‘ – Really serious -‘ ‘- not justified -‘ ‘- too big a responsibility to take -‘ ‘- we should, perhaps, take outside advice ‘ Finally Miss Marple heard Christian Gulbrandsen say: ‘Ach, it grows cold. We must go inside.’ Miss Marple drew her head in through the window with a puzzled expression. What she had heard was too fragmentary to be easily pieced together – but it served to confirm that vague apprehension that had been gradually growing upon her and about which Ruth Van Rydock had been so positive.
Whatever was wrong at Stonygates, it definitely affected Carrie Louise.
III
Dinner that evening was a somewhat constrained meal.
Both Gulbrandsen and Lewis were absent-minded and absorbed in their own thoughts. Walter Hudd glowered even more than usual, and for once Gina and Stephen seemed to have little to say either to each other or to the company at large. Conversation was mostly sustained by Dr Maverick, who had a lengthy technical discussion with Mr Baumgarten, one of the Occupational Therapists.
When they moved into the hall after dinner, Christian
Gulbrandsen excused himself almost at once. He said he had an important letter to write.
‘So if you will forgive me, dear Carrie Louise, I will go now to my room.’
‘You have all you want there? Jolly?’
‘Yes, yes. Everything. A typewriter, I asked, and one has been put there. Miss Bellever has been most kind and attentive.’
He left the Great Hall by the door on the left which led past the foot of the main staircase and along a corridor, at the end of which was a suite of bedroom and bathroom.
When he had gone out Carrie Louise said: ‘Not going down to the theatre tonight, Gina?’
The girl shook her head. She went over and sat by the window overlooking the front drive and the court.
Stephen glanced at her, then strolled over to the big grand piano. He sat down at it and strummed very softly – a queer melancholy little tune. The two Occupational Therapists, Mr Baumgarten and Mr Lacy, and Dr Maverick, said goodnight and left. Walter turned on the switch of a reading lamp and with a crackling noise half the lights in the hall went out.
He growled.
‘That darned switch is always faulty. I’ll go and put a new fuse in.’
He left the Hall and Carrie Louise murmured, ‘Wally’s so clever with electrical gadgets and things like that. You remember how he fixed that toaster?’
‘It seems to be all he does do here,’ said Mildred Strete.
‘Mother, have you taken your tonic?’
Miss Bellever looked annoyed.
‘I declare I completely forgot tonight.’ She jumped up and went into the dining-room, returning presently with a small glass containing a little rose-coloured fluid.
Smiling a little, Carrie Louise held out an obedient hand.
‘Such horrid stuff and nobody lets me forget it,’ she said, making a wry face.
And then, rather unexpectedly, Lewis Serrocold said: ‘I don’t think I should take it tonight, my dear. I’m not sure it really agrees with you.’ Quietly, but with that controlled energy always so apparent in him, he took the glass from Miss Believer and put it down on the big oak Welsh dresser.
Miss Believer said sharply: ‘Really, Mr Serrocold, I can’t agree with you there.
Mrs Serrocold has been very much better since ‘ She broke off and turned sharply.
The front door was pushed violently open and allowed to swing to with a crash. Edgar Lawson came into the big dim Hall with the air of a star performer making a triumphal entry.
He stood in the middle of the floor and struck an attitude.
It was almost ridiculous – but not quite ridiculous.
Edgar sid theatrically: ‘So I have found you, O mine enemy!’ He said it to Lewis Serrocold.
Mr Serrocold looked mildly astonished.
‘Why, Edgar, what is the matter?’ ‘You can say that to me – you!’ You know what’s the matter. You’ve been deceiving me, spying on me, working with my enemies against me.’ Lewis took him by the arm.
‘Now, now, my dear lad, don’t excite yourself. Tell me all about it quietly. Come into my office.’ He led him across the Hall and through a door on the right, closing it behind him. After he had done so, there was another sound, the sharp sound of a key being turned in the lock.