Read Online The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie - Free Book Online

her—absolutely.”
    â€œWhat time was that, Mr. Bartlett?”
    â€œWell, you know, I never know about time—wasn’t very late, if you know what I mean.”
    â€œYou danced with her?”
    â€œYes—as a matter of fact—well, yes, I did. Early on in the evening, though. Tell you what, it was just after her exhibition dance with the pro fellow. Must have been ten, half-past, eleven, I don’t know.”
    â€œNever mind the time. We can fix that. Please tell us exactly what happened.”
    â€œWell, we danced, don’t you know. Not that I’m much of a dancer.”
    â€œHow you dance is not really relevant, Mr. Bartlett.”
    George Bartlett cast an alarmed eye on the Colonel and stammered:
    â€œNo—er—n-n-n-o, I suppose it isn’t. Well, as I say, we danced, round and round, and I talked, but Ruby didn’t say very much and she yawned a bit. As I say, I don’t dance awfully well, and so girls—well—inclined to give it a miss, if you know what I mean. She said she had a headache—I know where I get off, so I said righty ho, and that was that.”
    â€œWhat was the last you saw of her?”
    â€œShe went off upstairs.”
    â€œShe said nothing about meeting anyone? Or going for a drive? Or—or—having a date?” The Colonel used the colloquial expression with a slight effort.
    Bartlett shook his head.
    â€œNot to me.” He looked rather mournful. “Just gave me the push.”
    â€œWhat was her manner? Did she seem anxious, abstracted, anything on her mind?”
    George Bartlett considered. Then he shook his head.
    â€œSeemed a bit bored. Yawned, as I said. Nothing more.”
    Colonel Melchett said:
    â€œAnd what did you do, Mr. Bartlett?”
    â€œEh?”
    â€œWhat did you do when Ruby Keene left you?”
    George Bartlett gaped at him.
    â€œLet’s see now—what did I do?”
    â€œWe’re waiting for you to tell us.”
    â€œYes, yes—of course. Jolly difficult, remembering things, what? Let me see. Shouldn’t be surprised if I went into the bar and had a drink.”
    â€œ Did you go into the bar and have a drink?”
    â€œThat’s just it. I did have a drink. Don’t think it was just then. Have an idea I wandered out, don’t you know? Bit of air. Rather stuffy for September. Very nice outside. Yes, that’s it. I strolled around a bit, then I came in and had a drink and then I strolled back to the ballroom. Wasn’t much doing. Noticed what’s-her-name—Josie—was dancing again. With the tennis fellow. She’d been on the sick list—twisted ankle or something.”
    â€œThat fixes the time of your return at midnight. Do you intend us to understand that you spent over an hour walking about outside?”
    â€œWell, I had a drink, you know. I was—well, I was thinking of things.”
    This statement received more credulity than any other.
    Colonel Melchett said sharply:
    â€œWhat were you thinking about?”
    â€œOh, I don’t know. Things,” said Mr. Bartlett vaguely.
    â€œYou have a car, Mr. Bartlett?”
    â€œOh, yes, I’ve got a car.”
    â€œWhere was it, in the hotel garage?”
    â€œNo, it was in the courtyard, as a matter of fact. Thought I might go for a spin, you see.”
    â€œPerhaps you did go for a spin?”
    â€œNo—no, I didn’t. Swear I didn’t.”
    â€œYou didn’t, for instance, take Miss Keene for a spin?”
    â€œOh, I say. Look here, what are you getting at? I didn’t—I swear I didn’t. Really, now.”
    â€œThank you, Mr. Bartlett, I don’t think there is anything more at present. At present, ” repeated Colonel Melchett with a good deal of emphasis on the words.
    They left Mr. Bartlett looking after them with a ludicrous expression of alarm on his unintellectual face.
    â€œBrainless young ass,” said