["some\tcase\tor\tother,\tbut\the\tought\tto\tbe\tback\tby\tnow.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tmind\ttelling\tyou\tI\u2019m sorry\t about\t Redding.\t He\t always\t struck\t me\t as\t a\t decent\t young\t chap.\t Perhaps they\u2019ll\tthink\tout\tsome\tkind\tof\tdefence\tfor\thim.\tAftereffects\tof\twar,\tshell\tshock, or\tsomething.\tEspecially\tif\tno\tvery\tadequate\tmotive\tturns\tup.\tI\tmust\tbe\toff.\tLike to\tcome\talong?\u201d I\tsaid\tI\twould\tlike\tto\tvery\tmuch,\tand\twe\twent\tout\ttogether. Haydock\u2019s\t house\t is\t next\t door\t to\t mine.\t His\t servant\t said\t the\t doctor\t had\t just come\tin\tand\tshowed\tus\tinto\tthe\tdining\troom,\twhere\tHaydock\twas\tsitting\tdown to\ta\tsteaming\tplate\tof\teggs\tand\tbacon.\tHe\tgreeted\tme\twith\tan\tamiable\tnod. \u201cSorry\t I\t had\t to\t go\t out.\t Confinement\t case.\t I\u2019ve\t been\t up\t most\t of\t the\t night, over\tyour\tbusiness.\tI\u2019ve\tgot\tthe\tbullet\tfor\tyou.\u201d He\tshoved\ta\tlittle\tbox\talong\tthe\ttable.\tMelchett\texamined\tit. \u201cPoint\ttwo\tfive?\u201d Haydock\tnodded. \u201cI\u2019ll\t keep\t the\t technical\t details\t for\t the\t inquest,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cAll\t you\t want\t to know\t is\t that\t death\t was\t practically\t instantaneous.\t Silly\t young\t fool,\t what\t did\t he want\tto\tdo\tit\tfor?\tAmazing,\tby\tthe\tway,\tthat\tnobody\theard\tthe\tshot.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tsaid\tMelchett,\t\u201cthat\tsurprises\tme.\u201d \u201cThe\tkitchen\twindow\tgives\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\thouse,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cWith\tthe study\t door,\t the\t pantry\t door,\t and\t the\t kitchen\t door\t all\t shut,\t I\t doubt\t if\t you\t would hear\tanything,\tand\tthere\twas\tno\tone\tbut\tthe\tmaid\tin\tthe\thouse.\u201d \u201cH\u2019m,\u201d\tsaid\tMelchett.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\todd,\tall\tthe\tsame.\tI\twonder\tthe\told\tlady\u2014what\u2019s her\tname\u2014Marple,\tdidn\u2019t\thear\tit.\tThe\tstudy\twindow\twas\topen.\u201d \u201cPerhaps\tshe\tdid,\u201d\tsaid\tHaydock. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t she\t did,\u201d\t said\t I.\t \u201cShe\t was\t over\t at\t the\t Vicarage\t just\t now\t and she\tdidn\u2019t\tmention\tanything\tof\tthe\tkind\twhich\tI\u2019m\tcertain\tshe\twould\thave\tdone if\tthere\thad\tbeen\tanything\tto\ttell.\u201d \u201cMay\t have\t heard\t it\t and\t paid\t no\t attention\t to\t it\u2014thought\t it\t was\t a\t car backfiring.\u201d It\t struck\t me\t that\t Haydock\t was\t looking\t much\t more\t jovial\t and\t good- humoured\t this\t morning.\t He\t seemed\t like\t a\t man\t who\t was\t decorously\t trying\t to subdue\tunusually\tgood\tspirits. \u201cOr\t what\t about\t a\t silencer?\u201d\t he\t added.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t quite\t likely.\t Nobody\t would hear\tanything\tthen.\u201d Melchett\tshook\this\thead. \u201cSlack\tdidn\u2019t\tfind\tanything\tof\tthe\tkind,\tand\the\tasked\tRedding,\tand\tRedding didn\u2019t\t seem\t to\t know\t what\t he\t was\t talking\t about\t at\t first\t and\t then\t denied\t point blank\tusing\tanything\tof\tthe\tkind.\tAnd\tI\tsuppose\tone\tcan\ttake\this\tword\tfor\tit.\u201d \u201cYes,\tindeed,\tpoor\tdevil.\u201d","\u201cDamned\t young\t fool,\u201d\t said\t Colonel\t Melchett.\t \u201cSorry,\t Clement.\t But\t he really\tis!\tSomehow\tone\tcan\u2019t\tget\tused\tto\tthinking\tof\thim\tas\ta\tmurderer.\u201d \u201cAny\tmotive?\u201d\tasked\tHaydock,\ttaking\ta\tfinal\tdraught\tof\tcoffee\tand\tpushing back\this\tchair. \u201cHe\tsays\tthey\tquarrelled\tand\the\tlost\this\ttemper\tand\tshot\thim.\u201d \u201cHoping\t for\t manslaughter,\t eh?\u201d\t The\t doctor\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u201cThat\t story doesn\u2019t\t hold\t water.\t He\t stole\t up\t behind\t him\t as\t he\t was\t writing\t and\t shot\t him through\tthe\thead.\tPrecious\tlittle\t\u2018quarrel\u2019\tabout\tthat.\u201d \u201cAnyway,\tthere\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen\ttime\tfor\ta\tquarrel,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tremembering Miss\t Marple\u2019s\t words.\t \u201cTo\t creep\t up,\t shoot\t him,\t alter\t the\t clock\t hands\t back\t to 6:20,\tand\tleave\tagain\twould\thave\ttaken\thim\tall\this\ttime.\tI\tshall\tnever\tforget\this face\t when\t I\t met\t him\t outside\t the\t gate,\t or\t the\t way\t he\t said,\t \u2018You\t want\t to\t see Protheroe\u2014oh,\t you\u2019ll\t see\t him\t all\t right!\u2019\t That\t in\t itself\t ought\t to\t have\t made\t me suspicious\tof\twhat\thad\tjust\ttaken\tplace\ta\tfew\tminutes\tbefore.\u201d Haydock\tstared\tat\tme. \u201cWhat\t do\t you\t mean\u2014what\t had\t just\t taken\t place?\t When\t do\t you\t think Redding\tshot\thim?\u201d \u201cA\tfew\tminutes\tbefore\tI\tgot\tto\tthe\thouse.\u201d The\tdoctor\tshook\this\thead. \u201cImpossible.\tPlumb\timpossible.\tHe\u2019d\tbeen\tdead\tmuch\tlonger\tthan\tthat.\u201d \u201cBut,\tmy\tdear\tman,\u201d\tcried\tColonel\tMelchett,\t\u201cyou\tsaid\tyourself\tthat\thalf\tan hour\twas\tonly\tan\tapproximate\testimate.\u201d \u201cHalf\t an\t hour,\t thirty-five\t minutes,\t twenty-five\t minutes,\t twenty\t minutes\u2014 possibly,\tbut\tless,\tno.\tWhy,\tthe\tbody\twould\thave\tbeen\twarm\twhen\tI\tgot\tto\tit.\u201d We\tstared\tat\teach\tother.\tHaydock\u2019s\tface\thad\tchanged.\tIt\thad\tgone\tsuddenly grey\tand\told.\tI\twondered\tat\tthe\tchange\tin\thim. \u201cBut,\tlook\there,\tHaydock.\u201d\tThe\tColonel\tfound\this\tvoice.\t\u201cIf\tRedding\tadmits shooting\thim\tat\ta\tquarter\tto\tseven\u2014\u201d Haydock\tsprang\tto\this\tfeet. \u201cI\t tell\t you\t it\u2019s\t impossible,\u201d\t he\t roared.\t \u201cIf\t Redding\t says\t he\t killed\t Protheroe at\ta\tquarter\tto\tseven,\tthen\tRedding\tlies.\tHang\tit\tall,\tI\ttell\tyou\tI\u2019m\ta\tdoctor,\tand\tI know.\tThe\tblood\thad\tbegun\tto\tcongeal.\u201d \u201cIf\tRedding\tis\tlying,\u201d\tbegan\tMelchett.\tHe\tstopped,\tshook\this\thead. \u201cWe\u2019d\tbetter\tgo\tdown\tto\tthe\tpolice\tstation\tand\tsee\thim,\u201d\the\tsaid.","Eight \t We\t were\t rather\t silent\t on\t our\t way\t down\t to\t the\t police\t station.\t Haydock\t drew behind\t a\t little\t and\t murmured\t to\t me:\t \u201cYou\t know\t I\t don\u2019t\t like\t the\t look\t of\t this.\t I don\u2019t\tlike\tit.\tThere\u2019s\tsomething\there\twe\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand.\u201d He\tlooked\tthoroughly\tworried\tand\tupset. Inspector\t Slack\t was\t at\t the\t police\t station\t and\t presently\t we\t found\t ourselves face\tto\tface\twith\tLawrence\tRedding. He\t looked\t pale\t and\t strained\t but\t quite\t composed\u2014marvellously\t so,\t I thought,\t considering\t the\t circumstances.\t Melchett\t snorted\t and\t hummed, obviously\tnervous. \u201cLook\t here,\t Redding,\u201d\t he\t said,\t \u201cI\t understand\t you\t made\t a\t statement\t to Inspector\t Slack\t here.\t You\t state\t you\t went\t to\t the\t Vicarage\t at\t approximately\t a quarter\tto\tseven,\tfound\tProtheroe\tthere,\tquarrelled\twith\thim,\tshot\thim,\tand\tcame away.\tI\u2019m\tnot\treading\tit\tover\tto\tyou,\tbut\tthat\u2019s\tthe\tgist\tof\tit.\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\task\ta\tfew\tquestions.\tYou\u2019ve\talready\tbeen\ttold\tthat\tyou\tneedn\u2019t answer\tthem\tunless\tyou\tchoose.\tYour\tsolicitor\u2014\u201d Lawrence\tinterrupted. \u201cI\u2019ve\tnothing\tto\thide.\tI\tkilled\tProtheroe.\u201d \u201cAh!\twell\u2014\u201d\tMelchett\tsnorted.\t\u201cHow\tdid\tyou\thappen\tto\thave\ta\tpistol\twith you?\u201d Lawrence\thesitated.\t\u201cIt\twas\tin\tmy\tpocket.\u201d \u201cYou\ttook\tit\twith\tyou\tto\tthe\tVicarage?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cI\talways\ttake\tit.\u201d He\t had\t hesitated\t again\t before\t answering,\t and\t I\t was\t absolutely\t sure\t that\t he was\tnot\tspeaking\tthe\ttruth. \u201cWhy\tdid\tyou\tput\tthe\tclock\tback?\u201d \u201cThe\tclock?\u201d\tHe\tseemed\tpuzzled.","\u201cYes,\tthe\thands\tpointed\tto\t6:22.\u201d A\tlook\tof\tfear\tsprang\tup\tin\this\tface. \u201cOh!\tthat\u2014yes.\tI\u2014I\taltered\tit.\u201d Haydock\tspoke\tsuddenly. \u201cWhere\tdid\tyou\tshoot\tColonel\tProtheroe?\u201d \u201cIn\tthe\tstudy\tat\tthe\tVicarage.\u201d \u201cI\tmean\tin\twhat\tpart\tof\tthe\tbody?\u201d \u201cOh!\u2014I\u2014through\tthe\thead,\tI\tthink.\tYes,\tthrough\tthe\thead.\u201d \u201cAren\u2019t\tyou\tsure?\u201d \u201cSince\tyou\tknow,\tI\tcan\u2019t\tsee\twhy\tit\tis\tnecessary\tto\task\tme.\u201d It\t was\t a\t feeble\t kind\t of\t bluster.\t There\t was\t some\t commotion\t outside.\t A constable\twithout\ta\thelmet\tbrought\tin\ta\tnote. \u201cFor\tthe\tVicar.\tIt\tsays\tvery\turgent\ton\tit.\u201d I\ttore\tit\topen\tand\tread: \u201cPlease\u2014please\u2014come\tto\tme.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tdo.\tIt\tis\tall\ttoo\tawful.\tI want\tto\ttell\tsomeone.\tPlease\tcome\timmediately,\tand\tbring\tanyone\tyou\tlike with\tyou.\tAnne\tProtheroe.\u201d \t I\t gave\t Melchett\t a\t meaning\t glance.\t He\t took\t the\t hint.\t We\t all\t went\t out together.\t Glancing\t over\t my\t shoulder,\t I\t had\t a\t glimpse\t of\t Lawrence\t Redding\u2019s face.\tHis\teyes\twere\triveted\ton\tthe\tpaper\tin\tmy\thand,\tand\tI\thave\thardly\tever\tseen such\ta\tterrible\tlook\tof\tanguish\tand\tdespair\tin\tany\thuman\tbeing\u2019s\tface. I\tremembered\tAnne\tProtheroe\tsitting\ton\tmy\tsofa\tand\tsaying: \u201cI\u2019m\t a\t desperate\t woman,\u201d\t and\t my\t heart\t grew\t heavy\t within\t me.\t I\t saw\t now the\tpossible\treason\tfor\tLawrence\tRedding\u2019s\theroic\tself-accusation.\tMelchett\twas speaking\tto\tSlack. \u201cHave\tyou\tgot\tany\tline\ton\tRedding\u2019s\tmovements\tearlier\tin\tthe\tday?\tThere\u2019s some\t reason\t to\t think\t he\t shot\t Protheroe\t earlier\t than\t he\t says.\t Get\t on\t to\t it,\t will you?\u201d He\t turned\t to\t me\t and\t without\t a\t word\t I\t handed\t him\t Anne\t Protheroe\u2019s\t letter. He\t read\t it\t and\t pursed\t up\t his\t lips\t in\t astonishment.\t Then\t he\t looked\t at\t me inquiringly. \u201cIs\tthis\twhat\tyou\twere\thinting\tat\tthis\tmorning?\u201d \u201cYes.\tI\twas\tnot\tsure\tthen\tif\tit\twas\tmy\tduty\tto\tspeak.\tI\tam\tquite\tsure\tnow.\u201d And\tI\ttold\thim\tof\twhat\tI\thad\tseen\tthat\tnight\tin\tthe\tstudio. The\tColonel\thad\ta\tfew\twords\twith\tthe\tInspector\tand\tthen\twe\tset\toff\tfor\tOld","Hall.\tDr.\tHaydock\tcame\twith\tus. A\tvery\tcorrect\tbutler\topened\tthe\tdoor,\twith\tjust\tthe\tright\tamount\tof\tgloom\tin his\tbearing. \u201cGood\tmorning,\u201d\tsaid\tMelchett.\t\u201cWill\tyou\task\tMrs.\tProtheroe\u2019s\tmaid\tto\ttell her\twe\tare\there\tand\twould\tlike\tto\tsee\ther,\tand\tthen\treturn\there\tand\tanswer\ta\tfew questions.\u201d The\t butler\t hurried\t away\t and\t presently\t returned\t with\t the\t news\t that\t he\t had despatched\tthe\tmessage. \u201cNow\t let\u2019s\t hear\t something\t about\t yesterday,\u201d\t said\t Colonel\t Melchett.\t \u201cYour master\twas\tin\tto\tlunch?\u201d \u201cYes,\tsir.\u201d \u201cAnd\tin\this\tusual\tspirits?\u201d \u201cAs\tfar\tas\tI\tcould\tsee,\tyes,\tsir.\u201d \u201cWhat\thappened\tafter\tthat?\u201d \u201cAfter\tluncheon\tMrs.\tProtheroe\twent\tto\tlie\tdown\tand\tthe\tColonel\twent\tto\this study.\tMiss\tLettice\twent\tout\tto\ta\ttennis\tparty\tin\tthe\ttwo-seater.\tColonel\tand\tMrs. Protheroe\t had\t tea\t at\t four\t thirty,\t in\t the\t drawing\t room.\t The\t car\t was\t ordered\t for five-thirty\t to\t take\t them\t to\t the\t village.\t Immediately\t after\t they\t had\t left\t Mr. Clement\trang\tup\u201d\u2014he\tbowed\tto\tme\u2014\u201cI\ttold\thim\tthey\thad\tstarted.\u201d \u201cH\u2019m,\u201d\tsaid\tColonel\tMelchett.\t\u201cWhen\twas\tMr.\tRedding\tlast\there?\u201d \u201cOn\tTuesday\tafternoon,\tsir.\u201d \u201cI\tunderstand\tthat\tthere\twas\ta\tdisagreement\tbetween\tthem?\u201d \u201cI\t believe\t so,\t sir.\t The\t Colonel\t gave\t me\t orders\t that\t Mr.\t Redding\t was\t not\t to be\tadmitted\tin\tfuture.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\toverhear\tthe\tquarrel\tat\tall?\u201d\tasked\tColonel\tMelchett\tbluntly. \u201cColonel\tProtheroe,\tsir,\thad\ta\tvery\tloud\tvoice,\tespecially\twhen\tit\twas\traised in\tanger.\tI\twas\tunable\tto\thelp\toverhearing\ta\tfew\twords\there\tand\tthere.\u201d \u201cEnough\tto\ttell\tyou\tthe\tcause\tof\tthe\tdispute?\u201d \u201cI\t understood,\t sir,\t that\t it\t had\t to\t do\t with\t a\t portrait\t Mr.\t Redding\t had\t been painting\u2014a\tportrait\tof\tMiss\tLettice.\u201d Melchett\tgrunted. \u201cDid\tyou\tsee\tMr.\tRedding\twhen\the\tleft?\u201d \u201cYes,\tsir,\tI\tlet\thim\tout.\u201d \u201cDid\the\tseem\tangry?\u201d \u201cNo,\tsir;\tif\tI\tmay\tsay\tso,\the\tseemed\trather\tamused.\u201d \u201cAh!\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tcome\tto\tthe\thouse\tyesterday?\u201d \u201cNo,\tsir.\u201d \u201cAnyone\telse\tcome?\u201d \u201cNot\tyesterday,\tsir.\u201d","\u201cWell,\tthe\tday\tbefore?\u201d \u201cMr.\t Dennis\t Clement\t came\t in\t the\t afternoon.\t And\t Dr.\t Stone\t was\t here\t for some\ttime.\tAnd\tthere\twas\ta\tlady\tin\tthe\tevening.\u201d \u201cA\tlady?\u201d\tMelchett\twas\tsurprised.\t\u201cWho\twas\tshe?\u201d The\t butler\t couldn\u2019t\t remember\t her\t name.\t It\t was\t a\t lady\t he\t had\t not\t seen before.\tYes,\tshe\thad\tgiven\ther\tname,\tand\twhen\the\ttold\ther\tthat\tthe\tfamily\twere at\t dinner,\t she\t had\t said\t that\t she\t would\t wait.\t So\t he\t had\t shown\t her\t into\t the\t little morning\troom. She\t had\t asked\t for\t Colonel\t Protheroe,\t not\t Mrs.\t Protheroe.\t He\t had\t told\t the Colonel\tand\tthe\tColonel\thad\tgone\tto\tthe\tmorning\troom\tdirectly\tdinner\twas\tover. How\tlong\thad\tthe\tlady\tstayed?\tHe\tthought\tabout\thalf\tan\thour.\tThe\tColonel himself\t had\t let\t her\t out.\t Ah!\t Yes,\t he\t remembered\t her\t name\t now.\t The\t lady\t had been\ta\tMrs.\tLestrange. This\twas\ta\tsurprise. \u201cCurious,\u201d\tsaid\tMelchett.\t\u201cReally\tvery\tcurious.\u201d But\t we\t pursued\t the\t matter\t no\t further,\t for\t at\t that\t moment\t a\t message\t came that\tMrs.\tProtheroe\twould\tsee\tus. Anne\t was\t in\t bed.\t Her\t face\t was\t pale\t and\t her\t eyes\t very\t bright.\t There\t was\t a look\t on\t her\t face\t that\t puzzled\t me\u2014a\t kind\t of\t grim\t determination.\t She\t spoke\t to me. \u201cThank\t you\t for\t coming\t so\t promptly,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cI\t see\t you\u2019ve\t understood what\tI\tmeant\tby\tbringing\tanyone\tyou\tliked\twith\tyou.\u201d\tShe\tpaused. \u201cIt\u2019s\t best\t to\t get\t it\t over\t quickly,\t isn\u2019t\t it?\u201d\t she\t said.\t She\t gave\t a\t queer,\t half- pathetic\t little\t smile.\t \u201cI\t suppose\t you\u2019re\t the\t person\t I\t ought\t to\t say\t it\t to,\t Colonel Melchett.\tYou\tsee,\tit\twas\tI\twho\tkilled\tmy\thusband.\u201d Colonel\tMelchett\tsaid\tgently: \u201cMy\tdear\tMrs.\tProtheroe\u2014\u201d \u201cOh!\tIt\u2019s\tquite\ttrue.\tI\tsuppose\tI\u2019ve\tsaid\tit\trather\tbluntly,\tbut\tI\tnever\tcan\tgo into\thysterics\tover\tanything.\tI\u2019ve\thated\thim\tfor\ta\tlong\ttime,\tand\tyesterday\tI\tshot him.\u201d She\tlay\tback\ton\tthe\tpillows\tand\tclosed\ther\teyes. \u201cThat\u2019s\t all.\t I\t suppose\t you\u2019ll\t arrest\t me\t and\t take\t me\t away.\t I\u2019ll\t get\t up\t and dress\tas\tsoon\tas\tI\tcan.\tAt\tthe\tmoment\tI\tam\tfeeling\trather\tsick.\u201d \u201cAre\t you\t aware,\t Mrs.\t Protheroe,\t that\t Mr.\t Lawrence\t Redding\t has\t already accused\thimself\tof\tcommitting\tthe\tcrime?\u201d Anne\topened\ther\teyes\tand\tnodded\tbrightly. \u201cI\t know.\t Silly\t boy.\t He\u2019s\t very\t much\t in\t love\t with\t me,\t you\t know.\t It\t was frightfully\tnoble\tof\thim\u2014but\tvery\tsilly.\u201d \u201cHe\tknew\tthat\tit\twas\tyou\twho\thad\tcommitted\tthe\tcrime?\u201d","\u201cYes.\u201d \u201cHow\tdid\the\tknow?\u201d She\thesitated. \u201cDid\tyou\ttell\thim?\u201d Still\tshe\thesitated.\tThen\tat\tlast\tshe\tseemed\tto\tmake\tup\ther\tmind. \u201cYes\u2014I\ttold\thim\u2026.\u201d She\ttwitched\ther\tshoulders\twith\ta\tmovement\tof\tirritation. \u201cCan\u2019t\t you\t go\t away\t now?\t I\u2019ve\t told\t you.\t I\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t talk\t about\t it anymore.\u201d \u201cWhere\tdid\tyou\tget\tthe\tpistol,\tMrs.\tProtheroe?\u201d \u201cThe\t pistol!\t Oh,\t it\t was\t my\t husband\u2019s.\t I\t got\t it\t out\t of\t the\t drawer\t of\t his dressing\ttable.\u201d \u201cI\tsee.\tAnd\tyou\ttook\tit\twith\tyou\tto\tthe\tVicarage?\u201d \u201cYes.\tI\tknew\the\twould\tbe\tthere\u2014\u201d \u201cWhat\ttime\twas\tthis?\u201d \u201cIt\tmust\thave\tbeen\tafter\tsix\u2014quarter\u2014twenty\tpast\u2014something\tlike\tthat.\u201d \u201cYou\ttook\tthe\tpistol\tmeaning\tto\tshoot\tyour\thusband?\u201d \u201cNo\u2014I\u2014meant\tit\tfor\tmyself.\u201d \u201cI\tsee.\tBut\tyou\twent\tto\tthe\tVicarage?\u201d \u201cYes.\tI\twent\talong\tto\tthe\twindow.\tThere\twere\tno\tvoices.\tI\tlooked\tin.\tI\tsaw my\thusband.\tSomething\tcame\tover\tme\u2014and\tI\tfired.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthen?\u201d \u201cThen?\tOh,\tthen\tI\twent\taway.\u201d \u201cAnd\ttold\tMr.\tRedding\twhat\tyou\thad\tdone?\u201d Again\tI\tnoticed\tthe\thesitation\tin\ther\tvoice\tbefore\tshe\tsaid\t\u201cYes.\u201d \u201cDid\tanybody\tsee\tyou\tentering\tor\tleaving\tthe\tVicarage?\u201d \u201cNo\u2014at\tleast,\tyes.\tOld\tMiss\tMarple.\tI\ttalked\tto\ther\tfor\ta\tfew\tminutes.\tShe was\tin\ther\tgarden.\u201d She\tmoved\trestlessly\ton\tthe\tpillows. \u201cIsn\u2019t\tthat\tenough?\tI\u2019ve\ttold\tyou.\tWhy\tdo\tyou\twant\tto\tgo\ton\tbothering\tme?\u201d Dr.\tHaydock\tmoved\tto\ther\tside\tand\tfelt\ther\tpulse. He\tbeckoned\tto\tMelchett. \u201cI\u2019ll\t stay\t with\t her,\u201d\t he\t said\t in\t a\t whisper,\t \u201cwhilst\t you\t make\t the\t necessary arrangements.\tShe\toughtn\u2019t\tto\tbe\tleft.\tMight\tdo\therself\ta\tmischief.\u201d Melchett\tnodded. We\tleft\tthe\troom\tand\tdescended\tthe\tstairs.\tI\tsaw\ta\tthin,\tcadaverous-looking man\tcome\tout\tof\tthe\tadjoining\troom\tand\ton\timpulse\tI\tremounted\tthe\tstairs. \u201cAre\tyou\tColonel\tProtheroe\u2019s\tvalet?\u201d The\tman\tlooked\tsurprised.\t\u201cYes,\tsir.\u201d","\u201cDo\tyou\tknow\twhether\tyour\tlate\tmaster\tkept\ta\tpistol\tanywhere?\u201d \u201cNot\tthat\tI\tknow\tof,\tsir.\u201d \u201cNot\tin\tone\tof\tthe\tdrawers\tof\this\tdressing\ttable?\tThink,\tman.\u201d The\tvalet\tshook\this\thead\tdecisively. \u201cI\u2019m\tquite\tsure\the\tdidn\u2019t,\tsir.\tI\u2019d\thave\tseen\tit\tif\tso.\tBound\tto.\u201d I\thurried\tdown\tthe\tstairs\tafter\tthe\tothers. Mrs.\tProtheroe\thad\tlied\tabout\tthe\tpistol. Why?","Nine \t After\t leaving\t a\t message\t at\t the\t police\t station,\t the\t Chief\t Constable\t announced his\tintention\tof\tpaying\ta\tvisit\tto\tMiss\tMarple. \u201cYou\u2019d\t better\t come\t with\t me,\t Vicar,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t give\t a member\tof\tyour\tflock\thysterics.\tSo\tlend\tthe\tweight\tof\tyour\tsoothing\tpresence.\u201d I\t smiled.\t For\t all\t her\t fragile\t appearance,\t Miss\t Marple\t is\t capable\t of\t holding her\town\twith\tany\tpoliceman\tor\tChief\tConstable\tin\texistence. \u201cWhat\u2019s\t she\t like?\u201d\t asked\t the\t Colonel,\t as\t we\t rang\t the\t bell.\t \u201cAnything\t she says\tto\tbe\tdepended\tupon\tor\totherwise?\u201d I\tconsidered\tthe\tmatter. \u201cI\tthink\tshe\tis\tquite\tdependable,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tcautiously.\t\u201cThat\tis,\tin\tso\tfar\tas\tshe is\ttalking\tof\twhat\tshe\thas\tactually\tseen.\tBeyond\tthat,\tof\tcourse,\twhen\tyou\tget\ton to\twhat\tshe\tthinks\u2014well,\tthat\tis\tanother\tmatter.\tShe\thas\ta\tpowerful\timagination and\tsystematically\tthinks\tthe\tworst\tof\teveryone.\u201d \u201cThe\t typical\t elderly\t spinster,\t in\t fact,\u201d\t said\t Melchett,\t with\t a\t laugh.\t \u201cWell,\t I ought\tto\tknow\tthe\tbreed\tby\tnow.\tGad,\tthe\ttea\tparties\tdown\there!\u201d We\t were\t admitted\t by\t a\t very\t diminutive\t maid\t and\t shown\t into\t a\t small drawing\troom. \u201cA\tbit\tcrowded,\u201d\tsaid\tColonel\tMelchett,\tlooking\tround.\t\u201cBut\tplenty\tof\tgood stuff.\tA\tlady\u2019s\troom,\teh,\tClement?\u201d I\t agreed,\t and\t at\t that\t moment\t the\t door\t opened\t and\t Miss\t Marple\t made\t her appearance. \u201cVery\t sorry\t to\t bother\t you,\t Miss\t Marple,\u201d\t said\t the\t Colonel,\t when\t I\t had introduced\t him,\t putting\t on\t his\t bluff\t military\t manner\t which\t he\t had\t an\t idea\t was attractive\tto\telderly\tladies.\t\u201cGot\tto\tdo\tmy\tduty,\tyou\tknow.\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse,\tof\tcourse,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tMarple.\t\u201cI\tquite\tunderstand.\tWon\u2019t\tyou\tsit down?\tAnd\tmight\tI\toffer\tyou\ta\tlittle\tglass\tof\tcherry\tbrandy?\tMy\town\tmaking.\tA recipe\tof\tmy\tgrandmother\u2019s.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou\tvery\tmuch,\tMiss\tMarple.\tVery\tkind\tof\tyou.\tBut\tI\tthink\tI\twon\u2019t. Nothing\t till\t lunch\t time,\t that\u2019s\t my\t motto.\t Now,\t I\t want\t to\t talk\t to\t you\t about\t this","sad\t business\u2014very\t sad\t business\t indeed.\t Upset\t us\t all,\t I\u2019m\t sure.\t Well,\t it\t seems possible\tthat\towing\tto\tthe\tposition\tof\tyour\thouse\tand\tgarden,\tyou\tmay\thave\tbeen able\tto\ttell\tus\tsomething\twe\twant\tto\tknow\tabout\tyesterday\tevening.\u201d \u201cAs\t a\t matter\t of\t fact,\t I\t was\t in\t my\t little\t garden\t from\t five\t o\u2019clock\t onwards yesterday,\t and,\t of\t course,\t from\t there\u2014well,\t one\t simply\t cannot\t help\t seeing anything\tthat\tis\tgoing\ton\tnext\tdoor.\u201d \u201cI\t understand,\t Miss\t Marple,\t that\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\t passed\t this\t way\t yesterday evening?\u201d \u201cYes,\tshe\tdid.\tI\tcalled\tout\tto\ther,\tand\tshe\tadmired\tmy\troses.\u201d \u201cCould\tyou\ttell\tus\tabout\twhat\ttime\tthat\twas?\u201d \u201cI\tshould\tsay\tit\twas\tjust\ta\tminute\tor\ttwo\tafter\ta\tquarter\tpast\tsix.\tYes,\tthat\u2019s right.\tThe\tchurch\tclock\thad\tjust\tchimed\tthe\tquarter.\u201d \u201cVery\tgood.\tWhat\thappened\tnext?\u201d \u201cWell,\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\t said\t she\t was\t calling\t for\t her\t husband\t at\t the\t Vicarage so\t that\t they\t could\t go\t home\t together.\t She\t had\t come\t along\t the\t lane,\t you understand,\t and\t she\t went\t into\t the\t Vicarage\t by\t the\t back\t gate\t and\t across\t the garden.\u201d \u201cShe\tcame\tfrom\tthe\tlane?\u201d \u201cYes,\tI\u2019ll\tshow\tyou.\u201d Full\tof\teagerness,\tMiss\tMarple\tled\tus\tout\tinto\tthe\tgarden\tand\tpointed\tout\tthe lane\tthat\tran\talong\tby\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tgarden. \u201cThe\tpath\topposite\twith\tthe\tstile\tleads\tto\tthe\tHall,\u201d\tshe\texplained.\t\u201cThat\twas the\tway\tthey\twere\tgoing\thome\ttogether.\tMrs.\tProtheroe\tcame\tfrom\tthe\tvillage.\u201d \u201cPerfectly,\t perfectly,\u201d\t said\t Colonel\t Melchett.\t \u201cAnd\t she\t went\t across\t to\t the Vicarage,\tyou\tsay?\u201d \u201cYes.\t I\t saw\t her\t turn\t the\t corner\t of\t the\t house.\t I\t suppose\t the\t Colonel\t wasn\u2019t there\t yet,\t because\t she\t came\t back\t almost\t immediately,\t and\t went\t down\t the\t lawn to\t the\t studio\u2014that\t building\t there.\t The\t one\t the\t Vicar\t lets\t Mr.\t Redding\t use\t as\t a studio.\u201d \u201cI\tsee.\tAnd\u2014you\tdidn\u2019t\thear\ta\tshot,\tMiss\tMarple?\u201d \u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\thear\ta\tshot\tthen,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tMarple. \u201cBut\tyou\tdid\thear\tone\tsometime?\u201d \u201cYes,\tI\tthink\tthere\twas\ta\tshot\tsomewhere\tin\tthe\twoods.\tBut\tquite\tfive\tor\tten minutes\t afterwards\u2014and,\t as\t I\t say,\t out\t in\t the\t woods.\t At\t least,\t I\t think\t so.\t It couldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen\u2014surely\tit\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen\u2014\u201d She\tstopped,\tpale\twith\texcitement. \u201cYes,\t yes,\t we\u2019ll\t come\t to\t all\t that\t presently,\u201d\t said\t Colonel\t Melchett.\t \u201cPlease go\ton\twith\tyour\tstory.\tMrs.\tProtheroe\twent\tdown\tto\tthe\tstudio?\u201d","","\u201cYes,\t she\t went\t inside\t and\t waited.\t Presently\t Mr.\t Redding\t came\t along\t the lane\tfrom\tthe\tvillage.\tHe\tcame\tto\tthe\tVicarage\tgate,\tlooked\tall\tround\u2014\u201d \u201cAnd\tsaw\tyou,\tMiss\tMarple.\u201d \u201cAs\ta\tmatter\tof\tfact,\the\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tme,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tMarple,\tflushing\tslightly. \u201cBecause,\tyou\tsee,\tjust\tat\tthat\tminute\tI\twas\tbending\tright\tover\u2014trying\tto\tget\tup one\tof\tthose\tnasty\tdandelions,\tyou\tknow.\tSo\tdifficult.\tAnd\tthen\the\twent\tthrough the\tgate\tand\tdown\tto\tthe\tstudio.\u201d \u201cHe\tdidn\u2019t\tgo\tnear\tthe\thouse?\u201d \u201cOh,\tno!\tHe\twent\tstraight\tto\tthe\tstudio.\tMrs.\tProtheroe\tcame\tto\tthe\tdoor\tto meet\thim,\tand\tthen\tthey\tboth\twent\tinside.\u201d Here\tMiss\tMarple\tcontributed\ta\tsingularly\teloquent\tpause. \u201cPerhaps\tshe\twas\tsitting\tfor\thim?\u201d\tI\tsuggested. \u201cPerhaps,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tMarple. \u201cAnd\tthey\tcame\tout\u2014when?\u201d \u201cAbout\tten\tminutes\tlater.\u201d \u201cThat\twas\troughly?\u201d \u201cThe\t church\t clock\t had\t chimed\t the\t half\t hour.\t They\t strolled\t out\t through\t the garden\tgate\tand\talong\tthe\tlane,\tand\tjust\tat\tthat\tminute,\tDr.\tStone\tcame\tdown\tthe path\t leading\t to\t the\t Hall,\t and\t climbed\t over\t the\t stile\t and\t joined\t them.\t They\t all walked\ttowards\tthe\tvillage\ttogether.\tAt\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tlane,\tI\tthink,\tbut\tI\tcan\u2019t\tbe quite\tsure,\tthey\twere\tjoined\tby\tMiss\tCram.\tI\tthink\tit\tmust\thave\tbeen\tMiss\tCram because\ther\tskirts\twere\tso\tshort.\u201d \u201cYou\tmust\thave\tvery\tgood\teyesight,\tMiss\tMarple,\tif\tyou\tcan\tobserve\tas\tfar as\tthat.\u201d \u201cI\twas\tobserving\ta\tbird,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tMarple.\t\u201cA\tgolden\tcrested\twren,\tI\tthink he\twas.\tA\tsweet\tlittle\tfellow.\tI\thad\tmy\tglasses\tout,\tand\tthat\u2019s\thow\tI\thappened\tto see\tMiss\tCram\t(if\tit\twas\tMiss\tCram,\tand\tI\tthink\tso),\tjoin\tthem.\u201d \u201cAh!\t Well,\t that\t may\t be\t so,\u201d\t said\t Colonel\t Melchett.\t \u201cNow,\t since\t you\t seem very\t good\t at\t observing,\t did\t you\t happen\t to\t notice,\t Miss\t Marple,\t what\t sort\t of expression\tMrs.\tProtheroe\tand\tMr.\tRedding\thad\tas\tthey\tpassed\talong\tthe\tlane?\u201d \u201cThey\t were\t smiling\t and\t talking,\u201d\t said\t Miss\t Marple.\t \u201cThey\t seemed\t very happy\tto\tbe\ttogether,\tif\tyou\tknow\twhat\tI\tmean.\u201d \u201cThey\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tupset\tor\tdisturbed\tin\tany\tway?\u201d \u201cOh,\tno!\tJust\tthe\topposite.\u201d \u201cDeuced\todd,\u201d\t said\tthe\t Colonel.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\t something\t deuced\t odd\tabout\t the whole\tthing.\u201d Miss\tMarple\tsuddenly\ttook\tour\tbreath\taway\tby\tremarking\tin\ta\tplacid\tvoice: \u201cHas\tMrs.\tProtheroe\tbeen\tsaying\tthat\tshe\tcommitted\tthe\tcrime\tnow?\u201d \u201cUpon\t my\t soul,\u201d\t said\t the\t Colonel,\t \u201chow\t did\t you\t come\t to\t guess\t that,\t Miss","Marple?\u201d \u201cWell,\t I\t rather\t thought\t it\t might\t happen,\u201d\t said\t Miss\t Marple.\t \u201cI\t think\t dear Lettice\t thought\t so,\t too.\t She\u2019s\t really\t a\t very\t sharp\t girl.\t Not\t always\t very scrupulous,\t I\u2019m\t afraid.\t So\t Anne\t Protheroe\t says\t she\t killed\t her\t husband.\t Well, well.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tit\u2019s\ttrue.\tNo,\tI\u2019m\talmost\tsure\tit\tisn\u2019t\ttrue.\tNot\twith\ta\twoman like\t Anne\t Protheroe.\t Although\t one\t never\t can\t be\t quite\t sure\t about\t anyone,\t can one?\tAt\tleast\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tI\u2019ve\tfound.\tWhen\tdoes\tshe\tsay\tshe\tshot\thim?\u201d \u201cAt\ttwenty\tminutes\tpast\tsix.\tJust\tafter\tspeaking\tto\tyou.\u201d Miss\tMarple\tshook\ther\thead\tslowly\tand\tpityingly.\tThe\tpity\twas,\tI\tthink,\tfor two\t full-grown\t men\t being\t so\t foolish\t as\t to\t believe\t such\t a\t story.\t At\t least\t that\t is what\twe\tfelt\tlike. \u201cWhat\tdid\tshe\tshoot\thim\twith?\u201d \u201cA\tpistol.\u201d \u201cWhere\tdid\tshe\tfind\tit?\u201d \u201cShe\tbrought\tit\twith\ther.\u201d \u201cWell,\t that\t she\t didn\u2019t\t do,\u201d\t said\t Miss\t Marple,\t with\t unexpected\t decision.\t \u201cI can\tswear\tto\tthat.\tShe\u2019d\tno\tsuch\tthing\twith\ther.\u201d \u201cYou\tmightn\u2019t\thave\tseen\tit.\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse\tI\tshould\thave\tseen\tit.\u201d \u201cIf\tit\thad\tbeen\tin\ther\thandbag.\u201d \u201cShe\twasn\u2019t\tcarrying\ta\thandbag.\u201d \u201cWell,\tit\tmight\thave\tbeen\tconcealed\u2014er\u2014upon\ther\tperson.\u201d Miss\tMarple\tdirected\ta\tglance\tof\tsorrow\tand\tscorn\tupon\thim. \u201cMy\t dear\t Colonel\t Melchett,\t you\t know\t what\t young\t women\t are\t nowadays. Not\tashamed\tto\tshow\texactly\thow\tthe\tcreator\tmade\tthem.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tso\tmuch\tas a\thandkerchief\tin\tthe\ttop\tof\ther\tstocking.\u201d Melchett\twas\tobstinate. \u201cYou\tmust\tadmit\tthat\tit\tall\tfits\tin,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cThe\ttime,\tthe\toverturned\tclock pointing\tto\t6:22\u2014\u201d Miss\tMarple\tturned\ton\tme. \u201cDo\tyou\tmean\tyou\thaven\u2019t\ttold\thim\tabout\tthat\tclock\tyet?\u201d \u201cWhat\tabout\tthe\tclock,\tClement?\u201d I\ttold\thim.\tHe\tshowed\ta\tgood\tdeal\tof\tannoyance. \u201cWhy\ton\tearth\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tSlack\tthis\tlast\tnight?\u201d \u201cBecause,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201che\twouldn\u2019t\tlet\tme.\u201d \u201cNonsense,\tyou\tought\tto\thave\tinsisted.\u201d \u201cProbably,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cInspector\tSlack\tbehaves\tquite\tdifferently\tto\tyou\tthan\the does\tto\tme.\tI\thad\tno\tearthly\tchance\tof\tinsisting.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tan\textraordinary\tbusiness\taltogether,\u201d\tsaid\tMelchett.\t\u201cIf\ta\tthird\tperson","comes\t along\t and\t claims\t to\t have\t done\t this\t murder,\t I\t shall\t go\t into\t a\t lunatic asylum.\u201d \u201cIf\tI\tmight\tbe\tallowed\tto\tsuggest\u2014\u201d\tmurmured\tMiss\tMarple. \u201cWell?\u201d \u201cIf\t you\t were\t to\t tell\t Mr.\t Redding\t what\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\t has\t done\t and\t then explain\tthat\tyou\tdon\u2019t\treally\tbelieve\tit\tis\ther.\tAnd\tthen\tif\tyou\twere\tto\tgo\tto\tMrs. Protheroe\tand\ttell\ther\tthat\tMr.\tRedding\tis\tall\tright\u2014why\tthen,\tthey\tmight\teach of\tthem\ttell\tyou\tthe\ttruth.\tAnd\tthe\ttruth\tis\thelpful,\tthough\tI\tdare\tsay\tthey\tdon\u2019t know\tvery\tmuch\tthemselves,\tpoor\tthings.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t all\t very\t well,\t but\t they\t are\t the\t only\t two\t people\t who\t had\t a\t motive\t for making\taway\twith\tProtheroe.\u201d \u201cOh,\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tsay\tthat,\tColonel\tMelchett,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tMarple. \u201cWhy,\tcan\tyou\tthink\tof\tanyone\telse?\u201d \u201cOh!\t yes,\t indeed.\t Why,\u201d\t she\t counted\t on\t her\t fingers,\t \u201cone,\t two,\t three,\t four, five,\t six\u2014yes,\t and\t a\t possible\t seven.\t I\t can\t think\t of\t at\t least\t seven\t people\t who might\tbe\tvery\tglad\tto\thave\tColonel\tProtheroe\tout\tof\tthe\tway.\u201d The\tColonel\tlooked\tat\ther\tfeebly. \u201cSeven\tpeople?\tIn\tSt.\tMary\tMead?\u201d Miss\tMarple\tnodded\tbrightly. \u201cMind\t you\t I\t name\t no\t names,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cThat\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t right.\t But\t I\u2019m afraid\tthere\u2019s\ta\tlot\tof\twickedness\tin\tthe\tworld.\tA\tnice\thonourable\tupright\tsoldier like\tyou\tdoesn\u2019t\tknow\tabout\tthese\tthings,\tColonel\tMelchett.\u201d I\tthought\tthe\tChief\tConstable\twas\tgoing\tto\thave\tapoplexy.","Ten \t His\tremarks\ton\tthe\tsubject\tof\tMiss\tMarple\tas\twe\tleft\tthe\thouse\twere\tfar\tfrom complimentary. \u201cI\treally\tbelieve\tthat\twizened-up\told\tmaid\tthinks\tshe\tknows\teverything\tthere is\t to\t know.\t And\t hardly\t been\t out\t of\t this\t village\t all\t her\t life.\t Preposterous.\t What can\tshe\tknow\tof\tlife?\u201d I\t said\t mildly\t that\t though\t doubtless\t Miss\t Marple\t knew\t next\t to\t nothing\t of Life\t with\t a\t capital\t L,\t she\t knew\t practically\t everything\t that\t went\t on\t in\t St.\t Mary Mead. Melchett\tadmitted\tthat\tgrudgingly.\tShe\twas\ta\tvaluable\twitness\u2014particularly valuable\tfrom\tMrs.\tProtheroe\u2019s\tpoint\tof\tview. \u201cI\tsuppose\tthere\u2019s\tno\tdoubt\tabout\twhat\tshe\tsays,\teh?\u201d \u201cIf\tMiss\tMarple\tsays\tshe\thad\tno\tpistol\twith\ther,\tyou\tcan\ttake\tit\tfor\tgranted that\t it\t is\t so,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cIf\t there\t was\t the\t least\t possibility\t of\t such\t a\t thing,\t Miss Marple\twould\thave\tbeen\ton\tto\tit\tlike\ta\tknife.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\ttrue\tenough.\tWe\u2019d\tbetter\tgo\tand\thave\ta\tlook\tat\tthe\tstudio.\u201d The\tso-called\tstudio\twas\ta\tmere\trough\tshed\twith\ta\tskylight.\tThere\twere\tno windows\tand\tthe\tdoor\twas\tthe\tonly\tmeans\tof\tentrance\tor\tegress.\tSatisfied\ton\tthis score,\t Melchett\t announced\t his\t intention\t of\t visiting\t the\t Vicarage\t with\t the Inspector. \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tthe\tpolice\tstation\tnow.\u201d As\t I\t entered\t through\t the\t front\t door,\t a\t murmur\t of\t voices\t caught\t my\t ear.\t I opened\tthe\tdrawing\troom\tdoor. On\tthe\tsofa\tbeside\tGriselda,\tconversing\tanimatedly,\tsat\tMiss\tGladys\tCram. Her\tlegs,\twhich\twere\tencased\tin\tparticularly\tshiny\tpink\tstockings,\twere\tcrossed, and\t I\t had\t every\t opportunity\t of\t observing\t that\t she\t wore\t pink\t striped\t silk knickers. \u201cHullo,\tLen,\u201d\tsaid\tGriselda. \u201cGood\t morning,\t Mr.\t Clement,\u201d\t said\t Miss\t Cram.\t \u201cIsn\u2019t\t the\t news\t about\t the Colonel\treally\ttoo\tawful?\tPoor\told\tgentleman.\u201d","\u201cMiss\tCram,\u201d\tsaid\tmy\twife,\t\u201cvery\tkindly\tcame\tin\tto\toffer\tto\thelp\tus\twith\tthe Guides.\tWe\tasked\tfor\thelpers\tlast\tSunday,\tyou\tremember.\u201d I\t did\t remember,\t and\t I\t was\t convinced,\t and\t so,\t I\t knew\t from\t her\t tone,\t was Griselda,\t that\t the\t idea\t of\t enrolling\t herself\t among\t them\t would\t never\t have occurred\tto\tMiss\tCram\tbut\tfor\tthe\texciting\tincident\twhich\thad\ttaken\tplace\tat\tthe Vicarage. \u201cI\t was\t only\t just\t saying\t to\t Mrs.\t Clement,\u201d\t went\t on\t Miss\t Cram,\t \u201cyou\t could have\t struck\t me\t all\t of\t a\t heap\t when\t I\t heard\t the\t news.\t A\t murder?\t I\t said.\t In\t this quiet\t one-horse\t village\u2014for\t quiet\t it\t is,\t you\t must\t admit\u2014not\t so\t much\t as\t a picture\t house,\t and\t as\t for\t Talkies!\t And\t then\t when\t I\t heard\t it\t was\t Colonel Protheroe\u2014why,\t I\t simply\t couldn\u2019t\t believe\t it.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t seem\t the\t kind, somehow,\tto\tget\tmurdered.\u201d \u201cAnd\tso,\u201d\tsaid\tGriselda,\t\u201cMiss\tCram\tcame\tround\tto\tfind\tout\tall\tabout\tit.\u201d I\tfeared\tthis\tplain\tspeaking\tmight\toffend\tthe\tlady,\tbut\tshe\tmerely\tflung\ther head\tback\tand\tlaughed\tuproariously,\tshowing\tevery\ttooth\tshe\tpossessed. \u201cThat\u2019s\ttoo\tbad.\tYou\u2019re\ta\tsharp\tone,\taren\u2019t\tyou,\tMrs.\tClement?\tBut\tit\u2019s\tonly natural,\tisn\u2019t\tit,\tto\twant\tto\thear\tthe\tins\tand\touts\tof\ta\tcase\tlike\tthis?\tAnd\tI\u2019m\tsure I\u2019m\twilling\tenough\tto\thelp\twith\tthe\tGuides\tin\tany\tway\tyou\tlike.\tExciting,\tthat\u2019s what\tit\tis.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tstagnating\tfor\ta\tbit\tof\tfun.\tI\thave,\treally\tI\thave.\tNot\tthat\tmy job\tisn\u2019t\ta\tvery\tgood\tone,\twell\tpaid,\tand\tDr.\tStone\tquite\tthe\tgentleman\tin\tevery way.\t But\t a\t girl\t wants\t a\t bit\t of\t life\t out\t of\t office\t hours,\t and\t except\t for\t you,\t Mrs. Clement,\twho\tis\tthere\tin\tthe\tplace\tto\ttalk\tto\texcept\ta\tlot\tof\told\tcats?\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\tLettice\tProtheroe,\u201d\tI\tsaid. Gladys\tCram\ttossed\ther\thead. \u201cShe\u2019s\ttoo\thigh\tand\tmighty\tfor\tthe\tlikes\tof\tme.\tFancies\therself\tthe\tcountry, and\t wouldn\u2019t\t demean\t herself\t by\t noticing\t a\t girl\t who\t had\t to\t work\t for\t her\t living. Not\t but\t what\t I\t did\t hear\t her\t talking\t of\t earning\t her\t living\t herself.\t And\t who\u2019d employ\t her,\t I\t should\t like\t to\t know?\t Why,\t she\u2019d\t be\t fired\t in\t less\t than\t a\t week. Unless\t she\t went\t as\t one\t of\t those\t mannequins,\t all\t dressed\t up\t and\t sidling\t about. She\tcould\tdo\tthat,\tI\texpect.\u201d \u201cShe\u2019d\t make\t a\t very\t good\t mannequin,\u201d\t said\t Griselda.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t got\t such\t a lovely\tfigure.\u201d\tThere\u2019s\tnothing\tof\tthe\tcat\tabout\tGriselda.\t\u201cWhen\twas\tshe\ttalking of\tearning\ther\town\tliving?\u201d Miss\tCram\tseemed\tmomentarily\tdiscomfited,\tbut\trecovered\therself\twith\ther usual\tarchness. \u201cThat\t would\t be\t telling,\t wouldn\u2019t\t it?\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cBut\t she\t did\t say\t so.\t Things not\t very\t happy\t at\t home,\t I\t fancy.\t Catch\t me\t living\t at\t home\t with\t a\t stepmother.\t I wouldn\u2019t\tsit\tdown\tunder\tit\tfor\ta\tminute.\u201d \u201cAh!\t but\t you\u2019re\t so\t high\t spirited\t and\t independent,\u201d\t said\t Griselda\t gravely,","and\tI\tlooked\tat\ther\twith\tsuspicion. Miss\tCram\twas\tclearly\tpleased. \u201cThat\u2019s\tright.\tThat\u2019s\tme\tall\tover.\tCan\tbe\tled,\tnot\tdriven.\tA\tpalmist\ttold\tme that\tnot\tso\tvery\tlong\tago.\tNo.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tone\tto\tsit\tdown\tand\tbe\tbullied.\tAnd\tI\u2019ve made\tit\tclear\tall\talong\tto\tDr.\tStone\tthat\tI\tmust\thave\tmy\tregular\ttimes\toff.\tThese scientific\t gentlemen,\t they\t think\t a\t girl\u2019s\t a\t kind\t of\t machine\u2014half\t the\t time\t they just\t don\u2019t\t notice\t her\t or\t remember\t she\u2019s\t there.\t Of\t course,\t I\t don\u2019t\t know\t much about\tit,\u201d\tconfessed\tthe\tgirl. \u201cDo\tyou\tfind\tDr.\tStone\tpleasant\tto\twork\twith?\tIt\tmust\tbe\tan\tinteresting\tjob if\tyou\tare\tinterested\tin\tarchaeology.\u201d \u201cIt\tstill\tseems\tto\tme\tthat\tdigging\tup\tpeople\tthat\tare\tdead\tand\thave\tbeen\tdead for\thundreds\tof\tyears\tisn\u2019t\u2014well,\tit\tseems\ta\tbit\tnosy,\tdoesn\u2019t\tit?\tAnd\tthere\u2019s\tDr. Stone\tso\twrapped\tup\tin\tit\tall,\tthat\thalf\tthe\ttime\the\u2019d\tforget\this\tmeals\tif\tit\twasn\u2019t for\tme.\u201d \u201cIs\the\tat\tthe\tbarrow\tthis\tmorning?\u201d\tasked\tGriselda. Miss\tCram\tshook\ther\thead. \u201cA\tbit\tunder\tthe\tweather\tthis\tmorning,\u201d\tshe\texplained.\t\u201cNot\tup\tto\tdoing\tany work.\tThat\tmeans\ta\tholiday\tfor\tlittle\tGladys.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cOh!\tIt\u2019s\tnothing\tmuch.\tThere\u2019s\tnot\tgoing\tto\tbe\ta\tsecond\tdeath.\tBut\tdo\ttell me,\tMr.\tClement,\tI\thear\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\twith\tthe\tpolice\tall\tmorning.\tWhat\tdo\tthey think?\u201d \u201cWell,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tslowly,\t\u201cthere\tis\tstill\ta\tlittle\u2014uncertainty.\u201d \u201cAh!\u201d\tcried\tMiss\tCram.\t\u201cThen\tthey\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tit\tis\tMr.\tLawrence\tRedding after\t all.\t So\t handsome,\t isn\u2019t\t he?\t Just\t like\t a\t movie\t star.\t And\t such\t a\t nice\t smile when\t he\t says\t good\t morning\t to\t you.\t I\t really\t couldn\u2019t\t believe\t my\t ears\t when\t I heard\tthe\tpolice\thad\tarrested\thim.\tStill,\tone\thas\talways\theard\tthey\u2019re\tvery\tstupid \u2014the\tcounty\tpolice.\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\thardly\tblame\tthem\tin\tthis\tinstance,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cMr.\tRedding\tcame\tin and\tgave\thimself\tup.\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d\t the\t girl\t was\t clearly\t dumbfounded.\t \u201cWell\u2014of\t all\t the\t poor\t fish!\t If I\u2019d\tcommitted\ta\tmurder,\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tgo\tstraight\toff\tand\tgive\tmyself\tup.\tI\tshould have\t thought\t Lawrence\t Redding\t would\t have\t had\t more\t sense.\t To\t give\t in\t like that!\tWhat\tdid\the\tkill\tProtheroe\tfor?\tDid\the\tsay?\tWas\tit\tjust\ta\tquarrel?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tabsolutely\tcertain\tthat\the\tdid\tkill\thim,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cBut\t surely\u2014if\t he\t says\t he\t has\u2014why\t really,\t Mr.\t Clement,\t he\t ought\t to know.\u201d \u201cHe\t ought\t to,\t certainly,\u201d\t I\t agreed.\t \u201cBut\t the\t police\t are\t not\t satisfied\t with\t his story.\u201d","\u201cBut\twhy\tshould\the\tsay\the\u2019d\tdone\tit\tif\the\thasn\u2019t?\u201d That\t was\t a\t point\t on\t which\t I\t had\t no\t intention\t of\t enlightening\t Miss\t Cram. Instead\tI\tsaid\trather\tvaguely: \u201cI\t believe\t that\t in\t all\t prominent\t murder\t cases,\t the\t police\t receive\t numerous letters\tfrom\tpeople\taccusing\tthemselves\tof\tthe\tcrime.\u201d Miss\tCram\u2019s\treception\tof\tthis\tpiece\tof\tinformation\twas: \u201cThey\tmust\tbe\tchumps!\u201d\tin\ta\ttone\tof\twonder\tand\tscorn. \u201cWell,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\twith\ta\tsigh,\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tI\tmust\tbe\ttrotting\talong.\u201d\tShe\trose. \u201cMr.\tRedding\taccusing\thimself\tof\tthe\tmurder\twill\tbe\ta\tbit\tof\tnews\tof\tDr.\tStone.\u201d \u201cIs\the\tinterested?\u201d\tasked\tGriselda. Miss\tCram\tfurrowed\ther\tbrows\tperplexedly. \u201cHe\u2019s\ta\tqueer\tone.\tYou\tnever\tcan\ttell\twith\thim.\tAll\twrapped\tup\tin\tthe\tpast. He\u2019d\ta\thundred\ttimes\trather\tlook\tat\ta\tnasty\told\tbronze\tknife\tout\tof\tthose\thumps of\t ground\t than\t he\t would\t see\t the\t knife\t Crippen\t cut\t up\t his\t wife\t with,\t supposing he\thad\ta\tchance\tto.\u201d \u201cWell,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tmust\tconfess\tI\tagree\twith\thim.\u201d Miss\t Cram\u2019s\t eyes\t expressed\t incomprehension\t and\t slight\t contempt.\t Then, with\treiterated\tgood-byes,\tshe\ttook\ther\tdeparture. \u201cNot\t such\t a\t bad\t sort,\t really,\u201d\t said\t Griselda,\t as\t the\t door\t closed\t behind\t her. \u201cTerribly\t common,\t of\t course,\t but\t one\t of\t those\t big,\t bouncing,\t good-humoured girls\tthat\tyou\tcan\u2019t\tdislike.\tI\twonder\twhat\treally\tbrought\ther\there?\u201d \u201cCuriosity.\u201d \u201cYes,\tI\tsuppose\tso.\tNow,\tLen,\ttell\tme\tall\tabout\tit.\tI\u2019m\tsimply\tdying\tto\thear.\u201d I\tsat\tdown\tand\trecited\tfaithfully\tall\tthe\thappenings\tof\tthe\tmorning,\tGriselda interpolating\tthe\tnarrative\twith\tlittle\texclamations\tof\tsurprise\tand\tinterest. \u201cSo\tit\twas\tAnne\tLawrence\twas\tafter\tall\talong!\tNot\tLettice.\tHow\tblind\twe\u2019ve all\t been!\t That\t must\t have\t been\t what\t old\t Miss\t Marple\t was\t hinting\t at\t yesterday. Don\u2019t\tyou\tthink\tso?\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\taverting\tmy\teyes. Mary\tentered. \u201cThere\u2019s\t a\t couple\t of\t men\t here\u2014come\t from\t a\t newspaper,\t so\t they\t say.\t Do you\twant\tto\tsee\tthem?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t I\t said,\t \u201ccertainly\t not.\t Refer\t them\t to\t Inspector\t Slack\t at\t the\t police station.\u201d Mary\tnodded\tand\tturned\taway. \u201cAnd\t when\t you\u2019ve\t got\t rid\t of\t them,\u201d\t I\t said,\t \u201ccome\t back\t here.\t There\u2019s something\tI\twant\tto\task\tyou.\u201d Mary\tnodded\tagain. It\twas\tsome\tfew\tminutes\tbefore\tshe\treturned.","\u201cHad\t a\t job\t getting\t rid\t of\t them,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cPersistent.\t You\t never\t saw anything\tlike\tit.\tWouldn\u2019t\ttake\tno\tfor\tan\tanswer.\u201d \u201cI\texpect\twe\tshall\tbe\ta\tgood\tdeal\ttroubled\twith\tthem,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cNow,\tMary, what\t I\t want\t to\t ask\t you\t is\t this:\t Are\t you\t quite\t certain\t you\t didn\u2019t\t hear\t the\t shot yesterday\tevening?\u201d \u201cThe\tshot\twhat\tkilled\thim?\tNo,\tof\tcourse\tI\tdidn\u2019t.\tIf\tI\thad\tof\tdone,\tI\tshould have\tgone\tin\tto\tsee\twhat\thad\thappened.\u201d \u201cYes,\tbut\u2014\u201d\tI\twas\tremembering\tMiss\tMarple\u2019s\tstatement\tthat\tshe\thad\theard a\t shot\t \u201cin\t the\t woods.\u201d\t I\t changed\t the\t form\t of\t my\t question.\t \u201cDid\t you\t hear\t any other\tshot\u2014one\tdown\tin\tthe\twood,\tfor\tinstance?\u201d \u201cOh!\tThat.\u201d\tThe\tgirl\tpaused.\t\u201cYes,\tnow\tI\tcome\tto\tthink\tof\tit,\tI\tbelieve\tI\tdid. Not\ta\tlot\tof\tshots,\tjust\tone.\tQueer\tsort\tof\tbang\tit\twas.\u201d \u201cExactly,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cNow\twhat\ttime\twas\tthat?\u201d \u201cTime?\u201d \u201cYes,\ttime.\u201d \u201cI\tcouldn\u2019t\tsay,\tI\u2019m\tsure.\tWell\tafter\tteatime.\tI\tdo\tknow\tthat.\u201d \u201cCan\u2019t\tyou\tget\ta\tlittle\tnearer\tthan\tthat?\u201d \u201cNo,\t I\t can\u2019t.\t I\u2019ve\t got\t my\t work\t to\t do,\t haven\u2019t\t I?\t I\t can\u2019t\t go\t on\t looking\t at clocks\tthe\twhole\ttime\u2014and\tit\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tmuch\tgood\tanyway\u2014the\talarm\tloses a\t good\t three-quarters\t every\t day,\t and\t what\t with\t putting\t it\t on\t and\t one\t thing\t and another,\tI\u2019m\tnever\texactly\tsure\twhat\ttime\tit\tis.\u201d This\t perhaps\t explains\t why\t our\t meals\t are\t never\t punctual.\t They\t are sometimes\ttoo\tlate\tand\tsometimes\tbewilderingly\tearly. \u201cWas\tit\tlong\tbefore\tMr.\tRedding\tcame?\u201d \u201cNo,\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t long.\t Ten\t minutes\u2014a\t quarter\t of\t an\t hour\u2014not\t longer\t than that.\u201d I\tnodded\tmy\thead,\tsatisfied. \u201cIs\tthat\tall?\u201d\tsaid\tMary.\t\u201cBecause\twhat\tI\tmean\tto\tsay\tis,\tI\u2019ve\tgot\tthe\tjoint\tin the\toven\tand\tthe\tpudding\tboiling\tover\tas\tlikely\tas\tnot.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tall\tright.\tYou\tcan\tgo.\u201d She\tleft\tthe\troom,\tand\tI\tturned\tto\tGriselda. \u201cIs\tit\tquite\tout\tof\tthe\tquestion\tto\tinduce\tMary\tto\tsay\tsir\tor\tma\u2019am?\u201d \u201cI\thave\ttold\ther.\tShe\tdoesn\u2019t\tremember.\tShe\u2019s\tjust\ta\traw\tgirl,\tremember?\u201d \u201cI\t am\t perfectly\t aware\t of\t that,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cBut\t raw\t things\t do\t not\t necessarily remain\traw\tfor\tever.\tI\tfeel\ta\ttinge\tof\tcooking\tmight\tbe\tinduced\tin\tMary.\u201d \u201cWell,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tagree\twith\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\tGriselda.\t\u201cYou\tknow\thow\tlittle\twe\tcan afford\t to\t pay\t a\t servant.\t If\t once\t we\t got\t her\t smartened\t up\t at\t all,\t she\u2019d\t leave. Naturally.\tAnd\tget\thigher\twages.\tBut\tas\tlong\tas\tMary\tcan\u2019t\tcook\tand\thas\tthose awful\tmanners\u2014well,\twe\u2019re\tsafe,\tnobody\telse\twould\thave\ther.\u201d","I\t perceived\t that\t my\t wife\u2019s\t methods\t of\t housekeeping\t were\t not\t so\t entirely haphazard\t as\t I\t had\t imagined.\t A\t certain\t amount\t of\t reasoning\t underlay\t them. Whether\tit\twas\tworthwhile\thaving\t a\tmaid\tat\tthe\tprice\tof\ther\tnot\tbeing\table\tto cook,\t and\t having\t a\t habit\t of\t throwing\t dishes\t and\t remarks\t at\t one\t with\t the\t same disconcerting\tabruptness,\twas\ta\tdebatable\tmatter. \u201cAnd\t anyway,\u201d\t continued\t Griselda,\t \u201cyou\t must\t make\t allowances\t for\t her manners\t being\t worse\t than\t usual\t just\t now.\t You\t can\u2019t\t expect\t her\t to\t feel\t exactly sympathetic\tabout\tColonel\tProtheroe\u2019s\tdeath\twhen\the\tjailed\ther\tyoung\tman.\u201d \u201cDid\the\tjail\ther\tyoung\tman?\u201d \u201cYes,\t for\t poaching.\t You\t know,\t that\t man,\t Archer.\t Mary\t has\t been\t walking out\twith\thim\tfor\ttwo\tyears.\u201d \u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tthat.\u201d \u201cDarling\tLen,\tyou\tnever\tknow\tanything.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tqueer,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cthat\teveryone\tsays\tthe\tshot\tcame\tfrom\tthe\twoods.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t it\u2019s\t queer\t at\t all,\u201d\t said\t Griselda.\t \u201cYou\t see,\t one\t so\t often\t hears shots\t in\t the\t wood.\t So\t naturally,\t when\t you\t do\t hear\t a\t shot,\t you\t just\t assume\t as\t a matter\t of\t course\t that\t it\t is\t in\t the\t wood.\t It\t probably\t just\t sounds\t a\t bit\t louder\t than usual.\t Of\t course,\t if\t one\t were\t in\t the\t next\t room,\t you\u2019d\t realize\t that\t it\t was\t in\t the house,\t but\t from\t Mary\u2019s\t kitchen\t with\t the\t window\t right\t the\t other\t side\t of\t the house,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tbelieve\tyou\u2019d\tever\tthink\tof\tsuch\ta\tthing.\u201d The\tdoor\topened\tagain. \u201cColonel\tMelchett\u2019s\tback,\u201d\tsaid\tMary.\t\u201cAnd\tthat\tpolice\tinspector\twith\thim, and\tthey\tsay\tthey\u2019d\tbe\tglad\tif\tyou\u2019d\tjoin\tthem.\tThey\u2019re\tin\tthe\tstudy.\u201d","Eleven \t I\tsaw\tat\ta\tglance\tthat\tColonel\tMelchett\tand\tInspector\tSlack\thad\tnot\tbeen\tseeing eye\t to\t eye\t about\t the\t case.\t Melchett\t looked\t flushed\t and\t annoyed\t and\t the Inspector\tlooked\tsulky. \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry\t to\t say,\u201d\t said\t Melchett,\t \u201cthat\t Inspector\t Slack\t doesn\u2019t\t agree\t with me\tin\tconsidering\tyoung\tRedding\tinnocent.\u201d \u201cIf\t he\t didn\u2019t\t do\t it,\t what\t does\t he\t go\t and\t say\t he\t did\t it\t for?\u201d\t asked\t Slack sceptically. \u201cMrs.\tProtheroe\tacted\tin\tan\texactly\tsimilar\tfashion,\tremember,\tSlack.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tdifferent.\tShe\u2019s\ta\twoman,\tand\twomen\tact\tin\tthat\tsilly\tway.\tI\u2019m\tnot saying\tshe\tdid\tit\tfor\ta\tmoment.\tShe\theard\the\twas\taccused\tand\tshe\ttrumped\tup\ta story.\t I\u2019m\t used\t to\t that\t sort\t of\t game.\t You\t wouldn\u2019t\t believe\t the\t fool\t things\t I\u2019ve known\t women\t do.\t But\t Redding\u2019s\t different.\t He\u2019s\t got\t his\t head\t screwed\t on\t all right.\tAnd\tif\the\tadmits\the\tdid\tit,\twell,\tI\tsay\the\tdid\tdo\tit.\tIt\u2019s\this\tpistol\u2014you\tcan\u2019t get\taway\tfrom\tthat.\tAnd\tthanks\tto\tthis\tbusiness\tof\tMrs.\tProtheroe,\twe\tknow\tthe motive.\t That\t was\t the\t weak\t point\t before,\t but\t now\t we\t know\t it\u2014why,\t the\t whole thing\u2019s\tplain\tsailing.\u201d \u201cYou\tthink\the\tcan\thave\tshot\thim\tearlier?\tAt\tsix\tthirty,\tsay?\u201d \u201cHe\tcan\u2019t\thave\tdone\tthat.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ve\tchecked\tup\this\tmovements?\u201d The\tInspector\tnodded. \u201cHe\twas\tin\tthe\tvillage\tnear\tthe\tBlue\tBoar\tat\tten\tpast\tsix.\tFrom\tthere\the\tcame along\tthe\tback\tlane\twhere\tyou\tsay\tthe\told\tlady\tnext\tdoor\tsaw\thim\u2014she\tdoesn\u2019t miss\t much,\t I\t should\t say\u2014and\t kept\t his\t appointment\t with\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\t in\t the studio\tin\tthe\tgarden.\tThey\tleft\tthere\ttogether\tjust\tafter\tsix\tthirty,\tand\twent\talong the\tlane\tto\tthe\tvillage,\tbeing\tjoined\tby\tDr.\tStone.\tHe\tcorroborates\tthat\tall\tright\u2014 I\u2019ve\t seen\t him.\t They\t all\t stood\t talking\t just\t by\t the\t post\t office\t for\t a\t few\t minutes, then\tMrs.\tProtheroe\twent\tinto\tMiss\tHartnell\u2019s\tto\tborrow\ta\tgardening\tmagazine. That\u2019s\t all\t right\t too.\t I\u2019ve\t seen\t Miss\t Hartnell.\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\t remained\t there talking\tto\ther\ttill\tjust\ton\tseven\to\u2019clock\twhen\tshe\texclaimed\tat\tthe\tlateness\tof\tthe","hour\tand\tsaid\tshe\tmust\tget\thome.\u201d \u201cWhat\twas\ther\tmanner?\u201d \u201cVery\t easy\t and\t pleasant,\t Miss\t Hartnell\t said.\t She\t seemed\t in\t good\t spirits\u2014 Miss\tHartnell\tis\tquite\tsure\tthere\twas\tnothing\ton\ther\tmind.\u201d \u201cWell,\tgo\ton.\u201d \u201cRedding,\t he\t went\t with\t Dr.\t Stone\t to\t the\t Blue\t Boar\t and\t they\t had\t a\t drink together.\tHe\tleft\tthere\tat\ttwenty\tminutes\tto\tseven,\twent\trapidly\talong\tthe\tvillage street\tand\tdown\tthe\troad\tto\tthe\tVicarage.\tLots\tof\tpeople\tsaw\thim.\u201d \u201cNot\tdown\tthe\tback\tlane\tthis\ttime?\u201d\tcommented\tthe\tColonel. \u201cNo\u2014he\tcame\tto\tthe\tfront,\tasked\tfor\tthe\tVicar,\theard\tColonel\tProtheroe\twas there,\twent\tin\u2014and\tshot\thim\u2014just\tas\the\tsaid\the\tdid!\tThat\u2019s\tthe\ttruth\tof\tit,\tand we\tneedn\u2019t\tlook\tfurther.\u201d Melchett\tshook\this\thead. \u201cThere\u2019s\tthe\tdoctor\u2019s\tevidence.\tYou\tcan\u2019t\tget\taway\tfrom\tthat.\tProtheroe\twas shot\tnot\tlater\tthan\tsix\tthirty.\u201d \u201cOh,\t doctors!\u201d\t Inspector\t Slack\t looked\t contemptuous.\t \u201cIf\t you\u2019re\t going\t to believe\t doctors.\t Take\t out\t all\t your\t teeth\u2014that\u2019s\t what\t they\t do\t nowadays\u2014and then\tsay\tthey\u2019re\tvery\tsorry,\tbut\tall\tthe\ttime\tit\twas\tappendicitis.\tDoctors!\u201d \u201cThis\tisn\u2019t\ta\tquestion\tof\tdiagnosis.\tDr.\tHaydock\twas\tabsolutely\tpositive\ton the\tpoint.\tYou\tcan\u2019t\tgo\tagainst\tthe\tmedical\tevidence,\tSlack.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthere\u2019s\tmy\tevidence\tfor\twhat\tit\tis\tworth,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tsuddenly\trecalling\ta forgotten\tincident.\t\u201cI\ttouched\tthe\tbody\tand\tit\twas\tcold.\tThat\tI\tcan\tswear\tto.\u201d \u201cYou\tsee,\tSlack?\u201d\tsaid\tMelchett. \u201cWell,\t of\t course,\t if\t that\u2019s\t so.\t But\t there\t it\t was\u2014a\t beautiful\t case.\t Mr. Redding\tonly\ttoo\tanxious\tto\tbe\thanged,\tso\tto\tspeak.\u201d \u201cThat,\tin\titself,\tstrikes\tme\tas\ta\tlittle\tunnatural,\u201d\tobserved\tColonel\tMelchett. \u201cWell,\tthere\u2019s\tno\taccounting\tfor\ttastes,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tInspector.\t\u201cThere\u2019s\ta\tlot\tof gentlemen\t went\t a\t bit\t balmy\t after\t the\t war.\t Now,\t I\t suppose,\t it\t means\t starting again\t at\t the\t beginning.\u201d\t He\t turned\t on\t me.\t \u201cWhy\t you\t went\t out\t of\t your\t way\t to mislead\t me\t about\t the\t clock,\t sir,\t I\t can\u2019t\t think.\t Obstructing\t the\t ends\t of\t justice, that\u2019s\twhat\tthat\twas.\u201d \u201cI\ttried\tto\ttell\tyou\ton\tthree\tseparate\toccasions,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\teach\ttime\tyou shut\tme\tup\tand\trefused\tto\tlisten.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tjust\ta\tway\tof\tspeaking,\tsir.\tYou\tcould\thave\ttold\tme\tperfectly\twell\tif you\t had\t had\t a\t mind\t to.\t The\t clock\t and\t the\t note\t seemed\t to\t tally\t perfectly.\t Now, according\tto\tyou,\tthe\tclock\twas\tall\twrong.\tI\tnever\tknew\tsuch\ta\tcase.\tWhat\u2019s\tthe sense\tof\tkeeping\ta\tclock\ta\tquarter\tof\tan\thour\tfast\tanyway?\u201d \u201cIt\tis\tsupposed,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cto\tinduce\tpunctuality.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t we\t need\t go\t further\t into\t that\t now,\t Inspector,\u201d\t said\t Colonel","Melchett\t tactfully.\t \u201cWhat\t we\t want\t now\t is\t the\t true\t story\t from\t both\t Mrs. Protheroe\tand\tyoung\tRedding.\tI\ttelephoned\tto\tHaydock\tand\tasked\thim\tto\tbring Mrs.\t Protheroe\t over\t here\t with\t him.\t They\t ought\t to\t be\t here\t in\t about\t a\t quarter\t of an\thour.\tI\tthink\tit\twould\tbe\tas\twell\tto\thave\tRedding\there\tfirst.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tget\ton\tto\tthe\tstation,\u201d\tsaid\tInspector\tSlack,\tand\ttook\tup\tthe\ttelephone. \u201cAnd\tnow,\u201d\the\tsaid,\treplacing\tthe\treceiver,\t\u201cwe\u2019ll\tget\tto\twork\ton\tthis\troom.\u201d He\tlooked\tat\tme\tin\ta\tmeaningful\tfashion. \u201cPerhaps,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cyou\u2019d\tlike\tme\tout\tof\tthe\tway.\u201d The\tInspector\timmediately\topened\tthe\tdoor\tfor\tme.\tMelchett\tcalled\tout: \u201cCome\tback\twhen\tyoung\tRedding\tarrives,\twill\tyou,\tVicar?\tYou\u2019re\ta\tfriend of\this\tand\tyou\tmay\thave\tsufficient\tinfluence\tto\tpersuade\thim\tto\tspeak\tthe\ttruth.\u201d I\tfound\tmy\twife\tand\tMiss\tMarple\twith\ttheir\theads\ttogether. \u201cWe\u2019ve\t been\t discussing\t all\t sorts\t of\t possibilities,\u201d\t said\t Griselda.\t \u201cI\t wish you\u2019d\tsolve\tthe\tcase,\tMiss\tMarple,\tlike\tyou\tdid\tthe\ttime\tMiss\tWetherby\u2019s\tgill\tof picked\tshrimps\tdisappeared.\tAnd\tall\tbecause\tit\treminded\tyou\tof\tsomething\tquite different\tabout\ta\tsack\tof\tcoals.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t laughing,\t my\t dear,\u201d\t said\t Miss\t Marple,\t \u201cbut\t after\t all,\t that\t is\t a\t very sound\tway\tof\tarriving\tat\tthe\ttruth.\tIt\u2019s\treally\twhat\tpeople\tcall\tintuition\tand\tmake such\ta\tfuss\tabout.\tIntuition\tis\tlike\treading\ta\tword\twithout\thaving\tto\tspell\tit\tout. A\t child\t can\u2019t\t do\t that\t because\t it\t has\t had\t so\t little\t experience.\t But\t a\t grown-up person\t knows\t the\t word\t because\t they\u2019ve\t seen\t it\t often\t before.\t You\t catch\t my meaning,\tVicar?\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tslowly,\t\u201cI\tthink\tI\tdo.\tYou\tmean\tthat\tif\ta\tthing\treminds\tyou\tof something\telse\u2014well,\tit\u2019s\tprobably\tthe\tsame\tkind\tof\tthing.\u201d \u201cExactly.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\tprecisely\tdoes\tthe\tmurder\tof\tColonel\tProtheroe\tremind\tyou\tof?\u201d Miss\tMarple\tsighed. \u201cThat\tis\tjust\tthe\tdifficulty.\tSo\tmany\tparallels\tcome\tto\tthe\tmind.\tFor\tinstance, there\t was\t Major\t Hargreaves,\t a\t churchwarden\t and\t a\t man\t highly\t respected\t in every\tway.\tAnd\tall\tthe\ttime\the\twas\tkeeping\ta\tseparate\tsecond\testablishment\u2014a former\thousemaid,\tjust\tthink\tof\tit!\tAnd\tfive\tchildren\u2014actually\tfive\tchildren\u2014a terrible\tshock\tto\this\twife\tand\tdaughter.\u201d I\t tried\t hard\t to\t visualize\t Colonel\t Protheroe\t in\t the\t r\u00f4le\t of\t secret\t sinner\t and failed. \u201cAnd\t then\t there\t was\t that\t laundry\t business,\u201d\t went\t on\t Miss\t Marple.\t \u201cMiss Hartnell\u2019s\t opal\t pin\u2014left\t most\t imprudently\t in\t a\t frilled\t blouse\t and\t sent\t to\t the laundry.\t And\t the\t woman\t who\t took\t it\t didn\u2019t\t want\t it\t in\t the\t least\t and\t wasn\u2019t\t by any\t means\t a\t thief.\t She\t simply\t hid\t it\t in\t another\t woman\u2019s\t house\t and\t told\t the police\tshe\u2019d\tseen\tthis\tother\twoman\ttake\tit.\tSpite,\tyou\tknow,\tsheer\tspite.\tIt\u2019s\tan","astonishing\tmotive\u2014spite.\tA\tman\tin\tit,\tof\tcourse.\tThere\talways\tis.\u201d This\ttime\tI\tfailed\tto\tsee\tany\tparallel,\thowever\tremote. \u201cAnd\t then\t there\t was\t poor\t Elwell\u2019s\t daughter\u2014such\t a\t pretty\t ethereal\t girl\u2014 tried\t to\t stifle\t her\t little\t brother.\t And\t there\t was\t the\t money\t for\t the\t Choir\t Boys\u2019 Outing\t (before\t your\t time,\t Vicar)\t actually\t taken\t by\t the\t organist.\t His\t wife\t was sadly\t in\t debt.\t Yes,\t this\t case\t makes\t one\t think\t so\t many\t things\u2014too\t many.\t It\u2019s very\thard\tto\tarrive\tat\tthe\ttruth.\u201d \u201cI\twish\tyou\twould\ttell\tme,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cwho\twere\tthe\tseven\tsuspects?\u201d \u201cThe\tseven\tsuspects?\u201d \u201cYou\t said\t you\t could\t think\t of\t seven\t people\t who\t would\u2014well,\t be\t glad\t of Colonel\tProtheroe\u2019s\tdeath.\u201d \u201cDid\tI?\tYes,\tI\tremember\tI\tdid.\u201d \u201cWas\tthat\ttrue?\u201d \u201cOh!\t Certainly\t it\t was\t true.\t But\t I\t mustn\u2019t\t mention\t names.\t You\t can\t think\t of them\tquite\teasily\tyourself.\tI\tam\tsure.\u201d \u201cIndeed\t I\t can\u2019t.\t There\t is\t Lettice\t Protheroe,\t I\t suppose,\t since\t she\t probably comes\tinto\tmoney\ton\ther\tfather\u2019s\tdeath.\tBut\tit\tis\tabsurd\tto\tthink\tof\ther\tin\tsuch\ta connection,\tand\toutside\ther\tI\tcan\tthink\tof\tnobody.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou,\tmy\tdear?\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tMarple,\tturning\tto\tGriselda. Rather\t to\t my\t surprise\t Griselda\t coloured\t up.\t Something\t very\t like\t tears started\tinto\ther\teyes.\tShe\tclenched\tboth\ther\tsmall\thands. \u201cOh!\u201d\t she\t cried\t indignantly.\t \u201cPeople\t are\t hateful\u2014hateful.\t The\t things\t they say!\tThe\tbeastly\tthings\tthey\tsay\u2026.\u201d I\t looked\t at\t her\t curiously.\t It\t is\t very\t unlike\t Griselda\t to\t be\t so\t upset.\t She noticed\tmy\tglance\tand\ttried\tto\tsmile. \u201cDon\u2019t\t look\t at\t me\t as\t though\t I\t were\t an\t interesting\t specimen\t you\t didn\u2019t understand,\t Len.\t Don\u2019t\t let\u2019s\t get\t heated\t and\t wander\t from\t the\t point.\t I\t don\u2019t believe\t that\t it\t was\t Lawrence\t or\t Anne,\t and\t Lettice\t is\t out\t of\t the\t question.\t There must\tbe\tsome\tclue\tor\tother\tthat\twould\thelp\tus.\u201d \u201cThere\t is\t the\t note,\t of\t course,\u201d\t said\t Miss\t Marple.\t \u201cYou\t will\t remember\t my saying\tthis\tmorning\tthat\tthat\tstruck\tme\tas\texceedingly\tpeculiar.\u201d \u201cIt\t seems\t to\t fix\t the\t time\t of\t his\t death\t with\t remarkable\t accuracy,\u201d\t I\t said. \u201cAnd\t yet,\t is\t that\t possible?\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\t would\t only\t have\t just\t left\t the\t study. She\twould\thardly\thave\thad\ttime\tto\treach\tthe\tstudio.\tThe\tonly\tway\tin\twhich\tI\tcan account\t for\t it\t is\t that\t he\t consulted\t his\t own\t watch\t and\t that\t his\t watch\t was\t slow. That\tseems\tto\tme\ta\tfeasible\tsolution.\u201d \u201cI\t have\t another\t idea,\u201d\t said\t Griselda.\t \u201cSuppose,\t Len,\t that\t the\t clock\t had already\tbeen\tput\tback\u2014no,\tthat\tcomes\tto\tthe\tsame\tthing\u2014how\tstupid\tof\tme!\u201d \u201cIt\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t altered\t when\t I\t left,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cI\t remember\t comparing\t it\t with","my\twatch.\tStill,\tas\tyou\tsay,\tthat\thas\tno\tbearing\ton\tthe\tpresent\tmatter.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink,\tMiss\tMarple?\u201d\tasked\tGriselda. \u201cMy\tdear,\tI\tconfess\tI\twasn\u2019t\tthinking\tabout\tit\tfrom\tthat\tpoint\tof\tview\tat\tall. What\tstrikes\tme\tas\tso\tcurious,\tand\thas\tdone\tfrom\tthe\tfirst,\tis\tthe\tsubject\tmatter of\tthat\tletter.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t see\t that,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cColonel\t Protheroe\t merely\t wrote\t that\t he\t couldn\u2019t wait\tany\tlonger\u2014\u201d \u201cAt\t twenty\t minutes\t past\t six?\u201d\t said\t Miss\t Marple.\t \u201cYour\t maid,\t Mary,\t had already\t told\t him\t that\t you\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t in\t till\t half\t past\t six\t at\t the\t earliest,\t and\t he appeared\tto\tbe\tquite\twilling\tto\twait\tuntil\tthen.\tAnd\tyet\tat\ttwenty\tpast\tsix\the\tsits down\tand\tsays\the\t\u2018can\u2019t\twait\tany\tlonger.\u2019\u201d I\t stared\t at\t the\t old\t lady,\t feeling\t an\t increased\t respect\t for\t her\t mental\t powers. Her\t keen\t wits\t had\t seen\t what\t we\t had\t failed\t to\t perceive.\t It\t was\t an\t odd\t thing\u2014a very\todd\tthing. \u201cIf\tonly,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cthe\tletter\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tdated\u2014\u201d Miss\tMarple\tnodded\ther\thead. \u201cExactly,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cIf\tit\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tdated!\u201d I\tcast\tmy\tmind\tback,\ttrying\tto\trecall\tthat\tsheet\tof\tnotepaper\tand\tthe\tblurred scrawl,\t and\t at\t the\t top\t that\t neatly\t printed\t 6:20.\t Surely\t these\t figures\t were\t on\t a different\tscale\tto\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tletter.\tI\tgave\ta\tgasp. \u201cSupposing,\u201d\t I\t said,\t \u201cit\t wasn\u2019t\t dated.\t Supposing\t that\t round\t about\t 6:30 Colonel\tProtheroe\tgot\timpatient\tand\tsat\tdown\tto\tsay\the\tcouldn\u2019t\twait\tany\tlonger. And\tas\the\twas\tsitting\tthere\twriting,\tsomeone\tcame\tin\tthrough\tthe\twindow\u2014\u201d \u201cOr\tthrough\tthe\tdoor,\u201d\tsuggested\tGriselda. \u201cHe\u2019d\thear\tthe\tdoor\tand\tlook\tup.\u201d \u201cColonel\tProtheroe\twas\trather\tdeaf,\tyou\tremember,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tMarple. \u201cYes,\tthat\u2019s\ttrue.\tHe\twouldn\u2019t\thear\tit.\tWhichever\tway\tthe\tmurderer\tcame,\the stole\t up\t behind\t the\t Colonel\t and\t shot\t him.\t Then\t he\t saw\t the\t note\t and\t the\t clock and\tthe\tidea\tcame\tto\thim.\tHe\tput\t6:20\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tletter\tand\the\taltered\tthe clock\t to\t 6:22.\t It\t was\t a\t clever\t idea.\t It\t gave\t him,\t or\t so\t he\t would\t think,\t a\t perfect alibi.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\twe\twant\tto\tfind,\u201d\tsaid\tGriselda,\t\u201cis\tsomeone\twho\thas\ta\tcast-iron alibi\t for\t 6:20,\t but\t no\t alibi\t at\t all\t for\u2014well,\t that\t isn\u2019t\t so\t easy.\t One\t can\u2019t\t fix\t the time.\u201d \u201cWe\t can\t fix\t it\t within\t very\t narrow\t limits,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cHaydock\t places\t 6:30\t as the\t outside\t limit\t of\t time.\t I\t suppose\t one\t could\t perhaps\t shift\t it\t to\t 6:35\t from\t the reasoning\t we\t have\t just\t been\t following\t out,\t it\t seems\t clear\t that\t Protheroe\t would not\thave\tgot\timpatient\tbefore\t6:30.\tI\tthink\twe\tcan\tsay\twe\tdo\tknow\tpretty\twell.\u201d \u201cThen\t that\t shot\t I\t heard\u2014yes,\t I\t suppose\t it\t is\t quite\t possible.\t And\t I\t thought","nothing\tabout\tit\u2014nothing\tat\tall.\tMost\tvexing.\tAnd\tyet,\tnow\tI\ttry\tto\trecollect,\tit does\tseem\tto\tme\tthat\tit\twas\tdifferent\tfrom\tthe\tusual\tsort\tof\tshot\tone\thears.\tYes, there\twas\ta\tdifference.\u201d \u201cLouder?\u201d\tI\tsuggested. No,\tMiss\tMarple\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tit\thad\tbeen\tlouder.\tIn\tfact,\tshe\tfound\tit\thard\tto say\tin\twhat\tway\tit\thad\tbeen\tdifferent,\tbut\tshe\tstill\tinsisted\tthat\tit\twas. I\tthought\tshe\twas\tprobably\tpersuading\therself\tof\tthe\tfact\trather\tthan\tactually remembering\tit,\tbut\tshe\thad\tjust\tcontributed\tsuch\ta\tvaluable\tnew\toutlook\tto\tthe problem\tthat\tI\tfelt\thighly\trespectful\ttowards\ther. She\trose,\tmurmuring\tthat\tshe\tmust\treally\tget\tback\u2014it\thad\tbeen\tso\ttempting just\t to\t run\t over\t and\t discuss\t the\t case\t with\t dear\t Griselda.\t I\t escorted\t her\t to\t the boundary\t wall\t and\t the\t back\t gate\t and\t returned\t to\t find\t Griselda\t wrapped\t in thought. \u201cStill\tpuzzling\tover\tthat\tnote?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cNo.\u201d She\tgave\ta\tsudden\tshiver\tand\tshook\ther\tshoulders\timpatiently. \u201cLen,\t I\u2019ve\t been\t thinking.\t How\t badly\t someone\t must\t have\t hated\t Anne Protheroe!\u201d \u201cHated\ther?\u201d \u201cYes.\t Don\u2019t\t you\t see?\t There\u2019s\t no\t real\t evidence\t against\t Lawrence\u2014all\t the evidence\tagainst\thim\tis\twhat\tyou\tmight\tcall\taccidental.\tHe\tjust\thappens\tto\ttake it\tinto\this\thead\tto\tcome\there.\tIf\the\thadn\u2019t\u2014well,\tno\tone\twould\thave\tthought\tof connecting\t him\t with\t the\t crime.\t But\t Anne\t is\t different.\t Suppose\t someone\t knew that\t she\t was\t here\t at\t exactly\t 6:20\u2014the\t clock\t and\t the\t time\t on\t the\t letter\u2014 everything\t pointing\t to\t her.\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t it\t was\t only\t because\t of\t an\t alibi\t it\t was moved\t to\t that\t exact\t time\u2014I\t think\t there\t was\t more\t in\t it\t than\t that\u2014a\t direct attempt\t to\t fasten\t the\t business\t on\t her.\t If\t it\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t for\t Miss\t Marple\t saying she\t hadn\u2019t\t got\t the\t pistol\t with\t her\t and\t noticing\t that\t she\t was\t only\t a\t moment before\tgoing\tdown\tto\tthe\tstudio\u2014Yes,\tif\tit\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tfor\tthat\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\tshivered again.\t \u201cLen,\t I\t feel\t that\t someone\t hated\t Anne\t Protheroe\t very\t much.\t I\u2014I\t don\u2019t like\tit.\u201d","Twelve \t I\t was\t summoned\t to\t the\t study\t when\t Lawrence\t Redding\t arrived.\t He\t looked haggard,\t and,\t I\t thought,\t suspicious.\t Colonel\t Melchett\t greeted\t him\t with something\tapproaching\tcordiality. \u201cWe\twant\tto\task\tyou\ta\tfew\tquestions\u2014here,\ton\tthe\tspot,\u201d\the\tsaid. Lawrence\tsneered\tslightly. \u201cIsn\u2019t\tthat\ta\tFrench\tidea?\tReconstruction\tof\tthe\tcrime?\u201d \u201cMy\t dear\t boy,\u201d\t said\t Colonel\t Melchett,\t \u201cdon\u2019t\t take\t that\t tone\t with\t us.\t Are you\taware\tthat\tsomeone\telse\thas\talso\tconfessed\tto\tcommitting\tthe\tcrime\twhich you\tpretend\tto\thave\tcommitted?\u201d The\teffect\tof\tthese\twords\ton\tLawrence\twas\tpainful\tand\timmediate. \u201cS-s-omeone\telse?\u201d\the\tstammered.\t\u201cWho\u2014who?\u201d \u201cMrs.\tProtheroe,\u201d\tsaid\tColonel\tMelchett,\twatching\thim. \u201cAbsurd.\tShe\tnever\tdid\tit.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\thave.\tIt\u2019s\timpossible.\u201d Melchett\tinterrupted\thim. \u201cStrangely\t enough,\t we\t did\t not\t believe\t her\t story.\t Neither,\t I\t may\t say,\t do\t we believe\tyours.\tDr.\tHaydock\tsays\tpositively\tthat\tthe\tmurder\tcould\tnot\thave\tbeen committed\tat\tthe\ttime\tyou\tsay\tit\twas.\u201d \u201cDr.\tHaydock\tsays\tthat?\u201d \u201cYes,\t so,\t you\t see,\t you\t are\t cleared\t whether\t you\t like\t it\t or\t not.\t And\t now\t we want\tyou\tto\thelp\tus,\tto\ttell\tus\texactly\twhat\toccurred.\u201d Lawrence\tstill\thesitated. \u201cYou\u2019re\t not\t deceiving\t me\t about\u2014about\t Mrs.\t Protheroe?\t You\t really\t don\u2019t suspect\ther?\u201d \u201cOn\tmy\tword\tof\thonour,\u201d\tsaid\tColonel\tMelchett. Lawrence\tdrew\ta\tdeep\tbreath. \u201cI\u2019ve\tbeen\ta\tfool,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cAn\tabsolute\tfool.\tHow\tcould\tI\thave\tthought\tfor one\tminute\tthat\tshe\tdid\tit\u2014\u201d \u201cSuppose\tyou\ttell\tus\tall\tabout\tit?\u201d\tsuggested\tthe\tChief\tConstable. \u201cThere\u2019s\t not\t much\t to\t tell.\t I\u2014I\t met\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\t that\t afternoon\u2014\u201d\t He","paused. \u201cWe\t know\t all\t about\t that,\u201d\t said\t Melchett.\t \u201cYou\t may\t think\t that\t your\t feeling for\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\t and\t hers\t for\t you\t was\t a\t dead\t secret,\t but\t in\t reality\t it\t was known\t and\t commented\t upon.\t In\t any\t case,\t everything\t is\t bound\t to\t come\t out now.\u201d \u201cVery\t well,\t then.\t I\t expect\t you\t are\t right.\t I\t had\t promised\t the\t Vicar\t here\t (he glanced\t at\t me)\t to\u2014to\t go\t right\t away.\t I\t met\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\t that\t evening\t in\t the studio\tat\ta\tquarter\tpast\tsix.\tI\ttold\ther\tof\twhat\tI\thad\tdecided.\tShe,\ttoo,\tagreed\tthat it\twas\tthe\tonly\tthing\tto\tdo.\tWe\u2014we\tsaid\tgood-bye\tto\teach\tother. \u201cWe\tleft\tthe\tstudio,\tand\talmost\tat\tonce\tDr.\tStone\tjoined\tus.\tAnne\tmanaged to\tseem\tmarvellously\tnatural.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tdo\tit.\tI\twent\toff\twith\tStone\tto\tthe\tBlue Boar\tand\thad\ta\tdrink.\tThen\tI\tthought\tI\u2019d\tgo\thome,\tbut\twhen\tI\tgot\tto\tthe\tcorner of\tthis\troad,\tI\tchanged\tmy\tmind\tand\tdecided\tto\tcome\talong\tand\tsee\tthe\tVicar.\tI felt\tI\twanted\tsomeone\tto\ttalk\tto\tabout\tthe\tmatter. \u201cAt\t the\t door,\t the\t maid\t told\t me\t the\t Vicar\t was\t out,\t but\t would\t be\t in\t shortly, but\tthat\tColonel\tProtheroe\twas\tin\tthe\tstudy\twaiting\tfor\thim.\tWell,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tto go\t away\t again\u2014looked\t as\t though\t I\t were\t shirking\t meeting\t him.\t So\t I\t said\t I\u2019d wait\ttoo,\tand\tI\twent\tinto\tthe\tstudy.\u201d He\tstopped. \u201cWell?\u201d\tsaid\tColonel\tMelchett. \u201cProtheroe\twas\tsitting\tat\tthe\twriting\ttable\u2014just\tas\tyou\tfound\thim.\tI\twent\tup to\thim\u2014touched\thim.\tHe\twas\tdead.\tThen\tI\tlooked\tdown\tand\tsaw\tthe\tpistol\tlying on\tthe\tfloor\tbeside\thim.\tI\tpicked\tit\tup\u2014and\tat\tonce\tsaw\tthat\tit\twas\tmy\tpistol. \u201cThat\t gave\t me\t a\t turn.\t My\t pistol!\t And\t then,\t straightaway\t I\t leaped\t to\t one conclusion.\t Anne\t must\t have\t bagged\t my\t pistol\t some\t time\t or\t other\u2014meaning\t it for\therself\tif\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbear\tthings\tany\tlonger.\tPerhaps\tshe\thad\thad\tit\twith\ther today.\tAfter\twe\tparted\tin\tthe\tvillage\tshe\tmust\thave\tcome\tback\there\tand\u2014and\u2014 oh!\t I\t suppose\t I\t was\t mad\t to\t think\t of\t it.\t But\t that\u2019s\t what\t I\t thought.\t I\t slipped\t the pistol\t in\t my\t pocket\t and\t came\t away.\t Just\t outside\t the\t Vicarage\t gate,\t I\t met\t the Vicar.\t He\t said\t something\t nice\t and\t normal\t about\t seeing\t Protheroe\u2014suddenly\t I had\ta\twild\tdesire\tto\tlaugh.\tHis\tmanner\twas\tso\tordinary\tand\teveryday\tand\tthere was\t I\t all\t strung\t up.\t I\t remember\t shouting\t out\t something\t absurd\t and\t seeing\t his face\t change.\t I\t was\t nearly\t off\t my\t head,\t I\t believe.\t I\t went\t walking\u2014walking\u2014at last\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t bear\t it\t any\t longer.\t If\t Anne\t had\t done\t this\t ghastly\t thing,\t I\t was,\t at least,\tmorally\tresponsible.\tI\twent\tand\tgave\tmyself\tup.\u201d There\t was\t a\t silence\t when\t he\t had\t finished.\t Then\t the\t Colonel\t said\t in\t a businesslike\tvoice: \u201cI\twould\tlike\tto\task\tjust\tone\tor\ttwo\tquestions.\tFirst,\tdid\tyou\ttouch\tor\tmove the\tbody\tin\tany\tway?\u201d","\u201cNo,\t I\t didn\u2019t\t touch\t it\t at\t all.\t One\t could\t see\t he\t was\t dead\t without\t touching him.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tnotice\ta\tnote\tlying\ton\tthe\tblotter\thalf\tconcealed\tby\this\tbody?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tinterfere\tin\tany\tway\twith\tthe\tclock?\u201d \u201cI\tnever\ttouched\tthe\tclock.\tI\tseem\tto\tremember\ta\tclock\tlying\toverturned\ton the\ttable,\tbut\tI\tnever\ttouched\tit.\u201d \u201cNow\tas\tto\tthis\tpistol\tof\tyours,\twhen\tdid\tyou\tlast\tsee\tit?\u201d Lawrence\tRedding\treflected.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\thard\tto\tsay\texactly.\u201d \u201cWhere\tdo\tyou\tkeep\tit?\u201d \u201cOh,\tin\ta\tlitter\tof\todds\tand\tends\tin\tthe\tsitting\troom\tin\tmy\tcottage.\tOn\tone\tof the\tshelves\tof\tthe\tbookcase.\u201d \u201cYou\tleft\tit\tlying\tabout\tcarelessly?\u201d \u201cYes.\tI\treally\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tabout\tit.\tIt\twas\tjust\tthere.\u201d \u201cSo\tthat\tanyone\twho\tcame\tto\tyour\tcottage\tcould\thave\tseen\tit?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tremember\twhen\tyou\tlast\tsaw\tit?\u201d Lawrence\tdrew\this\tbrows\ttogether\tin\ta\tfrown\tof\trecollection. \u201cI\u2019m\talmost\tsure\tit\twas\tthere\tthe\tday\tbefore\tyesterday.\tI\tremember\tpushing it\t aside\tto\t get\t an\told\t pipe.\t I\t think\tit\twas\t the\tday\tbefore\tyesterday\u2014but\tit\t may have\tbeen\tthe\tday\tbefore\tthat.\u201d \u201cWho\thas\tbeen\tto\tyour\tcottage\tlately?\u201d \u201cOh!\tCrowds\tof\tpeople.\tSomeone\tis\talways\tdrifting\tin\tand\tout.\tI\thad\ta\tsort of\t tea\t party\t the\t day\t before\t yesterday.\t Lettice\t Protheroe,\t Dennis,\t and\t all\t their crowd.\tAnd\tthen\tone\tor\tother\tof\tthe\told\tPussies\tcomes\tin\tnow\tand\tagain.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\tlock\tthe\tcottage\tup\twhen\tyou\tgo\tout?\u201d \u201cNo;\t why\t on\t earth\t should\t I?\t I\u2019ve\t nothing\t to\t steal.\t And\t no\t one\t does\t lock their\thouse\tup\tround\there.\u201d \u201cWho\tlooks\tafter\tyour\twants\tthere?\u201d \u201cAn\told\tMrs.\tArcher\tcomes\tin\tevery\tmorning\tto\t\u2018do\tfor\tme\u2019\tas\tit\u2019s\tcalled.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\tthink\tshe\twould\tremember\twhen\tthe\tpistol\twas\tthere\tlast?\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\t She\t might.\t But\t I\t don\u2019t\t fancy\t conscientious\t dusting\t is\t her strong\tpoint.\u201d \u201cIt\tcomes\tto\tthis\u2014that\talmost\tanyone\tmight\thave\ttaken\tthat\tpistol?\u201d \u201cIt\tseems\tso\u2014yes.\u201d The\tdoor\topened\tand\tDr.\tHaydock\tcame\tin\twith\tAnne\tProtheroe. She\t started\t at\t seeing\t Lawrence.\t He,\t on\t his\t part,\t made\t a\t tentative\t step towards\ther. \u201cForgive\tme,\tAnne,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cIt\twas\tabominable\tof\tme\tto\tthink\twhat\tI\tdid.\u201d","\u201cI\u2014\u201d\t She\t faltered,\t then\t looked\t appealingly\t at\t Colonel\t Melchett.\t \u201cIs\t it\t true, what\tDr.\tHaydock\ttold\tme?\u201d \u201cThat\t Mr.\t Redding\t is\t cleared\t of\t suspicion?\t Yes.\t And\t now\t what\t about\t this story\tof\tyours,\tMrs.\tProtheroe?\tEh,\twhat\tabout\tit?\u201d She\tsmiled\trather\tshamefacedly. \u201cI\tsuppose\tyou\tthink\tit\tdreadful\tof\tme?\u201d \u201cWell,\t shall\t we\t say\u2014very\t foolish?\t But\t that\u2019s\t all\t over.\t What\t I\t want\t now, Mrs.\tProtheroe,\tis\tthe\ttruth\u2014the\tabsolute\ttruth.\u201d She\tnodded\tgravely. \u201cI\twill\ttell\tyou.\tI\tsuppose\tyou\tknow\tabout\u2014about\teverything.\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cI\t was\t to\t meet\t Lawrence\u2014Mr.\t Redding\u2014that\t evening\t at\t the\t studio.\t At\t a quarter\t past\t six.\t My\t husband\t and\t I\t drove\t into\t the\t village\t together.\t I\t had\t some shopping\tto\tdo.\tAs\twe\tparted\the\tmentioned\tcasually\tthat\the\twas\tgoing\tto\tsee\tthe Vicar.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tget\tword\tto\tLawrence,\tand\tI\twas\trather\tuneasy.\tI\u2014well,\tit\twas awkward\t meeting\t him\t in\t the\t Vicarage\t garden\t whilst\t my\t husband\t was\t at\t the Vicarage.\u201d Her\tcheeks\tburned\tas\tshe\tsaid\tthis.\tIt\twas\tnot\ta\tpleasant\tmoment\tfor\ther. \u201cI\treflected\tthat\tperhaps\tmy\thusband\twould\tnot\tstay\tvery\tlong.\tTo\tfind\tthis out,\t I\t came\t along\t the\t back\t lane\t and\t into\t the\t garden.\t I\t hoped\t no\t one\t would\t see me,\tbut\tof\tcourse\told\tMiss\tMarple\thad\tto\tbe\tin\ther\tgarden!\tShe\tstopped\tme\tand we\tsaid\ta\tfew\twords,\tand\tI\texplained\tI\twas\tgoing\tto\tcall\tfor\tmy\thusband.\tI\tfelt\tI had\tto\tsay\tsomething.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhether\tshe\tbelieved\tme\tor\tnot.\tShe\tlooked rather\u2014funny. \u201cWhen\tI\tleft\ther,\tI\twent\tstraight\tacross\tto\tthe\tVicarage\tand\tround\tthe\tcorner of\t the\t house\t to\t the\t study\t window.\t I\t crept\t up\t to\t it\t very\t softly,\t expecting\t to\t hear the\t sound\t of\t voices.\t But\t to\t my\t surprise\t there\t were\t none.\t I\t just\t glanced\t in,\t saw the\troom\twas\tempty,\tand\thurried\tacross\tthe\tlawn\tand\tdown\tto\tthe\tstudio\twhere Lawrence\tjoined\tme\talmost\tat\tonce.\u201d \u201cYou\tsay\tthe\troom\twas\tempty,\tMrs.\tProtheroe?\u201d \u201cYes,\tmy\thusband\twas\tnot\tthere.\u201d \u201cExtraordinary.\u201d \u201cYou\tmean,\tma\u2019am,\tthat\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\thim?\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tInspector. \u201cNo,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\thim.\u201d Inspector\tSlack\twhispered\tto\tthe\tChief\tConstable,\twho\tnodded. \u201cDo\tyou\tmind,\tMrs.\tProtheroe,\tjust\tshowing\tus\texactly\twhat\tyou\tdid?\u201d \u201cNot\tat\tall.\u201d She\trose,\tInspector\tSlack\tpushed\topen\tthe\twindow\tfor\ther,\tand\tshe\tstepped out\ton\tthe\tterrace\tand\tround\tthe\thouse\tto\tthe\tleft.","Inspector\tSlack\tbeckoned\tme\timperiously\tto\tgo\tand\tsit\tat\tthe\twriting\ttable. Somehow\t I\t didn\u2019t\t much\t like\t doing\t it.\t It\t gave\t me\t an\t uncomfortable\t feeling. But,\tof\tcourse,\tI\tcomplied. Presently\tI\theard\tfootsteps\toutside,\tthey\tpaused\tfor\ta\tminute,\tthen\tretreated. Inspector\tSlack\tindicated\tto\tme\tthat\tI\tcould\treturn\tto\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\troom. Mrs.\tProtheroe\treentered\tthrough\tthe\twindow. \u201cIs\tthat\texactly\thow\tit\twas?\u201d\tasked\tColonel\tMelchett. \u201cI\tthink\texactly.\u201d \u201cThen\t can\t you\t tell\t us,\t Mrs.\t Protheroe,\t just\t exactly\t where\t the\t Vicar\t was\t in the\troom\twhen\tyou\tlooked\tin?\u201d\tasked\tInspector\tSlack. \u201cThe\tVicar?\tI\u2014no,\tI\u2019m\tafraid\tI\tcan\u2019t.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\thim.\u201d Inspector\tSlack\tnodded. \u201cThat\u2019s\t how\t you\t didn\u2019t\t see\t your\t husband.\t He\t was\t round\t the\t corner\t at\t the writing\tdesk.\u201d \u201cOh!\u201d\t she\t paused.\t Suddenly\t her\t eyes\t grew\t round\t with\t horror.\t \u201cIt\t wasn\u2019t there\tthat\u2014that\u2014\u201d \u201cYes,\tMrs.\tProtheroe.\tIt\twas\twhile\the\twas\tsitting\tthere.\u201d \u201cOh!\u201d\tShe\tquivered. He\twent\ton\twith\this\tquestions. \u201cDid\tyou\tknow,\tMrs.\tProtheroe,\tthat\tMr.\tRedding\thad\ta\tpistol?\u201d \u201cYes.\tHe\ttold\tme\tso\tonce.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tever\thave\tthat\tpistol\tin\tyour\tpossession?\u201d She\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u201cNo.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tknow\twhere\the\tkept\tit?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t not\t sure.\t I\t think\u2014yes,\t I\t think\t I\u2019ve\t seen\t it\t on\t a\t shelf\t in\t his\t cottage. Didn\u2019t\tyou\tkeep\tit\tthere,\tLawrence?\u201d \u201cWhen\twas\tthe\tlast\ttime\tyou\twere\tat\tthe\tcottage,\tMrs.\tProtheroe?\u201d \u201cOh!\tAbout\tthree\tweeks\tago.\tMy\thusband\tand\tI\thad\ttea\tthere\twith\thim.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\thave\tnot\tbeen\tthere\tsince?\u201d \u201cNo.\tI\tnever\twent\tthere.\tYou\tsee,\tit\twould\tprobably\tcause\ta\tlot\tof\ttalk\tin\tthe village.\u201d \u201cDoubtless,\u201d\t said\t Colonel\t Melchett\t dryly.\t \u201cWhere\t were\t you\t in\t the\t habit\t of seeing\tMr.\tRedding,\tif\tI\tmay\task?\u201d \u201cHe\t used\t to\t come\t up\t to\t the\t Hall.\t He\t was\t painting\t Lettice.\t We\u2014we\t often met\tin\tthe\twoods\tafterwards.\u201d Colonel\tMelchett\tnodded. \u201cIsn\u2019t\tthat\tenough?\u201d\tHer\tvoice\twas\tsuddenly\tbroken.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tso\tawful\u2014having to\t tell\t you\t all\t these\t things.\t And\u2014and\t there\t wasn\u2019t\t anything\t wrong\t about\t it. There\t wasn\u2019t\u2014indeed,\t there\t wasn\u2019t.\t We\t were\t just\t friends.\t We\u2014we\t couldn\u2019t","help\tcaring\tfor\teach\tother.\u201d She\t looked\t pleadingly\t at\t Dr.\t Haydock,\t and\t that\t softhearted\t man\t stepped forward. \u201cI\t really\t think,\t Melchett,\u201d\t he\t said,\t \u201cthat\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\t has\t had\t enough. She\u2019s\thad\ta\tgreat\tshock\u2014in\tmore\tways\tthan\tone.\u201d The\tChief\tConstable\tnodded. \u201cThere\t is\t really\t nothing\t more\t I\t want\t to\t ask\t you,\t Mrs.\t Protheroe,\u201d\t he\t said. \u201cThank\tyou\tfor\tanswering\tmy\tquestions\tso\tfrankly.\u201d \u201cThen\u2014then\tI\tmay\tgo?\u201d \u201cIs\tyour\twife\tin?\u201d\tasked\tHaydock.\t\u201cI\tthink\tMrs.\tProtheroe\twould\tlike\tto\tsee her.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cGriselda\tis\tin.\tYou\u2019ll\tfind\ther\tin\tthe\tdrawing\troom.\u201d She\tand\tHaydock\tleft\tthe\troom\ttogether\tand\tLawrence\tRedding\twith\tthem. Colonel\tMelchett\thad\tpursed\tup\this\tlips\tand\twas\tplaying\twith\ta\tpaper\tknife. Slack\t was\t looking\t at\t the\t note.\t It\t was\t then\t that\t I\t mentioned\t Miss\t Marple\u2019s theory.\tSlack\tlooked\tclosely\tat\tit. \u201cMy\tword,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tbelieve\tthe\told\tlady\u2019s\tright.\tLook\there,\tsir,\tdon\u2019t\tyou see?\u2014these\t figures\t are\t written\t in\t different\t ink.\t That\t date\t was\t written\t with\t a fountain\tpen\tor\tI\u2019ll\teat\tmy\tboots!\u201d We\twere\tall\trather\texcited. \u201cYou\u2019ve\t examined\t the\t note\t for\t fingerprints,\t of\t course,\u201d\t said\t the\t Chief Constable. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink,\tColonel?\tNo\tfingerprints\ton\tthe\tnote\tat\tall.\tFingerprints on\tthe\tpistol\tthose\tof\tMr.\tLawrence\tRedding.\tMay\thave\tbeen\tsome\tothers\tonce, before\t he\t went\t fooling\t round\t with\t it\t and\t carrying\t it\t around\t in\t his\t pocket,\t but there\u2019s\tnothing\tclear\tenough\tto\tget\thold\tof\tnow.\u201d \u201cAt\t first\t the\t case\t looked\t very\t black\t against\t Mrs.\t Protheroe,\u201d\t said\t the Colonel\t thoughtfully.\t \u201cMuch\t blacker\t than\t against\t young\t Redding.\t There\t was that\t old\t woman\t Marple\u2019s\t evidence\t that\t she\t didn\u2019t\t have\t the\t pistol\t with\t her,\t but these\telderly\tladies\tare\toften\tmistaken.\u201d I\t was\t silent,\t but\t I\t did\t not\t agree\t with\t him.\t I\t was\t quite\t sure\t that\t Anne Protheroe\thad\thad\tno\tpistol\twith\ther\tsince\tMiss\tMarple\thad\tsaid\tso.\tMiss\tMarple is\t not\t the\t type\t of\t elderly\t lady\t who\t makes\t mistakes.\t She\t has\t got\t an\t uncanny knack\tof\tbeing\talways\tright. \u201cWhat\t did\t get\t me\t was\t that\t nobody\t heard\t the\t shot.\t If\t it\t was\t fired\t then\u2014 somebody\t must\t have\t heard\t it\u2014wherever\t they\t thought\t it\t came\t from.\t Slack, you\u2019d\tbetter\thave\ta\tword\twith\tthe\tmaid.\u201d Inspector\tSlack\tmoved\twith\talacrity\ttowards\tthe\tdoor. \u201cI\tshouldn\u2019t\task\ther\tif\tshe\theard\ta\tshot\tin\tthe\thouse,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cBecause\tif\tyou","do,\tshe\u2019ll\tdeny\tit.\tCall\tit\ta\tshot\tin\tthe\twood.\tThat\u2019s\tthe\tonly\tkind\tof\tshot\tshe\u2019ll admit\tto\thearing.\u201d \u201cI\tknow\thow\tto\tmanage\tthem,\u201d\tsaid\tInspector\tSlack,\tand\tdisappeared. \u201cMiss\t Marple\t says\t she\t heard\t a\t shot\t later,\u201d\t said\t Colonel\t Melchett thoughtfully.\t \u201cWe\t must\t see\t if\t she\t can\t fix\t the\t time\t at\t all\t precisely.\t Of\t course\t it may\tbe\ta\tstray\tshot\tthat\thad\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tthe\tcase.\u201d \u201cIt\tmay\tbe,\tof\tcourse,\u201d\tI\tagreed. The\tColonel\ttook\ta\tturn\tor\ttwo\tup\tand\tdown\tthe\troom. \u201cDo\tyou\tknow,\tClement,\u201d\the\tsaid\tsuddenly,\t\u201cI\u2019ve\ta\tfeeling\tthat\tthis\tis\tgoing to\t turn\t out\t a\t much\t more\t intricate\t and\t difficult\t business\t than\t any\t of\t us\t think. Dash\tit\tall,\tthere\u2019s\tsomething\tbehind\tit.\u201d\tHe\tsnorted.\t\u201cSomething\twe\tdon\u2019t\tknow about.\t We\u2019re\t only\t beginning,\t Clement.\t Mark\t my\t words,\t we\u2019re\t only\t beginning. All\t these\t things,\t the\t clock,\t the\t note,\t the\t pistol\u2014they\t don\u2019t\t make\t sense\t as\t they stand.\u201d I\tshook\tmy\thead.\tThey\tcertainly\tdidn\u2019t. \u201cBut\t I\u2019m\t going\t to\t get\t to\t the\t bottom\t of\t it.\t No\t calling\t in\t of\t Scotland\t Yard. Slack\u2019s\ta\tsmart\tman.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tvery\tsmart\tman.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tkind\tof\tferret.\tHe\u2019ll\tnose\this way\t through\t to\t the\t truth.\t He\u2019s\t done\t several\t very\t good\t things\t already,\t and\t this case\twill\tbe\this\tchef\td\u2019oeuvre.\tSome\tmen\twould\tcall\tin\tScotland\tYard.\tI\tshan\u2019t. We\u2019ll\tget\tto\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthis\there\tin\tDownshire.\u201d \u201cI\thope\tso,\tI\u2019m\tsure,\u201d\tI\tsaid. I\ttried\tto\tmake\tmy\tvoice\tenthusiastic,\tbut\tI\thad\talready\ttaken\tsuch\ta\tdislike to\t Inspector\t Slack\t that\t the\t prospect\t of\t his\t success\t failed\t to\t appeal\t to\t me.\t A successful\tSlack\twould,\tI\tthought,\tbe\teven\tmore\todious\tthan\ta\tbaffled\tone. \u201cWho\thas\tthe\thouse\tnext\tdoor?\u201d\tasked\tthe\tColonel\tsuddenly. \u201cYou\tmean\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\troad?\tMrs.\tPrice\tRidley.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\t go\t along\t to\t her\t after\t Slack\t has\t finished\t with\t your\t maid.\t She\t might just\tpossibly\thave\theard\tsomething.\tShe\tisn\u2019t\tdeaf\tor\tanything,\tis\tshe?\u201d \u201cI\t should\t say\t her\t hearing\t is\t remarkably\t keen.\t I\u2019m\t going\t by\t the\t amount\t of scandal\tshe\thas\tstarted\tby\t\u2018just\thappening\tto\toverhear\taccidentally.\u2019\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tthe\tkind\tof\twoman\twe\twant.\tOh!\there\u2019s\tSlack.\u201d The\tInspector\thad\tthe\tair\tof\tone\temerging\tfrom\ta\tsevere\ttussle. \u201cPhew!\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\ta\ttartar\tyou\u2019ve\tgot,\tsir.\u201d \u201cMary\tis\tessentially\ta\tgirl\tof\tstrong\tcharacter,\u201d\tI\treplied. \u201cDoesn\u2019t\tlike\tthe\tpolice,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tcautioned\ther\u2014did\twhat\tI\tcould\tto\tput the\tfear\tof\tthe\tlaw\tinto\ther,\tbut\tno\tgood.\tShe\tstood\tright\tup\tto\tme.\u201d \u201cSpirited,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\tfeeling\tmore\tkindly\ttowards\tMary. \u201cBut\t I\t pinned\t her\t down\t all\t right.\t She\t heard\t one\t shot\u2014and\t one\t shot\t only. And\tit\twas\ta\tgood\tlong\ttime\tafter\tColonel\tProtheroe\tcame.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tget\ther\tto","name\ta\ttime,\tbut\twe\tfixed\tit\tat\tlast\tby\tmeans\tof\tthe\tfish.\tThe\tfish\twas\tlate,\tand she\t blew\t the\t boy\t up\t when\t he\t came,\t and\t he\t said\t it\t was\t barely\t half\t past\t six anyway,\t and\t it\t was\t just\t after\t that\t she\t heard\t the\t shot.\t Of\t course,\t that\u2019s\t not accurate,\tso\tto\tspeak,\tbut\tit\tgives\tus\tan\tidea.\u201d \u201cH\u2019m,\u201d\tsaid\tMelchett. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t Mrs.\t Protheroe\u2019s\t in\t this\t after\t all,\u201d\t said\t Slack,\t with\t a\t note\t of regret\tin\this\tvoice.\t\u201cShe\twouldn\u2019t\thave\thad\ttime,\tto\tbegin\twith,\tand\tthen\twomen never\tlike\tfiddling\tabout\twith\tfirearms.\tArsenic\u2019s\tmore\tin\ttheir\tline.\tNo,\tI\tdon\u2019t think\tshe\tdid\tit.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tpity!\u201d\tHe\tsighed. Melchett\t explained\t that\t he\t was\t going\t round\t to\t Mrs.\t Price\t Ridley\u2019s,\t and Slack\tapproved. \u201cMay\tI\tcome\twith\tyou?\u201d\tI\tasked.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgetting\tinterested.\u201d I\t was\t given\t permission,\t and\t we\t set\t forth.\t A\t loud\t \u201cHie\u201d\t greeted\t us\t as\t we emerged\tfrom\tthe\tVicarage\tgate,\tand\tmy\tnephew,\tDennis,\tcame\trunning\tup\tthe road\tfrom\tthe\tvillage\tto\tjoin\tus. \u201cLook\t here,\u201d\t he\t said\t to\t the\t Inspector,\t \u201cwhat\t about\t that\t footprint\t I\t told\t you about?\u201d \u201cGardener\u2019s,\u201d\tsaid\tInspector\tSlack\tlaconically. \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tit\tmight\tbe\tsomeone\telse\twearing\tthe\tgardener\u2019s\tboots?\u201d \u201cNo,\tI\tdon\u2019t!\u201d\tsaid\tInspector\tSlack\tin\ta\tdiscouraging\tway. It\twould\ttake\tmore\tthan\tthat\tto\tdiscourage\tDennis,\thowever. He\theld\tout\ta\tcouple\tof\tburnt\tmatches. \u201cI\tfound\tthese\tby\tthe\tVicarage\tgate.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\tsaid\tSlack,\tand\tput\tthem\tin\this\tpocket. Matters\tappeared\tnow\tto\thave\treached\ta\tdeadlock. \u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\tarresting\tUncle\tLen,\tare\tyou?\u201d\tinquired\tDennis\tfacetiously. \u201cWhy\tshould\tI?\u201d\tinquired\tSlack. \u201cThere\u2019s\t a\t lot\t of\t evidence\t against\t him,\u201d\t declared\t Dennis.\t \u201cYou\t ask\t Mary. Only\t the\t day\t before\t the\t murder\t he\t was\t wishing\t Colonel\t Protheroe\t out\t of\t the world.\tWeren\u2019t\tyou,\tUncle\tLen?\u201d \u201cEr\u2014\u201d\tI\tbegan. Inspector\t Slack\t turned\t a\t slow\t suspicious\t stare\t upon\t me,\t and\t I\t felt\t hot\t all over.\t Dennis\t is\t exceedingly\t tiresome.\t He\t ought\t to\t realize\t that\t a\t policeman seldom\thas\ta\tsense\tof\thumour. \u201cDon\u2019t\tbe\tabsurd,\tDennis,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tirritably. The\tinnocent\tchild\topened\this\teyes\tin\ta\tstare\tof\tsurprise. \u201cI\t say,\t it\u2019s\t only\t a\t joke,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cUncle\t Len\t just\t said\t that\t any\t one\t who murdered\tColonel\tProtheroe\twould\tbe\tdoing\tthe\tworld\ta\tservice.\u201d \u201cAh!\u201d\tsaid\tInspector\tSlack,\t\u201cthat\texplains\tsomething\tthe\tmaid\tsaid.\u201d","Servants\t very\t seldom\t have\t any\t sense\t of\t humour\t either.\t I\t cursed\t Dennis heartily\tin\tmy\tmind\tfor\tbringing\tthe\tmatter\tup.\tThat\tand\tthe\tclock\ttogether\twill make\tthe\tInspector\tsuspicious\tof\tme\tfor\tlife. \u201cCome\ton,\tClement,\u201d\tsaid\tColonel\tMelchett. \u201cWhere\tare\tyou\tgoing?\tCan\tI\tcome,\ttoo?\u201d\tasked\tDennis. \u201cNo,\tyou\tcan\u2019t,\u201d\tI\tsnapped. We\tleft\thim\tlooking\tafter\tus\twith\ta\thurt\texpression.\tWe\twent\tup\tto\tthe\tneat front\t door\t of\t Mrs.\t Price\t Ridley\u2019s\t house\t and\t the\t Inspector\t knocked\t and\t rang\t in what\t I\t can\t only\t describe\t as\t an\t official\t manner.\t A\t pretty\t parlourmaid\t answered the\tbell. \u201cMrs.\tPrice\tRidley\tin?\u201d\tinquired\tMelchett. \u201cNo,\tsir.\u201d\tThe\tmaid\tpaused\tand\tadded:\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tjust\tgone\tdown\tto\tthe\tpolice station.\u201d This\t was\t a\t totally\t unexpected\t development.\t As\t we\t retraced\t our\t steps Melchett\tcaught\tme\tby\tthe\tarm\tand\tmurmured: \u201cIf\tshe\u2019s\tgone\tto\tconfess\tto\tthe\tcrime,\ttoo,\tI\treally\tshall\tgo\toff\tmy\thead.\u201d","Thirteen \t I\t hardly\t thought\t it\t likely\t that\t Mrs.\t Price\t Ridley\t had\t anything\t so\t dramatic\t in view,\t but\t I\t did\t wonder\t what\t had\t taken\t her\t to\t the\t police\t station.\t Had\t she\t really got\t evidence\t of\t importance,\t or\t that\t she\t thought\t of\t importance,\t to\t offer?\t At\t any rate,\twe\tshould\tsoon\tknow. We\t found\t Mrs.\t Price\t Ridley\t talking\t at\t a\t high\t rate\t of\t speed\t to\t a\t somewhat bewildered-looking\t police\t constable.\t That\t she\t was\t extremely\t indignant\t I\t knew from\tthe\tway\tthe\tbow\tin\ther\that\twas\ttrembling.\tMrs.\tPrice\tRidley\twears\twhat,\tI believe,\tare\tknown\tas\t\u201cHats\tfor\tMatrons\u201d\u2014they\tmake\ta\tspeciality\tof\tthem\tin\tour adjacent\t town\t of\t Much\t Benham.\t They\t perch\t easily\t on\t a\t superstructure\t of\t hair and\t are\t somewhat\t overweighted\t with\t large\t bows\t of\t ribbon.\t Griselda\t is\t always threatening\tto\tget\ta\tmatron\u2019s\that. Mrs.\tPrice\tRidley\tpaused\tin\ther\tflow\tof\twords\tupon\tour\tentrance. \u201cMrs.\tPrice\tRidley?\u201d\tinquired\tColonel\tMelchett,\tlifting\this\that. \u201cLet\t me\t introduce\t Colonel\t Melchett\t to\t you,\t Mrs.\t Price\t Ridley,\u201d\t I\t said. \u201cColonel\tMelchett\tis\tour\tChief\tConstable.\u201d Mrs.\t Price\t Ridley\t looked\t at\t me\t coldly,\t but\t produced\t the\t semblance\t of\t a gracious\tsmile\tfor\tthe\tColonel. \u201cWe\u2019ve\t just\t been\t round\t to\t your\t house,\t Mrs.\t Price\t Ridley,\u201d\t explained\t the Colonel,\t\u201cand\theard\tyou\thad\tcome\tdown\there.\u201d Mrs.\tPrice\tRidley\tthawed\taltogether. \u201cAh!\u201d\t she\t said,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t glad\t some\t notice\t is\t being\t taken\t of\t the\t occurrence. Disgraceful,\tI\tcall\tit.\tSimply\tdisgraceful.\u201d There\t is\t no\t doubt\t that\t murder\t is\t disgraceful,\t but\t it\t is\t not\t the\t word\t I\t should use\tto\tdescribe\tit\tmyself.\tIt\tsurprised\tMelchett\ttoo,\tI\tcould\tsee. \u201cHave\tyou\tany\tlight\tto\tthrow\tupon\tthe\tmatter?\u201d\the\tasked. \u201cThat\u2019s\tyour\tbusiness.\tIt\u2019s\tthe\tbusiness\tof\tthe\tpolice.\tWhat\tdo\twe\tpay\trates and\ttaxes\tfor,\tI\tshould\tlike\tto\tknow?\u201d One\twonders\thow\tmany\ttimes\tthat\tquery\tis\tuttered\tin\ta\tyear! \u201cWe\u2019re\tdoing\tour\tbest,\tMrs.\tPrice\tRidley,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tChief\tConstable.","\u201cBut\tthe\tman\there\thadn\u2019t\teven\theard\tof\tit\ttill\tI\ttold\thim\tabout\tit!\u201d\tcried\tthe lady. We\tall\tlooked\tat\tthe\tconstable. \u201cLady\t been\t rung\t up\t on\t the\t telephone,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cAnnoyed.\t Matter\t of obscene\tlanguage,\tI\tunderstand.\u201d \u201cOh!\t I\t see.\u201d\t The\t Colonel\u2019s\t brow\t cleared.\t \u201cWe\u2019ve\t been\t talking\t at\t cross purposes.\tYou\tcame\tdown\there\tto\tmake\ta\tcomplaint,\tdid\tyou?\u201d Melchett\t is\t a\t wise\t man.\t He\t knows\t that\t when\t it\t is\t a\t question\t of\t an\t irate middle-aged\t lady,\t there\t is\t only\t one\t thing\t to\t be\t done\u2014listen\t to\t her.\t When\t she had\tsaid\tall\tthat\tshe\twants\tto\tsay,\tthere\tis\ta\tchance\tthat\tshe\twill\tlisten\tto\tyou. Mrs.\tPrice\tRidley\tsurged\tinto\tspeech. \u201cSuch\t disgraceful\t occurrences\t ought\t to\t be\t prevented.\t They\t ought\t not\t to occur.\t To\t be\t rung\t up\t in\t one\u2019s\t own\t house\t and\t insulted\u2014yes,\t insulted.\t I\u2019m\t not accustomed\t to\t such\t things\t happening.\t Ever\t since\t the\t war\t there\t has\t been\t a loosening\tof\tmoral\tfibre.\tNobody\tminds\twhat\tthey\tsay,\tand\tas\tto\tthe\tclothes\tthey wear\u2014\u201d \u201cQuite,\u201d\tsaid\tColonel\tMelchett\thastily.\t\u201cWhat\thappened\texactly?\u201d Mrs.\tPrice\tRidley\ttook\tbreath\tand\tstarted\tagain. \u201cI\twas\trung\tup\u2014\u201d \u201cWhen?\u201d \u201cYesterday\t afternoon\u2014evening\t to\t be\t exact.\t About\t half\t past\t six.\t I\t went\t to the\ttelephone,\tsuspecting\tnothing.\tImmediately\tI\twas\tfoully\tattacked,\tthreatened \u2014\u201d \u201cWhat\tactually\twas\tsaid?\u201d Mrs.\tPrice\tRidley\tgot\tslightly\tpink. \u201cThat\tI\tdecline\tto\tstate.\u201d \u201cObscene\tlanguage,\u201d\tmurmured\tthe\tconstable\tin\ta\truminative\tbass. \u201cWas\tbad\tlanguage\tused?\u201d\tasked\tColonel\tMelchett. \u201cIt\tdepends\ton\twhat\tyou\tcall\tbad\tlanguage.\u201d \u201cCould\tyou\tunderstand\tit?\u201d\tI\tasked. \u201cOf\tcourse\tI\tcould\tunderstand\tit.\u201d \u201cThen\tit\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen\tbad\tlanguage,\u201d\tI\tsaid. Mrs.\tPrice\tRidley\tlooked\tat\tme\tsuspiciously. \u201cA\t refined\t lady,\u201d\t I\t explained,\t \u201cis\t naturally\t unacquainted\t with\t bad language.\u201d \u201cIt\twasn\u2019t\tthat\tkind\tof\tthing,\u201d\tsaid\tMrs.\tPrice\tRidley.\t\u201cAt\tfirst,\tI\tmust\tadmit, I\twas\tquite\ttaken\tin.\tI\tthought\tit\twas\ta\tgenuine\tmessage.\tThen\tthe\u2014er\u2014person became\tabusive.\u201d \u201cAbusive?\u201d","\u201cMost\tabusive.\tI\twas\tquite\talarmed.\u201d \u201cUsed\tthreatening\tlanguage,\teh?\u201d \u201cYes.\tI\tam\tnot\taccustomed\tto\tbeing\tthreatened.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdid\tthey\tthreaten\tyou\twith?\tBodily\tdamage?\u201d \u201cNot\texactly.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tafraid,\tMrs.\tPrice\tRidley,\tyou\tmust\tbe\tmore\texplicit.\tIn\twhat\tway\twere you\tthreatened?\u201d This\tMrs.\tPrice\tRidley\tseemed\tsingularly\treluctant\tto\tanswer. \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t remember\t exactly.\t It\t was\t all\t so\t upsetting.\t But\t right\t at\t the\t end\u2014 when\tI\twas\treally\tvery\tupset,\tthis\u2014this\u2014wretch\tlaughed.\u201d \u201cWas\tit\ta\tman\u2019s\tvoice\tor\ta\twoman\u2019s?\u201d \u201cIt\twas\ta\tdegenerate\tvoice,\u201d\tsaid\tMrs.\tPrice\tRidley,\twith\tdignity.\t\u201cI\tcan\tonly describe\tit\tas\ta\tkind\tof\tperverted\tvoice.\tNow\tgruff,\tnow\tsqueaky.\tReally\ta\tvery peculiar\tvoice.\u201d \u201cProbably\ta\tpractical\tjoke,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tColonel\tsoothingly. \u201cA\tmost\twicked\tthing\tto\tdo,\tif\tso.\tI\tmight\thave\thad\ta\theart\tattack.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\t look\t into\t it,\u201d\t said\t the\t Colonel;\t \u201ceh,\t Inspector?\t Trace\t the\t telephone call.\t You\t can\u2019t\t tell\t me\t more\t definitely\t exactly\t what\t was\t said,\t Mrs.\t Price Ridley?\u201d A\t struggle\t began\t in\t Mrs.\t Price\t Ridley\u2019s\t ample\t black\t bosom.\t The\t desire\t for reticence\tfought\tagainst\ta\tdesire\tfor\tvengeance.\tVengeance\ttriumphed. \u201cThis,\tof\tcourse,\twill\tgo\tno\tfurther,\u201d\tshe\tbegan. \u201cOf\tcourse\tnot.\u201d \u201cThis\tcreature\tbegan\tby\tsaying\u2014I\tcan\thardly\tbring\tmyself\tto\trepeat\tit\u2014\u201d \u201cYes,\tyes,\u201d\tsaid\tMelchett\tencouragingly. \u201c\u2018You\t are\t a\t wicked\t scandal-mongering\t old\t woman!\u2019\t Me,\t Colonel\t Melchett \u2014a\tscandal-mongering\told\twoman.\t\u2018But\tthis\ttime\tyou\u2019ve\tgone\ttoo\tfar.\tScotland Yard\tare\tafter\tyou\tfor\tlibel.\u2019\u201d \u201cNaturally,\t you\t were\t alarmed,\u201d\t said\t Melchett,\t biting\t his\t moustache\t to conceal\ta\tsmile. \u201c\u2018Unless\t you\t hold\t your\t tongue\t in\t future,\t it\t will\t be\t the\t worse\t for\t you\u2014in more\tways\tthan\tone.\u2019\tI\tcan\u2019t\tdescribe\tto\tyou\tthe\tmenacing\tway\tthat\twas\tsaid.\tI gasped,\t \u2018who\t are\t you?\u2019\t faintly\u2014like\t that,\t and\t the\t voice\t answered,\t \u2018The Avenger.\u2019\t I\t gave\t a\t little\t shriek.\t It\t sounded\t so\t awful,\t and\t then\u2014the\t person laughed.\t Laughed!\t Distinctly.\t And\t that\t was\t all.\t I\t heard\t them\t hang\t up\t the receiver.\tOf\tcourse\tI\tasked\tthe\texchange\twhat\tnumber\thad\tbeen\tringing\tme\tup, but\tthey\tsaid\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tknow.\tYou\tknow\twhat\texchanges\tare.\tThoroughly\trude and\tunsympathetic.\u201d \u201cQuite,\u201d\tI\tsaid.","\u201cI\tfelt\tquite\tfaint,\u201d\tcontinued\tMrs.\tPrice\tRidley.\t\u201cAll\ton\tedge\tand\tso\tnervous that\t when\t I\t heard\t a\t shot\t in\t the\t woods,\t I\t do\t declare\t I\t jumped\t almost\t out\t of\t my skin.\tThat\twill\tshow\tyou.\u201d \u201cA\tshot\tin\tthe\twoods?\u201d\tsaid\tInspector\tSlack\talertly. \u201cIn\tmy\texcited\tstate,\tit\tsimply\tsounded\tto\tme\tlike\ta\tcannon\tgoing\toff.\t\u2018Oh!\u2019 I\tsaid,\tand\tsank\tdown\ton\tthe\tsofa\tin\ta\tstate\tof\tprostration.\tClara\thad\tto\tbring\tme a\tglass\tof\tdamson\tgin.\u201d \u201cShocking,\u201d\tsaid\tMelchett.\t\u201cShocking.\tAll\tvery\ttrying\tfor\tyou.\tAnd\tthe\tshot sounded\tvery\tloud,\tyou\tsay?\tAs\tthough\tit\twere\tnear\tat\thand?\u201d \u201cThat\twas\tsimply\tthe\tstate\tof\tmy\tnerves.\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse.\tOf\tcourse.\tAnd\twhat\ttime\twas\tall\tthis?\tTo\thelp\tus\tin\ttracing\tthe telephone\tcall,\tyou\tknow.\u201d \u201cAbout\thalf\tpast\tsix.\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tgive\tit\tus\tmore\texactly\tthan\tthat?\u201d \u201cWell,\t you\t see,\t the\t little\t clock\t on\t my\t mantelpiece\t had\t just\t chimed\t the\t half hour,\t and\t I\t said,\t \u2018Surely\t that\t clock\t is\t fast.\u2019\t (It\t does\t gain,\t that\t clock.)\t And\t I compared\t it\t with\t the\t watch\t I\t was\t wearing\t and\t that\t only\t said\t ten\t minutes\t past, but\tthen\tI\tput\tit\tto\tmy\tear\tand\tfound\tit\thad\tstopped.\tSo\tI\tthought:\t\u2018Well,\tif\tthat clock\t is\t fast,\t I\t shall\t hear\t the\t church\t tower\t in\t a\t moment\t or\t two.\u2019\t And\t then,\t of course,\tthe\ttelephone\tbell\trang,\tand\tI\tforgot\tall\tabout\tit.\u201d\tShe\tpaused\tbreathless. \u201cWell,\t that\u2019s\t near\t enough,\u201d\t said\t Colonel\t Melchett.\t \u201cWe\u2019ll\t have\t it\t looked into\tfor\tyou,\tMrs.\tPrice\tRidley.\u201d \u201cJust\tthink\tof\tit\tas\ta\tsilly\tjoke,\tand\tdon\u2019t\tworry,\tMrs.\tPrice\tRidley,\u201d\tI\tsaid. She\t looked\t at\t me\t coldly.\t Evidently\t the\t incident\t of\t the\t pound\t note\t still rankled. \u201cVery\t strange\t things\t have\t been\t happening\t in\t this\t village\t lately,\u201d\t she\t said, addressing\t herself\t to\t Melchett.\t \u201cVery\t strange\t things\t indeed.\t Colonel\t Protheroe was\t going\t to\t look\t into\t them,\t and\t what\t happened\t to\t him,\t poor\t man?\t Perhaps\t I shall\tbe\tthe\tnext?\u201d And\ton\tthat\tshe\ttook\ther\tdeparture,\tshaking\ther\thead\twith\ta\tkind\tof\tominous melancholy.\tMelchett\tmuttered\tunder\this\tbreath:\t\u201cNo\tsuch\tluck.\u201d\tThen\this\tface grew\tgrave,\tand\the\tlooked\tinquiringly\tat\tInspector\tSlack. That\tworthy\tnodded\this\thead\tslowly. \u201cThis\tabout\tsettles\tit,\tsir.\tThat\u2019s\tthree\tpeople\twho\theard\tthe\tshot.\tWe\u2019ve\tgot to\tfind\tout\tnow\twho\tfired\tit.\tThis\tbusiness\tof\tMr.\tRedding\u2019s\thas\tdelayed\tus.\tBut we\u2019ve\t got\t several\t starting\t points.\t Thinking\t Mr.\t Redding\t was\t guilty,\t I\t didn\u2019t bother\t to\t look\t into\t them.\t But\t that\u2019s\t all\t changed\t now.\t And\t now\t one\t of\t the\t first things\tto\tdo\tis\tlook\tup\tthat\ttelephone\tcall.\u201d \u201cMrs.\tPrice\tRidley\u2019s?\u201d","The\tInspector\tgrinned. \u201cNo\u2014though\tI\tsuppose\twe\u2019d\tbetter\tmake\ta\tnote\tof\tthat\tor\telse\twe\tshall\thave the\told\tgirl\tbothering\tin\there\tagain.\tNo,\tI\tmeant\tthat\tfake\tcall\tthat\tgot\tthe\tVicar out\tof\tthe\tway.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tsaid\tMelchett,\t\u201cthat\u2019s\timportant.\u201d \u201cAnd\t the\t next\t thing\t is\t to\t find\t out\t what\t everyone\t was\t doing\t that\t evening between\tsix\tand\tseven.\tEveryone\tat\tOld\tHall,\tI\tmean,\tand\tpretty\twell\teveryone in\tthe\tvillage\tas\twell.\u201d I\tgave\ta\tsigh. \u201cWhat\twonderful\tenergy\tyou\thave,\tInspector\tSlack.\u201d \u201cI\t believe\t in\t hard\t work.\t We\u2019ll\t begin\t by\t just\t noting\t down\t your\t own movements,\tMr.\tClement.\u201d \u201cWillingly.\tThe\ttelephone\tcall\tcame\tthrough\tabout\thalf\tpast\tfive.\u201d \u201cA\tman\u2019s\tvoice,\tor\ta\twoman\u2019s?\u201d \u201cA\twoman\u2019s.\tAt\tleast\tit\tsounded\tlike\ta\twoman\u2019s.\tBut\tof\tcourse\tI\ttook\tit\tfor granted\tit\twas\tMrs.\tAbbott\tspeaking.\u201d \u201cYou\tdidn\u2019t\trecognize\tit\tas\tbeing\tMrs.\tAbbott\u2019s?\u201d \u201cNo,\tI\tcan\u2019t\tsay\tI\tdid.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tnotice\tthe\tvoice\tparticularly\tor\tthink\tabout\tit.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\tstarted\tright\taway?\tWalked?\tHaven\u2019t\tyou\tgot\ta\tbicycle?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d \u201cI\tsee.\tSo\tit\ttook\tyou\u2014how\tlong?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tvery\tnearly\ttwo\tmiles,\twhichever\tway\tyou\tgo.\u201d \u201cThrough\tOld\tHall\twoods\tis\tthe\tshortest\tway,\tisn\u2019t\tit?\u201d \u201cActually,\tyes.\tBut\tit\u2019s\tnot\tparticularly\tgood\tgoing.\tI\twent\tand\tcame\tback\tby the\tfootpath\tacross\tthe\tfields.\u201d \u201cThe\tone\tthat\tcomes\tout\topposite\tthe\tVicarage\tgate?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cAnd\tMrs.\tClement?\u201d \u201cMy\twife\twas\tin\tLondon.\tShe\tarrived\tback\tby\tthe\t6:50\ttrain.\u201d \u201cRight.\t The\t maid\t I\u2019ve\t seen.\t That\t finishes\t with\t the\t Vicarage.\t I\u2019ll\t be\t off\t to Old\t Hall\t next.\t And\t then\t I\t want\t an\t interview\t with\t Mrs.\t Lestrange.\t Queer,\t her going\tto\tsee\tProtheroe\tthe\tnight\tbefore\the\twas\tkilled.\tA\tlot\tof\tqueer\tthings\tabout this\tcase.\u201d I\tagreed. Glancing\t at\t the\t clock,\t I\t realized\t that\t it\t was\t nearly\t lunchtime.\t I\t invited Melchett\t to\t partake\t of\t potluck\t with\t us,\t but\t he\t excused\t himself\t on\t the\t plea\t of having\tto\tgo\tto\tthe\tBlue\tBoar.\tThe\tBlue\tBoar\tgives\tyou\ta\tfirst-rate\tmeal\tof\tthe joint\t and\t two-vegetable\t type.\t I\t thought\t his\t choice\t was\t a\t wise\t one.\t After\t her interview\twith\tthe\tpolice,\tMary\twould\tprobably\tbe\tfeeling\tmore\ttemperamental","than\tusual.","Fourteen \t On\t my\t way\t home,\t I\t ran\t into\t Miss\t Hartnell\t and\t she\t detained\t me\t at\t least\t ten minutes,\t declaiming\t in\t her\t deep\t bass\t voice\t against\t the\t improvidence\t and ungratefulness\tof\tthe\tlower\tclasses.\tThe\tcrux\tof\tthe\tmatter\tseemed\tto\tbe\tthat\tThe Poor\tdid\tnot\twant\tMiss\tHartnell\tin\ttheir\thouses.\tMy\tsympathies\twere\tentirely\ton their\tside.\tI\tam\tdebarred\tby\tmy\tsocial\tstanding\tfrom\texpressing\tmy\tprejudices\tin the\tforceful\tmanner\tthey\tdo. I\tsoothed\ther\tas\tbest\tI\tcould\tand\tmade\tmy\tescape. Haydock\tovertook\tme\tin\this\tcar\tat\tthe\tcorner\tof\tthe\tVicarage\troad.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tjust taken\tMrs.\tProtheroe\thome,\u201d\the\tcalled. He\twaited\tfor\tme\tat\tthe\tgate\tof\this\thouse. \u201cCome\tin\ta\tminute,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tI\tcomplied. \u201cThis\t is\t an\t extraordinary\t business,\u201d\t he\t said,\t as\t he\t threw\t his\t hat\t on\t a\t chair and\topened\tthe\tdoor\tinto\this\tsurgery. He\t sank\t down\t on\t a\t shabby\t leather\t chair\t and\t stared\t across\t the\t room.\t He looked\tharried\tand\tperplexed. I\t told\t him\t that\t we\t had\t succeeded\t in\t fixing\t the\t time\t of\t the\t shot.\t He\t listened with\tan\talmost\tabstracted\tair. \u201cThat\tlets\tAnne\tProtheroe\tout,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cWell,\twell,\tI\u2019m\tglad\tit\u2019s\tneither\tof those\ttwo.\tI\tlike\t\u2019em\tboth.\u201d I\tbelieved\thim,\tand\tyet\tit\toccurred\tto\tme\tto\twonder\twhy,\tsince,\tas\the\tsaid,\the liked\tthem\tboth,\ttheir\tfreedom\tfrom\tcomplicity\tseemed\tto\thave\thad\tthe\tresult\tof plunging\t him\t in\t gloom.\t This\t morning\t he\t had\t looked\t like\t a\t man\t with\t a\t weight lifted\tfrom\this\tmind,\tnow\the\tlooked\tthoroughly\trattled\tand\tupset. And\t yet\t I\t was\t convinced\t that\t he\t meant\t what\t he\t said.\t He\t was\t fond\t of\t both Anne\tProtheroe\tand\tLawrence\tRedding.\tWhy,\tthen,\tthis\tgloomy\tabsorption?\tHe roused\thimself\twith\tan\teffort. \u201cI\tmeant\tto\ttell\tyou\tabout\tHawes.\tAll\tthis\tbusiness\thas\tdriven\thim\tout\tof\tmy mind.\u201d \u201cIs\the\treally\till?\u201d","\u201cThere\u2019s\t nothing\t radically\t wrong\t with\t him.\t You\t know,\t of\t course,\t that\t he\u2019s had\tEncephalitis\tLethargica,\tsleepy\tsickness,\tas\tit\u2019s\tcommonly\tcalled?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t I\t said,\t very\t much\t surprised,\t \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t know\t anything\t of\t the\t kind.\t He never\ttold\tme\tanything\tabout\tit.\tWhen\tdid\the\thave\tit?\u201d \u201cAbout\ta\tyear\tago.\tHe\trecovered\tall\tright\u2014as\tfar\tas\tone\tever\trecovers.\tIt\u2019s\ta strange\tdisease\u2014has\ta\tqueer\tmoral\teffect.\tThe\twhole\tcharacter\tmay\tchange\tafter it.\u201d He\twas\tsilent\tfor\ta\tmoment\tor\ttwo,\tand\tthen\tsaid: \u201cWe\tthink\twith\thorror\tnow\tof\tthe\tdays\twhen\twe\tburnt\twitches.\tI\tbelieve\tthe day\twill\tcome\twhen\twe\twill\tshudder\tto\tthink\tthat\twe\tever\thanged\tcriminals.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tbelieve\tin\tcapital\tpunishment?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tso\tmuch\tthat.\u201d\tHe\tpaused.\t\u201cYou\tknow,\u201d\the\tsaid\tslowly,\t\u201cI\u2019d\trather have\tmy\tjob\tthan\tyours.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cBecause\t your\t job\t deals\t very\t largely\t with\t what\t we\t call\t right\t and\t wrong\u2014 and\tI\u2019m\tnot\tat\tall\tsure\tthat\tthere\u2019s\tany\tsuch\tthing.\tSuppose\tit\u2019s\tall\ta\tquestion\tof glandular\t secretion.\t Too\t much\t of\t one\t gland,\t too\t little\t of\t another\u2014and\t you\t get your\t murderer,\t your\t thief,\t your\t habitual\t criminal.\t Clement,\t I\t believe\t the\t time will\tcome\twhen\twe\u2019ll\tbe\thorrified\tto\tthink\tof\tthe\tlong\tcenturies\tin\twhich\twe\u2019ve punished\tpeople\tfor\tdisease\u2014which\tthey\tcan\u2019t\thelp,\tpoor\tdevils.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\thang a\tman\tfor\thaving\ttuberculosis.\u201d \u201cHe\tisn\u2019t\tdangerous\tto\tthe\tcommunity.\u201d \u201cIn\ta\tsense\the\tis.\tHe\tinfects\tother\tpeople.\tOr\ttake\ta\tman\twho\tfancies\the\u2019s\tthe Emperor\tof\tChina.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tsay\thow\twicked\tof\thim.\tI\ttake\tyour\tpoint\tabout\tthe community.\tThe\tcommunity\tmust\tbe\tprotected.\tShut\tup\tthese\tpeople\twhere\tthey can\u2019t\tdo\tany\tharm\u2014even\tput\tthem\tpeacefully\tout\tof\tthe\tway\u2014yes,\tI\u2019d\tgo\tas\tfar as\t that.\t But\t don\u2019t\t call\t it\t punishment.\t Don\u2019t\t bring\t shame\t on\t them\t and\t their innocent\tfamilies.\u201d I\tlooked\tat\thim\tcuriously. \u201cI\u2019ve\tnever\theard\tyou\tspeak\tlike\tthis\tbefore.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tusually\tair\tmy\ttheories\tabroad.\tToday\tI\u2019m\triding\tmy\thobby.\tYou\u2019re an\t intelligent\t man,\t Clement,\t which\t is\t more\t than\t some\t parsons\t are.\t You\t won\u2019t admit,\tI\tdare\tsay,\tthat\tthere\u2019s\tno\tsuch\tthing\tas\twhat\tis\ttechnically\ttermed,\t\u2018Sin,\u2019 but\tyou\u2019re\tbroadminded\tenough\tto\tconsider\tthe\tpossibility\tof\tsuch\ta\tthing.\u201d \u201cIt\tstrikes\tat\tthe\troot\tof\tall\taccepted\tideas,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cYes,\t we\u2019re\t a\t narrow-minded,\t self-righteous\t lot,\t only\t too\t keen\t to\t judge matters\twe\tknow\tnothing\tabout.\tI\thonestly\tbelieve\tcrime\tis\ta\tcase\tfor\tthe\tdoctor, not\tthe\tpoliceman\tand\tnot\tthe\tparson.\tIn\tthe\tfuture,\tperhaps,\tthere\twon\u2019t\tbe\tany such\tthing.\u201d","\u201cYou\u2019ll\thave\tcured\tit?\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\thave\tcured\tit.\tRather\ta\twonderful\tthought.\tHave\tyou\tever\tstudied\tthe statistics\tof\tcrime?\tNo\u2014very\tfew\tpeople\thave.\tI\thave,\tthough.\tYou\u2019d\tbe\tamazed at\t the\t amount\t there\t is\t of\t adolescent\t crime,\t glands\t again,\t you\t see.\t Young\t Neil, the\t Oxfordshire\t murderer\u2014killed\t five\t little\t girls\t before\t he\t was\t suspected.\t Nice lad\u2014never\t given\t any\t trouble\t of\t any\t kind.\t Lily\t Rose,\t the\t little\t Cornish\t girl\u2014 killed\t her\t uncle\t because\t he\t docked\t her\t of\t sweets.\t Hit\t him\t when\t he\t was\t asleep with\ta\tcoal\thammer.\tWent\thome\tand\ta\tfortnight\tlater\tkilled\ther\telder\tsister\twho had\tannoyed\ther\tabout\tsome\ttrifling\tmatter.\tNeither\tof\tthem\thanged,\tof\tcourse. Sent\tto\ta\thome.\tMay\tbe\tall\tright\tlater\u2014may\tnot.\tDoubt\tif\tthe\tgirl\twill.\tThe\tonly thing\t she\t cares\t about\t is\t seeing\t the\t pigs\t killed.\t Do\t you\t know\t when\t suicide\t is commonest?\t Fifteen\t to\t sixteen\t years\t of\t age.\t From\t self-murder\t to\t murder\t of someone\t else\t isn\u2019t\t a\t very\t long\t step.\t But\t it\u2019s\t not\t a\t moral\t lack\u2014it\u2019s\t a\t physical one.\u201d \u201cWhat\tyou\tsay\tis\tterrible!\u201d \u201cNo\u2014it\u2019s\t only\t new\t to\t you.\t New\t truths\t have\t to\t be\t faced.\t One\u2019s\t ideas adjusted.\tBut\tsometimes\u2014it\tmakes\tlife\tdifficult.\u201d He\tsat\tthere,\tfrowning,\tyet\twith\ta\tstrange\tlook\tof\tweariness. \u201cHaydock,\u201d\t I\t said,\t \u201cif\t you\t suspected\u2014if\t you\t knew\u2014that\t a\t certain\t person was\t a\t murderer,\t would\t you\t give\t that\t person\t up\t to\t the\t law,\t or\t would\t you\t be tempted\tto\tshield\tthem?\u201d I\t was\t quite\t unprepared\t for\t the\t effect\t of\t my\t question.\t He\t turned\t on\t me angrily\tand\tsuspiciously. \u201cWhat\t makes\t you\t say\t that,\t Clement?\t What\u2019s\t in\t your\t mind?\t Out\t with\t it, man.\u201d \u201cWhy,\t nothing\t particular,\u201d\t I\t said,\t rather\t taken\t aback.\t \u201cOnly\u2014well,\t murder is\tin\tour\tminds\tjust\tnow.\tIf\tby\tany\tchance\tyou\thappened\tto\tdiscover\tthe\ttruth\u2014I wondered\thow\tyou\twould\tfeel\tabout\tit,\tthat\twas\tall.\u201d His\tanger\tdied\tdown.\tHe\tstared\tonce\tmore\tstraight\tahead\tof\thim\tlike\ta\tman trying\tto\tread\tthe\tanswer\tto\ta\triddle\tthat\tperplexes\thim,\tyet\twhich\texists\tonly\tin his\town\tbrain. \u201cIf\tI\tsuspected\u2014if\tI\tknew\u2014I\tshould\tdo\tmy\tduty,\tClement.\tAt\tleast,\tI\thope so.\u201d \u201cThe\tquestion\tis\u2014which\tway\twould\tyou\tconsider\tyour\tduty\tlay?\u201d He\tlooked\tat\tme\twith\tinscrutable\teyes. \u201cThat\t question\t comes\t to\t every\t man\t some\t time\t in\t his\t life,\t I\t suppose, Clement.\tAnd\tevery\tman\thas\tto\tdecide\tin\this\town\tway.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow?\u201d \u201cNo,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\u2026.\u201d","I\tfelt\tthe\tbest\tthing\twas\tto\tchange\tthe\tsubject. \u201cThat\tnephew\tof\tmine\tis\tenjoying\tthis\tcase\tthoroughly,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cSpends\this entire\ttime\tlooking\tfor\tfootprints\tand\tcigarette\tash.\u201d Haydock\tsmiled.\t\u201cWhat\tage\tis\the?\u201d \u201cJust\tsixteen.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\ttake\ttragedies\tseriously\tat\tthat\tage.\tIt\u2019s\tall\tSherlock Holmes\tand\tArsene\tLupin\tto\tyou.\u201d Haydock\tsaid\tthoughtfully: \u201cHe\u2019s\ta\tfine-looking\tboy.\tWhat\tare\tyou\tgoing\tto\tdo\twith\thim?\u201d \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tafford\ta\tUniversity\teducation,\tI\u2019m\tafraid.\tThe\tboy\thimself\twants\tto go\tinto\tthe\tMerchant\tService.\tHe\tfailed\tfor\tthe\tNavy.\u201d \u201cWell\u2014it\u2019s\ta\thard\tlife\u2014but\the\tmight\tdo\tworse.\tYes,\the\tmight\tdo\tworse.\u201d \u201cI\tmust\tbe\tgoing,\u201d\tI\texclaimed,\tcatching\tsight\tof\tthe\tclock.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnearly\thalf an\thour\tlate\tfor\tlunch.\u201d My\t family\t were\t just\t sitting\t down\t when\t I\t arrived.\t They\t demanded\t a\t full account\tof\tthe\tmorning\u2019s\tactivities,\twhich\tI\tgave\tthem,\tfeeling,\tas\tI\tdid\tso,\tthat most\tof\tit\twas\tin\tthe\tnature\tof\tan\tanticlimax. Dennis,\t however,\t was\t highly\t entertained\t by\t the\t history\t of\t Mrs.\t Price Ridley\u2019s\t telephone\t call,\t and\t went\t into\t fits\t of\t laughter\t as\t I\t enlarged\t upon\t the nervous\t shock\t her\t system\t had\t sustained\t and\t the\t necessity\t for\t reviving\t her\t with damson\tgin. \u201cServe\t the\t old\t cat\t right,\u201d\t he\t exclaimed.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t got\t the\t worst\t tongue\t in\t the place.\t I\t wish\t I\u2019d\t thought\t of\t ringing\t her\t up\t and\t giving\t her\t a\t fright.\t I\t say,\t Uncle Len,\twhat\tabout\tgiving\ther\ta\tsecond\tdose?\u201d I\t hastily\t begged\t him\t to\t do\t nothing\t of\t the\t sort.\t Nothing\t is\t more\t dangerous than\t the\t well-meant\t efforts\t of\t the\t younger\t generation\t to\t assist\t you\t and\t show their\tsympathy. Dennis\u2019s\t mood\t changed\t suddenly.\t He\t frowned\t and\t put\t on\t his\t man\t of\t the world\tair. \u201cI\u2019ve\tbeen\twith\tLettice\tmost\tof\tthe\tmorning,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cYou\tknow,\tGriselda, she\u2019s\treally\tvery\tworried.\tShe\tdoesn\u2019t\twant\tto\tshow\tit,\tbut\tshe\tis.\tVery\tworried indeed.\u201d \u201cI\tshould\thope\tso,\u201d\tsaid\tGriselda,\twith\ta\ttoss\tof\ther\thead. Griselda\tis\tnot\ttoo\tfond\tof\tLettice\tProtheroe. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tyou\u2019re\tever\tquite\tfair\tto\tLettice.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou?\u201d\tsaid\tGriselda. \u201cLots\tof\tpeople\tdon\u2019t\twear\tmourning.\u201d Griselda\twas\tsilent\tand\tso\twas\tI.\tDennis\tcontinued: \u201cShe\t doesn\u2019t\t talk\t to\t most\t people,\t but\t she\t does\t talk\t to\t me.\t She\u2019s\t awfully worried\tabout\tthe\twhole\tthing,\tand\tshe\tthinks\tsomething\tought\tto\tbe\tdone\tabout","it.\u201d \u201cShe\twill\tfind,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cthat\tInspector\tSlack\tshares\ther\topinion.\tHe\tis\tgoing up\tto\tOld\tHall\tthis\tafternoon,\tand\twill\tprobably\tmake\tthe\tlife\tof\teverybody\tthere quite\tunbearable\tto\tthem\tin\this\tefforts\tto\tget\tat\tthe\ttruth.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink\tis\tthe\ttruth,\tLen?\u201d\tasked\tmy\twife\tsuddenly. \u201cIt\u2019s\t hard\t to\t say,\t my\t dear.\t I\t can\u2019t\t say\t that\t at\t the\t moment\t I\u2019ve\t any\t idea\t at all.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tsay\tthat\tInspector\tSlack\twas\tgoing\tto\ttrace\tthat\ttelephone\tcall\u2014the one\tthat\ttook\tyou\tto\tthe\tAbbotts?\u2019\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cBut\tcan\the\tdo\tit?\tIsn\u2019t\tit\ta\tvery\tdifficult\tthing\tto\tdo?\u201d \u201cI\tshould\tnot\timagine\tso.\tThe\tExchange\twill\thave\ta\trecord\tof\tthe\tcalls.\u201d \u201cOh!\u201d\tMy\twife\trelapsed\tinto\tthought. \u201cUncle\tLen,\u201d\tsaid\tmy\tnephew,\t\u201cwhy\twere\tyou\tso\tratty\twith\tme\tthis\tmorning for\tjoking\tabout\tyour\twishing\tColonel\tProtheroe\tto\tbe\tmurdered?\u201d \u201cBecause,\u201d\t I\t said,\t \u201cthere\t is\t a\t time\t for\t everything.\t Inspector\t Slack\t has\t no sense\t of\t humour.\t He\t took\t your\t words\t quite\t seriously,\t will\t probably\t cross- examine\tMary,\tand\twill\tget\tout\ta\twarrant\tfor\tmy\tarrest.\u201d \u201cDoesn\u2019t\the\tknow\twhen\ta\tfellow\u2019s\tragging?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201che\tdoes\tnot.\tHe\thas\tattained\this\tpresent\tposition\tthrough\thard work\t and\t zealous\t attention\t to\t duty.\t That\t has\t left\t him\t no\t time\t for\t the\t minor recreations\tof\tlife.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\tlike\thim,\tUncle\tLen?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t I\t said,\t \u201cI\t do\t not.\t From\t the\t first\t moment\t I\t saw\t him\t I\t disliked\t him intensely.\t But\t I\t have\t no\t doubt\t that\t he\t is\t a\t highly\t successful\t man\t in\t his profession.\u201d \u201cYou\tthink\the\u2019ll\tfind\tout\twho\tshot\told\tProtheroe?\u201d \u201cIf\the\tdoesn\u2019t,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cit\twill\tnot\tbe\tfor\tthe\twant\tof\ttrying.\u201d Mary\tappeared\tand\tsaid: \u201cMr.\tHawes\twants\tto\tsee\tyou.\tI\u2019ve\tput\thim\tin\tthe\tdrawing\troom,\tand\there\u2019s a\tnote.\tWaiting\tfor\tan\tanswer.\tVerbal\twill\tdo.\u201d\tI\ttore\topen\tthe\tnote\tand\tread\tit. \u201cDear\t Mr.\t Clement,\u2014I\t should\t be\t so\t very\t grateful\t if\t you\t could\t come\t and see\tme\tthis\tafternoon\tas\tearly\tas\tpossible.\tI\tam\tin\tgreat\ttrouble\tand\twould like\tyour\tadvice. Sincerely\tyours, Estelle\tLestrange.\u201d","\u201cSay\tI\twill\tcome\tround\tin\tabout\thalf\tan\thour,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tto\tMary.\tThen\tI\twent into\tthe\tdrawing\troom\tto\tsee\tHawes.","Fifteen \t Hawes\u2019s\tappearance\tdistressed\tme\tvery\tmuch.\tHis\thands\twere\tshaking\tand\this face\tkept\ttwitching\tnervously.\tIn\tmy\topinion\the\tshould\thave\tbeen\tin\tbed,\tand\tI told\thim\tso.\tHe\tinsisted\tthat\the\twas\tperfectly\twell. \u201cI\tassure\tyou,\tsir,\tI\tnever\tfelt\tbetter.\tNever\tin\tmy\tlife.\u201d This\twas\tso\tobviously\twide\tof\tthe\ttruth\tthat\tI\thardly\tknew\thow\tto\tanswer.\tI have\t a\t certain\t admiration\t for\t a\t man\t who\t will\t not\t give\t in\t to\t illness,\t but\t Hawes was\tcarrying\tthe\tthing\trather\ttoo\tfar. \u201cI\tcalled\tto\ttell\tyou\thow\tsorry\tI\twas\u2014that\tsuch\ta\tthing\tshould\thappen\tin\tthe Vicarage.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tI\tsaid,\t\u201cit\u2019s\tnot\tvery\tpleasant.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t terrible\u2014quite\t terrible.\t It\t seems\t they\t haven\u2019t\t arrested\t Mr.\t Redding after\tall?\u201d \u201cNo.\tThat\twas\ta\tmistake.\tHe\tmade\u2014er\u2014rather\ta\tfoolish\tstatement.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\tpolice\tare\tnow\tquite\tconvinced\tthat\the\tis\tinnocent?\u201d \u201cPerfectly.\u201d \u201cWhy\tis\tthat,\tmay\tI\task?\tIs\tit\u2014I\tmean,\tdo\tthey\tsuspect\tanyone\telse?\u201d I\tshould\tnever\thave\tsuspected\tthat\tHawes\twould\ttake\tsuch\ta\tkeen\tinterest\tin the\t details\t of\t a\t murder\t case.\t Perhaps\t it\t is\t because\t it\t happened\t in\t the\t Vicarage. He\tappeared\tas\teager\tas\ta\treporter. \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\t that\t I\t am\t completely\t in\t Inspector\t Slack\u2019s\t confidence.\t As\t far as\tI\tknow,\the\tdoes\tnot\tsuspect\tanyone\tin\tparticular.\tHe\tis\tat\tpresent\tengaged\tin making\tinquiries.\u201d \u201cYes.\t Yes\u2014of\t course.\t But\t who\t can\t one\t imagine\t doing\t such\t a\t dreadful thing?\u201d I\tshook\tmy\thead. \u201cColonel\t Protheroe\t was\t not\t a\t popular\t man,\t I\t know\t that.\t But\t murder!\t For murder\u2014one\twould\tneed\ta\tvery\tstrong\tmotive.\u201d \u201cSo\tI\tshould\timagine,\u201d\tI\tsaid. \u201cWho\tcould\thave\tsuch\ta\tmotive?\tHave\tthe\tpolice\tany\tidea?\u201d","\u201cI\tcouldn\u2019t\tsay.\u201d \u201cHe\t might\t have\t made\t enemies,\t you\t know.\t The\t more\t I\t think\t about\t it,\t the more\t I\t am\t convinced\t that\t he\t was\t the\t kind\t of\t man\t to\t have\t enemies.\t He\t had\t a reputation\ton\tthe\tBench\tfor\tbeing\tvery\tsevere.\u201d \u201cI\tsuppose\the\thad.\u201d \u201cWhy,\t don\u2019t\t you\t remember,\t sir?\t He\t was\t telling\t you\t yesterday\t morning about\thaving\tbeen\tthreatened\tby\tthat\tman\tArcher.\u201d \u201cNow\tI\tcome\tto\tthink\tof\tit,\tso\the\tdid,\u201d\tI\tsaid.\t\u201cOf\tcourse,\tI\tremember.\tYou were\tquite\tnear\tus\tat\tthe\ttime.\u201d \u201cYes,\t I\t overheard\t what\t he\t was\t saying.\t Almost\t impossible\t to\t help\t it\t with Colonel\tProtheroe.\tHe\thad\tsuch\ta\tvery\tloud\tvoice,\thadn\u2019t\the?\tI\tremember\tbeing impressed\tby\tyour\town\twords.\tThat\twhen\this\ttime\tcame,\the\tmight\thave\tjustice meted\tout\tto\thim\tinstead\tof\tmercy.\u201d \u201cDid\tI\tsay\tthat?\u201d\tI\tasked,\tfrowning.\tMy\tremembrance\tof\tmy\town\twords\twas slightly\tdifferent. \u201cYou\tsaid\tit\tvery\timpressively,\tsir.\tI\twas\tstruck\tby\tyour\twords.\tJustice\tis\ta terrible\t thing.\t And\t to\t think\t the\t poor\t man\t was\t struck\t down\t shortly\t afterwards. It\u2019s\talmost\tas\tthough\tyou\thad\ta\tpremonition.\u201d \u201cI\thad\tnothing\tof\tthe\tsort,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tshortly.\tI\trather\tdislike\tHawes\u2019s\ttendency to\tmysticism.\tThere\tis\ta\ttouch\tof\tthe\tvisionary\tabout\thim. \u201cHave\tyou\ttold\tthe\tpolice\tabout\tthis\tman\tArcher,\tsir?\u201d \u201cI\tknow\tnothing\tabout\thim.\u201d \u201cI\t mean,\t have\t you\t repeated\t to\t them\t what\t Colonel\t Protheroe\t said\u2014about Archer\thaving\tthreatened\thim?\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tslowly.\t\u201cI\thave\tnot.\u201d \u201cBut\tyou\tare\tgoing\tto\tdo\tso?\u201d I\t was\t silent.\t I\t dislike\t hounding\t a\t man\t down\t who\t has\t already\t got\t the\t forces of\t law\t and\t order\t against\t him.\t I\t held\t no\t brief\t for\t Archer.\t He\t is\t an\t inveterate poacher\u2014one\t of\t those\t cheerful\t ne\u2019er-do-weels\t that\t are\t to\t be\t found\t in\t any parish.\tWhatever\the\tmay\thave\tsaid\tin\tthe\theat\tof\tanger\twhen\the\twas\tsentenced\tI had\tno\tdefinite\tknowledge\tthat\the\tfelt\tthe\tsame\twhen\the\tcame\tout\tof\tprison. \u201cYou\theard\tthe\tconversation,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tat\tlast.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tfeel\tit\tyour\tduty\tto\tgo\tto the\tpolice\twith\tit,\tyou\tmust\tdo\tso.\u201d \u201cIt\twould\tcome\tbetter\tfrom\tyou,\tsir.\u201d \u201cPerhaps\u2014but\t to\t tell\t the\t truth\u2014well,\t I\u2019ve\t no\t fancy\t for\t doing\t it.\t I\t might\t be helping\tto\tput\tthe\trope\tround\tthe\tneck\tof\tan\tinnocent\tman.\u201d \u201cBut\tif\the\tshot\tColonel\tProtheroe\u2014\u201d \u201cOh,\tif!\tThere\u2019s\tno\tevidence\tof\tany\tkind\tthat\the\tdid.\u201d \u201cHis\tthreats.\u201d","\u201cStrictly\tspeaking,\tthe\tthreats\twere\tnot\this,\tbut\tColonel\tProtheroe\u2019s.\tColonel Protheroe\twas\tthreatening\tto\tshow\tArcher\twhat\tvengeance\twas\tworth\tnext\ttime he\tcaught\thim.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand\tyour\tattitude,\tsir.\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\t you,\u201d\t I\t said\t wearily.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t a\t young\t man.\t You\u2019re\t zealous\t in\t the cause\tof\tright.\tWhen\tyou\tget\tto\tmy\tage,\tyou\u2019ll\tfind\tthat\tyou\tlike\tto\tgive\tpeople the\tbenefit\tof\tthe\tdoubt.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\u2014I\tmean\u2014\u201d He\tpaused,\tand\tI\tlooked\tat\thim\tin\tsurprise. \u201cYou\t haven\u2019t\t any\u2014any\t idea\t of\t your\t own\u2014as\t to\t the\t identity\t of\t the murderer,\tI\tmean?\u201d \u201cGood\theavens,\tno.\u201d Hawes\tpersisted.\t\u201cOr\tas\tto\tthe\u2014motive?\u201d \u201cNo.\tHave\tyou?\u201d \u201cI?\tNo,\tindeed.\tI\tjust\twondered.\tIf\tColonel\tProtheroe\thad\u2014had\tconfided\tin you\tin\tany\tway\u2014mentioned\tanything\u2026.\u201d \u201cHis\tconfidences,\tsuch\tas\tthey\twere,\twere\theard\tby\tthe\twhole\tvillage\tstreet yesterday\tmorning,\u201d\tI\tsaid\tdryly. \u201cYes.\tYes,\tof\tcourse.\tAnd\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tthink\u2014about\tArcher?\u201d \u201cThe\t police\t will\t know\t all\t about\t Archer\t soon\t enough,\u201d\t I\t said.\t \u201cIf\t I\u2019d\t heard him\tthreaten\tColonel\tProtheroe\tmyself,\tthat\twould\tbe\ta\tdifferent\tmatter.\tBut\tyou may\tbe\tsure\tthat\tif\the\tactually\thas\tthreatened\thim,\thalf\tthe\tpeople\tin\tthe\tvillage will\thave\theard\thim,\tand\tthe\tnews\twill\tget\tto\tthe\tpolice\tall\tright.\tYou,\tof\tcourse, must\tdo\tas\tyou\tlike\tabout\tthe\tmatter.\u201d But\tHawes\tseemed\tcuriously\tunwilling\tto\tdo\tanything\thimself. The\t man\u2019s\t whole\t attitude\t was\t nervous\t and\t queer.\t I\t recalled\t what\t Haydock had\tsaid\tabout\this\tillness.\tThere,\tI\tsupposed,\tlay\tthe\texplanation. He\t took\t his\t leave\t unwillingly,\t as\t though\t he\t had\t more\t to\t say,\t and\t didn\u2019t know\thow\tto\tsay\tit. Before\t he\t left,\t I\t arranged\t with\t him\t to\t take\t the\t service\t for\t the\t Mothers\u2019 Union,\tfollowed\tby\tthe\tmeeting\tof\tDistrict\tVisitors.\tI\thad\tseveral\tprojects\tof\tmy own\tfor\tthe\tafternoon. Dismissing\t Hawes\t and\t his\t troubles\t from\t my\t mind\t I\t started\t off\t for\t Mrs. Lestrange. On\tthe\ttable\tin\tthe\thall\tlay\tthe\tGuardian\tand\tthe\tChurch\tTimes\tunopened. As\t I\t walked,\t I\t remembered\t that\t Mrs.\t Lestrange\t had\t had\t an\t interview\t with Colonel\tProtheroe\tthe\tnight\tbefore\this\tdeath.\tIt\twas\tpossible\tthat\tsomething\thad transpired\t in\t that\t interview\t which\t would\t throw\t light\t upon\t the\t problem\t of\t his murder."]
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