‘Gulbrandsen came over here regularly twice a year for meetings of the trustees. The last meeting was only a month ago. Consequently he was not due to come over again for another five months. I think, therefore, that anyone might realize that the business that brought him must definitely be urgent business, but I still think that the normal assumption would be that it was a business visit, and that the matter, however urgent – would be a Trust matter. As far as I know, Gulbrandsen did nothing to contradict that impression – or thought he didn’t. Yes, perhaps that is nearer the truth – he thought he didn’t.’ ‘I’m afraid, Mr Serrocold, that I don’t quite follow you.’ Lewis Serrocold did not answer at once. Then he said gravely: ‘I fully realize that with Gulbrandsen’s death – Which was murder, undeniably murder, I have got to put all the facts before you. But frankly, I am concerned for my wife’s happiness and peace of mind. It is not for me to dictate to you, Inspector, but if you can see your way to keeping certain things from her as far as possible I shall be grateful. You see, Inspector Curry, Christian Gulbrandsen came here expressly to tell me that he believed my wife was being slowly and cold-bloodedly poisoned.’ ‘What?’ Curry leaned forward incredulously.
Serrocold nodded.
‘Yes, it was, as you can imagine, a tremendous shock to me. I had had no suspicion of such a thing myself, but as soon as Christian told me, I realized that certain symptoms my wife had complained of lately were quite compatible with that belief. What she took to be rheumatism, leg cramps, pain, and occasional sickness.
All that fits in very well with the symptoms of arsenical poisoning.’ ‘Miss Marple told us that Christian Gulbrandsen asked her about the condition of Mrs Serrocold’s heart.’ ‘Did he now? That’s interesting. I suppose he thought that a heart poison would be used since it paved the way to a sudden death without undue suspicion. But I think myself that arsenic is more likely.’ ‘You definitely think, then, that Christian Gulbrandsen’s suspicions were well founded?’ ‘Oh yes, I think so. For one thing, Gulbrandsen would hardly come to me with such a suggestion unless he was fairly sure of his facts. He was a cautious and hardheaded man, difficult to convince, but very shrewd.’ ‘What was his evidence?’ ‘We had no time to go into that. Our interview was a hurried one. It served only the purpose of explaining his visit, and a mutual agreement that nothing whatever should be said to my wife about the matter until we were sure of our facts.’ ‘And whom did he suspect of administering poison?’ ‘He did not say, and actually I don’t think he knew. He may have suspected. I think now that he probably did suspect – otherwise why should he be killed?’ ‘But he mentioned no name to you?’ ‘He mentioned no name. We agreed that we must investigate the matter thoroughly, and he suggested inviting the advice and co-operation of Dr Galbraith, the Bishop of Cromer. Dr Galbraith is a very old friend of the Gulbrandsens and is one of the trustees of the Institute.
He is a man of great wisdom and experience and would be of infinite help and comfort to my wife if – if it was necessary to tell her of our suspicions. We meant to rely on his advice as to whether or not to consult the police.’ ‘Quite extraordinary,’ said Curry.
‘Gulbrandsen left us after dinner to write to Dr Galbraith. He was actually in the act of typing a letter to him when he was shot.’
‘How do you know?’ Lewis said calmly: ‘Because I took the letter out of the typewriter. I have it here.’ From his breast pocket, he drew out a folded typewritten sheet of paper and handed it to Curry.
The latter said sharply: ‘You shouldn’t have taken this, or touched anything in the room.’ ‘I touched nothing else. I know that I committed an unpardonable offence in your eyes in moving this, but I had a very strong reason. I felt certain that my wife would insist on coming into the room and I was afraid that she might read something of what is written here. I admit myself in the wrong, but I am afraid I would do the same again. I would do anything – anything – to save my wife unhappiness.’ Inspector Curry said no more for the moment. He read the typewritten sheet.