Read Online Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie - Free Book Online Page A

Roberts rose from his chair and offered a large pink hand smelling of a mixture of good soap and faint carbolic.
    â€œHow are things going?” he went on.
    Superintendent Battle glanced round the comfortable consulting room before answering.
    â€œWell, Dr. Roberts, strictly speaking, they’re not going. They’re standing still.”
    â€œThere’s been nothing much in the papers, I’ve been glad to see.”
    â€œ Sudden death of the well-known Mr. Shaitana at an evening party in his own home . It’s left at that for the moment. We’ve had the autopsy—I brought a report of the findings along—thought it might interest you—”
    â€œThat’s very kind of you—it would—h’m—h’m. Yes, very interesting.”
    He handed it back.
    â€œAnd we’ve interviewed Mr. Shaitana’s solicitor. We know the terms of his will. Nothing of interest there. He has relatives in Syria, it seems. And then, of course, we’ve been through all his private papers.”
    Was it fancy or did that broad, clean-shaven countenance look a little strained—a little wooden?
    â€œAnd?” said Dr. Roberts.
    â€œNothing,” said Superintendent Battle, watching him. There wasn’t a sigh of relief. Nothing so blatant as that. But the doctor’s figure seemed to relax just a shade more comfortably in his chair.
    â€œAnd so you’ve come to me?”
    â€œAnd so, as you say, I’ve come to you.”
    The doctor’s eyebrows rose a little and his shrewd eyes looked into Battle’s.
    â€œWant to go through my private papers—eh?”
    â€œThat was my idea.”
    â€œGot a search warrant?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWell; you could get one easily enough, I suppose. I’m not going to make difficulties. It’s not very pleasant being suspected of murder but I suppose I can’t blame you for what’s obviously your duty.”
    â€œThank you, sir,” said Superintendent Battle with real gratitude. “I appreciate your attitude, if I may say so, very much. I hope all the others will be as reasonable, I’m sure.”
    â€œWhat can’t be cured must be endured,” said the doctor good-humouredly.
    He went on:
    â€œI’ve finished seeing my patients here. I’m just off on myrounds. I’ll leave you my keys and just say a word to my secretary and you can rootle to your heart’s content.”
    â€œThat’s all very nice and pleasant, I’m sure,” said Battle. “I’d like to ask you a few more questions before you go.”
    â€œAbout the other night? Really, I told you all I know.”
    â€œNo, not about the other night. About yourself.”
    â€œWell, man, ask away, what do you want to know?”
    â€œI’d just like a rough sketch of your career, Dr. Roberts. Birth, marriage, and so on.”
    â€œIt will get me into practice for Who’s Who, ” said the doctor dryly. “My career’s a perfectly straightforward one. I’m a Shropshire man, born at Ludlow. My father was in practice there. He died when I was fifteen. I was educated at Shrewsbury and went in for medicine like my father before me. I’m a St. Christopher’s man—but you’ll have all the medical details already, I expect.”
    â€œI looked you up, yes, sir. You an only child or have you any brothers or sisters?”
    â€œI’m an only child. Both my parents are dead and I’m unmarried. Will that do to get on with? I came into partnership here with Dr. Emery. He retired about fifteen years ago. Lives in Ireland. I’ll give you his address if you like. I live here with a cook, a parlour maid and a housemaid. My secretary comes in daily. I make a good income and I only kill a reasonable number of my patients. How’s that?”
    Superintendent Battle grinned.
    â€œThat’s fairly comprehensive, Dr. Roberts. I’m glad you’ve