Seven for a Secret

Murder in Harper’s Green

Since I had been working for the estate, I had little spare time to give to the sewing circle and the rest, and even Miss Hetherington understood that. She approved of what I was doing, for she thought that women should play a more prominent part in business and general affairs.

Aunt Sophie was, of course, delighted.

“It was just what you needed,” she said.

“I can’t be grateful enough to Crispin St. Aubyn for suggesting it.”

She enjoyed hearing details of what I discovered from the tenants; she liked James Perrin and he was asked to tea on several occasions.

In fact, several people exchanged glances when they saw me with James, and I guessed what was in their minds. I felt faintly embarrassed about this.

I visited Tamarisk now and then, but she was not exactly welcoming. I guessed everything was not going smoothly and she did not want to talk about what was wrong. I was often at Grindle’s Farm. The baby was flourishing and both Daniel and Rachel were obviously delighted with her.

It was a Saturday afternoon a free time for me unless there was some problem which had to be dealt with and, since it was some time since I had called on Flora Lane, I thought it was time I did so.

I approached the cottage from the back. There was no one in the garden. The empty doll’s pram was standing by the wooden seat in which Flora usually sat. Then I noticed that the back door was open and presumed she had gone in to get something.

I went to the door and called: “Is anyone at home?”

As I did so. Flora came out, carrying the doll, and to my amazement, Gaston Marchmont was with her.

“Hello,” said Flora.

“You haven’t been for a long time.”

“I see you have a visitor.”

Gaston Marchmont bowed.

“I was passing,” he said.

“I spoke to Miss Lane and she has shown me the nursery where she tends her precious child.”

Flora smiled down at the doll in her arms.

My amazement must have been obvious. It seemed so strange to me that she should be friendly with Gaston to such an extent that she invited him into the house. It had taken me several meetings before I had that privilege.

Flora put the doll in the pram and sat on the seat Gaston and I were on either side of her.

“You didn’t expect to see me here,” said Gaston to me.

“No, I did not.”

“I take an interest in the estate and all who live on it. After all, I am a member of the family now.”

He spoke with a certain insolence, I fancied.

“I like to know what’s going on,” he continued.

“It’s a long time since you’ve been,” said Flora again.

“I don’t get so much time now that I am working,” I explained.

“Miss Hammond is a very unusual lady, you know,” put in Gaston Marchmont.

“She is a pioneer. She is out to prove something which we should have learned a long time ago. The ladies are as good as the men only better.”

Flora looked vague.

“He’s got a touch of that cold, he has. Never quite got rid of it. I took him up to give him a dose of that stuff. It’s made with herbs.

That makes it better, doesn’t it, precious? “

Gaston raised his eyebrows and looked at me, as though he found this amusing. Knowing so much about him, I felt contempt for him swelling up in me.

“What a pleasant nursery Miss Lane has created up there,” he said.

I thought this could not be the first time he had called on her. I supposed he looked in as I did and when talking to him she had conceived the idea that the baby was not well and needed this medicine. She had gone up and he had followed her.

“It was so good of Miss Lane to show me the nursery,” Gaston went on.

“And thank goodness little what’s-his- name is better now. Have you, Miss Hammond, seen those venomous-looking birds on the wall?”

I felt myself turn cold at the sudden intense curiosity I saw in his eyes.

The birds had had a certain effect on me, reminding me of the old rhyme, of a secret which must never be told. And he had felt the same.

“The magpies,” said Flora.

“Lucy put them in a frame for me. They show you it’s a secret… never to be told. That’s what they are saying.”

“Do you know the secret?” asked Gaston.

She looked at him in horror.

“You do,” he said triumphantly.

“Suppose you told us. That would be fun, wouldn’t it? We would never tell. Nothing to worry about.”

Flora had begun to tremble.

I whispered to him: “You are upsetting her.”

“Sorry,” he murmured.

“What a beautiful day it is. Just right for sitting in the garden.”

I could see how much he had upset her and that could not be lightly set aside.

I said: “I think we should be going. I just came to see how you were,” I went on to Flora.

“Your sister will be back soon, I dare say.”

Gaston was looking at me steadily.

I repeated firmly: “Yes, I think we should go.”

Flora nodded. She looked at the doll in the pram and started to push it backwards and forwards. Then she stood up and wheeled it towards the cottage.

“Goodbye,” I said.

She did not turn but muttered: “Goodbye.”

He went with me to the gate.

“Phew,” he said as we walked away.

“She’s quite mad.”

“She’s deranged. You shouldn’t have talked about those birds.”

“She talked about them. She took me up there and showed them to me.

She didn’t seem to mind. “

“You have to be careful with people in her state.”

“She really is … far gone. Thinking that doll is a baby! It’s supposed to be Crispin, of all people! That makes it madder than ever.

There he is, strutting round, cock of the walk, and she thinks he’s a china doll! “

“She was his nurse. She is still … living in those days.”

“I pity the poor sister.”

“They are very fond of each other and Crispin is very good to them.”

“I think you are blaming me for that scene.”

“Well, it was because you talked about secrets and all that.”

“I thought that if she could unburden herself … All that talk about secrets, it struck me that that was what she had on her mind … or what was left of it.”

“I think it is better to leave her alone … to go along with her .. pretending with her that the doll is a baby. That is what her sister does, and Crispin too. They know her best. Her sister was there when she lost her senses, and Crispin … well, he has known her for a long time.”

“Knew her as his dear nanny, I suppose.”

“Not Flora. He was a baby only a few months old when she had to give up and that was when Lucy took over.”

“Extraordinary story, isn’t it? Interesting, though. All I wanted to do was cheer the old girl up a bit, now that I’m taking such an interest in everything.”

You’re thinking of staying here, then? “

That my dear Miss Frederica, is in the hands of the gods. “

I was glad when we reached The Rowans and he left me to go on to St. Aubyn’s.

Aunt Sophie said to me one morning at breakfast: “Gerry Westlake is home.”

“Who is Gerry Westlake?” I said. The name seemed vaguely familiar.

“You know the Westlakes. They have one of those houses in Cairns Lane.”

“And Gerry?”

“He’s their son. He went away years ago. Twenty no, more than that twenty-six years ago. That’s more like it. He was quite a boy then.

About seventeen or so. Went to Australia rather suddenly. Decided he wanted to emigrate. No, it wasn’t Australia. It was New Zealand. Had a friend out there by all accounts. “

“I wonder how the Merrets are getting on in Australia?”

“They’re bound to write to someone sooner or later, then it will be passed round. I dare say all will be well. They were both hard workers.”

When I reached the office, one of the first things James said was, “The Westlakes’ son is home.”

“Aunt Sophie was saying something about him. Gerry, isn’t it? Did you know him?”

“Good Heavens, no. I don’t think I was born when he went away. But lots of people in Harper’s Green remember him and they’re all talking about his return, of course. I have to go over that way to see about some repairs and I thought I’d look in on the Westlakes and meet the young man. Why don’t you come with me?”

I hesitated, knowing that people were talking about our being rather frequently together. I liked James very much, but I did not care that my name should be linked with his. I wondered if he knew of the gossip and found it disconcerting.

I said: “Is it justified?”

“But of course. It’s a good opportunity for you to meet Mrs. Westlake.

Her husband is one of the part builders we employ only part-time now he is getting on a bit. There’s always some work of that nature to be done on the estate. I’d like to hear what Gerry’s got to say. “

So I set out with James.

The Westlakes’ residence was a neat little house with a well-kept garden and we had a pleasant morning.

Mrs. Westlake brought out her elderberry wine and I met i Gerry a pleasant man with a wife and a daughter of about my age.

They told me it was their first visit to England and Gerry explained how he used to do odd jobs on the estate. It was just after his seventeenth birthday that he decided to go to New Zealand. It had been a hard decision to make, but he had felt there was more scope for him in a new country. He had a friend who’d gone out there and they had been writing to each other. It was that which had decided him.

He was frowning slightly as he looked back over the years.

“It was the right thing for you, I suppose,” I said.

“Oh yes, though it wasn’t easy at first. But young people were wanted out there and there were facilities for emigrants. I went out steerage, of course … a bit primitive, but who cares for that at seventeen. It was exciting. And there was my friend waiting for me. He was ten years older than I and in the end it worked very well.”

Old Mrs. Westlake smiled at her son.

“You were quite fond of one of the girls over here,” she said.

“It was all to the good that you went.”

“Yes said her husband.

“Poor girl. She went a bit strange after you left.”

“It wasn’t because of me, Mother!”

“Well, I reckon there was something wrong before that. You were a handsome lad though, son.”

Gerry looked uneasy.

“It was all a long time ago,” he said.

“How is … Mr. Crispin St. Aubyn?”

“I believe he is very well,” I said.

“In good health, is he?”

“I have not heard otherwise, have you, James?” I asked.

“Never,” said James.

“A fine figure of a man, I suppose?”

That is exactly how I would describe him,” said James.

“Wouldn’t you?” he asked me.

“Yes, I would,” I replied.

“Tall, upstanding, sound in every way,” murmured Gerry.

“Absolutely.”

Gerry laughed and seemed well pleased.

Mrs. Westlake senior had brought out some little cakes to go with the wine.

This is indeed a celebration,” said James.

“Well, Mr. Perrin,” said old Mr. Westlake, ‘it is not every day we have a son come home from New Zealand to see us.

That was a very interesting morning.

I was going to call on Flora and to my dismay when I was close to the cottage I met Gaston Marchmont.

“Good afternoon,” he cried gaily.

“I’ll guess where you’re going. Do you know, I thought I’d look in myself.”

“I see,” I said blankly.

“I think she likes visitors. She always seems to. I’m really sorry for the old girl.”

“I don’t think her sister wants people there.”

“Is that why you call when she’s away?

“When the cat’s away …” and so on? “

I felt irritated and just at that moment I saw Gerry Westlake coming through the gate. He, too, had been visiting the cottage. That was very odd.

“Hello,” he said.

I returned his greeting and, turning to Gaston Marchmont, went on:

“This is Mr. Gerry Westlake.”

“I know,” said Gaston.

“It must have been very pleasant to return to the old country to see your family.”

“It was,” said Gerry.

“And you will be leaving soon?” I asked.

“Tomorrow. It’s been good but all good things come to an end, alas.”

Gaston said: “I dare say you’ll be coming again soon.”

“It’s a long way and we’ve been saving up for this for years.”

“Well, good luck,” said Gaston.

“And a safe journey back,” I added.

He left us.

As soon as I saw Flora, I knew something was wrong. Her eyes looked wild, her face distorted.

“Flora!” I cried.

“What has happened?”

She stared at me blankly and shook her head from side to side.

“Tell me. Flora, what is it?”

She stared at the doll in her arms.

“It’s not … it’s not, it’s only a doll,” she murmured.

Suddenly she threw the doll from her. It lay across the pram, inanimate, smiling its china smile.

I could not believe this. Flora was coming back to reality.

Everything seemed very still around us. I was aware of Flora’s tortured face and the avid curiosity in Gaston’s.

“Why?” he said to her.

“Why has it changed?”

I laid my hand on his arm to restrain his questions. And then I saw Lucy coming into the garden.

“What’s happened? What’s happened?” she cried.

It’s only a doll,” said Flora piteously.

Lucy’s eyes were filled with fear. Her lips moved as though she were praying. She put her arm through Flora’s.

“Come along in, dear,” she said.

“It’s all right. Nothing’s changed.”

“It’s a doll,” whispered Flora.

“You’ve been dreaming,” said Lucy.

“Only a dream?” whispered Flora.

“It was only a dream.”

Lucy looked over her shoulder at us.

“I’ll take her in,” she said quietly.

“I’ll soothe her down. She has these turns.”

She went into the house with Flora, leaving Gaston, with me, looking after them as they went.

I said: “Come on, we must go.”

We went through the gate and out to the road.

“What do you make of that?” he said.

“I suppose she has flashes of reality.”

“Sister Lucy didn’t seem very pleased about that one.”

“She is very anxious about Flora. What a terrible responsibility it must be.”

“She had just had a visitor,” said Gaston.

“I think there must have been some revelation. I wonder what our pioneering colonist had to say to her.”

I could not stop thinking about Flora and a few days later I called on her. Lucy was at home on this occasion.

“It was good of you to call,” she said.

Flora was in the garden, the pram containing the doll with her.

“She’s well now, aren’t you, dear?” said Lucy to her.

Flora nodded. She was pushing the pram backwards and forwards.

“This rocking gets him off to sleep sooner than anything,” she said.

It seemed that everything was back to normal.

Lucy came with me to the gate.

“She’s recovered,” she said. I thought ‘re covered’ was hardly the right way to describe it. For a moment Flora had been in the present time. Could that not have been a good thing?

“She’s been like this before,” Lucy told me.

“It’s not good for her.

She’s not well after. She gets over-excited. Gets nightmares. I have some soothing medicine for her from the doctor. “

“She seemed for a moment as though she were seeing things as they really are.”

“No, it isn’t quite like that. She’s better as she is now. She’s quiet and contented, really.”

“Something must have provoked it,” I suggested.

Lucy lifted her shoulders.

I went on: “I wondered if it had anything to do with Gerry Westlake?”

Lucy looked startled.

“Why ever should it?”

“I just wondered because he had been to see her. We saw him leaving.”

“Oh no. He’s been away, it must be twenty-seven years or more.”

“I do hope she will be all right.”

“Thank you. I shall see to that.”

I walked soberly home.

I was dismayed when I saw Tamarisk. I had guessed that all was not well after my conversation with Crispin, and I had tried to win her confidence. My dislike of Gaston Marchmont was increasing. Moreover, there was something about his interest in Flora which made me uneasy.

He seemed to be amused by her affliction; and the fact that he was visiting her disturbed me.

On this occasion Tamarisk was not so guarded as she had been. I could see that she had been crying. She must have realized that it would be futile to continue the pretence that all was well.

“Tamarisk,” I said, ‘why don’t you tell me? It helps sometimes. “

“Nothing will help.”

“Is it Gaston?”

She nodded.

“You’ve quarrelled?”

She laughed.

“We’re always quarrelling. He really doesn’t make any effort now.”

“What went wrong?”

“Everything. He said I was a fool and he preferred Rachel. He said she was a simpleton and knew it. I was one too, and didn’t. That was the only difference between us. Crispin hates him and he hates Crispin. I think he hates me, too. He has a violent temper and I thought he was so charming…”

“Poor Tamarisk!”

“I don’t know what to do. I think Crispin would like there to be a divorce.”

“On what grounds? You can’t divorce people just because you suddenly find that you don’t like them as much as you thought you would.”

“Adultery, I expect.”

“On what evidence?”

“I’m sure we can find some. He said he was Rachel’s lover before we were married. He said he would have preferred her. I know why he married me. It’s because of all this. He thinks I’m rich. Well, I do have something, of course. He’d like to own all this. He’s envious of Crispin. He says my brother doesn’t know how to live.”

“And I suppose he does … making people unhappy … cheating, lying.”

I could not stop thinking of what she had said about Rachel. What if this were known? It would be an end to the happy life at Grindle’s. And what of little Danielle, who was such a joy to them? I could not bear it if he spoilt! that.

But he must not, he would not. He would be puttings himself in such a bad light the man who seduced and deserted a young trusting girl!

“Crispin is trying to think of some way to get rid of him. He has been cheating all the way. Even his name. He hasn’t any estates either.

He’s a penniless adventurer. Oh, Fred, I’m so ashamed. “

“Well, I don’t suppose you’re the only one who has been taken in by him. He was very plausible.”

“He drinks too much. That’s when lots of things are revealed. He talks a lot about Rachel. He said he could get her to leave everything and go away with him if he wanted! to.” “That’s nonsense!” :

“I know. But I think it’s true about them. I know she was very keen on him.”

I said: “Rachel is happily married. She has a child. I am sure she would despise him if he made advances to her.”

“She’d be the good little wife, of course. And there is the baby. She must have been very friendly with Daniel at the time, too.”

I had to stop this. I said quickly: “What are you going to do. Tamarisk? “

“I don’t know. I think Crispin will find some way. He’s very clever and he’s working on it. I don’t think he’ll tolerate having Gaston in the house. Gaston still gets round my mother with that flowery talk about her being as beautiful as a young girl. She’s on his side, but that won’t help him. I am sure Crispin will do something soon.”

I was thinking of Crispin. I thought I ought to tell him that Tamarisk had confided in me to some extent.

When he came to the office I had the chance of telling him.

“Good,” he said.

“Can you meet me at the Little Vixen at one o’clock for lunch?” I said I would be there.

I told him what Tamarisk had said.

“What can you do about it?” I asked.

“The best thing would be to get rid of him. But that is impossible. He is not going to relieve us all by departing. The only other solution is divorce. It’s not entirely satisfactory, but I see no other way out.”

“On what grounds?”

“Adultery, I dare say. I feel sure from what we know of him we could find evidence somewhere.”

Not Rachel, I thought. That would be unbearable. Besides, that happened before his marriage. It would not count. But it would be revealed if there were probings, suggestions. Rachel’s happiness must not be sacrificed.

“Do you know for sure that he is promiscuous?” I asked.

“I’m fairly sure of it. As a matter of fact, I am having him watched.

It is highly secret. He has no idea, but if he suspected . well, he would be warned. “

“Do you think you will find something?”

“He’s reckless. Although he is sharp, with an eye on the main chance, he can be foolish in many ways. He married Tamarisk because he thought she would provide a comfortable life for him, which so far she has done; but the strain of keeping up the pretence of being a loving husband has been too much for him. He is a rogue, an impostor, a self-indulgent adventurer. He is clever, but not quite clever enough.

Frederica, I must get him out of the house. I am so glad that Tamarisk has started confiding in you. She talks to me very rarely and then with restraint. You can let me know exactly what she feels. We must meet often. “

He smiled at me very warmly and I felt a glow of pleasure, as I always did when he showed an interest in me. I “Are you still getting on well with Perrin?” he asked. “Oh yes, he is very kind and helpful.” ‘ “You know I have a special interest in you, Frederica?” “After Barrow Wood. Yes. I understand that.” I couldl not resist adding: “Though before that you were hardly! aware of me.” “Oh, I was aware of you when you first came tol St. Aubyn’s for lessons.”

“I shall never forget the first time I saw you,” I said.

“Yes?” he asked.

“It was on the stairs. I was with Tamarisk and Rachel. We came down and you were about to go up. You nodded briefly and when you were still in earshot you said in a voice which we all heard distinctly, ” Who is the plain’ child? “, meaning me.”

“No,” he said.

“Yes, it’s true.”

“It rankled?”

“Very much so. Aunt Sophie had to spend a long time soothing my wounded vanity.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t believe that. What I really meant was, ” Who is the interesting child? “” “When one is thirteen years old, it is rather hurtful to be called a child, and plain is the final insult.”

“You have never forgiven me.”

“Well, I believe I was plain.”

“I remember you had two plaits, very severe, and a penetrating look.”

“And you had a penetrating voice.”

“Believe me, I am very sorry. It was foolish … and obtuse. I should have recognized you as a very attractive young lady. The plainest people often turn out to be the real beauties, the ugly duckling, you know, turned into the ” There is no need to make excuses. I was plain. And, do you know, I began to take an interest in my appearance after that. So you see, it was all right in the end. You did me good.”

He put his hand across the table and held mine firmly in his.

That’s what I want to do,” he said.

“Always.”

I thought then that he was going to say something else, but he hesitated and appeared to change his mind.

“This is a pact, then,” he said.

“We are going to meet often. You will tell me what you discover and we shall see if we can find a way out of this.”

We chatted then about the estate, of which I was becoming quite knowledgeable. That pleased him and he became very animated.

When we parted, he said: “I am anxious about Tamarisk, but we’ll find some way out and at least we have had a very pleasant time together.”

I frequently called at Grindle’s Farm. Danielle was an enchanting child and I took a very special interest in her. Rachel was happy too.

I think she was succeeding in forgetting the past and one of the main reasons was her absorption in Danielle.

Alas, this contentment did not last.

Soon after Crispin and I had talked in the Little Vixen, I went to see Rachel and realized that all was not well.

“Freddie,” said Rachel, ‘he’s been here. Gaston has been here. “

“Whatever for?”

“He said he wanted to be friends again.”

“What impertinence!”

“Oh, Freddie, it was awful. I’m frightened.”

“What happened?”

“He said, ” You used to love me, remember? ” I told him to go away. I did not want to see him ever again. He was horrible. He tried to put his arm round me. I was frightened. ”

” How did he get in?

He just called. One of the maids brought him to the sitting-room where I happened to be at the time. I thought he would never go. “

“Did you tell Daniel?”

“Yes. He was very angry. I think he would kill him if he saw him. It is not often Daniel is angry, but then he was.:

Oh, I do hope Gaston never comes here again. If her does. “

“He can’t harm you.”

“I am thinking about Danielle.”

“Did he guess?”

“Yes. I told him when I was going to have a child and I could see then that he didn’t care … only that it shouldn’t go and spoil his plans for Tamarisk.”

“He can’t hurt you now, Rachel.”

“He could tell people Danielle was his child. He could make a terrible scandal. Think what that would mean to her. People would talk of it for years. Oh, Freddie, what a mess I have made of everything!”

“It will be all right. There’s nothing he can do.”

She clung to me.

“I’m so afraid. I’m terribly afraid.”

I did not tell her so, but I was too.

How I hated that man! He caused misery wherever he went. I had thought everything had been comfortably settled when Daniel accepted and cherished the child. I could clearly see what harm Gaston could do to them. I railed against him to myself. If only he would go away! As if he would! He liked the luxury he enjoyed at St. Aubyn’s too well. He had schemed to marry Tamarisk and establish himself there and he meant to stay. He would fight to stay and he would not care what happened to anyone else as long as he had what he wanted.

There was a new development which caused a stir in the neighbourhood.

Harry Gentry had discovered that Gaston Marchmont was paying attention to his daughter Sheila. The girl was barely sixteen. Harry Gentry had come upon them together in the woodshed in his garden.

It was clear to Harry what Gaston’s intentions were towards his daughter and Harry was enraged. He declared he would kill the man.

Gaston had tried to make excuses, but Harry had gone into the house and come out with a shotgun which he used for shooting rabbits.

Gaston escaped and Harry fired into the air to warn him what would happen if he came near Sheila again. The neighbours had heard the shots and had come out to witness the scene.

People were now talking of the trouble at St. Aubyn’s. It had been very romantic, running away to Gretna Green, but look at the result of such goings-on. Mr. Crispin must be wondering how they were going to get rid of the fellow.

Rachel was growing more and more frightened. She could not bear that scandal should touch her family. Gaston Marchmont would not care. He would make trouble for anyone if he thought there was any advantage in it for himself.

Crispin came to the office one afternoon when he knew James Perrin would not be there.

“This goes from bad to worse,” he said.

“We really must get rid of this fellow.”

“Have you any idea how?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“He’s philandering around. So perhaps it won’t be difficult to find something against him.”

I trembled for Rachel. I wanted to make Crispin see how important it was to spare her from becoming involved, but I could not without her permission to tell, and I knew she would never give that.

He sat on the edge of the desk, swinging his leg, while he stared ahead, frowning. His attitude was one of despairing frustration. I understood his mood perfectly, because I shared it.

“You said you were having him watched,” I said.

“Yes. But that little flutter with Sheila is hardly any help.”

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” called Crispin.

One of the labourers from the home farm entered.

“I was passing the cottage when Miss Lucy called to me,” he stammered.

“She said to come and tell you, sir, right away, will you go there? Something’s happened.” Crispin said: “I’ll come right away.” He ran out and leaped on to his horse.

“I’ll follow you,” I said, ‘in case I can be of any help. ” When I arrived I ran into the cottage. Flora was with Lucy and Crispin in the kitchen.

Flora looked frantic and Lucy said again and again: “It’s all right. Flora. It’s all right.”

Crispin was also trying to soothe her, but Flora could not be soothed.

She was crying: “He took the baby. He took him. He was going to hurt him. He said he would if I didn’t… if I didn’t…”

“Don’t cry,” said Crispin.

“It’s all over now.” She shook her head.

“No, no. He said, ” Tell . tell . and you shall have the baby back. ”

“And you told,” said Lucy in a flat voice.

“It’s not a secret any more. Never be told … but it was the baby he was going to hurt the baby.”

I knew instinctively of whom she was speaking. It was Gaston, of course. Hadn’t I seen him here several times?

He had been interested in Flora. Intrigued . determined to discover that secret which was never to be told. And he had found a way of learning what it was. Oh, poor Flora!

She had shown him the picture of the magpies just as she had shown me, and he had determined to force the secret from her.

Why was he so interested in Flora’s rambling? I wondered. Why, when he was only concerned with that which could bring advantage to himself ?

Lucy took Flora to her room. Crispin stayed behind to help, and I left them, since I could be of no use.

All through the day I thought about what had happened and that night I had a frightening dream. I was in Barrow Wood, lying helpless on the ground and Mr. Dorian was coming towards me. I called out for help.

There was a murmur in the trees. It wasn’t Mr. Dorian who had come to me. It was the seven magpies. They settled on a tree and watched malevolently; and I was struck with terror, as I had been by Mr. Dorian.

I awoke in a panic. It was only a dream, a muddled, silly dream. How could I have been so frightened by a few birds?

The day passed. I wanted to see how Flora was, but I guessed I might not be welcome. I hoped Crispin might come into the office, but he did not. I was glad James did not notice my preoccupation.

The next morning, when we were at breakfast, the postman called. If he had time to stop for a cup of tea when he came. Lily gave it to him in the kitchen. On this occasion, she brought him in to us. Her eyes were round with that horror and excitement which only bad news can bring.

Tom’s just told me,” she said, ‘that Gaston Marchmont’s been found shot in the shrubbery at St. Aubyn’s.”

I felt suddenly faint.

“Yes,” went on Tom.

“He was found this morning in the shrubbery. You know, near the back of the house. One of the gardeners found him there. Must have been there all night.”

This is going to be a bit of a how-de-do,” said Lily. I heard myself stammer: ” How? Who? ”

” That,” said Tom, ‘is something they’ll have to find out.”

So, it had happened. There were several people who had wanted him out of the way. I was very much afraid, for I feared someone I knew might be guilty of murder.

My first thoughts had gone to Daniel. I could not believe that that gentle man could be capable of murder. It was unbearable. It would mean the end of Rachel’s happiness.

Harry Gentry? He had threatened Gaston Marchmont with a gun. He had actually fired it.

Tamarisk? She had come to hate him. He had deceived her; he had humiliated her. She was unpredictable, reckless and above all things she hated to be humiliated.

Crispin hated him. He had said more than once that he would like to be rid of him. He was a menace to everyone. He had even disturbed poor Flora. He created unpleasantness wherever he went.

Not Crispin, I kept saying to myself. That would be unbearable beyond everything.

For the first time, I faced my true feelings for him. He had attracted me from the moment I saw him; and when I: he had made that unfortunate remark it had hurt more because it came from him. Barrow Wood? Well, that had affected us both deeply. For myself, I could never forget his wrath when he had thrown Mr. Dorian from him. Nor could I forget his tenderness when he turned to me and picked me up. How I had enjoyed those lunches at the Little Vixen. I had tried to disguise from myself how much I looked forward to his coming to the office.

But there was a barrier there, something which I could not understand.

Sometimes I saw a warmth in his attitude towards me. I could imagine that he cared about me; then there would be that aloofness. Perhaps I was half in love with him, but there were times when I felt I did not know him entirely. That aloofness was not only for me, though. It was for everybody. He had a fanatical devotion to the estate. I supposed that was understandable. It was a great responsibility. It was as though there was something on his mind . some secret.

Secrets! I was looking for secrets everywhere. It was due to those visits to the Lanes’ cottage and that haunting picture of the magpies.

I had even dreamed of them.

Aunt Sophie talked of little else but the death of Gaston Marchmont; but then everyone in Harper’s Green was naturally talking about it.

Who killed Gaston Marchmont? That was the question on everyone’s lips.

There was expectancy in the air. Everyone believed that they would know the answer soon.

Lily was sure it was Harry Gentry.

“He had it in for him,” she said.

“Ever since he caught him with young Sheila. She was ready enough, I’ll warrant. If you ask me, it was six to one and half a dozen to the other. Well, he got his comeuppance and it’ll be a lesson to her.”

“I hope poor old Harry hasn’t got himself involved with that,” said Aunt Sophie.

“It’s murder, whatever way you look at it. He’s hot-tempered, I know, but I doubt he’d lie in wait, coldbloodedly like that. He’d have too much sense. No, I reckon it’s someone from that man’s past. I reckon he’s got one.”

Aunt Sophie was soothing. She had an idea that I was worried about Crispin. She may have understood my feelings better than I did myself.

She knew very well that Crispin had hated Gaston Marchmont and was hoping to get him out of St. Aubyn’s. I liked to think that someone from his past had murdered Gaston Marchmont.

Over the next few days the police were constant visitors to Harper’s Green. Accounts of Harry Gentry’s threats had leaked out and he was questioned several times. It seemed he had an alibi. He had been painting a neighbour’s house until nine o’clock that evening when Gaston was shot, and after that the neighbour had gone to the Gentrys’ cottage with Harry. They had had a beer and a sandwich made by Sheila, and they had played poker till past midnight.

It was reckoned that the shot which had killed Gaston had been fired between ten-thirty and eleven that night. So Harry Gentry was, as they said, ‘in the clear’.

I went to see Rachel. I was glad that her connection with Gaston was not generally known. Daniel, Tamarisk and I were the only ones in the secret.

She was very relieved to see me.

“I knew you’d come some time,” she said.

“I wanted to come before … but I was not sure …”

“Freddie, you don’t think it was Daniel?”

I was silent.

“It’s not true,” she burst out vehemently.

“He came in in the late afternoon and was in the house till morning. Jack was here. He can prove it.”

“Oh Rachel, I’ve been so worried.”

“So have I … or would have been if I didn’t know that Daniel had been here all that time. It happened that night between ten and eleven, didn’t it? He’d been lying there … dead … all that time.”

“Why should Daniel come into this?” I said.

“Why should Gaston be connected with you? No one knows that there might be a motive.”

“They mustn’t know, Freddie. Oh, they mustn’t know.”

“No one knows about you and Gaston but us, and … er … Tamarisk.”

She looked at me in dismay.

“He told her,” I said. I went on quickly, “She wouldn’t say anything.

She wouldn’t want it known that while he was courting her he was making love to you. It’s all right. There’s nothing to worry about.

Aunt Sophie thinks it might have been someone from his past. A man like that would surely have a shady past. He must have made enemies. He has in the short time he has been here made many. “

“Oh, Freddie, I know it’s wrong, but I’m glad he’s not here any more.

There would never have been any peace. I’m glad. I’m glad. “

“I understand how you feel. I can really see no reason why you should be connected with this.”

She put her arms round me and clung to me.

“I’m glad you’re here, Freddie. I’m glad you’re my friend. Daniel often says what a wonderful friend you have been to us both. When I think …”

“Don’t think of that. Forget it. It isn’t going to matter now. You are free of him. I just wanted to make sure that Daniel was not…”

“He wasn’t. I swear he was here all the time.”

I wanted so much to believe her. I did while I was with her, but when I went away, I thought how much Daniel must hate him because Rachel had once loved him. The child he loved was not his. And then Gaston had come back to threaten.

He was innocent. She had sworn he was innocent. But then a little voice within me said: Well, she would, wouldn’t she?

I went to see Tamarisk. I was told that she was in her room and not seeing anyone.

“Will you tell her I called?” I said.

“If she wants to see me I could come at any time.”

I hovered while the maid went upstairs. She came down hastily just as I was leaving.

“Mrs. Marchmont says she will see you. Miss Hammond.” She looked at me and shook her head.

“Poor lady. The police have been pestering her again. She’s taking this badly.”

“I know what it must be like,” I said.

“I won’t stay long unless she wants me to.”

Tamarisk was lying on her bed. She was fully clothed but her long fair hair was loose about her shoulders. She looked very pale.

“So you came, Fred,” she said.

“I wanted to before, but I wasn’t sure whether you’d want to see anyone. I was almost turned away today.”

“I didn’t want to see most people. But I’d like to talk to you.”

I sat down by the bed.

“Isn’t it awful?” she went on.

I nodded.

“I can’t believe that I shall never see him again. I can’t believe he’s dead. The police have been here. They keep asking questions.

They’ve interviewed Crispin . my mother . some of the servants. My mother is very unhappy. She was really fond of him. “

“Tamarisk, how are you feeling?”

She stared ahead of her and I noticed the sullen droop of her lips.

She said: “I know I mustn’t say this … but it’s only to you. I’m glad. That’s the truth. I hated him.”

I was startled and she smiled wryly.

“I didn’t tell the police that, of course. They might have thought I was the one who did it. I can tell you there were times when I might have done it.”

“Don’t talk like that. Tamarisk!”

“It’s unwise, isn’t it? In fact, it’s almost as though they suspect me although they haven’t said so in so many words. I’ve been an awful fool, Fred. But you always thought I was, didn’t you? I believed all he told me. And while he was telling me he wouldn’t look at anyone else, he was carrying on an intrigue with Rachel.”

Tamarisk, please don’t talk of that. Think of what it would mean to her and Daniel. And there’s the baby. “

“But it’s true,” she said.

“Listen, he did a lot of harm while he was alive. He’s dead now. Let that be an end of it.”

“An end of it! What about this pestering by the police?”

“That’s inevitable. This is a case of murder.”

“They suspect Harry Gentry. Apparently Gaston was chasing young Sheila. Oh, he was foul! I wouldn’t blame Harry Gentry one little bit.”

“What did the police say to you?”

“Oh, they were very polite. One talking to me very gently and the other making notes in his little book. I had to tell them about our marriage and how I’d known him only a short time. They knew he had come here under a false name. They knew something of him. Apparently he had been in trouble … under another name. It’s so humiliating to think I was so taken in.”

“Never mind. Lots of people are taken in at some time and you were very young.”

Tt will be in all the papers. I wonder who did it. They say Harry Gentry was with a neighbour of his when Gaston was killed. I was here all the time. So was Crispin. At one time I wondered whether Crispin”

“Of course he wouldn’t! He has too much sense.”

T suppose so. But he did hate him. In any case, he was here. I suppose we shall know one day. The police will find out, won’t they?”

“I dare say they will. They usually do.”

“I’m glad you came, Fred. I like talking to you. Nothing lasts, does it? This will be over some time. Then I shall be free.”

“Tamarisk, I hope everything turns out all right.”

“I know you do. You cheer me up. I guessed you’d come along with your wise old sayings.

“Every cloud has a silver lining.”

“Good come th out of evil.”

“When this blows over everything will be different.” It will be a new start. I’ll have to forget. And one thing I keep telling myself is, I’m free. “

Yes, I thought. You are lucky to be free of him. There must be several people to rejoice that Gaston Marchmont was dead.

The next morning when the postman arrived with the mail, he had more news for us. Lily brought him in while we were having breakfast. “There’s something going on up at St. Aubyn’s,” he told us.

“They’re digging up in the shrubbery.”

“What for?” asked Aunt Sophie.

“Don’t ask me, Miss Cardingham. But the police are I there.”

“What can that mean?” murmured Aunt Sophie.

“What do they expect to find?”

“Reckon we’ll know soon enough.”

When he had left we went on talking about it and the first thing James Perrin said when I saw him was: “Have you heard? There’s an investigation going on.”

“They are digging in St. Aubyn’s. The postman brought the news while we were at breakfast.”

“This is a distressing business.”

“It must be something to do with the murder. I don’t know where this is going to end. There are so many rumours going round and strangers all over the place hoping for a peep at the spot where a murder was committed.”

“I wish that man had never come here.”

“I don’t suppose you are the only one. It’s strange. Nothing happens for years and then it changes. There was poor old Dorian’s death, the elopement, the coming of this man, and now murder.”

I wondered what James would have thought if I had told him about what had happened in Barrow Wood.

“I hope Crispin’s all right,” said James.

“What do you mean?” I asked fearfully.

He was frowning and did not answer. I thought: He suspects Crispin. A memory or Crispin in Barrow Wood came to me the look in his eyes when he had picked up Mr. Dorian. I had said later:

“You might have killed him,” and he had replied that that would be no loss. Was that how he had felt about Gaston?

I was glad to get home that day. Aunt Sophie was waiting for me. She had something of importance to say to me. Before she could speak the thought flashed into my mind:

What have they found in the shrubbery?

But what she said was: “Crispin called. He wants to see you. It’s important.”

“When?” I asked eagerly.

She looked at the clock on the mantelpiece.

“In about half an hour.”

“Where?”

“He’s coming here. He knew what time you’d be home. He said he’d call back. You can talk to him in the sitting-room.”

I said: “What has happened about the shrubbery?”

“I don’t know.”

“Are they still digging?”

“No. They’ve stopped, I believe. Well, he’ll be here soon. He said he wanted to talk to you alone.”

I washed, combed my hair and waited. Then I heard the sound of his horse’s hoofs and Aunt Sophie brought him into the sitting-room.

“Would you like a glass of wine?” asked Aunt Sophie.

“No, thanks,” said Crispin.

“Well, I’ll be around if you want anything.”

When she left us together he came to me and took both my hands in his.

I said: “Please tell me … what has happened?”

He released my hands and we sat down.

He said quietly: “They’ve found the gun. It was buried in the shrubbery not far from where the body was found. It’s obviously the one. No doubt of it.”

“What made them look?”

“They noticed the ground had been recently disturbed.

“Does it help them?” j “It’s one of the guns from the gunroom at St. Aubyn’s.” :

I stared at him in dismay.

“And what does that mean?”

“That someone took the gun from the gunroom, used it, and instead of putting it back, buried it in the shrubbery.”

“Whatever for?”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“Do they think it was someone from the house?” I asked.

“That does seem one conclusion.”

“But why should someone in the house take a gun and not put it back there?”

“That’s a mystery.”

“What do they think it means?”

“I don’t know. Until they have found the guilty one, they suspect everyone. It is obvious now that it was someone who had access to the house.”

“So the idea that it could have been an enemy from the past is no longer plausible.”

“An enemy from the past?”

“Oh, it was just something Aunt Sophie suggested. She’ thought that a man like Gaston Marchmont must have made enemies wherever he went and she thought it possible that one might have caught up with him.”

“It’s an interesting theory. I wish it were true.”

“What’s going to happen now?”

He shook his head.

“You’re worried?” I said.

“I am. It brings it closer to the house. But why on earth did someone take the gun and then bury it … not very neatly either? It was a strange thing to do.”

“Perhaps they’ll find out.”

He turned to me.

“I have been wanting to talk to you for a long time. Perhaps this is not the time to do it, but I feel I can’t wait any longer.”

“What did you want to say to me?”

“You must have known for some time that I am very interested in you.”

“You mean after that terrible thing happened …”

“That, too. But before that. Right from the beginning.”

“When you noticed the plain child?”

“That has been forgiven and forgotten. Frederica, I love you. I want you to marry me.”

I drew back in amazement.

“I know this is hardly the time,” he went on.

“But I could not keep it to myself any longer. I have been on the verge of saying it many times. I feel that so much time is being wasted.” He looked at me searchingly.

“Do you want me to go on?”

“Yes,” I said eagerly, “I do.”

“Does that mean … ?”

“It means that I like to hear it.”

He had risen and drew me to my feet. He held me tightly in his arms and, in spite of all the fear and suspicions I was experiencing, I was happy.

He kissed me eagerly, fiercely even.

I was breathless with emotion. I felt I must be dreaming. So much that was strange had happened recently, and this was as unexpected as any.

“I was afraid to face up to my feelings,” he said.

“What happens in the past has an effect, doesn’t it? You think everything is tainted.

But now . “

“Let’s sit down and talk,” I said.

“Tell me first, you do care for me?”

“Of course I do.”

“I’m happy, then. In spite of this … I’m happy. We’ll be together.

Whatever it is, we’ll face it. “

“I am rather bewildered,” I told him.

“But you knew how I felt!”

“I wasn’t sure. When I talked about going away you kept me here..”

“Of course I couldn’t let you go.” , “I hated the thought of leaving.” “Yet you planned to do it.”

“I thought it would be best.”

“I have been rather arrogant, haven’t I?” j “Stand-offish. Aloof.” I “It was a sort of defence.” He laughed suddenly.

“And now … in the midst of all this …”

“Perhaps,” I said, ‘because of all this. “

“It had to come out. I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer, Frederica. What a dignified name you have!”

“Yes, I have often found it so. My mother gave it to m< because she was so proud of the family. There had been several Fredericks who had won honours generals, politicians and such. She would have preferred me to be a boy; Then I should have been plain Frederick. “

Why were we talking in this way of things that did no) matter? It was as though we were trying to put off something frightening. I kept remembering his anger, his fur against Mr. Dorian, the manner in which he had spoken of Gaston and his desire to be rid of him. He had chosen this moment, in the midst of all this turmoil, when it had been discovered that the murder weapon had been found in his shrubbery, to propose marriage to me.

I wanted to ask him why.

He said: “I’ve been in love with you for a long time, More than anything, I want you to love me, too. I could not believe you could, though. I am not a channel like-‘ His face darkened and the fear was back with me.

I said: “Crispin, I love you. I want to marry you, and I want everything to be perfect between us now and always. I want to know everything about you. I don’t want there to be any secrets between us.”

I was aware of a slight withdrawal and the pause before he said: “Of course, I want the same.”

There was something he was holding back. I prayed inwardly that he might not be involved in this terrible affair. I could not bear it if he were.

It seemed to me that he was begging me to speak of our love and nothing else, that he was asking me to put aside everything but this wonderful revelation that we loved each other.

He said, almost pleadingly: “It is wonderful that you care for me. And you care about the estate too.” He frowned and waved his hand.

“All this … trouble … will be over soon. They’ll find out who did it and settle it. We’ve got to forget it. We shall be together and it will be wonderful. You have changed me, you know, my darling. You have changed my outlook on life. I was melancholy. I didn’t believe in the good things. I want you to understand … about my first marriage.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“It had a great effect on me … on what I became. It was only after I was in love with you that I began to escape from it. You must understand. I shall have no peace until you do.”

He held my hand tightly and went on: “I was very young. Eighteen, getting on for nineteen. I was at the university and a company of players came to the town. She was one of them. She must have been twenty-five at that time. She admitted to twenty-one. I went to the show … some musical comedy … song-and-dance show. She was in the front line of the chorus. I thought she was beautiful. I was there on the first night… and the next… I sent flowers. I was granted a meeting. I was completely infatuated.”

“It has happened to many young people before.”

“That does not excuse my folly.”

“No, but it is comforting to know you were not the only one.”

“You will always make excuses for me like that will you?”

“I suppose people do for those they love.”

He drew me to him and kissed me.

“How glad I am that I told you! I really can’t believe y< love me. You will take care of me forever more.”

“You are the strong man. It is you who should take ca of me.”

“I will with all my strength … and in my weakness y< will be there.”

“When you want me,” I told him.

There was silence for a few moments while he held n close to him and kissed my hair.

“You were telling me,” I reminded him.

He was sober immediately.

“I am so ashamed of it, but you must know me as far as.. ” He hesitated and I felt that fear touch me once more."

" I want to know everything, Crispin,” I said firmly ” Please don’t hold anything back. I will understand . whatever it is. “

There was again that brief hesitation.

“Well,” he went on, ‘against the advice of my friends, married her. I gave up my studies. After all, I had the estate I had always been interested in it. I thought I would settle down. Kate I don’t think that was her real name-then it was no truth about her; it was all false. Kate Carvel. S was bored with the estate. She didn’t want to live in t country. I was disillusioned. I realized very quickly what a terrible mistake I had made. And to see oneself as a fiat the age of nineteen is a very humiliating experience. maims you . for life, sometimes. It did for me until y’ appeared. Then, I hope, I began to change. “

“I am so glad of that, Crispin.”

“I don’t want to make excuses for myself, but no ever really cared for me before except Lucy Lane. That w why I was so easily duped by Kate. She was good at pretence. My parents had never been very interested in Tamarisk or me. They were so absorbed by their own way of life which didn’t include us. Lucy was always wonderful to me.”

“And you have been wonderful to her.”

“I have only done what was natural.”

“I think you have looked after her splendidly … and her sister, too.”

“I was so relieved when Kate went away. I can’t explain how I felt.”

“I can understand.”

“You’ve heard about the accident. I was called to identify her. She was very badly injured. Fortunately there was a ring which I had given her before we were married. It had been in the family for years. It had a crest on it, very delicately carved. I have the ring now. It was enough. There was also a fur stole with her initials worked in the lining. That episode was over.”

“And you must forget it.”

“I can now. The fact that you love me has restored my faith in myself.”

I laughed.

“I had always believed that was the last thing you lacked.

In fact. “

“I was arrogant, as we agreed.”

“Well, perhaps.”

“You don’t have to watch your words with me, my dearest. I shall want the truth from you.”

“And I from you,” I replied, again conscious of that little qualm of fear.

“I had the estate,” he went on.

“I gave myself up to that entirely.

You have no idea how it helped me through that time. “

“I understand perfectly.”

“It will be wonderful. We’ll be married … as soon as this affair is over.”

“I do hope it soon will be. James was saying that there are strangers round the place, curious to see where a man was murdered.”

“Oh, James.” He looked at me intently.

“He’s a good fellow, James.”

“I know.”

“He has a fondness for you. I can tell you, I have been jealous of him at times.”

“There was no need.”

“People would say he will make an admirable husband.”

“I am sure he will to someone one day.”

“Do you have any strong feelings for him?”

“I like him.”

“Liking can grow into something stronger. But that growth is stunted now. Assure me this is so. You will find I am in constant need of reassurance.”

“You shall always have it.”

He stood up suddenly and, drawing me to my feet, he held me tightly against him so that I could not see his face.

“There we are,” he said.

“Explanations over. You know of my past and you still want to marry me. I could dance round this room, but you have already had experience of my dancing and I know you did not have any great opinion of it.” “I shall certainly not be marrying you for your ability to dance,” I said lightly.

His face was against mine and I longed to be able to still i the fears that would keep intruding. If only they would go, how happy I could be. I said: “Aunt Sophie will be getting very curious. Shall we call her and tell her?”

“Yes, do. I want everyone to know.”

Aunt Sophie came in.

“We have news for you,” I said.

“Crispin and I are engaged to be married.”

She opened her eyes wide and her joy was apparent.

She kissed me and then Crispin.

“God bless you both,” she said.

“I knew … I just knew. But you were such a long time about it!”

When Crispin had left. Aunt Sophie and I sat together in the sitting-room and talked.

She told me how delighted she was.

“I always thought there was a lot of good in Crispin,” she said, ‘and when I saw you two together, I knew how it ought to be. He found that job for you, didn’t he? That was a sign all right. It made me laugh.

Of course, he did have that first marriage of his. It was rather sad.

He was so young and one of the saddest things about life is that when you are young you think you know everything, and when you get older you learn how little you know. But everything that happens is experience and at least when you’ve had one bad blow it teaches you not to do it again. I’m so happy for you, Freddie, and for myself.

You’ll be here a stone’s throw away. It’s the best thing that could have happened. I’ve always been scared that one day you would go away.”

I told her about the find in the shrubbery. She was decidedly sobered and I saw some of the joy go out of her face.

“A gun from the gunroom!” she cried.

“What on earth does that mean?”

“No one knows.”

“It would seem that someone from St. Aubyn’s fired that shot.”

“Someone could have got in and taken the gun.”

“It would seem to be someone who knew the place pretty well.”

“There are a lot of people who do.”

“And why bury it? Why not put it back?”

“It’s a mystery. Oh, I do wish this wretched business was over.

“It won’t be until they find who killed that man.” She was looking at me with anxiety in her eyes. I wanted to shout at her: It wasn’t Crispin. He was in the house all the time. People don’t kill their brothers-in-law just because they don’t like them.

I could see the thoughts chasing themselves round and, round in Aunt Sophie’s mind. Why had Crispin chosen this? time to ask me to marry him?

It was the day of the inquest. Crispin and I had not officially announced our engagement. We decided that it was not yet the time to do so, and Aunt Sophie had agreed with that.

Suspicion hung over Harper’s Green, the discovery in the grounds of St. Aubyn’s, having made headline news in the newspapers, was being discussed everywhere. I could imagine that all sorts of bizarre conclusions were being arrived at. We were all very uneasy.

I went to the office in the morning. James was very thoughtful.

“This is a horrible business,” he said.

“I can’t bear to see the sightseers round the place. They are all trying to get a look at the shrubbery. I wish they could find the murderer and have done with it.”

“There’ll be even more publicity when they do,” I reminded him.

“And there’ll be a trial.”

“I do hope no one here is involved,” he said uneasily. “Poor Mrs. Marchmont! This must be a trial for her.” “She keeps to the house,” I remarked.

“And it certainly is very upsetting for her.” “She will have to go to the inquest, of course-and poor Harry Gentry, too. And the servants-some of them, in any case. I wonder what effect this will have on the estate!

“What effect should it have?”

“I was thinking, if they never find the murderer, it’s going to make for a lot of uneasiness. I often thought of getting my own place. It would be small to start with. My own farm, I mean … a place to manage all of my own. There’s nothing like being one’s own master.”

“I suppose not.”

“One could rent at first and perhaps in time buy.” He was looking at me expectantly.

“At the moment,” I said, ‘you are doing very well here. Oh, I do wonder what will happen at the inquest. “

“I wish they hadn’t found that gun buried in the shrubbery.”

“I was hoping it was someone not known to us,” I said.

“Someone from his past.”

“Which must have been a shady one. Yes, that would have been a very good solution.”

I don’t know how I got through that day. I left as early as I could.

Aunt Sophie was waiting for the verdict as eagerly as I was. I was sure that Crispin, knowing my anxiety, would come immediately to The Rowans.

He did.

“The verdict,” he told us, ‘is murder, of course. Murder by some person or persons unknown. “

“What else could it be?” said Aunt Sophie.

“What now?” I asked.

“The police will be as busy as ever,” said Crispin.

“We all had rather a gruelling time on the stand. Poor Tamarisk was most upset. Harry Gentry stood up to it all very well. He had, of course, threatened Marchmont and fired his gun though into the air. And it had been witnessed by several people. But, of course, the gun which fired the fatal shot was not his. Marchmont was revealed as a very unpleasant type, but that doesn’t give anyone a right to murder him. We haven’t heard the last of this. The matter of the gun caused a great stir of interest. It appears to level it down to someone in the neighbourhood.

They asked me