Read Online The Complete Miss Marple Collection by Agatha Christie - Free Book Online Page B

kind of bluster. There was some commotion outside. A constable without a helmet brought in a note.
    â€œFor the Vicar. It says very urgent on it.”
    I tore it open and read:
    â€œPlease—please—come to me. I don’t know what to do. It is all too awful. I want to tell someone. Please come immediately, and bring anyone you like with you. Anne Protheroe.”
    I gave Melchett a meaning glance. He took the hint. We all went out together. Glancing over my shoulder, I had a glimpse of Lawrence Redding’s face. His eyes were riveted on the paper in my hand, and I have hardly ever seen such a terrible look of anguish and despair in any human being’s face.
    I remembered Anne Protheroe sitting on my sofa and saying:
    â€œI’m a desperate woman,” and my heart grew heavy within me. I saw now the possible reason for Lawrence Redding’s heroic self-accusation. Melchett was speaking to Slack.
    â€œHave you got any line on Redding’s movements earlier in the day? There’s some reason to think he shot Protheroe earlier than he says. Get on to it, will you?”
    He turned to me and without a word I handed him Anne Protheroe’s letter. He read it and pursed up his lips in astonishment. Then he looked at me inquiringly.
    â€œIs this what you were hinting at this morning?”
    â€œYes. I was not sure then if it was my duty to speak. I am quite sure now.” And I told him of what I had seen that night in the studio.
    The Colonel had a few words with the Inspector and then we set off for Old Hall. Dr. Haydock came with us.
    A very correct butler opened the door, with just the right amount of gloom in his bearing.
    â€œGood morning,” said Melchett. “Will you ask Mrs. Protheroe’s maid to tell her we are here and would like to see her, and then return here and answer a few questions.”
    The butler hurried away and presently returned with the news that he had despatched the message.
    â€œNow let’s hear something about yesterday,” said Colonel Melchett. “Your master was in to lunch?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œAnd in his usual spirits?”
    â€œAs far as I could see, yes, sir.”
    â€œWhat happened after that?”
    â€œAfter luncheon Mrs. Protheroe went to lie down and the Colonel went to his study. Miss Lettice went out to a tennis party in the two-seater. Colonel and Mrs. Protheroe had tea at four thirty, in the drawing room. The car was ordered for five-thirty to take them to the village. Immediately after they had left Mr. Clement rang up”—he bowed to me—“I told him they had started.”
    â€œH’m,” said Colonel Melchett. “When was Mr. Redding last here?”
    â€œOn Tuesday afternoon, sir.”
    â€œI understand that there was a disagreement between them?”
    â€œI believe so, sir. The Colonel gave me orders that Mr. Redding was not to be admitted in future.”
    â€œDid you overhear the quarrel at all?” asked Colonel Melchett bluntly.
    â€œColonel Protheroe, sir, had a very loud voice, especially when it was raised in anger. I was unable to help overhearing a few words here and there.”
    â€œEnough to tell you the cause of the dispute?”
    â€œI understood, sir, that it had to do with a portrait Mr. Redding had been painting—a portrait of Miss Lettice.”
    Melchett grunted.
    â€œDid you see Mr. Redding when he left?”
    â€œYes, sir, I let him out.”
    â€œDid he seem angry?”
    â€œNo, sir; if I may say so, he seemed rather amused.”
    â€œAh! He didn’t come to the house yesterday?”
    â€œNo, sir.”
    â€œAnyone else come?”
    â€œNot yesterday, sir.”
    â€œWell, the day before?”
    â€œMr. Dennis Clement came in the afternoon. And Dr. Stone was here for some time. And there was a lady in the evening.”
    â€œA lady?” Melchett was surprised. “Who was she?”
    The butler