this place anyway demanded Mr sawe fretfully being a little gentleman considerate of the feelings of others he substituted the word place for god-forsaken whole which had first risen to his lips kirtlington Mallet Mr sawe was not much wiser and yet a faint familiarity seemed to linger around the name he looked around him disparagingly kirtlington Mallet seemed to consist of one

straggling Street the garage and the post office on one side of it balanced by three indeterminate shops on the other side farther down the road however Mr sawe perceived something that creaked and swung in the wind and his spirits Rose ever so slightly there's an in here I see he remarked bells and Motley said the garage man that's it Yonder if I might make a suggestion sir said Masters why not try it they would be able to give you some sort sort of a meal no doubt not of course what you are accustomed to he

paused apologetically for Mr sawe was accustomed to the best cooking of Continental chefs and had in his own service a cordon blue to whom he paid a fabulous salary we sh be able to take the road again for another 3/4 of an hour sir I'm sure of that and it's already past 8:00 you could ring up Sir George Foster sir from the inn and acquaint him with the cause of our delay you seem to think you can arrange everything Masters said Mr satthwa snappily Masters who did think so maintained a respectful silence Mr satthwa in

spite of his Earnest wish to discountenance any suggestion that might possibly be made to him he was in that mood nevertheless looked down the road towards the creaking insign with faint inward approval he was a man of bird-like appetite an Epicure but even such men can be hungry the bells and martle he said said thoughtfully that's an odd name for an inn I don't know that I ever heard it before there's odd folks come to it by all account said the local man he was bending over the wheel and his voice came muffled and indistinct

odd folks queried Mr sawe now what do you mean by that the other hardly seemed to know what he meant folks that come and go that kind he said vaguely Mr sawe reflect Ed that people who come to an inn are almost of necessity those who come and go the definition seemed to him to lack Precision but nevertheless his curiosity was stimulated somehow or other he had got to put in 3/4 of an hour the bells and mly would be as good as anywhere else with his usual small mincing steps he walked away down the

road from afar there came a Rumble of Thunder the mechanic looked up and spoke to Masters there's a storm coming over thought I could feel it in the air KY said Masters and 40 miles to go ah said the other there's no need to be hurrying over this job you'll not be wanting to take the road till the storms passed over that little boss of yours doesn't look as though he'd relish being out in thunder and lightning hope they'll do him well at that place muttered the chauffeur I'll be pushing along there for a bite

myself presently Billy Jones Is All Right Said the garage man keeps a good table Mr William Jones a big Burly man of 50 and landlord of the Bells and motly was at this minute beaming ingratiatingly down on little Mr sawe can do you a nice steak sir and fried potatoes and as good a cheese as any gentleman could wish for this way sir in the coffee room we're not very full at present the last of the fishing gentleman just gone a little later we'll be full again for the hunting only one gentleman here at present

name of Quinn Mr satthwa stopped dead Quinn he said excitedly did you say Quinn that's the name sir friend of yours perhaps yes indeed oh yes most certainly twittering with excitement Mr sawe hardly realized that the world might contain more than one man of that name he had no doubts at all in an odd way the information fitted in with what the man at the garage had said folks that come and go a very apt description of Mr Quinn and the name of the Inn too seemed a peculiarly fitting and appropriate one dear me dear

me said Mr satthwa what a very odd thing that we should meet like this Mr Harley Quinn is it not that's right sir this is the coffee room sir ah here is the gentleman tall dark smiling The Familiar figure of Mr quinnn Rose from the table at which he was sitting and the well-remembered voice spoke ah Mr sawe we meet again an unexpected meeting Mr satthwa was shaking him warmly by the hand delighted delighted I'm sure a lucky breakdown for me my car you know and you are staying here for long one night only then

I am indeed fortunate Mr sawe sat down opposite his friend with a little sigh of satisfaction and regarded the dark dark smiling face opposite him with a pleasurable expectancy the other man shook his head gently I assure you he said that I have not a bowl of goldfish or a rabbit to produce from my sleeve too bad cried Mr satthwa a little taken aback yes I must confess I do rather adopt that attitude towards you a man of magic haha ha that is how I regard you a man of magic and yet said Mr Quinn

it is you who do The Conjuring tricks not I ah said Mr sawe eagerly but I cannot do them without you I lack shall we say inspiration Mr Quinn smilingly shook his head that is too big a word I speak the queue that is all the landlord came in at that minute with bread and a slab of yellow butter as he set the things on the table there was a vivid flash of lightning and a clap of Thunder almost overhead a wild night Gentleman on such a night began Mr satthwa and stopped funny now said

the landlord unconscious of the question if those weren't just the words I was going to use myself it was just such a night as this when Captain Harwell brought his bride home the very day before he disappeared forever ah cried Mr satthwa suddenly of course he had got the clue clue he knew now why the name kirtlington Mallet was familiar 3 months before he had read every detail of the astonishing disappearance of Captain Richard Harwell like other newspaper readers all over Great Britain he had puzzled over the details of The Disappearance and also like every

other Britain had evolved his own theories of course he repeated it was at kirtlington Mallet it happened it was at this house he stayed for the hunting last winter said the landlord oh I knew him well a main handsome young gentleman and not one that you'd think had a Care on his mind he was done away with that's my belief many is the time I've seen them come riding home together he and miss luto and all the village saying there'd be a match come of it and sure enough so it did a very beautiful young

lady and well thought of for all she was a Canadian and a stranger ah there's some dark mystery there we'll never know the rights of it it broke her heart it did sure enough you've heard as she's sold the place up and gone abroad couldn't have bear to go on here with everyone staring and pointing after her through no fault of her own poor young dear a black mystery that's what it is he shook his head then suddenly recollecting his duties hurried from the room a black mystery said Mr Quinn softly his voice was provocative

in Mr sawa's ears are you pretending that we can solve the mystery where Scotland Yard failed he asked sharply the other made a characteristic gesture why not time has passed 3 months that makes a difference that is a curious idea of yours said Mr sawe slowly that one sees things better afterwards than at the time the longer the time that has elapsed the more things fall into proportion one sees them in their true relationship to one another there was a silence which lasted for some minutes I am not sure said Mr sawe in a hesitating

voice that I remember the facts clearly by now I think you do said Mr Quinn quietly it was all the encouragement Mr satthwa needed his General role in life was that of listener and looker on only in the company of Mr Quinn was the position reversed there Mr Quinn was the appreciative listener and Mr sawe took the center of the stage it was just over a year ago he said that Ashley gra passed into the possession of Miss Eleanor luto it is a beautiful old house but it had been neglected and allowed to remain empty

for many years it could not have found a better shaten Miss luto was a French Canadian her fourbears were igr from the French Revolution and had handed down to her a collection of almost Priceless French relics and antiques she was a buyer and a collector also with a very fine and discriminating taste so much so that when she decided to sell Ashley Grange and everything it contained after the tragedy Mr Cyrus G Bradburn the American millionaire made no bones about paying the fancy price of 60,000 for the Grange as it stood Mr sawe paused I

mention these things he said apologetically not because they are relevant to the story strictly speaking they are not but to con an atmosphere the atmosphere of young Mrs Harwell Mr Quinn nodded atmosphere is always valuable he said Gravely so we get a picture of this girl continued the other just 23 dark beautiful accomplished nothing crude and unfinished about her and Rich we must not forget that she was an orphan a Mrs stclair a lady of unimpeachable breeding and social standing lived with her as duenna but Elanor looked Kau had complete control of her own fortune

and Fortune Hunters are never hard to seek at least a dozen impecunious young men were to be found dangling around her on All Occasions in the hunting field in the ballroom wherever she went young Lord Leen the most eligible party in the country is reported to have asked her to marry him but she remained heart-free that is until the coming of Captain Richard Harwell Captain Harwell had put up at the local Inn for the hunting he was a dashing Rider to hounds a handsome laughing Daredevil of a fellow you remember the old saying Mr Quinn

happy the wooing that's not long doing the adage was carried out at least in part at the end of two months Richard Harwell and Elena luto were engaged the marriage followed 3 months afterwards the happy pair went abroad for a 2 weeks honeymoon and then returned to take up their Residence at Ashley Grange the landlord has just told us that it was on a night of storm such as this that they returned to their home an omen I wonder who can tell be that as it may the following morning very early about half 7 Captain

Harwell was seen walking in the garden by one of the gardeners John Maas he was bareheaded and was whistling we have a picture there a picture of light-heartedness of careless happiness and yet from that minute as far as we know no one ever set eyes on Captain Richard Harwell again Mr sawe paused pleasantly conscious of a dramatic moment the admiring glance of Mr Quinn gave him the tribute he needed and he went on The Disappearance was remarkable unaccountable it was not till the following day that the distracted wife called in the police as you know

they have not succeeded in solving the mystery there have I suppose been theories asked Mr Quinn oh I theories I grant you Theory number one that Captain Harwell had been murdered done away with but if so where was the body it could hardly have been Spirited Away and besides what motive was there as far as was known Captain Harwell had not an enemy in the world he paused abruptly as though uncertain Mr Quinn leaned forward you are thinking he said softly of young Steven Grant I am admitted Mr sawe Steven Grant if I remember rightly

had been in charge of Captain harwell's horses and had been discharged by his master for some trifling offense on the morning after the homecoming very early Steven Grant was seen in the vicinity of Ashley gra and could give no good account of his presence there he was detained by the police as being concerned in The Disappearance of Captain Harwell but nothing could be proved against him and he was eventually discharged it is true that he might be supposed to Bear a grudge against Captain Harwell for his summary dismissal but the motive was undeniably of the

flimsiest I suppose the police felt they must do something you see as I said just now Captain Harwell had not an enemy in the world as far as was known said Mr Quinn reflectively Mr satthwa nodded appreciatively we are coming to that what after all was known of Captain Harwell when the police came to look into his antecedants they were confronted with a singular aity of material who was Richard Harwell where did he come from he had appeared literally out of the blue as it seemed he was a magnificent Rider and apparently well off nobody

in kirtlington Mallet had bothered to inquire further Miss luto had had no parents or Guardians to make inquiries into the prospects and standing of her fiance she was her own mistress the police Theory at this point was clear enough a rich girl and an impudent impostor the old story but it was not quite that true Miss luto had no parents or guardians but she had an excellent firm of solicitors in London who acted for her their evidence made the mystery deeper Elanor luto had wished to settle a sum outright upon her prospective husband but he

had refused he himself was well off he declared it was proved conclusively that Harwell never had a penny of his wife money her Fortune was absolutely intact he was therefore no common swindler but was his object a refinement of the art did he propose blackmail at some future date if Ellena Harwell should wish to marry some other man I will admit that something of that kind seemed to me the most likely solution it has always seemed so to me until tonight Mr Quinn leaned forward prompting him tonight tonight I'm not satisfied with that how did

he manage to disappear so suddenly and completely at that hour in the morning with every laborer bestring himself and tramping to work bareheaded too there is no doubt about the latter Point since the gardener saw him yes the gardener John Matias was there anything there I wonder the police would not overlook him said Mr Quinn they questioned him closely he never wavered in his statement his wife bore him out he left his cot at 7 to attend to the green houses he returned at 20 minutes to 8 the servants in the house heard the front

door slam at about a quarter after 7 that fixes the time when Captain Harwell left the house ah yes I know what you are thinking do you I wonder said Mr Quinn I fancy so time enough for mitias to have made a way with his master but why man why and if so where did he hide the body the landlord came in bearing a tray sorry to have kept you so long gentlemen he set upon the table a mammoth steak and beside it a dish filled to overflowing with crisp brown potatoes the odor from the

dishes was pleasant to Mr sawa's nostrils he felt gracious this looks excellent he said most excellent we have been discussing The Disappearance of Captain Harwell what became of the gardener Matias took a place in essay I believe didn't care to to stay hereabouts there were some as looked a scans at him you understand not that I ever believe he had anything to do with it Mr saway helped himself to stake Mr Quinn followed suit the landlord seemed disposed to linger and chat Mr sawe had no objection on the contrary this Mathias now he said what

kind of a man was he middle-aged chap must have been a powerful fellow once but bent and crippled with rheumatism he had that mortal bad was laid up many a time with it unable to do any work for my part I think it was sheer kindness on Miss ellena's part to keep him on he'd outgrown his usefulness as a gardener though his wife managed to make herself useful up at the house being a cook she had and always willing to lend a hand what sort of a woman was she asked Mr sawe quickly the landlord's

answer disappointed him a plain body middle-aged and daike in manner deaf too not that I ever knew much of them they'd only been here a month you understand when the thing happened they say he'd been a rare good Gardener in his time though wonderful testimonials Miss Eleanor had with him was she interested in gardening asked Mr Quinn softly no sir I couldn't say that she was not like some of the ladies around here who pay good money to gardeners and spend the whole of their time grubbing about on their knees as well foolishness I call

it you you see Miss luto wasn't here very much except in the winter for hunting the rest of the time she was up in London and Away in those foreign Seaside places where they say the French ladies don't so much as put a toe into the water for fear of spoiling their costumes or so I've heard Mr sawe smiled there was no uh woman of any kind mixed up with Captain Harwell he asked though his first theory was disposed of he nevertheless clung to his idea Mr William Jones shook his head nothing of that sort

never a whisper of it no it's a dark mystery that's what it is and your theory what do you yourself think persisted Mr satthwa what do I think yes don't know what to think it's my belief as how he was done in but who by I can't say I'll fetch you gentlemen the cheese he stumped from the room bearing empty dishes the storm which had been quietening down suddenly broke out with redoubled Vigor a flash of forked lightning and a great clap of Thunder close upon each other made little Mr sawe jump and before the

last Echoes of the Thunder had died away a girl came into the room carrying the advertised cheese she was tall and dark and handsome in a sullen fashion of her own her likeness to the landlord of the Bells and Motley was apparent enough to Proclaim her his daughter good evening Mary said Mr Quinn a stormy night she nodded I hate these stormy nights she muttered you are afraid of thunder perhaps said Mr sawe kindly afraid of thunder not me there's little that I'm afraid of no but the storm sets them off talking talking the same

thing over and over again like a lot of parrots father begins it it reminds me this does of the night poor Captain Harwell and so on and so on she turned on Mr Quinn you've heard how he goes on what's the sense of itun anyone let past things be a thing is only passed when it is done with said Mr Quinn isn't this done with suppose he wanted to disappear These Fine gentlemen do sometimes you think he disappeared of his own free will why not it would make better sense than to suppose a kind-hearted creature

like Steven Grant murdered him what should he murder him for I should like to know Steven had had a drop too much one day and spoke to him soury like and got the sack for it but what of it he got another place just as good is that a reason to murder a Man In Cold Blood but surely said Mr sawe the police were quite satisfied of his innocence the police what do the police matter when Steven comes into the bar of an evening every man looks at him queer likee they don't really believe he

murdered Harwell but they're not sure and so they look at him sideways and Edge away nice life for a man to see people shrink away from you as though you were something different from the rest of folks why won't father hear of our getting married Steven and I you can take your pigs to a better Market my girl I've nothing against Steven but well we don't know do we she stopped her breast heaving with the violence of her resentment it's cruel cruel that's what it is she burst out Steven that wouldn't hurt a fly and

all through life there'll be people who'll think he did it's turning him queer and bitter likee I don't wonder I'm sure and the more he's like that the more people think there must have been something in it again she stopped her eyes were fixed on Mr Quinn's face as though something in it was drawing this Outburst from her can nothing be done said Mr St waight he was genuinely distressed the thing was he saw inevitable the very vagueness and unsatisfactoriness of the evidence against Steven Grant made it the more difficult for him to disprove the

accusation the girl Whirled round on him nothing but the truth can help him she cried if Captain Harwell were to be found if he was to come back if the true rights of it were only known she broke off with something very like a sob and hurried quickly from the in the room a fine looking girl said Mr sawe a sad case altogether I wish I very much wish that something could be done about it his kind heart was troubled we are doing what we can said Mr Quinn there is still nearly half an hour

before your car can be ready Mr sawe stared at him you think we can come at the truth just by talking it over like this you have seen much of life said Mr Quinn Gravely more than most people life has passed me by said Mr sawe bitterly but in so doing has sharpened your vision where others are blind you can see it is true said Mr sawe I am a great Observer he plumed himself complacently the moment of bitterness was passed I look at it like this he said after a minute or two to get

at the cause for a thing we must study the effect very good said Mr Quinn approvingly the effect in this case is that Miss luto Mrs Harwell I mean is a wife and yet not a wife she is not free she cannot marry again and look at it as we will we see Richard Harwell is a Sinister figure a Man from Nowhere with a mysterious past I agree said Mr Quinn you see what all are bound to see what cannot be missed Captain Harwell in the Limelight a suspicious figure Mr sawe looked at him doubtfully

the words seemed somehow to suggest a faintly different picture to his mind we have studied the effect he said or call it the result we can now pass Mr Quinn interrupted him you have not touched on the result on the strictly material side you are right said Mr satthwa after a moment or two for consideration one should do the thing thoroughly let must say then that the result of the tragedy is that Mrs Harwell is a wife and not a wife unable to marry again that Mr Cyrus Bradburn has been able to buy Ashley gra

and its contents for £60,000 was it and that somebody in Essex has been able to secure John Matias as a gardener for all that we do not suspect somebody in Essex or Mr Cyrus Bradburn of having engineered The Disappearance of Captain Harwell you are sarcastic said Mr Quinn Mr sawe looked sharply at him but surely you agree oh I agree said Mr Quinn the idea is absurd what next let us imagine ourselves back on the Fatal day The Disappearance has taken place let us say this very morning no no said Mr Quinn smiling since in

our imagination at least we have power over time let us turn it the other way let us say The Disappearance of of Captain Harwell took place a 100 years ago that we in the year 2025 are looking back you are a strange man said Mr sawe slowly you believe in the past not the present why you used not long ago the word atmosphere there is no atmosphere in the present that is true perhaps said Mr satthwa thoughtfully yes it is true the present is apt to be parochial a good word said Mr Quinn Mr sawe

gave a funny little bow you are too kind he said let us take not this present year that would be too difficult but say last year continued the other sum it up for me you who have the gift of the neat phrase Mr sawe thought for a minute he was jealous of his reputation 100 years ago we had the age of powder and Patches he said shall we say that 1924 was the age of crosswood puzzles and cat burglar very good approved Mr Quinn you mean that nationally not internationally I presume as to crossword puzzles

I must confess that I do not know said Mr satthwa but the cat burglar had a great Innings on the continent you remember that series of famous thefts from French chatau it is surmised that one man alone could not have done it the most miraculous Feats were performed to gain admission there was a theory that a troop of acrobats were concerned the clinis I once saw their performance truly masterly a mother son and daughter they vanished from the stage in a rather mysterious fashion but we are wandering from our subject not very far said Mr

Quinn only across the channel where the French ladies will not wet their toes according to our worthy host said Mr sawe laughing there was a pause it seemed somehow significant why did he disappear cried Mr sawe why why it is incredible a kind of conjuring trick yes said Mr Quinn a Conjuring trick that describes it exactly atmosphere again you see and wherein does the essence of a Conjuring trick lie the quickness of the hand deceives the eye quoted Mr sawe glibly that is everything is it not to deceive the eye sometimes by the quickness of

the hand sometimes by other means there are many devices the pistol shot the waving of a red handkerchief something that seems important but in reality is not the eye is diverted from the real business it is caught by the spectacular action that means nothing nothing at all Mr sawe lent forward his eyes Shining there is something in that it is an idea he went on softly the pistol shot what was the pistol shot in The Conjuring trick we were discussing what is the spectacular moment that holds the imagination he drew in his breath sharply The

Disappearance breathed Mr satthwa take that away and it leaves nothing nothing suppose things took the same course without that dramatic gesture you mean supposing Miss luto was still to sell Ashley Grange and leave for no reason well well why not it would have aroused talk I suppose there would have been a lot of interest displayed in the value of the contents in ah wait he was silent a minute then burst out you are right there is too much Limelight the Limelight on Captain Harwell and because of that she has been in Shadow miss luto everyone

asking who was Captain Harwell where did he come from but because she is the injured party no one makes inquiries about her was she really a French Canadian were those wonderful heirlooms really handed down to her you were right when you said just now that we had not wandered far from our subject only across the channel those so-called heirlooms were stolen from the French Shau most of them valuable obar and in consequence difficult to dispose of she buys the house for a mere song probably settles down there and pays a good sum to an irreproachable

englishwoman to chaperone her then he comes the plot is laid beforehand the marriage The Disappearance and the nine days wonder what more natural than that a brokenhearted woman should want to sell everything that reminds her of her past happiness the American is a connoisseur the things are genuine and beautiful some of them Beyond Price He makes an offer she accepts it she leaves the neighborhood a sad and tragic figure the great coup has come off the eye of the public has been deceived by the quickness of the hand and the spectacular nature of the trick

Mr sawe paused flushed with Triumph but for you I should never have seen it he said with sudden humility you have a most curious effect upon me one says things so often without even seeing what they really mean you have The Knack of showing one but it is still not quite clear to me it must have been most difficult for Harwell to disappear as he did after all the police all over England were looking for him they were probably looking said Mr Quinn all over England it would have been simplest to remain hidden at the

gra used Mr sawe if it could be managed he was I think very near the gra said Mr Quinn his look of significance was not lost on Mr sawe matias's Cottage he exclaimed but the police must have searched it repeatedly I should imagine said Mr Quinn Matias said Mr sawe frowning and Mrs maias said Mr Quinn Mr satthwa stared hard at him if that gang was really the kondis he said dreamily there were three of them in it the two young ones were Harwell and Elanor luto the mother now was she Mrs mathas but in

that case Matias suffered from rheumatism did he not said Mr Quinn innocently oh cried Mr satthwa I have it but could it be done I believe it could listen Maas was there a month during that time Harwell and Elanor were away for a fortnight on a honeymoon for the Fortnight before the wedding they were supposedly in town a clever man could have doubled the parts of Harwell and Maas when Harwell was at kirtlington Mallet maias was conveniently laid up with rheumatism with Mrs Matias to sustain the fiction her part was very necessary without her someone

might have suspected the truth as you say Harwell was hidden in matias's cottage he was maias when at last the plans matured and Ashley Grange was sold he in his his wife gave out that they were taking a place in Essex exit John Matias and his wife forever there was a knock at the coffee room door and Masters entered the car is at the door sir he said Mr sawe Rose so did Mr Quinn who went across to the window pulling the curtains a beam of moonlight streamed into the room the storm is over he

said Mr satthwa was pulling on his gloves the commission is dining with me next week he said importantly I shall put my theory ah before him it will be easily proved or disproved said Mr Quinn a comparison of the objects at Ashley Grange with a list supplied by the French police ah just so said Mr satthwa rather hard luck on Mr Bradburn but well he can I believe stand the loss said Mr Quinn Mr s wa held out his hand goodbye he said I cannot tell you how much I've appreciated this unexpected meeting you are

leaving here tomorrow I think you said possibly tonight my business here is done I come and go you know Mr sawe remembered hearing those same words earlier in the evening rather curious he went out to the car and the waiting masters from the open door into the bar the landlord's voice floated out rich and complacent ENT a dark mystery he was saying a dark mystery that's what it is but he did not use the word dark the word he used suggested quite a different color Mr William Jones was a man of discrimination who suited his

adjectives to his company the company in the bar liked their adjectives full flavored Mr sawe reclined luxuriously in the comfortable limousine his breast was swelled with Triumph he saw the girl Mary come out on the steps and stand under the creaking insign she little knows said Mr sawe to himself she little knows what I am going to do the sign of the Bells and motly swayed gently in the wind Agatha Christie the voice in the dark I am a little worried about marjerie said lady strandy my girl you know she added she sighed pensively it

makes one feel terribly old to have a grown-up daughter Mr sawe who was the recipient of these confidences Rose to the occasion gallantly no one could believe it possible he declared with a little bow flatterer said lady strand Ley but she said it vaguely and it was clear that her mind was elsewhere Mr sawe looked at the Slender white clad figure in some admiration the can of sunshine was searching but lady strand Ley came through the the test very well at a distance the youthful effect was really extraordinary one almost wondered if she were grown

up or not Mr sawe who knew everything knew that it was perfectly possible for lady Stanley to have grownup grandchildren she represented the extreme Triumph of art over nature her figure was marvelous her complexion was marvelous she had enriched many Beauty parlors and certainly the results were astounding lady strand lit a cigarette crossed her beautiful legs encased in the finest of nude silk stockings and murmured yes I really am rather worried about Marjorie dear me said Mr satthwa what is the trouble lady Stanley turned her beautiful blue eyes upon him you have never met her

have you she is Charles's daughter she added helpfully if entries in who's who were strictly truthful the entries concerning lady strandy Might Have Ended as follows Hobbies getting married she had floated through life shedding husbands as she went she had lost three by divorce and one by death if she had been Rudolph's child I could have understood it mused lady strandy you remember Rudolf he was always temperamental 6 months after we married I had to apply for those queer things what do they call them conjugal what not you know what I mean thank goodness it

is all much simpler nowadays I remember I had to write him the silliest kind of letter my lawyer practically dictated it to me asking him to come back you know and that I would do all I could etc etc but you never could count on Rudolph he was so temperamental he came rushing home at once which was quite the wrong thing to do and not all what the lawyers meant she sighed about margerie suggested Mr sawe tactfully leading her back to the subject under discussion of course I was just going to tell you wasn't I

margerie has been seeing things or hearing them ghosts you know and all that I should never have thought that Marjorie could be so imaginative she is a dear good girl always has been but just a shade dull impossible murmured Mr sawe with a confused idea of being complimentary in fact very dull said lady strandy doesn't care for dancing or cocktail or any of the things a young girl ought to care about she much prefers staying at home to hunt instead of coming out here with me dear dear said Mr sawe she wouldn't come out with

you you say well I didn't exactly press her daughters have a depressing effect upon one I find Mr satthwa tried to think of Lady strand Ley accompanied by a serious-minded daughter and failed I can't help wondering if margerie is going off her head continued margery's mother in a cheerful voice voice hearing voices is a very bad sign so they tell me it is not as though Abbotts me were haunted the old building was burnt to the ground in 1836 and they put up a kind of early Victorian chadow which simply cannot be haunted it is

much too ugly and commonplace Mr sawe coughed he was wondering why he was being told all this I thought perhaps said lady strandy smiling brilliantly upon him that you might be able to help me I yes you're going back to England tomorrow aren't you I am yes that is so admitted Mr satthwa cautiously and you know all these psychical research people of course you do you know everybody Mr satthwa smiled a little it was one of his weaknesses to know everybody so what can be simpler continued lady strandy I never get on with that sort

of person you know Earnest men with beards and usually spectacles they bore me terribly and I'm quite at my worst with them Mr sawe was rather taken aback lady Stanley continued to smile at him brilliantly so that is all settled isn't it she said brightly you will go down to Abbott's me and see margerie and make all the arrangements I shall be terribly grateful to you of course if marjerie is really going off her head I will come home ah here is bimbo her smile from being brilliant became dazzling a young man in white tennis

flannels was approaching them he was about 25 years of age and extremely good-looking the young man said simply I have been looking for you everywhere Babs what has the tennis been like septic lady strandy Rose she turned her head over her shoulder and murmured in dulcet tones to Mr sawe it is simply marvelous of you to help me I shall never forget it Mr sawe looked after the retreating couple I wonder he amused to himself if bimbo is going to be number five two the conductor of the train to luks was pointing out to Mr

sawe where an accident on the line had occurred a few years previously as he finished his spirited narrative the other looked up and saw a well-known face smiling at him over the conductor's shoulder My Dear Mr Quinn said Mr sawe his little withered face broke into Smiles what a coincidence that we should both be returning to England on the same train you are going there I suppose yes said Mr Quinn I have business there of rather an important nature are you taking the first service of dinner I always do so of course it is an

absurd time halfast 6 but one runs less risk with the cooking Miss Mr Quinn nodded comprehending I also he said we might perhaps arrange to sit together half 6 found Mr Quinn and Mr sawe established opposite each other at a small table in the dining car Mr sawe gave du attention to the wine list and then turned to His companion I have not seen you since ah yes not since Corsica you left very suddenly that day Mr Quinn Shrugged his shoulders not more so than usual I come and go you know I come and go

the words seemed to awake some echo of Remembrance in Mr sawi's mind a little shiver passed down his spine not a disagreeable sensation quite the contrary he was conscious of a pleasurable sense of anticipation Mr Quinn was holding up a bottle of red wine examining the label on it the bottle was between him and the light but for a minute or two a red glow enveloped his person Mr sawe felt again that sudden Stir of excitement I too have a kind of mission in England he remarked smiling broadly at the remembrance you know lady Stanley

perhaps Mr Quinn shook his head it is an old title said Mr sawe a very old title one of the few that can descend in the female line she is a baroness in her own right rather a romantic history really Mr Mr Quinn settled himself more comfortably in his chair a waiter flying down The Swinging car deposited cups of soup before them as if by a miracle Mr Quinn sipped it cautiously you about to give me one of those wonderful descriptive portraits of yours he murmured that is so is it not Mr sawe beamed on

him she is really a marvelous woman he said 60 you know yes I should say at least 60 I knew them as girls she and her sister beatric that was the name of the Elder one beatric and Barbara I remember them as the baron girls both good-looking and in those days very hard up but that was a great many years ago why dear me I was a young man myself then Mr sawe sighed there were several lives then between them and the title old Lord strandy was a first cousin once removed I think lady strand's

life has been quite a Roman ANC Affair three unexpected deaths two of the old man's brothers and a nephew then there was the urala you remember the wreck of the urala she went down off the coast of New Zealand the baron girls were on board beatric was drowned this one Barbara was amongst the few survivors 6 months later old Stanley died and she succeeded to the title and came into a considerable Fortune since then she has lived for one thing only herself she has always been the same beautiful unscrupulous completely callous interested solely in herself

she has had four husbands and I have no doubt could get a fifth in a minute he went on to describe the mission with which he had been entrusted by lady strandy I thought of running down to Abbott's me to see the young lady he explained I I feel that something ought to be done about the matter it is impossible to think of Lady strandy as an ordinary mother he stopped looking across the table at Mr Quinn I wish you would come with me he said wistfully would it not be possible I'm afraid not said

Mr Quinn but let me SE Abbott's me is in Wilshire is it not Mr sawe nodded I thought as much as it happens I shall be staying not far from Abbott's me at a place you and I both know he smiled you remember that little Inn the bells and mly of course cried Mr satthwa you will be there Mr Quinn nodded for a week or 10 days possibly longer if you will come and look me up one day I shall be delighted to see you and somehow or other Mr sawe felt strangely comforted by the

assurance three My Dear Miss uh margerie said Mr satthwa I assure you that I should not dream of laughing at you margerie Gail frowned a little they were sitting in the large comfortable Hall of Abbott's me margerie Gail was a big squarely built girl she bore no resemblance to her mother but took entirely after her father's side of the family a line of hard riding country Squires she looked fresh and wholesome and the picture of Sanity nevertheless Mr satthwa was reflecting to himself that the Barons as a family were all inclined to mental instability margerie

might have inherited her physical appearance from her father and at the same time have inherited some mental Kink from her mother's side of the family I wish said Marjorie that I could get rid of that cassen woman I don't believe in spiritualism and I don't like it she is one of these silly women that run a craze to death she is always bothering me to have a medium down here Mr sawe coughed fidgeted a little in his chair and then said in a Judicial manner let me be quite sure that I have all the facts

the first of the uh phenomena occurred two months ago I understand about that agreed the girl sometimes it was a whisper and sometimes it was quite a clear voice but it always said much the same thing which was give back what is not yours give back what you have stolen on each occasion I switched on the light but the room was quite empty and there was no one there in the end I got so nervous that I got Clayton mother's maid to sleep on the sofa in my room and the voice came just the same

yes and this is what frightens me Clayton did not hear it Mr satth reflected for a minute or two did it come loudly or softly that evening it was almost a whisper admitted margerie if Clayton was sound asleep I suppose she would not really have heard it she wanted me to see a doctor the girl laughed bitterly but since last night even Clayton believes she continued what happened last night I am just going to tell you I've told no one as yet I had been out hunting yesterday and we had had a long run I

was dead tired and slept very heavily I dreamt a horrible dream that I had fallen over some iron railings and that one of the spikes was entering slowly into my throat I woke to find that it was true there was some sharp Point pressing into the side of my neck and at the same time a voice was murmuring softly yon have stolen what is mine this is death I screamed continued margerie and clutched at the air but there was nothing there Clayton heard me scream from the room next door where she was sleeping she came

rushing in and she distinctly felt something brushing past her in the darkness but she says that whatever that something was it was not anything human Mr sawe stared at her the girl was obviously very shaken and upset he noticed on the left side of her throat a small square of sticking plaster she caught the direction of his gaze and nodded yes she said it was not imagination you see Mr satthwa put a question almost apologetically it sounded so melodramatic you don't know of anyone uh who has a grudge against you he asked of course not

said marjerie what an idea Mr sawe started on another line of attack what visitors have you had during the last two months you don't mean just people for weekends I suppose Mara Keen has been with me all along she's my best friend and just as keen on horses as I am then my cousin Roy Vas has been here a good deal Mr sawe nodded he suggested that he should see Clayton the maid she has been with you a long time I suppose he asked donkey's years said marjerie she was Mother's and Aunt Beatrice's ma when

they were girls that is why mother has kept her on I suppose although she has got a French made for herself Clayton does sewing and pottering little odd jobs she took him upstairs and presently Clayton came to them she was a tall thin old woman with gray hair neatly parted and she looked the Acme of respectability no sir she said in answer to Mr sawa's inquiries I have never heard anything of the house being haunted to tell you the truth sir I thought it was all Miss margery's imagination until last night but I actually felt

something brushing by me in the darkness and I can tell you this sir it was not anything human and then there is that wound in Miss margery's neck she didn't do that herself poor lamb but her words were suggestive to Mr sawe was it possible that margerie could have inflicted that wound herself he had heard of strange cases where girls apparently just as sane and well balanced as margorie had done the most amazing things it will soon heal up said Clayton it's not like this scar of mine she pointed to a mark on her own

forehead that was done 40 years ago sir I still bear the mark of it it was the time the UR Alia went down put in margerie Clayton was hit on the head by a spar weren't you Clayton yes Miss what do you think yourself Clayton asked Mr swaight what do you think was the meaning of this attack on Miss margerie I really should not like to say Sir Mr sawe read this correctly as the reserve of the well-trained servant what do you really think Clayton he said persuasively I think sir that something very Wicked must

have been done in this house and that until that is wiped out there won't be any peace the woman spoke Gravely and her faded blue eyes met his steadily Mr sawe went downstairs rather disappointed Clayton evidently held the Orthodox view a deliberate haunting as a consequence of some evil deed in the past Mr sawe himself was not so easily satisfied the phenomena had only taken place in the last two months had only taken place since Maria keen and Roy vassaur had been there he must find out something about these two it was possible that the

whole thing was a practical joke but he shook his head dissatisfied with that solution the thing was more Sinister than that the post had just come in and margorie was opening and reading her letters suddenly she gave an exclamation mother is too absurd she said do read this she handed the letter to Mr sawe it was an epistle typical of lady strandy darling margerie she wrote I am so glad you have that nice little Mr sawe there he is awfully clever and knows all the big wig spook people you must have them all down and

investigate things thoroughly I am sure you will have a perfectly marvelous time and I only wish I could be there but I have really been quite ill the last few days the hotels are so careless about the sweet of you to send me the chocolates darling but surely just a well bit silly wasn't it I mean there's such wonderful confectionary out here bye-bye darling and have a lovely time laying the family ghosts bimbo says my tennis is coming on marvelously oceans of love yours Barbara mother always wants me to call her Barbara said margorie simply

silly I think Mr sawe smiled a little he realized that the stolid conservatism of her daughter must on occasions be very trying to Lady Stanley the contents of her letter struck him in a way in which obviously they did not strike marjerie did you send your mother a box of chocolates he asked Marjorie shook her head no I didn't it must have been someone else Mr sawe looked grave two things struck him as of significance lady strandy had received a gift of a box of chocolates and she was suffering from a severe attack of poisoning

apparently she had not connected these two things was there a connection he himself was inclined to think there was a tall dark girl lounged out of the morning room and joined them she was introduced to Mr sawe as Mara Keen she smiled on the little man in an easy goodh humored fashion have you come down to hunt margery's pet ghost she asked in a drawling voice we all R her about that ghost hello here's roelly a car had just drawn up at the front door out of it tumbled a tall young man with Fair hair

and an eager boyish manner hello margerie he cried hello Mara I've brought down reinforcements he turned to the two women who were just entering the hall Mr sawe recognized in the first one of the two the Mrs cassen of whom marjerie had spoken just now you must forgive me mar y dear she drawled smiling broadly Mr vassaur told us that it would be quite all right it was really his idea that I should bring down Mrs Lloyd with me she indicated her companion with a slight gesture of the hand this is Mrs Lloyd she said

in a tone of Triumph simply the most wonderful medium that ever existed Mrs Lloyd uttered no modest protest she bowed and remained with her hands crossed in front of her she was a highly colored young woman of commonplace appearance her clothes were unfashionable but rather ornate she wore a chain of moonstones and several Rings margerie Gail as Mr sawe could see was not too pleased at this intrusion she threw an angry look at roley vassaur who seemed quite unconscious of the offense he had caused Lunch is ready I think said margorie good said Mrs kassen

we will hold a seance immediately afterwards have you got some fruit for Mrs Lloyd she never eats a solid meal before a seance they all went into the dining room the medium ate two bananas and an apple and replied cautiously and briefly to the various polite remarks which marjerie addressed to her from time to time just before they Rose from the table she flung back her head suddenly and sniffed the air there is something very wrong in this house I feel it isn't She Wonderful said Mrs cassen in a low delighted voice oh undoubtedly said

Mr sawe dryly the Seance was held in the library the hostess was as Mr sawe could see very unwilling only the obvious Delight of her guests in the proceedings reconciled her to the ordeal the arrangements were made with a good deal of Care by Mrs cassen who was evidently well up in those matters the chairs were set round in a circle the curtains were drawn and presently the medium announced herself ready to begin six people she said looking around the room that is bad B we must have an uneven number seven is ideal I get

my best results out of a circle of seven one of the servants suggested Roy he rose I will route out the Butler letun have Clayton said margerie Mr sawe saw a look of annoyance pass over Roy vava's good-looking face but why Clayton he demanded you don't like Clayton said marjerie slowly roelly Shrugged his shoulders Clayton doesn't like me he said whimsically in fact she hates me like poison he waited a minute or two but margorie did not give way all right he said have her down the circle was formed there was a period of Silence

broken by the usual coughs and fidgeting presently a succession of wraps were heard and then the voice of the medium's control a red Indian called Cherokee Indian brave says you good evening ladies and gentlemen someone here very anxious speak someone here very anxious give message to young lady I go now the spirit say what she come to say a pause and then a new voice that of a woman said softly is margerie here Roy vassaur took it upon himself to answer yes he said she is who's that speaking I am beatric beatric who is beatric

to everyone's annoyance the voice of the red Indian Cherokee Was Heard once more I have message for all of you people life here very bright and beautiful we all work very hard help those who have not yet passed over again a silence and then the woman's voice was heard once more this is beatric speaking beatric who beatric Baron Mr sawe lent forward he was very excited be Tris Barton who was drowned in the urelia yes that is right I remember the urelia I have a message for this house give back what is not yours I

don't understand said margorie helplessly I oh are you really Aunt beatric yes I am your aunt of course she is said Mrs cassen reproachfully how can you be so suspicious the spirits don't like it and suddenly Mr sawe thought of a very simple test his voice quivered as he spoke do you remember Mr bachetti he asked immediately there came a ripple of laughter poor old boats upsetti of course Mr sawe was dumbfounded the test had succeeded it was an incident of over 40 years ago which had happened when he and the baren girls had found

themselves at the same seaside resort a young Italian acquaintance of theirs had gone out in a boat and capsized and beatric baron had jestingly named him boats upsetti it seemed impossible that anyone in the room could know of this incident except himself the medium stirred and groaned she is coming out said Mrs cassen that is all we will get out of her today I'm afraid the daylight Shone once more on the room full of people two of whom at least were badly scared Mr satthwa saw by marjorie's white face that she was deeply perturbed when

they had got rid of Mrs cassen and the medium he sought a private interview with his hostess I want to ask you one or two questions Miss margerie if you and your mother were to die who succeeds to the tide and dist States Ry vassaur I suppose his mother was Mother's first cousin Mr sawe noded he seems to have been here a lot this winter he said gently you will forgive me asking but is he fond of you he asked me to marry him 3 weeks ago said margerie quietly I said no please forgive me

but are you engaged to anyone else he saw the color sweep over her face I am she said emphatically I am going to marry nol Barton mother laughs and says it is absurd she seems to think it is ridiculous to be engaged to a curate why I should like to know there are Cur and curates you should see null on a horse oh quite so said Mr satthwa oh undoubtedly a footman entered with a telegram on a salver margerie tore it open mother is arriving home tomorrow she said bother I wish to goodness she would

stay away Mr sawe made no comment on this filial sentiment perhaps he thought it justified in that case he murmured I think I am returning so London the voice in the dark a four Mr sawe was not quite pleased with himself he felt that he had left this particular problem in an unfinished State true that on lady Stanley's return his responsibility was ended yet he felt assured that he had not heard the last of the Abbott's me mystery but the next development when it came was so serious in its character that it found him totally

unprepared he learned of it in the pages of his morning paper baroness dies in her bath as the daily megaphone had it the other papers were more restrained and delicate in their language but the fact was the same lady Stanley had been found dead in her bath and her death was due to Drowning she had it was assumed lost Consciousness and whilst in that state her head had slipped below the water but Mr sawe was not satisfied with that explanation calling for his valet he made his toilet with less than his usual care and 10

minutes later his big Rolls-Royce was carrying him out of London as fast as it could travel but strangely enough it was not for Abbott's me he was bound but for a small Inn some 15 Mi distant which bore the rather unusual name of the Bells and Motley it was with great relief that he heard that Mr Harley Quinn was still staying there in another minute he was face to face with his friend Mr sawe clasped him by the hand and began to speak at once in an agitated manner I am terribly upset you must help

me already I have a dreadful feeling that it may be too late that that nice girl may be the next to go for she is a nice girl nice through and through if you will tell me said Mr Quinn smiling what it is all about Mr satthwa looked at him reproachfully you know I am perfectly certain that you know but I will tell you he poured out about the story of his stay at Abbott's me and as always with Mr Quinn he found himself taking pleasure in his narrative he was eloquent and subtle and meticulous

as to detail so you see he ended there must be an explanation he looked hopefully at Mr Quinn as a dog looks at his master but it is you who must solve the problem not I said Mr Quinn I do not know these people you do I knew the baren girls 40 years ago said Mr sawe with pride Mr Quinn nodded and looked sympathetic so much so that the other went on dreamily that time at Brighton now B Chetty boats upti quite a silly joke but how we laughed dear dear I was young then did

a lot of foolish things I remember the maid they had with them Alice her name was a little bit of a thing very ingenuous I kissed her in the passage of the hotel I remember remember and one of the girls nearly caught me doing it dear dear how long ago that all was he shook his head again and sighed then he looked at Mr Quinn so you can't help me he said wistfully on other occasions on other occasions you have proved successful owing entirely to your own efforts said Mr Quinn Gravely I think it will

be the same this time if I were you I should go to Abbott's me now quite so quite so said Mr sawe as a matter of fact that is what I thought of doing I can't persuade you to come with me Mr Quinn shook his head no he said my work here is done I am leaving almost immediately at Abbott's me Mr sawe was taken at once to margorie Gail she was sitting dry-eyed at a desk in the morning room on which was strewn various papers something in her greeting touched him she seemed so very

pleased to see him roelly and Mara have just left Mr sawe it is not as the doctors think I am convinced absolutely convinced that mother was pushed under the water and held there she was murdered and whoever murdered her wants to murder me too I sure of that that is why she indicated the document in front of her I have been making my will she explained a lot of the money and some of the property does not go with the title and there is my father's money as well I am leaving everything I can to

nol I know he will make a good use of it and I do not trust Roy he has always been out for what he can get will you sign it as a witness my dear young lady said Mr satthwa you should sign a will in the presence of two witnesses and they should then sign themselves at the same time marjerie brushed aside This legal pronouncement I don't see that it matters in the least she declared Clayton saw me sign and then she signed her name I was going to ring for the butler but you will

do instead Mr satthwa uttered no fresh protest he unscrewed his fountain pen and then as he was about to append his signature he paused suddenly the name written just above his own recalled a flow of memories Alice Clayton something seemed to be struggling very hard to get through to him Alice Clayton there was some significance about that something to do with Mr Quinn was mixed up with it something he had said to Mr Quinn only a very short time ago ah he had it now Alice Clayton that was her name the little bit of a

thing people changed yes bat not like that and the Alice Clayton he knew had had brown eyes the room seemed whirling around him he felt for a chair and presently as though from a great distance he heard margery's voice speaking to him anxiously are you ill oh what is it I'm sure you are ill he was himself again he took her hand my dear I see it all now you must prepare yourself for a great shock The Woman Upstairs whom you call Clayton is not Clayton at all the real Alice Clayton was drowned on the

urelia marjerie was staring at him who who is she then I am not mistaken I cannot be mistaken the woman you PA Clayton is your mother's sister beatric Baron you remember telling me that she was struck on the head by a spar I should imagine that that blow destroyed her memory and that being the case your mother saw the chance of pinching the title you mean asked margerie bitterly yes she would do that it seems Dreadful to say that now she is dead but she was like that beatric was the elder sister said Mr satthwa

by your uncle's death she would inherit everything and your mother would get nothing your mother claimed the wounded girl as her maid not as her sister the girl recovered from the blow and believed of course what was told her that she was Alice Clayton your mother's maid I should imagine that just lately her memory had begun to return but that the blow on the head given all these years ago has at last caused Mischief on the brain margerie was looking at him with eyes of horror she killed mother and she wanted to kill me she

breathed it seems so said Mr sawe in her brain there was just one muddled idea that her inheritance had been stolen and was being kept from her by you and your mother but but Clayton is so old Mr satthwa was silent for a minute as a vision rose up before him The Faded old woman with gray hair and the radiant golden-haired creature sitting in the sunshine at can sisters could it really be so he remembered the barren girls and their likeness to each other just because two lives had developed on different tracks he shook his

head sharply obsessed by the Wonder and pity of life he turned to Marjorie and said gently we had better go upstairs and see her they found Clayton sitting in the little workroom where she sewed she did not turn her head as they came in for a reason that Mr sawe soon found out heart failure he murmured as as he touched the cold rigid shoulder Perhaps it is best that way thank you very much for listening to this story narrated by Jason Fraser don't forget to subscribe to the detective Tales Channel and be sure to leave

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