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

from arthritis—or rheumatism.”
    â€œRheumatism? Yes. And her heart? Her heart is good?”
    â€œAs far as I know.” Miss Marple was still more surprised. “But until yesterday I had not seen her for many years. If you want to know the state of her health, you should ask somebody in the house here. Miss Bellever, for instance.”
    â€œMiss Bellever—Yes, Miss Bellever. Or Mildred?”
    â€œOr, as you say, Mildred.”
    Miss Marple was faintly embarrassed.
    Christian Gulbrandsen was staring at her very hard.
    â€œThere is not between the mother and daughter, a very great sympathy, would you say?”
    â€œNo, I don’t think there is.”
    â€œI agree. It is a pity—her only child, but there it is. Now this Miss Bellever, you think, is really attached to her?”
    â€œVery much so.”
    â€œAnd Carrie Louise leans on this Miss Bellever?”
    â€œI think so.”
    Christian Gulbrandsen was frowning. He spoke as though more to himself than to Miss Marple.
    â€œThere is the little Gina—but she is so young. It is difficult—” He broke off. “Sometimes,” he said simply, “it is hard to know what is best to be done. I wish very much to act for the best. I am particularly anxious that no harm and no unhappiness should come to that dear lady. But it is not easy—not easy at all.”
    Mrs. Strete came into the room at that moment.
    â€œOh there you are, Christian. We were wondering where you were. Dr. Maverick wants to know if you would like to go over anything with him.”
    â€œThat is the new young doctor here? No—no, I will wait until Lewis returns.”
    â€œHe’s waiting in Lewis’ study. Shall I tell him—”
    â€œI will have a word with him myself.”
    Gulbrandsen hurried out. Mildred Strete stared after him and then stared at Miss Marple.
    â€œI wonder if anything is wrong. Christian is very unlike himself … Did he say anything—”
    â€œHe only asked me about your mother’s health.”
    â€œHer health? Why should he ask you about that?”
    Mildred spoke sharply, her large square face flushing unbecomingly.
    â€œI really don’t know.”
    â€œMother’s health is perfectly good. Surprisingly so for a woman of her age. Much better than mine as far as that goes.” She paused a moment before saying, “I hope you told him so?”
    â€œI don’t really know anything about it,” said Miss Marple. “He asked me about her heart.”
    â€œHer heart? ”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with Mother’s heart. Nothing at all!”
    â€œI’m delighted to hear you say so, my dear.”
    â€œWhat on earth put all these queer ideas into Christian’s head?”
    â€œI’ve no idea,” said Miss Marple.

Seven
    1
    T he next day passed uneventfully to all appearances, yet to Miss Marple it seemed that there were signs of an inner tension. Christian Gulbrandsen spent his morning with Dr. Maverick in going round the Institute and in discussing the general results of the Institute’s policy. In the early afternoon Gina took him for a drive and after that Miss Marple noticed that he induced Miss Bellever to show him something in the gardens. It seemed to her that it was a pretext for ensuring a tête-à-tête with that grim woman. And yet, if Christian Gulbrandsen’s unexpected visit had only to do with business matters, why this wish for Miss Bellever’s company, since the latter dealt only with the domestic side of matters?
    But in all this, Miss Marple could tell herself that she was being fanciful. The only really disturbing incident of the day happened about four o’clock. She had rolled up her knitting and had gone out in the garden to take a little stroll before tea. Rounding a straggling rhododendron she came upon Edgar Lawson who was striding along muttering to himself and