Read Online They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie - Free Book Online Page A

sleeve.
    â€œChristian!”
    â€œAh”—he turned—“it is Mildred? How are you, Mildred?”
    â€œI’ve not really been at all well lately.”
    â€œThat is bad. That is bad.”
    There was a strong resemblance between Christian Gulbrandsen and his half sister Mildred. There was nearly thirty years of difference in age and they might easily have been taken for father and daughter. Mildred herself seemed particularly pleased by his arrival. She was flushed and talkative, and had talked repeatedly during the day of “my brother,” “my brother Christian,” “my brother, Mr. Gulbrandsen.”
    â€œAnd how is little Gina?” said Gulbrandsen, turning to that young woman. “You and your husband are still here, then?”
    â€œYes. We’ve quite settled down, haven’t we, Wally?”
    â€œLooks like it,” said Wally.
    Gulbrandsen’s small shrewd eyes seemed to sum up Wally quickly. Wally, as usual, looked sullen and unfriendly.
    â€œSo here I am with all the family again,” said Gulbrandsen.
    His voice displayed a rather determined geniality—but in actual fact, Miss Marple thought, he was not feeling particularly genial. There was a grim set to his lips and a certain preoccupation in his manner.
    Introduced to Miss Marple he swept a keen look over her as though measuring and appraising this newcomer.
    â€œWe’d no idea you were in England, Christian,” said Mrs. Serrocold.
    â€œNo, I came over rather unexpectedly.”
    â€œIt is too bad that Lewis is away. How long can you stay?”
    â€œI meant to go tomorrow. When will Lewis be back?”
    â€œTomorrow afternoon or evening.”
    â€œIt seems, then, that I must stay another night.”
    â€œIf you’d only let us know—”
    â€œMy dear Carrie Louise, my arrangements, they were made very suddenly.”
    â€œYou will stay to see Lewis?”
    â€œYes, it is necessary that I see Lewis.”
    Miss Bellever said to Miss Marple, “Mr. Gulbrandsen and Mr. Serrocold are both trustees of the Gulbrandsen Institute. The others are the Bishop of Cromer and Mr. Gilroy.”
    Presumably, then, it was on business concerned with the Gulbrandsen Institute that Christian Gulbrandsen had come to Stonygates. It seemed to be assumed so by Miss Bellever and everyone else. And yet Miss Marple wondered.
    Once or twice the old man cast a thoughtful puzzled look at Carrie Louise when she was not aware of it—a look that puzzled Carrie Louise’s watching friend. From Carrie Louise he shifted his gaze to the others, examining them one and all with a kind of covert appraisal that seemed distinctly odd.
    After tea Miss Marple withdrew tactfully from the others tothe library, but rather to her surprise when she had settled herself with her knitting, Christian Gulbrandsen came in and sat down beside her.
    â€œYou are a very old friend, I think, of our dear Carrie Louise?” he said.
    â€œWe were at school together in Italy, Mr. Gulbrandsen. Many many years ago.”
    â€œAh yes. And you are fond of her?”
    â€œYes, indeed,” said Miss Marple warmly.
    â€œSo, I think, is everyone. Yes, I truly think that. It should be so. For she is a very dear and enchanting person. Always, since my father married her, I and my brothers have loved her very much. She has been to us like a very dear sister. She was a faithful wife to my father and loyal to all his ideas. She has never thought of herself, but put the welfare of others first.”
    â€œShe has always been an idealist,” said Miss Marple.
    â€œAn idealist? Yes. Yes, that is so. And therefore it may be that she does not truly appreciate the evil that there is in the world.”
    Miss Marple looked at him, surprised. His face was very stern.
    â€œTell me,” he said. “How is her health?”
    Again Miss Marple felt surprised.
    â€œShe seems to me very well—apart