A Caribbean

Mystery

AgathaChristie

TheTinyCarribeanislandofSt.Honoreisatropicalparadise.
ButforMissMarple,enjoyingawellearnedrestfromherbusy
lifeinthevillageofSt.MaryMead,itisaplacewherenothing
everseemstohappen.UntiloldMajorPalgravetellsherthe
strangestoryofasuspecteddoublemurderer.
Asrumorsbegintocirculate,theelderlysleuthisnotalonein
suspectingthatthingsarenotastheyseem.Andwhenadeath
thatisindisputablymurderoccurs,MissMarplefindsan
unlikelyallyinthecantakerouscrippledmillionaireMr.Rafiel.

To:
JohnCruikshankRose,withhappymemoriesofmyvisittotheWestIndies.

Published
1964,CollinsCrimeClub(London),November16,1964,Hardcover,256pp
1965,DoddMeadandCompany(NewYork),Hardcover,245pp
1966,FontanaBooks(ImprintofHarperCollins),Paperback,157pp
1966,PocketBooks(NewYork),Paperback,176pp
1976,UlverscroftLargeprintEdition,Hardcover,316pp
1979,Greenwayeditionofcollectedworks(WilliamCollins),Hardcover,256pp
1979,Greenwayeditionofcollectedworks(DoddMead),Hardcover,256pp
2006,MarpleFacsimileedition,March6,2006,Hardcover

ISBN 0-00-720857-X

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: Major Palgrave Tells a Story...............................................................................................4
CHAPTER 2: Miss Marple Makes Comparisons....................................................................................10
CHAPTER 3: A Death in the Hotel.........................................................................................................16
CHAPTER 4: Miss Marple Seeks Medical Attention..............................................................................20
CHAPTER 5: Miss Marple Makes a Decision........................................................................................23
CHAPTER 6: In the Small Hours............................................................................................................27
CHAPTER 7: Morning on the Beach......................................................................................................30
CHAPTER 8: A Talk with Esther Walters................................................................................................38
CHAPTER 9: Miss Prescott and Others..................................................................................................44
CHAPTER 10: A Decision in Jamestown................................................................................................50
CHAPTER 11: Evening at the Golden Palm...........................................................................................53
CHAPTER 12: Old Sins Cast Long Shadows.........................................................................................59
CHAPTER 13: Exit Victoria Johnson......................................................................................................63
CHAPTER 14: Inquiry.............................................................................................................................66
CHAPTER 15: Inquiry Continued...........................................................................................................72
CHAPTER 16: Miss Marple Seeks Assistance........................................................................................80
CHAPTER 17: Mr. Rafiel takes Charge..................................................................................................89
CHAPTER 18: Without Benefit of Clergy.............................................................................................100
CHAPTER 19: Uses of a Shoe..............................................................................................................108
CHAPTER 20: Night Alarm..................................................................................................................112
CHAPTER 21: Jackson on Cosmetics...................................................................................................119
CHAPTER 22: A Man in Her Life.........................................................................................................125
CHAPTER 23: The Last Day.................................................................................................................130
CHAPTER 24: Nemesis.........................................................................................................................135
CHAPTER 25: Miss Marple Uses Her Imagination..............................................................................141
Epilogue.................................................................................................................................................145

CHAPTER 1: Major Palgrave Tells a Story

"TakeallthisbusinessaboutKenya,"saidMajorPalgrave."Lotsofchapsgabbingaway
whoknownothingabouttheplace!NowIspentfourteenyearsofmylifethere.Someof
thebestyearsofmylife,too."
OldMissMarpleinclinedherhead.Itwasagentlegestureofcourtesy.WhilstMajor
Palgrave proceeded with the somewhat uninteresting recollections of a lifetime, Miss
Marplepeacefullypursuedherownthoughts.Itwasaroutinewithwhichshewaswell
acquainted. The locale varied. In the past, it had been predominantly India. Majors,
Colonels,LieutenantGeneralsandafamiliarseriesofwords:Simla,Bearers,Tigers,
Chota,HazriTiffin,Khitmagars,andsoon.WithMajorPalgravethetermswereslightly
different.Safari.Kikuyu.Elephants.Swahili.Butthepatternwasessentiallythesame.
Anelderlymanwhoneededalistenersothathecould,inmemory,relivedaysinwhich
hehadbeenhappy.Dayswhenhisbackhadbeenstraight,hiseyesightkeen,hishearing
acute.Someofthesetalkershadbeenhandsomesoldierlyoldboys,someagainhadbeen
regrettablyunattractive,andMajorPalgrave,purpleofface,withaglasseye,andthe
generalappearanceofastuffedfrog,belongedinthelattercategory.
MissMarplehadbestowedonallofthemthesamegentlecharity.Shehadsatattentively,
incliningherheadfromtimetotimeingentleagreement,thinkingherownthoughtsand
enjoyingwhattherewastoenjoy:inthiscasethedeepblueofaCaribbeanSea.
SokindofdearRaymondshewasthinkinggratefullysoreallyandtrulykind...Why
heshouldtakesomuchtroubleabouthisoldaunt,shereallydidnotknow.Conscience,
perhaps,familyfeelings?Orpossiblyhewastrulyfondofher...Shethought,onthewhole,
that he was fond of her he always had been in a slightly exasperated and
contemptuousway!Alwaystryingtobringheruptodate.Sendingherbookstoread.
Modern novels. So difficult all about such unpleasant people, doing such very odd
things and not, apparently, even enjoying them. "Sex" as a word had not been much
mentionedinMissMarple'syoungdays;buttherehadbeenplentyofitnottalkedabout
somuchbutenjoyedfarmorethannowadays,orsoitseemedtoher.Thoughusually
labelledSin,shecouldn'thelpfeelingthatthatwaspreferabletowhatitseemedtobe
nowadaysakindofDuty.
Herglancestrayedforamomenttothebookonherlaplyingopenatpagetwentythree
whichwasasfarasshehadgot(andindeedasfarasshefeltlikegetting!)."Doyoumean
thatyou'vehadnosexualexperienceatall?"demandedtheyoungmanincredulously."At
nineteen?Butyoumust.It'svital."
Thegirlhungherheadunhappily,herstraightgreasyhairfellforwardoverherface."I
4

know,"shemuttered,"Iknow."
Helookedather,stainedoldjersey,thebarefeet,thedirtytoenails,thesmellofrancid
fat...Hewonderedwhyhefoundhersomaddeninglyattractive.
MissMarplewonderedtoo!Andreally!Tohavesexexperienceurgedonyouexactlyas
thoughitwasanirontonic!Pooryoungthings...
"MydearAuntJane,whymustyouburyyourheadinthesandlikeaverydelightful
ostrich?Allboundupinthisidyllicrurallifeofyours.Reallifethat'swhatmatters."
ThusRaymondandhisAuntJanehadlookedproperlyabashedandsaid"Yes,"she
wasafraidshewasratheroldfashioned.Thoughreallyrurallifewasfarfromidyllic.
PeoplelikeRaymondweresoignorant.Inthecourseofherdutiesinacountryparish,
JaneMarplehadacquiredquiteacomprehensiveknowledgeofthefactsofrurallife.She
hadnourgetotalkaboutthem,farlesstowriteaboutthembutsheknewthem.Plenty
ofsex,naturalandunnatural.Rape,incest,perversionsofallkinds.(Somekinds,indeed,
thateventhecleveryoungmenfromOxfordwhowrotebooksdidn'tseemtohaveheard
about.)
MissMarplecamebacktotheCaribbeanandtookupthethreadofwhatMajorPalgrave
wassaying..."Averyunusualexperience,"shesaidencouragingly."Mostinteresting."
"Icouldtellyoualotmore.Someofthethings,ofcourse,notfitforalady'sears"
WiththeeaseoflongpracticeMissMarpledroppedhereyelidsinaflutteryfashion,and
MajorPalgravecontinuedhisbowdlerisedversionoftribalcustomswhilstMissMarple
resumedherthoughtsofheraffectionatenephew.RaymondWestwasaverysuccessful
novelistandmadealargeincome,andheconscientiouslyandkindlydidallhecouldto
alleviate the life of his elderly aunt. The preceding winter she had had a bad go of
pneumonia,andmedicalopinionhadadvisedsunshine.InlordlyfashionRaymondhad
suggestedatriptotheWestIndies.MissMarplehaddemurredattheexpense,the
distance, the difficulties of travel, and at abandoning her house in St. Mary Mead.
Raymondhaddealtwitheverything.Afriendwhowaswritingabookwantedaquiet
placeinthecountry.
"He'lllookafterthehouseallright.He'sveryhouseproud.He'saqueer.Imean"He
hadpaused,slightlyembarrassedbutsurelyevendearoldAuntJanemusthaveheard
ofqueers.Hewentontodealwiththenextpoints.Travelwasnothingnowadays.She
wouldgobyairanotherfriend,DianaHorrocks,wasgoingouttoTrinidadandwould
seeAuntJanewasallrightasfarasthere,andatSt.Honorshewouldstayatthe
GoldenPalmHotelwhichwasrunbytheSandersons.Nicestcoupleintheworld.They'd
seeshewasallright.He'dwritetothemstraightaway.AsithappenedtheSandersons
had returned to England. But their successors, the Kendals, had been very nice and
friendlyandhadassuredRaymondthatheneedhavenoqualmsabouthisaunt.There
wasaverygooddoctorontheislandincaseofemergencyandtheythemselveswould
5

keepaneyeonherandseetohercomfort.
They had been as good as their word,too. MollyKendal was an ingenuous blonde of
twentyodd,alwaysapparentlyingoodspirits.Shehadgreetedtheoldladywarmlyand
dideverythingtomakehercomfortable.TimKendal,herhusband,lean,darkandinhis
thirties,hadalsobeenkindnessitself.Sothereshewas,thoughtMissMarple,farfrom
therigoursoftheEnglishclimate,withanicelittlebungalowofherown,withfriendly
smilingWestIndiangirlstowaitonher,TimKendaltomeetherinthediningroomand
crackajokeasheadvisedherabouttheday'smenu,andaneasypathfromherbungalow
totheseafrontandthebathingbeachwhereshecouldsitinacomfortablebasketchair
andwatchthebathing.Therewereevenafewelderlyguestsforcompany.OldAirRafiel,
Dr. Graham, Canon Prescott and his sister, and her present cavalier Major Palgrave.
Whatmorecouldanelderlyladywant?Itisdeeplytoberegretted,andMissMarplefelt
guiltyevenadmittingittoherself,butshewasnotassatisfiedassheoughttobe.
Lovelyandwarm,yesandsogoodforherrheumatismandbeautifulscenery,though
perhapsatriflemonotonous?Somanypalmtrees.Everythingthesameeveryday
never anything happening. Not like St. Mary Mead where something was always
happening.HernephewhadoncecomparedlifeinSt.MaryMeadtoscumonapond,and
she had indignantly pointed out that smeared on a slide under the microscope there
wouldbeplentyoflifetobeobserved.Yes,indeed,inSt.MaryMead,therewasalways
something going on. Incident after incident flashed through Miss Marple's mind, the
mistakeinoldMrs.Linnett'scoughmixturethatveryoddbehaviourofyoungPolegate
thetimewhenGeorgyWood'smotherhadcomedowntoseehim(butwasshehis
mother?) the real cause of the quarrel between Joe Arden and his wife. So many
interestinghumanproblemsgivingrisetoendlesspleasurablehoursofspeculation.If
onlythereweresomethingherethatshecouldwellgetherteethinto.Withastartshe
realisedthatMajorPalgravehadabandonedKenyafortheNorthWestFrontierandwas
relating his experiences as a subaltern. Unfortunately he was asking her with great
earnestness:"Nowdon'tyouagree?"
LongpracticehadmadeMissMarplequiteanadeptatdealingwiththatone."Idon't
reallyfeelthatI'vegotsufficientexperiencetojudge.I'mafraidI'veledratherasheltered
life."
"Andsoyoushould,dearlady,soyoushould,"criedMajorPalgravegallantly."You'vehad
suchaveryvariedlife,"wentonMissMarple,determinedtomakeamendsforherformer
pleasurableinattention.
"Not bad," said Major Palgrave, complacently. "Not bad at all." He looked round him
appreciatively."Lovelyplace,this."
"Yes, indeed," said Miss Marple and was then unable to stop herself going on: "Does
anythingeverhappenhere,Iwonder?"
6

MajorPalgravestared."Ohrather.Plentyofscandalsehwhat?Why,Icouldtellyou"
But it wasn't really scandals Miss Marple wanted. Nothing to get your teeth into in
scandalsnowadays.Justmenandwomenchangingpartners,andcallingattentiontoit,
insteadoftryingdecentlytohushitupandbeproperlyashamedofthemselves.
"Therewasevenamurderhereacoupleofyearsago.MancalledHarryWestern.Madea
bigsplashinthepapers.Daresayyourememberit."
MissMarplenoddedwithoutenthusiasm.Ithadnotbeenherkindofmurder.Ithad
madeabigsplashbecauseeveryoneconcernedhadbeenveryrich.Ithadseemedlikely
enoughthatHarryWesternhadshottheCountdeFerrari,hiswife'slover,andequally
likelythathiswellarrangedalibihadbeenboughtandpaidfor.Everyoneseemedtohave
beendrunk,andtherewasafinescatteringofdopeaddicts.Notreallyinterestingpeople,
thoughtMissMarplealthoughnodoubtveryspectacularandattractivetolookat.But
definitelynothercupoftea."Andifyouaskme,thatwasn'ttheonlymurderaboutthat
time."Henoddedandwinked."Ihadmysuspicionswell"MissMarpledroppedher
ballofwool,andtheMajorstoopedandpickeditupforher.
"Talkingofmurder,"hewenton."Ioncecameacrossaverycuriouscasenotexactly
personally."
MissMarplesmiledencouragingly.
"Lotsofchapstalkingatthecluboneday,youknow,andachapbegantellingastory.
Medicalmanhewas.Oneofhiscases.Youngfellowcameandknockedhimupinthe
middleofthenight.Hiswifehadhangedherself.Theyhadn'tgotatelephone,soafterthe
chap had cut her down and done what he could, he'd got out his car and harked off
looking for a doctor. Well, she wasn't dead but pretty far gone. Anyway, she pulled
through.Youngfellowseemeddevotedtoher.Criedlikeachild.He'dnoticedthatshe'd
beenoddforsometime,fitsofdepressionandallthat.Well,thatwasthat.Everything
seemedallright.Butactually,aboutamonthlater,thewifetookanoverdoseofsleeping
stuffandpassedout.Sadcase."MajorPalgravepaused,andnoddedhisheadseveral
times.SincetherewasobviouslymoretocomeMissMarplewaited."Andthat'sthat,you
mightsay.Nothingthere.Neuroticwoman,nothingoutoftheusual.Butaboutayear
later,thismedicalchapwasswappingyarnswithafellowmedico,andtheotherchaptold
himaboutawomanwho'dtriedtodrownherself,husbandgotherout,gotadoctor,they
pulled her round and then a few weeks later she gassed herself. Well, a bit of a
coincidenceeh?Samesortofstory.Mychapsaid:'Ihadacaseratherlikethat.Nameof
Jones(orwhateverthenamewas)Whatwasyourman'sname?''Can'tremember.
RobinsonIthink.CertainlynotJones.'Well,thechapslookedateachotherandsaidit
wasprettyodd.Andthenmychappulledoutasnapshot.Heshowedittothesecondchap.
'That'sthefellow,'hesaid.'I'dgonealongthenextdaytocheckupontheparticulars,and
Inoticedamagnificentspeciesofhibiscusjustbythefrontdoor,avarietyI'dneverseen
beforeinthiscountry.MycamerawasinthecarandItookaphoto.JustasIsnappedthe
7

shutter the husband came out of the front door so I got him as well. Don't think he
realised it. I asked him about the hibiscus but he couldn't tell me its name.' Second
medicolookedatthesnap.Hesaid:'It'sabitoutoffocusbutIcouldswearatanyrate
I'malmostsureit'sthesameman!'Don'tknowiftheyfolloweditup.Butifsotheydidn't
getanywhere.ExpectMr.JonesorRobinsoncoveredhistrackstoowell.Butqueerstory,
isn'tit?Wouldn'tthinkthingslikethatcouldhappen."
"Ohyes,Iwould,"saidMissMarpleplacidly."Practicallyeveryday."
"Oh,come,come.That'sabitfantastic."
"Ifamangetsaformulathatworkshewon'tstop.He'llgoon."
"Bridesinthebatheh?"
"Thatkindofthing,yes."
"Major let me have that snap just as a curiosity " Major Palgrave began fumbling
throughanoverstuffedwalletmurmuringtohimself:"Lotsofthingsinheredon'tknow
whyIkeepallthesethings..."
MissMarplethoughtshedidknow.TheywerepartoftheMajor'sstockintrade.They
illustratedhisrepertoireofstories.Thestoryhehadjusttold,orsoshesuspected,had
notbeenoriginallylikethatithadbeenworkedupagooddealinrepeatedtelling.
TheMajorwasstillshufflingandmuttering."Forgottenallaboutthatbusiness.good
lookingwomanshewas,you'dneversuspectNowwhereAhthattakesmymind
backwhattusks!ImustshowyouHestopped,sortedoutasmallphotographicprint
andpeereddownatit."Liketoseethepictureofamurderer?"Hewasabouttopassitto
herwhenhismovementwassuddenlyarrested.Lookingmorelikeastuffedfrogthan
ever.MajorPalgraveappearedtobestaringfixedlyoverherrightshoulderfromwhence
camethesoundofapproachingfootstepsandvoices."Well,I'mdamnedImean"He
stuffedeverythingbackintohiswalletandcrammeditintohispocket.Hisfacewentan
evendeepershadeofpurplishred Heexclaimedinaloud,artificialvoice."AsIwas
saying,I'dliketohaveshownyouthoseelephanttusks.BiggestelephantI'veevershot.
An',hallo!"Hisvoicetookonasomewhatspuriousheartynote.
"Lookwho'shere!ThegreatquartetFloraandFaunawhatluckhaveyouhadtoday
eh?"Theapproachingfootstepsresolvedthemselvesintofourofthehotelguestswhom
MissMarplealreadyknewbysight.Theyconsistedoftwomarriedcouplesandthough
MissMarplewasnotasyetacquaintedwiththeirsurnames,sheknewthatthebigman
withtheupstandingbushofthickgreyhairwasaddressedas"Greg",thatthegolden
blondewoman,hiswife,wasknownasLuckyandthattheothermarriedcouple,the
darkleanmanandthehandsomebutratherweatherbeatenwoman,wereEdwardand
Evelyn.Theywerebotanists,sheunderstood,andalsointerestedinbirds.

"Noluckatall,"saidGreg."Atleastnoluckingettingwhatwewereafter."
"Don'tknowifyouknowMissMarple?ColonelandMrs.HillingdonandGregandLucky
Dyson."
TheygreetedherpleasantlyandLuckysaidloudlythatshe'ddieifshedidn'thavea
drinkatonceorsooner.GreghailedTimKendalwhowassittingalittlewayawaywith
hiswifeporingoveraccountbooks.
"Hi,Tim.Getussomedrinks."Headdressedtheothers."PlantersPunch?"
Theyagreed.
"Sameforyou.MissMarple?"MissMarplesaidthankyou,butshewouldpreferfresh
lime."Freshlimeitis,"saidTimKendal"andfivePlantersPunches."
"Joinus,Tim?"
"Wish I could. But I've got to fix up these accounts. Can't leave Molly to cope with
everything.Steelbandtonight,bytheway."
"Good," cried Lucky. "Damn it," she winced, "I'm all over thorns. Ouch! Edward
deliberatelyrammedmeintoathornbush!"
"Lovelypinkflowers,"saidHillingdon.
"Andlovelylongthorns.You'reasadisticbruteEdward."
"Notlikeme,"saidGreg,grinning."Fullofthemilkofhumankindness."
Evelyn Hillingdon sat down by Miss Marple and started talking to her in an easy
pleasant way. Miss Marple put her knitting down on her lap. Slowly and with some
difficulty,owingtorheumatismintheneck,sheturnedherheadoverherrightshoulder
tolookbehindher.Atsomelittledistancetherewasthelargebungalowoccupiedbythe
richMr.Rafiel.Butitshowednosignoflife.
SherepliedsuitablytoEvelyn'sremarks(really,howkindpeopleweretoher!)buther
eyesscannedthoughtfullythefacesofthetwomen.
EdwardHillingdonlookedaniceman.Quietbutwithalotofcharm...AndGregbig,
boisterous,happylooking.HeandLuckywereCanadianorAmerican,shethought.She
lookedatMajorPalgrave,stillactingabonhomiealittlelargerthanlife.Interesting...

CHAPTER 2: Miss Marple Makes Comparisons

ItwasverygaythateveningattheGoldenPalmHotel.Seatedatherlittlecornertable
MissMarplelookedroundherinaninterestedfashion.Thediningroomwasalargeroom
openonthreesidestothesoftwarmscentedairoftheWestIndies.Thereweresmall
tablelamps,allsoftlycoloured.Mostofthewomenwereineveningdress;lightcotton
printsoutofwhichbronzedshouldersandarmsemerged.MissMarpleherselfhadbeen
urged by her nephew's wife, Joan, in the sweetest way possible, to accept "a small
cheque".
"Because,AuntJane,itwillberatherhotoutthere,andIdon'texpectyouhaveanyvery
thinclothes."
JaneMarplehadthankedherandhadacceptedthecheque.Shecameoftheagewhenit
wasnaturalfortheoldtosupportandfinancetheyoung,butalsoforthemiddle agedto
lookaftertheold.Shecouldnot,however,forceherselftobuyanythingverythin.Ather
age she seldom felt more than pleasantly warm even in thehottest weather, and the
temperature of St. Honor was not really what is referred to as "tropical heat". This
eveningshewasattiredinthebesttraditionsoftheprovincialgentlewomanofEngland
greylace.
Notthatshewastheonlyelderlypersonpresent.Therewererepresentativesofallages
intheroom.Therewereelderlytycoonswithyoungthirdorfourthwives.Therewere
middleagedcouplesfromtheNorthofEngland.TherewasagayfamilyfromCaracas
completewithchildren.ThevariouscountriesofSouthAmericawerewellrepresented,
allchatteringloudlyinSpanishorPortuguese.TherewasasolidEnglishbackgroundof
twoclergymen,onedoctorandoneretiredjudge.TherewasevenafamilyofChinese.The
diningroomservicewasmainlydonebywomen,tallblackgirlsofproudcarriage,dressed
incrispwhite,buttherewasanexperiencedItalianheadwaiterincharge,andaFrench
winewaiter,andtherewastheattentiveeyeofTimKendalwatchingovereverything,
pausing here and there to have a social word with people at their tables. His wife
secondedhimably.Shewasagoodlookinggirl.Herhairwasanaturalgoldenblondeand
she had a wide generous mouth that laughed easily. It was very seldom that Molly
Kendalwasoutoftemper.Herstaffworkedforherenthusiastically,andsheadaptedher
manner carefully to suit her different guests. With the elderly men she laughed and
flirted, she congratulated the younger women on their clothes. "Oh what a smashing
dressyou'vegotontonight,Mrs.Dyson.I'msojealousIcouldtearitoffyourback."But
shelookedverywellinherowndress,orsoMissMarplethought,awhitesheath,witha
10

palegreenembroideredsilkshawlthrownoverhershoulders.Luckywasfingeringthe
shawl."Lovelycolour!I'dlikeonelikeit.""Youcangetthemattheshophere,"Mollytold
herandpassedon.ShedidnotpausebyMissMarple'stable.Elderlyladiessheusually
lefttoherhusband."Theolddearslikeamanmuchbetter,"sheusedtosay.
TimKendalcameandbentoverMissMarple."Nothingspecialyouwant,isthere?"he
asked."Becauseyou'veonlygottotellmeandIcouldgetitspeciallycookedforyou.
Hotelfood,andsemitropicalatthat,isn'tquitewhatyou'reusedtoathome,Iexpect?"
MissMarplesmiledandsaidthatthatwasoneofthepleasuresofcomingabroad."That's
allright,then.Butifthereisanything"
"Suchas?"
"Well"TimKendallookedalittledoubtful."Breadandbutterpudding?"hehazarded.
MissMarplesmiledandsaidthatshethoughtshecoulddowithoutbreadandbutter
puddingverynicelyforthepresent.Shepickedupherspoonandbegantoeatherpassion
fruitsundaewithcheerfulappreciation.
Thenthesteelbandbegantoplay.Thesteelbandswereoneofthemainattractionsofthe
islands. Truth to tell Miss Marple could have done very well without them. She
considered that they made a hideous noise, unnecessarily loud. The pleasure that
everyoneelsetookinthemwasundeniable,however,andMissMarple,inthetruespirit
ofheryouth,decidedthatastheyhadtobe,shemustmanagesomehowtolearntolike
them.ShecouldhardlyrequestTimKendaltoconjureupfromsomewherethemuted
strains ofthe "Blue Danube". (So graceful waltzing.) Most peculiar, the waypeople
dancednowadays.Flingingthemselvesabout,seemingquitecontorted.Ohwell,young
peoplemustenjoyHerthoughtswerearrested.Because,nowshecametothinkofit,
veryfewofthesepeoplewereyoung.Dancing,lights,themusicofaband(evenasteel
band)allthatsurelywasforyouth.Butwherewasyouth?Studying,shesupposed,at
universities,ordoingajobwithafortnight'sholidayayear.Aplacelikethiswastoofar
awayandtooexpensive.Thisgayandcarefreelifewasallforthethirtiesandtheforties
andtheoldmenwhoweretryingtoliveup(ordown)totheiryoungwives.
Itseemed,somehow,apity.
MissMarplesighedforyouth.TherewasMrs.Kendal,ofcourse.Shewasn'tmorethan
twentytwoorthree,probably,andsheseemedtobeenjoyingherselfbutevenso,itwas
ajobshewasdoing.AtatablenearbyCanonPrescottandhissisterweresitting.They
motionedtoMissMarpletojointhemforcoffeeandshedidso.MissPrescottwasathin
severelookingwoman,theCanonwasaround,rubicundman,breathinggeniality.Coffee
wasbrought,andchairswerepushedalittlewayawayfromthetables.MissPrescott
openedaworkbagandtookoutsomefranklyhideoustablematsthatshewashemming.
ShetoldMissMarpleallabouttheday'sevents.TheyhadvisitedanewGirls'Schoolin
11

themorning.Afteranafternoon'srest,theyhadwalkedthroughacaneplantationto
haveteaatapensionwheresomefriendsoftheirswerestaying.SincethePrescottshad
beenattheGoldenPalmlongerthanMissMarple,theywereabletoenlightenherasto
someofherfellowguests.
That very old man, Mr. Rafiel. He came every year. Fantastically rich! Owned an
enormouschainofsupermarketsintheNorthofEngland.Theyoungwomanwithhim
washissecretary,EstherWaltersawidow.(Quiteallright,ofcourse.Nothingimproper.
Afterall,hewasnearlyeighty!)MissMarpleacceptedtheproprietyoftherelationship
withanunderstandingnodandtheCanonremarked:"Averyniceyoungwoman;her
mother,Iunderstand,isawidowandlivesinChichester."
"Mr. Rafiel has a valet with him, too. Or rather a kind of Nurse Attendant he's a
qualified masseur, I believe. Jackson, his name is. Poor Mr. Rafiel is practically
paralysed.Sosadwithallthatmoney,too.""Agenerousandcheerfulgiver,"saidCanon
Prescottapprovingly.Peoplewereregroupingthemselvesroundabout,somegoingfarther
fromthesteelband,otherscrowdinguptoit.MajorPalgravehadjoinedtheHillingdon
Dysonquartet.
"Nowthosepeople"saidMissPrescott,loweringhervoicequiteunnecessarilysincethe
steelbandeasilydrownedit."Yes,Iwasgoingtoaskyouaboutthem."
"Theywereherelastyear.TheyspendthreemonthseveryyearintheWestIndies,going
roundthedifferentislands.ThetallthinmanisColonelHillingdonandthedarkwoman
ishiswifetheyarebotanists.Theothertwo,Mr.andMrs.GregoryDysonthey're
American.Hewritesonbutterflies,Ibelieve.Andallofthemareinterestedinbirds."
"Soniceforpeopletohaveopenairhobbies,"saidCanonPrescottgenially."Idon'tthink
they'dliketohearyoucallithobbies,Jeremy,"saidhissister."Theyhavearticlesprinted
intheNationalGeographicandtheRoyalHorticulturalJournal.Theytakethemselves
veryseriously."
Aloudoutburstoflaughtercamefromthetabletheyhadbeenobserving.Itwasloud
enoughtoovercomethesteelband.GregoryDysonwasleaningbackinhischairand
thumpingthetable,hiswifewasprotesting,andMajorPalgraveemptiedhisglassand
seemed to be applauding. They hardly qualified for the moment as people who took
themselvesseriously.
"Major Palgrave should not drink so much," said Miss Prescott acidly. "He has blood
pressure."
AfreshsupplyofPlantersPuncheswerebroughttothetable."It'ssonicetogetpeople
sortedout,"saidMissMarple."WhenImetthemthisafternoonIwasn'tsurewhichwas
marriedtowhich."
Therewasaslightpause.MissPrescottcoughedasmalldrycough,andsaid:"Well,asto
12

that"
"Joan,"saidtheCanoninanadmonitoryvoice."Perhapsitwouldbewisetosaynomore."
"Really,Jeremy,Iwasn'tgoingtosayanything.Onlythatlastyear,forsomereasonor
otherIreallydon'tknowwhywegottheideathatMrs.DysonwasMrs.Hillingdon
untilsomeonetoldusshewasn't."
"It'soddhowonegetsimpressions,isn'tit?"saidMissMarpleinnocently.Hereyesmet
MissPrescott'sforamoment.Aflashofwomanlyunderstandingpassedbetweenthem.A
moresensitivemanthanCanonPrescottmighthavefeltthathewas'detrop'.Another
signalpassedbetweenthewomen.Itsaidasclearlyasifthewordshadbeenspoken:
"Someothertime..."
"Mr. Dyson calls his wife 'Lucky'. Is that her real name or a nickname?" asked Miss
Marple.
"Itcanhardlybeherrealname,Ishouldthink."
"Ihappenedtoaskhim,"saidtheCanon."HesaidhecalledherLuckybecauseshewas
hisgoodluckpiece.Ifhelosther,hesaid,he'dlosehisluck.Verynicelyput,Ithought."
"He'sveryfondofjoking,"saidMissPrescott.TheCanonlookedathissisterdoubtfully.
Thesteelbandoutdiditselfwithawildburstofcacophonyandatroupeofdancerscame
racingontothefloor.MissMarpleandtheothersturnedtheirchairstowatch.Miss
Marpleenjoyedthedancingbetterthanthemusic,shelikedtheshufflingfeetandthe
rhythmicswayofthebodies.Itseemed,shethought,veryreal.Ithadakindofpowerof
understatement.
Tonight,forthefirsttime,shebegantofeelslightlyathomeinhernewenvironment...
Uptonow,shehadmissedwhatsheusuallyfoundsoeasily,pointsofresemblanceinthe
people she met, to various people known to her personally. She had, possibly, been
dazzledbythegayclothesandtheexoticcolouring;butsoon,shefelt,shewouldbeableto
makesomeinterestingcomparisons.
MollyKendal,forinstance,waslikethatnicegirlwhosenameshecouldn'tremember,but
whowasaconductressontheMarketBasingbus.Helpedyouin,andneverrangthebus
onuntilshewassureyou'dsatdownsafely.TimKendalwasjustalittlelikethehead
waiter at the Royal George in Medchester. Selfconfident, and yet, at the same time,
worried. (He had had an ulcer, she remembered.) As for Major Palgrave, he was
indistinguishable from General Leroy, Captain Flemming, Admiral Wicklow and
CommanderRichardson.Shewentontosomeonemoreinteresting.Greg,forinstance.
GregwasdifficultbecausehewasAmerican.AdashofSirGeorgeTrollope,perhaps,
always so full of jokes at the Civil Defence meetings or perhaps Mr. Murdoch the
butcher.Mr.Murdochhadhadratherabadreputation,butsomepeoplesaiditwasjust
13

gossip,andthatMr.Murdochhimselflikedtoencouragetherumours!"Lucky"now?Well,
thatwaseasyMarleenattheThreeCrowns.EvelynHillingdon?Shecouldn'tfitEvelyn
in precisely. In appearance she fitted many roles tall thin weatherbeaten
Englishwomen were plentiful. Lady Caroline Wolfe, Peter Wolfe's first wife, who had
committedsuicide?OrtherewasLeslieJamesthatquietwomanwhoseldomshowed
whatshefeltandwhohadsoldupherhouseandleftwithoutevertellinganyoneshewas
going.ColonelHillingdon?Noimmediatecluethere.She'dhavetogettoknowhimalittle
first. One of those quiet men with good manners. You never knew what they were
thinking about. Sometimes they surprised you. Major Harper, she remembered, had
quietlycuthisthroatoneday.Nobodyhadeverknownwhy.MissMarplethoughtthatshe
didknowbutshe'dneverbeenquitesure...HereyesstrayedtoMr.Rafiel'stable.The
principalthingknownaboutMr.Rafielwasthathewasincrediblyrich,hecameevery
yeartotheWestIndies,hewassemiparalysedandlookedlikeawrinkledoldbirdof
prey. His clothes hung loosely on his shrunken form. He might have been seventy or
eighty, or even ninety. His eyes were shrewd and he was frequently rude, but people
seldom took offence, partly because he was so rich, and partly because of his
overwhelmingpersonalitywhichhypnotisedyouintofeelingthatsomehow,Mr.Rafielhad
therighttoberudeifhewantedto.
Withhimsathissecretary,Mrs.Walters.Shehadcorncolouredhair,andapleasantface.
Mr.Rafielwasfrequentlyveryrudetoher,butsheneverseemedtonoticeit.Shewasnot
so much subservient, as oblivious. She behaved like a welltrained hospital nurse.
Possibly,thoughtMissMarple,shehadbeenahospitalnurse.Ayoungman,talland
goodlooking,inawhitejacket,cametostandbyMr.Rafiel'schair.Theoldmanlookedup
athim,nodded,thenmotionedhimtoachair.Theyoungmansatdownasbidden."Mr.
Jackson,Ipresume,"saidMissMarpletoherself."Hisvaletattendant."
ShestudiedMr.Jacksonwithsomeattention.
Inthebar,MollyKendalstretchedherback,andslippedoffherhighheeledshoes.Tim
cameinfromtheterracetojoinher.Theyhadthebartothemselvesforthemoment.
"Tired,darling?"heasked.
"Justabit.Iseemtobefeelingmyfeettonight."
"Nottoomuchforyou,isit?Allthis?Iknowit'shardwork."Helookedatheranxiously.
Shelaughed."OhTim,don'tberidiculous.Iloveithere.It'sgorgeous.Thekindofdream
I'vealwayshad,cometrue."
"Yes,itwouldbeallrightifonewasjustaguest.Butrunningtheshowthat'swork."
"Well,youcan'thaveanythingfornothing,canyou?"saidMollyKendalreasonably.Tim
Kendalfrowned.
"Youthinkit'sgoingallright?Asuccess?We'remakingagoofit?"
14

"Ofcourseweare."
"Youdon'tthinkpeoplearesaying,'It'snotthesameaswhentheSandersonswerehere'."
"Ofcoursesomeonewillbesayingthattheyalwaysdo!Butonlysomeoldstickinthe
mud.I'msurethatwe'refarbetteratthejobthantheywere.We'remoreglamorous.You
charm the old pussies and manage to look as though you'd like to make love to the
desperatefortiesandfifties,andIogletheoldgentlemenandmakethemfeelsexydogs
orplaythesweetlittledaughterthesentimentaloneswouldlovetohavehad.Oh,we've
gotitalltapedsplendidly."
Tim'sfrownvanished.
"Aslongasyouthinkso.Igetscared.We'veriskedeverythingonmakingajobofthis.I
chuckedmyjob"
"Andquiterighttodoso,"Mollyputinquickly."Itwassouldestroying."
Helaughedandkissedthetipofhernose.
"Itellyouwe'vegotittaped,"sherepeated."Whydoyoualwaysworry?"
"Madethatway,Isuppose.I'malwaysthinkingsupposesomethingshouldgowrong."
"Whatsortofthing"
"OhIdon'tknow.Somebodymightgetdrowned."
"Not they.It's oneofthesafestofallthebeaches.Andwe'vegotthat hulkingSwede
alwaysonguard."
"I'mafool,"saidTimKendal.Hehesitatedandthensaid,"Youhaven'thadanymore
ofthosedreams,haveyou?"
"Thatwasshellfish,"saidMolly,andlaughed.

15

CHAPTER 3: A Death in the Hotel

MissMarplehadherbreakfastbroughttoherinbedasusual.
Tea,aboiledegg,andasliceofpawpaw.
Thefruitontheisland,thoughtMissMarple,wasratherdisappointing.Itseemedalways
tobepawpaw.Ifshecouldhaveaniceapplenowbutapplesseemedtobeunknown.
Nowthatshehadbeenhereaweek,MissMarplehadcuredherselfoftheimpulsetoask
what the weather was like. The weather was always the same fine. No interesting
variations.
"The manysplendoured weather of an English day" she murmured to herself and
wonderedifitwasaquotation,orwhethershehadmadeitup.Therewere,ofcourse,
hurricanes, or so she understood. But hurricanes were not weather in Miss Marple's
senseoftheword.TheyweremoreinthenatureofanActofGod.Therewasrain,short
violentrainfallthatlastedfiveminutesandstoppedabruptly.Everythingandeveryone
waswringingwet,butinanotherfiveminutestheyweredryagain.
TheblackWestIndiangirlsmiledandsaidGoodMorningassheplacedthetrayonMiss
Marple'sknees.Suchlovelywhiteteethandsohappyandsmiling.Nicenatures,allthese
girls,andapitytheyweresoaversetogettingmarried.ItworriedCanonPrescottagood
deal.Plentyofchristenings,hesaid,tryingtoconsolehimself,butnoweddings.Miss
Marpleateherbreakfastanddecidedhowshewouldspendherday.
It didn't really take much deciding. She would get up at her leisure, moving slowly
becauseitwasratherhotandherfingersweren'tasnimbleastheyusedtobe.Thenshe
wouldrestfortenminutesorso,andshewouldtakeherknittingandwalkslowlyalong
towardsthehotelanddecidewhereshewouldsettleherself.Ontheterraceoverlooking
thesea?Orshouldshegoontothebathingbeachtowatchthebathersandthechildren?
Usuallyitwasthelatter.Intheafternoon,afterherrest,shemighttakeadrive.Itreally
didn'tmatterverymuch.
Todaywouldbeadaylikeanyotherday,shesaidtoherself.Only,ofcourse,itwasn't.
Miss Marple carried out her programme as planned and was slowly making her way
alongthepathtowardsthehotelwhenshemetMollyKendal.Foroncethatsunnyyoung
woman was not smiling. Her airofdistress was sounlikeher thatMissMarplesaid
immediately:"Mydear,isanythingwrong?"
Mollynodded.Shehesitatedandthensaid:''Well,you'llhavetoknoweveryonewill
16

havetoknow.It'sMajorPalgrave.He'sdead."
"Dead?"
"Yes.Hediedinthenight."
"Ohdear,Iamsorry."
"Yes,it'shorridhavingadeathhere.Itmakeseveryonedepressed.Ofcoursehewas
quiteold."
"Heseemedquitewellandcheerfulyesterday,"saidMissMarple,slightlyresentingthis
calmassumptionthateveryoneofadvancedyearswasliabletodieatanyminute.
"Hehadhighbloodpressure,"saidMolly.
"But surely there are things one takes nowadays some kind of pill. Science is so
wonderful."
"Ohyes,butperhapsheforgottotakehispills,ortooktoomanyofthem.Likeinsulin,
youknow."
MissMarpledidnotthinkthatdiabetesandhighbloodpressurewereatallthesame
kindofthing.Sheasked."Whatdoesthedoctorsay?"
"Oh,Dr.Graham,who'spracticallyretirednow,andlivesinthehotel,tookalookathim,
andthelocalpeoplecameofficially,ofcourse,togiveadeathcertificate,butitallseems
quitestraightforward.Thiskindofthingisquiteliabletohappenwhenyouhavehigh
bloodpressure,especiallyifyouoverdothealcohol,andMajorPalgravewasreallyvery
naughtythatway.Lastnight,forinstance."
"Yes,Inoticed,"saidMissMarple.
"Heprobablyforgottotakehispills.Itisbadluckfortheoldboybutpeoplecan'tlive
forever, can they?But it's terriblyworrying for me andTim, Imean.Peoplemight
suggestitwassomethinginthefood."
"Butsurelythesymptomsoffoodpoisoningandofbloodpressurearequitedifferent?"
"Yes.Butpeopledosaythingssoeasily.Andifpeopledecidedthefoodwasbadandleft
ortoldtheirfriends"
"Ireallydon'tthinkyouneedworry,saidMissMarplekindly."Asyousay,anelderlyman
likeMajorPalgravehemusthavebeenoverseventyisquiteliabletodie.Tomost
peopleitwillseemquiteanordinaryoccurrencesad,butnotoutofthewayatall."
"Ifonly,"saidMollyunhappily,"ithadn'tbeensosudden."
Yes,ithadbeenverysuddenMissMarplethoughtasshewalkedslowlyon.Therehehad
beenlastnight,laughingandtalkinginthebestofspiritswiththeHillingdonsandthe
17

Dysons.
TheHillingdonsandtheDysons...
MissMarplewalkedmoreslowlystill...
Finallyshestoppedabruptly.Insteadofgoingtothebathingbeachshesettledherselfin
ashadycorneroftheterrace.Shetookoutherknittingandtheneedlesclickedrapidlyas
thoughtheyweretryingtomatchthespeedofherthoughts.Shedidn'tlikeitnoshe
didn'tlikeit.Itcamesopat.
Shewentovertheoccurrencesofyesterdayinhermind.
MajorPalgraveandhisstories...
Thatwasallasusualandonedidn't needtolistenveryclosely...Perhaps,though,it
wouldhavebeenbetterifshehad.
KenyahehadtalkedaboutKenyaandthenIndiatheNorthWestFrontierandthen
forsomereasontheyhadgotontomurder Andeventhenshehadn'treallybeen
listening... Some famous case that had taken place out here that had been in the
newspapersItwasafterthatwhenhepickedupherballofwoolthathehadbegun
tellingheraboutasnapshotAsnapshotofamurdererthatiswhathehadsaid.
MissMarpleclosedhereyesandtriedtorememberjustexactlyhowthatstoryhadgone.
IthadbeenratheraconfusedstorytoldtotheMajorinhisCluborinsomebodyelse's
clubtoldhimbyadoctorwhohadhearditfromanotherdoctorandonedoctorhad
takenasnapshotofsomeonecomingthroughafrontdoorsomeonewhowasamurderer

Yes,thatwasitthevariousdetailswerecomingbacktohernow.Andhehadofferedto
show her that snapshot. He had got out his wallet and begun hunting through its
contentstalkingallthetime.Andthenstilltalking,hehadlookeduphadlookednot
atherbutatsomethingbehindherbehindherrightshouldertobeaccurate.Andhe
had stopped talking, his face had gone purple and he had started stuffing back
everythingintohiswalletwithslightlyshakyhandsandhadbeguntalkinginaloud
unnaturalvoiceaboutelephanttusks!
AmomentortwolatertheHillingdonsandtheDysonshadjoinedthem...
Itwasthenthatshehadturnedherheadoverherrightshouldertolook...Buttherehad
beennothingandnobodytosee.
Toherleft,somedistanceaway,inthedirectionofthehotel,therehadbeenTimKendal
andhiswife,andbeyondthemafamilygroupofVenezuelans.ButMajorPalgravehad
notbeenlookinginthatdirection...MissMarplemeditateduntillunchtime.Afterlunch
shedidnotgoforadrive.Insteadshesentamessagetosaythatshewasnotfeelingvery
18

well,andtoaskifDr.Grahamwouldbekindenoughtocomeandseeher.

19

CHAPTER 4: Miss Marple Seeks Medical Attention

Dr.Grahamwasakindlyelderlymanofaboutsixtyfive.HehadpractisedintheWest
Indiesformanyyears,butwasnowsemiretired,andleftmostofhisworktohisWest
Indianpartners.HegreetedMissMarplepleasantlyandaskedherwhatthetroublewas.
FortunatelyatMissMarple'sage,therewasalwayssomeailmentthatcouldbediscussed
with slight exaggerations on the patient's part. Miss Marple hesitated between "her
shoulder"and"herknee",butfinallydecidedupontheknee.MissMarple'sknee,asshe
wouldhaveputittoherself,wasalwayswithher.
Dr.Grahamwasexceedinglykindlybutherefrainedfromputtingintowordsthefactthat
athertimeoflifesuchtroubleswereonlytobeexpected.Heprescribedforheroneofthe
brandsofusefullittlepillsthatformthebasisofadoctor'sprescriptions.Sinceheknew
by experience that many elderly people could be lonely when they first came to St.
Honor,heremainedforawhilegentlychatting."Averyniceman,"thoughtMissMarple
toherself,"andIreallyfeelratherashamedofhavingtotellhimlies.ButIdon'tquitesee
whatelseIcando."
MissMarplehadbeenbroughtuptohaveaproperregardfortruthandwasindeedby
natureaverytruthfulperson.Butoncertainoccasions,whensheconsidereditherduty
sotodo,shecouldtelllieswithareallyastonishingverisimilitude.
Sheclearedherthroat,utteredanapologeticlittlecough,andsaid,inanoldladyishand
slightlytwitteringmanner:"Thereissomething.Dr.Graham,Iwouldliketoaskyou.I
don'treallylikementioningitbutIdon'tquiteseewhatelseIamtodoalthoughof
courseit'squiteunimportantreally.Butyousee,it'simportanttome.AndIhopeyouwill
understandandnotthinkwhatIamaskingistiresomeororunpardonableinanyway."
TothisopeningDr.Grahamrepliedkindly."Somethingisworryingyou?Doletmehelp."
"It'sconnectedwithMajorPalgrave.Sosadabouthisdying.ItwasquiteashockwhenI
hearditthismorning."
"Yes,"saidDr.Graham,"itwasverysudden,I'mafraid.Heseemedinsuchgoodspirits
yesterday."Hespokekindly,butconventionally.Tohim,clearly,MajorPalgrave'sdeath
was nothing out of the way. Miss Marple wondered whether she was really making
somethingoutofnothing.Wasthissuspicioushabitofmindgrowingonher?Perhapsshe
could no longer trust her own judgement. Not that it was judgement really, only
suspicion.Anywayshewasinforitnow!Shemustgoahead.

20

"We were sitting talking together yesterday afternoon," she said. "He was telling me
abouthisveryvariedandinterestinglife.Somanystrangepartsoftheglobe."
"Yes indeed," said Dr. Graham, who had been bored many times by the Major's
reminiscences.
"Andthenhespokeofhisfamily,boyhoodrather,andItoldhimalittleaboutmyown
nephewsandniecesandhelistenedverysympathetically.AndIshowedhimasnapshotI
hadwithmeofoneofmynephews.Suchadearboyatleastnotexactlyaboynow,but
alwaysaboytomeifyouunderstand."
"Quiteso,"saidDr.Graham,wonderinghowlongitwouldbebeforetheoldladywas
goingtocometothepoint."Ihadhandedittohimandhewasexaminingitwhenquite
suddenlythosepeoplethoseverynicepeoplewhocollectwildflowersandbutterflies,
ColonelandMrs.HillingdonIthinkthenameis"
"Ohyes?TheHillingdonsandtheDysons."
"Yes,that'sright.Theycamesuddenlyalonglaughingandtalking.Theysatdownand
ordereddrinksandwealltalkedtogether.Verypleasantitwas.Butwithoutthinking
MajorPalgravemusthaveputbackmysnapshotintohiswalletandreturnedittohis
pocket.Iwasn'tpayingverymuchattentionatthetimebutIrememberedafterwardand
Isaidtomyself:'Imustn'tforgettoasktheMajortogivemebackmypictureofDenzil.'I
didthinkofitlastnightwhilethedancingandthebandwasgoingon,butIdidn'tliketo
interrupthimjustthen,becausetheywerehavingsuchamerrypartytogetherandI
thought:'Iwillremembertoaskhimforitinthemorning'.Onlythismorning"Miss
Marplepausedoutofbreath.
"Yes,yes,"saidDr.Graham,"Iquiteunderstand.Andyouwell,naturallyyouwantthe
snapshotback.Isthatit?"
MissMarplenoddedherheadineageragreement."Yes.That'sit.Yousee,itistheonly
oneIhavegotandIhaven'tgotthenegative.AndIwouldhatetolosethatsnapshot,
becausepoorDenzildiedsomefiveorsixyearsagoandhewasmyfavouritenephew.This
is the only picture I have to remind me of him. I wondered I hoped it is rather
tiresomeofmetoaskwhetheryoucouldpossiblymanagetogetholdofitforme?Idon't
reallyknowwhoelsetoask,yousee.Idon'tknowwho'llattendtoallhisbelongingsand
thingslikethat.Itisallsodifficult.Theywouldthinkitsuchanuisanceofme.Yousee,
theydon'tunderstand.Nobodycouldquiteunderstandwhatthissnapshotmeanstome."
"Ofcourse,ofcourse,"saidDr.Graham."Iquiteunderstand.Amostnaturalfeelingon
yourpart.Actually,Iammeetingthelocalauthoritiesshortlythefuneralistomorrow,
andsomeonewillbecomingfromtheAdministrator'sofficetolookoverhispapersand
effectsbeforecommunicatingwiththenextofkinallthatsortofthing.Ifyoucould
describethissnapshot."
21

"Itwasjustthefrontofahouse,"saidMissMarple."AndsomeoneDenzil,Imeanwas
justcomingoutofthefrontdoor.AsIsayitwastakenbyoneofmyothernephewswhois
verykeenonflowershowsandhewasphotographingahibiscus,Ithink,oroneofthose
beautifulsomethinglikeantipastolilies.Denziljusthappenedtocomeoutofthefront
dooratthattime.Itwasn'taverygoodphotographofhimjustatrifleblurredbutI
likeditandhavealwayskeptit."
"Well,"saidDr.Graham,"thatseemsclearenough.Ithinkwe'llhavenodifficultyin
gettingbackyourpictureforyou,MissMarple."
Herosefromhischair.MissMarplesmiledupathim.
"Youareverykind.Dr.Graham,verykindindeed.Youdounderstand,don'tyou?"
"OfcourseIdo,ofcourseIdo,"saidDr.Graham,shakingherwarmlybythehand."Now
don'tyouworry.Exercisethatkneeeverydaygentlybutnottoomuch,andI'llsendyou
roundthesetablets.Takeonethreetimesaday."

22

CHAPTER 5: Miss Marple Makes a Decision

ThefuneralservicewassaidoverthebodyofthelateMajorPalgraveonthefollowing
day.MissMarpleattendedincompanywithMissPrescott.TheCanonreadtheservice
afterthatlifewentonasusual.MajorPalgrave'sdeathwasalreadyonlyanincident,a
slightlyunpleasantincident,butonethatwassoonforgotten.Lifeherewassunshine,
sea, and social pleasures. A grim visitor had interrupted these activities, casting a
momentary shadow, but the shadow was now gone. After all, nobody had known the
deceasedverywell.Hehadbeenratheragarrulouselderlymanoftheclubboretype,
alwaystellingyoupersonalreminiscencesthatyouhadnoparticulardesiretohear.He
hadhadlittletoanchorhimselftoanyparticularpartoftheworld.Hiswifehaddied
manyyearsago.Hehadhadalonelylifeandalonelydeath.Butithadbeenthekindof
lonelinessthatspendsitselfinlivingamongstpeople,andinpassingthetimethatway
notunpleasantly.MajorPalgravemighthavebeenalonelyman,hehadalsobeenquitea
cheerfulone.Hehadenjoyedhimselfinhisownparticularway.Andnowhewasdead,
buried, and nobody cared very much, and in another week's time nobody would even
rememberhimorsparehimapassingthought.
TheonlypersonwhocouldpossiblybesaidtomisshimwasMissMarple.Notindeedout
ofanypersonalaffection,butherepresentedakindoflifethatsheknew.Asonegrew
older, so she reflected to herself, one got more and more into the habit of listening;
listeningpossiblywithoutanygreatinterest,buttherehadbeenbetweenherandthe
Majorthegentlegiveandtakeoftwooldpeople.Ithadhadacheerful,humanquality.
ShedidnotactuallymournMajorPalgravebutshemissedhim.
Onthe afternoonofthefuneral,as shewas sittingknittinginherfavouritespotDr.
Grahamcameandjoinedher.Sheputherneedlesdownandgreetedhim.Hesaidatonce,
ratherapologetically:"IamafraidIhaveratherdisappointingnews.MissMarple."
"Indeed?Aboutmy"
"Yes. We haven't found that precious snapshot of yours. I'm afraid that will be a
disappointmenttoyou."
"Yes.Yesitis.Butofcourseitdoesnotreallymatter.Itwasasentimentality.Idorealise
thatnow.Itwasn'tinMajorPalgrave'swallet?"
"No. Nor anywhere else among his things. There were a few letters and newspaper
clippingsandoddsandends,andafewoldphotographs,butnosignofasnapshotsuchas
youmentioned."

23

"Oh dear," said Miss Marple. "Well, it can't be helped... Thank you very much, Dr.
Graham,forthetroubleyou'vetaken."
"Ohitwasnotrouble,indeed.ButIknowquitewellfrommyownexperiencehowmuch
familytriflesmeantoone,especiallyasoneisgettingolder."
Theoldladywasreallytakingitverywell,hethought.MajorPalgrave,hepresumed,had
probablycomeacrossthesnapshotwhentakingsomethingoutofhiswallet,andnoteven
realisinghowithadcomethere,hadtornitupassomethingofnoimportance.Butof
courseitwasofgreatimportancetothisoldlady.Still,sheseemedquitecheerfuland
philosophicalaboutit.
Internally,however,MissMarplewasfarfrombeingeithercheerfulorphilosophical.She
wantedalittletimeinwhichtothinkthingsout,butshewasalsodeterminedtouseher
presentopportunitiestothefullesteffect.SheengagedDr.Grahaminconversationwith
aneagernesswhichshedidnotattempttoconceal.Thatkindlyman,puttingdownher
flowoftalktothenaturallonelinessofanoldlady,exertedhimselftodiverthermind
fromthelossofthesnapshot,byconversingeasilyandpleasantlyaboutlifeinSt.Honor,
andthevariousinterestingplacesperhapsMissMarplemightliketovisit.Hehardly
knewhimselfhowtheconversationdriftedbacktoMajorPalgrave'sdecease.
"Itseemssosad,"saidMissMarple,"tothinkofanyonedyinglikethisawayfromhome.
ThoughI gather, from whathe himself told me, thathe hadno immediate family.It
seemshelivedbyhimselfinLondon."
"Hetravelledafairamount,Ibelieve,"saidDr.Graham."Atanyrateinthewinters.He
didn'tcareforourEnglishwinters.Can'tsayIblamehim."
"No,indeed,"saidMissMarple."Andperhapshehadsomespecialreasonlikeaweakness
ofthelungsorsomethingwhichmadeitnecessaryforhimtowinterabroad?"
"Ohno,Idon'tthinkso."
"Hehadhighbloodpressure,Ibelieve.Sosad.Nowadaysonehearssomuchofit."
"Hespokeaboutittoyou,didhe?"
"Ohno.No,henevermentionedit.Itwassomebodyelsewhotoldme."
"Ah,really."
"I suppose," went on Miss Marple, "that death was to be expected under those
circumstances."
"Not necessarily," said Dr. Graham. "There are methods of controlling blood pressure
nowadays."
"HisdeathseemedverysuddenbutIsupposeyouweren'tsurprised."
24

"WellIwasn'tparticularlysurprisedinamanofthatage.ButIcertainlydidn'texpectit.
Frankly, he always seemed to me in very good form, but I hadn't ever attended him
professionally.I'dnevertakenhisbloodpressureoranythinglikethat."
"DoesoneknowImean,doesadoctorknowwhenamanhashighbloodpressurejust
bylookingathim?"MissMarpleinquiredwithakindofdewyinnocence.
"Notjustbylooking,"saidthedoctor,smiling."Onehastodoabitoftesting."
"OhIsee.Thatdreadfulthingwhenyouputarubberbandroundsomebody'sarmand
blowitupIdislikeitsomuch.Butmydoctorsaidthatmybloodpressurewasreally
verygoodformyage."
"Wellthat'sgoodhearing,"saidDr.Graham.
"Ofcourse,theMajorwasratherfondofPlantersPunch,"saidMissMarplethoughtfully.
"Yes.Notthebestthingwithbloodpressurealcohol."
"Onetakestablets,doesn'tone,orsoIhaveheard?"
"Yes.Thereareseveralonthemarket.Therewasabottleofoneoftheminhisroom
Serenite."
"Howwonderfulscienceisnowadays,"saidMissMarple."Doctorscandosomuch,can't
they?"
"Weallhaveonegreatcompetitor,"saidDr.Graham."Nature,youknow.Andsomeofthe
goodoldfashionedhomeremediescomebackfromtimetotime."
"Likeputtingcobwebsonacut?"saidMissMarple."WealwaysusedtodothatwhenI
wasachild."
"Verysensible,"saidDr.Graham.
"Andalinseedpoulticeonthechestandrubbingincamphoratedoilforabadcough."
"Iseeyouknowitall!"saidDr.Grahamlaughing.Hegotup."How'stheknee?Notbeen
tootroublesome?"
"No,itseemsmuch,muchbetter."
"Well,wewon'tsaywhetherthat'sNatureormypills,"saidDr.Graham."SorryIcouldn't
havebeenofmorehelptoyou."
"ButyouhavebeenmostkindIamreallyashamedoftakingupyourtime.Didyousay
thattherewerenophotographsintheMajor'swallet?"
"OhyesaveryoldoneoftheMajorhimselfasquiteayoungmanonapoloponyand
oneofadeadtiger.Hewasstandingwithhisfootonit.Snapsofthatsort.Memoriesof
hisyoungerdays.ButIlookedverycarefully,Iassureyou,andtheoneyoudescribeof
25

yournephewwasdefinitelynotthere"
"OhI'msureyoulookedcarefullyIdidn'tmeanthatIwasjustinterested.Wealltend
tokeepsuchveryoddthings"
"Treasuresfromthepast,"saidthedoctorsmiling.Hesaidgoodbyeanddeparted.Miss
Marpleremainedlookingthoughtfullyatthepalmtreesandthesea.Shedidnotpickup
herknittingagainforsomeminutes.Shehadafactnow.Shehadtothinkaboutthatfact
and what it meant. The snapshot that the Major had brought out of his wallet and
replacedsohurriedlywasnotthereafterhedied.ItwasnotthesortofthingtheMajor
wouldthrowaway.Hehadreplaceditinhiswalletanditoughttohavebeeninhiswallet
after his death. Money might have been stolen, but no one would want to steal a
snapshot.Unless,thatis,theyhadaspecialreasonforsodoing...
MissMarple'sfacewasgrave.Shehadtotakeadecision.Wasshe,orwasshenot,going
toallowMajorPalgravetoremainquietlyinhisgrave?Mightitnotbebettertodojust
that?Shequotedunderherbreath."Duncanisdead.AfterLife'sfitfulfeverhesleeps
well!"NothingcouldhurtMajorPalgravenow.Hehadgonewheredangercouldnottouch
him.Wasitjustacoincidencethatheshouldhavediedonthatparticularnight?Orwas
itjustpossiblynotacoincidence?Doctorsacceptedthedeathsofelderlymensoeasily.
Especiallysinceinhisroomtherehadbeenabottleofthetabletsthatpeoplewithhigh
bloodpressurehadtotakeeverydayoftheirlives.Butifsomeonehadtakenthesnapshot
fromtheMayor'swallet,thatsamepersoncouldhaveputthatbottleoftabletsinthe
Major'sroom.SheherselfneverrememberedseeingtheMajortaketablets,hehadnever
spokenabouthisbloodpressuretoher.Theonlythinghehadeversaidabouthishealth
wastheadmission:"NotasyoungasIwas".Hehadbeenoccasionallyalittleshortof
breath,atrifleasthmatic,nothingelse.
ButsomeonehadmentionedthatMajorPalgravehadhighbloodpressureMolly?Miss
Prescott?Shecouldn'tremember.MissMarplesighed,thenadmonishedherselfinwords,
thoughshedidnotspeakthosewordsaloud.
"Now, Jane, what are you suggesting or thinking? Are you, perhaps, just making the
wholethingup?Haveyoureallygotanythingtobuildon?"
Shewentover,stepbystep,asnearlyasshecould,theconversationbetweenherselfand
theMajoronthesubjectofmurderandmurderers.
"Ohdear,"saidMissMarple."Evenifreally,Idon'tseehowIcandoanythingaboutit
"
Butsheknewthatshemeanttotry.

26

CHAPTER 6: In the Small Hours

I
Miss Marple woke early. Like many old people she slept lightly and had periods of
wakefulness,whichsheusedfortheplanningofsomeactionoractionstobecarriedout
on the next or following days. Usually, of course, these were of a wholly private or
domesticnature,oflittleinteresttoanybodybutherself.ButthismorningMissMarple
lay thinking soberly and constructively of murder, and what, if her suspicions were
correct,shecoulddoaboutit.Itwasn'tgoingtobeeasy.Shehadoneweaponandone
weapononly,andthatwasconversation.Shecouldfindout,possibly,alittlemoreabout
MajorPalgrave,butwouldthatreallyhelpher?Shedoubtedifitwould.IfMajorPalgrave
hadbeenkilleditwasnotbecauseofsecretsinhislifeortoinherithismoneyorfor
revengeuponhim.Infact,althoughhewasthevictim,itwasoneofthoserarecases
whereagreaterknowledgeofthevictimdoesnothelpyouorleadyouinanywaytohis
murderer.Thepoint,itseemedtoher,andthesolepoint,wasthatMajorPalgravetalked
toomuch!
ShehadlearntoneratherinterestingfactfromDr.Graham.Hehadhadinhiswallet
variousphotographs,oneofhimselfincompanywithapolopony,oneofadeadtiger,also
oneortwoothershotsofthesamenature.NowwhydidMajorPalgravecarrytheseabout
with him? Obviously, thought Miss Marple, with long experience of old Admirals,
BrigadierGeneralsandmereMajorsbehindher,becausehehadcertainstorieswhichhe
enjoyedtellingtopeople.Startingoffwith"CuriousthinghappenedoncewhenIwasout
tigershootinginIndia..."Orareminiscenceofhimselfandapolopony.Thereforethis
storyaboutasuspectedmurdererwouldinduecoursebeillustratedbytheproductionof
thesnapshotfromhiswallet.Hehadbeenfollowingthatpatterninhisconversationwith
her.Thesubjectofmurderhavingcomeup,andtofocusinterestonhisstory,hehaddone
whathenodoubtusuallydid,producedhissnapshotandsaidsomethinginthenatureof
"Wouldn'tthinkthischapwasamurderer,wouldyou?"
Thepointwasthatithadbeenahabitofhis.Thismurdererstorywasoneofhisregular
repertoire.Ifanyreferencetomurdercameup,thenawaywenttheMajor,fullsteam
ahead.
InthatcasereflectedMissMarple,hemightalreadyhavetoldhisstorytosomeoneelse
here.Ortomorethanoneperson.Ifthatwereso,thensheherselfmightlearnfromthat
personwhatthefurtherdetailsofthestoryhadbeen,possiblywhatthepersoninthe
snapshothadlookedlike.Shenoddedherheadinsatisfaction.

27

Thatwouldbeabeginning.
And,ofcourse,therewerethepeopleshecalledinhermindthe"FourSuspects".Though
really,sinceMajorPalgravehadbeentalkingaboutamantherewereonlytwo.Colonel
HillingdonorMr.Dyson,veryunlikelylookingmurderers,butthenmurdererssooften
wereunlikely.Couldtherehavebeenanyoneelse?Shehadseennoonewhensheturned
her head to look. There was the bungalow of course. Mr. Rafiel's bungalow. Could
somebodyhavecomeoutofthebungalowandgoneinagainbeforeshehadhadtimeto
turnherhead?Ifso,itcouldonlyhavebeenthevaletattendant.Whatwashisname?Oh
yes,Jackson.CouldithavebeenJacksonwhohadcomeoutofthedoor?Thatwouldhave
beenthesameposeasthephotograph.Amancomingoutofadoor.Recognitionmight
have struck suddenly. Up till then Major Palgrave would not have looked at Arthur
Jackson,valetattendant,withanyinterest.Hisrovingandcuriouseyewasessentiallya
snobbisheyeArthurJacksonwasnotapukkasahibMajorPalgravewouldnothave
glancedathimtwice.
Until,perhaps,hehadhadthesnapshotinhishand,andhadlookedoverMissMarple's
rightshoulderandhadseenamancomingoutofadoor...?
MissMarpleturnedoveronherpillow.Programmefortomorroworratherfortoday.
Further investigation of the Hillingdons, the Dysons and Arthur Jackson, valet
attendant.

II
Dr.Grahamalsowokeearly.Usuallyheturnedoverandwenttosleepagain.Buttoday
hewasuneasyandsleepfailedtocome.Thisanxietythatmadeitsodifficulttogoto
sleepagainwasathinghehadnotsufferedfromforalongtime.Whatwascausingthis
anxiety?Really,hecouldn'tmakeitout.Helaytherethinkingitover.Somethingtodo
withsomethingtodowithyesMajorPalgrave.MajorPalgrave'sdeath?Hedidn'tsee,
though, what there could be to make him uneasy there. Was it something that that
twitteryoldladyhadsaid?Badluckforherabouthersnapshot.She'dtakenitverywell.
Butnowwhatwasitshehadsaid,whatchancewordofhershaditbeenthathadgiven
himthisfunnyfeelingofuneasiness?
After all, there was nothing odd about the Major's death. Nothing at all. At least he
supposedtherewasnothingatall.ItwasquiteclearthatintheMajor'sstateofhealth
a faint check came in his thought process. Did he really know much about Major
Palgrave'sstateofhealth?Everybodysaidthathe'dsufferedfromhighbloodpressure.
ButhehimselfhadneverhadanyconversationwiththeMajoraboutit.Butthenhe'd
neverhadmuchconversationwithMajorPalgraveanyway.Palgravewasanoldboreand
heavoidedoldbores.Whyonearthshouldhehavethisideathatperhapseverything
28

mightn'tbeallright?Wasitthatoldwoman?Butafterallshehadn'tsaidanything.
Anyway,itwasnoneofhisbusiness.Thelocalauthoritieswerequitesatisfied.Therehad
beenthatbottleofSerenitetablets,andtheoldboyhadapparentlytalkedtopeopleabout
hisbloodpressurequitefreely.Dr.Grahamturnedoverinbedandsoonwenttosleep
again.

III
Outside the hotel grounds, in one of a row of shanty cabins beside a creek, the girl
VictoriaJohnsonrolledoverandsatupinbed.TheSt.Honorgirlwasamagnificent
creaturewithatorsoofblackmarblesuchasasculptorwouldhaveenjoyed.Sheranher
fingers through her dark, tightly curling hair. With her foot she nudged her sleeping
companionintheribs.
"Wakeup,man."
Themangruntedandturned.
''Whatyouwant?It'snotmorning."
"Wakeup,man.Iwanttotalktoyou."
Themansatup,stretched,showedawidemouthandbeautifulteeth."What'sworrying
you,woman?"
"ThatMajormanwhodied.SomethingIdon'tlike.Somethingwrongaboutit."
"Ah,whatd'youwanttoworryaboutthat?Hewasold.Hedied."
"Listen,man.It'sthempills.Thempillsthedoctoraskedmeabout."
"Well,whataboutthem?Hetooktoomanymaybe."
"No.It'snotthat.Listen."Sheleanttowardshim,talkingvehemently.Heyawnedwidely
andthenlaydownagain."There'snothinginthat.What'reyoutalkingabout?"
"Allthesame,I'llspeaktoMrs.Kendalaboutitinthemorning.Ithinkthere'ssomething
wrongtheresomewhere."
"Shouldn'tbother,"saidthemanwho,withoutbenefitofceremony,sheconsideredasher
present husband. "Don't let's look for trouble," he said and rolled over on his side
yawning.

29

CHAPTER 7: Morning on the Beach

I
Itwasmidmorningonthebeachbelowthehotel.
EvelynHillingdoncameoutofthewateranddroppedonthewarmgoldensand.Shetook
offherbathingcapandshookherdarkheadvigorously.Thebeachwasnotaverybigone.
Peopletendedtocongregatethereinthemorningsandabout11.30therewasalways
somethingofasocialreunion.ToEvelyn'sleftinoneoftheexoticlookingmodernbasket
chairslaySeoradeCaspearo,ahandsomewomanfromVenezuela.Nexttoherwasold
Mr.RafielwhowasbynowdoyenoftheGoldenPalmHotelandheldtheswaythatonly
anelderlyinvalidofgreatwealthcouldattain.EstherWalterswasinattendanceonhim.
SheusuallyhadhershorthandnotebookandpencilwithherincaseMr.Rafielshould
suddenlythinkofurgentbusinesscableswhichmustbegotoffatonce.Mr.Rafielin
beachattirewasincrediblydesiccated,hisbonesdrapedwithfestoonsofdryskin.Though
lookinglikeamanonthepointofdeath,hehadlookedexactlythesameforatleastthe
lasteight years or soit wassaidinthe islands. Sharpblueeyes peered out ofhis
wrinkledcheeks,andhisprincipalpleasureinlifewasdenyingrobustlyanythingthat
anyoneelsesaid.
MissMarplewasalsopresent.Asusualshesatandknittedandlistenedtowhatwenton,
andveryoccasionallyjoinedintheconversation.Whenshedidso,everyonewassurprised
becausetheyhadusuallyforgottenthatshewasthere!
EvelynHillingdonlookedatherindulgently,andthoughtthatshewasaniceoldpussy.
Seora deCaspearorubbedsomemoreoilon herlongbeautiful legsandhummed to
herself.Shewasnotawomanwhospokemuch.Shelookeddiscontentedlyattheflaskof
sunoil."ThisisnotsogoodasFrangipani,"shesaid,sadly."Onecannotgetithere.A
pity."Hereyelidsdroopedagain.
"Areyougoinginforyourdipnow,Mr.Rafiel?"askedEstherWalterstactfully.
"I'llgoinwhenI'mready,"saidMr.Rafiel,snappishly.
"It'shalfpasteleven,"saidMrs.Walters.
"Whatofit?"saidMr.Rafiel."ThinkI'mthekindofmantobetiedbytheclock?Dothis
atthehour,dothisattwentyminutespast,dothatattwentytobah!"
Mrs.WaltershadbeeninattendanceonMr.Rafiellongenoughtohaveadoptedherown
formulafordealingwithhim.Sheknewthathelikedagoodspaceoftimeinwhichto
recoverfromtheexertionofbathingandshehadthereforeremindedhimofthetime,
30

allowingagoodtenminutesforhimtorebuthersuggestionandthenbeabletoadoptit
withoutseemingtodoso.
"Idon'tliketheseespadrilles,"saidMr.Rafielraisingafootandlookingatit."Itoldthat
foolJacksonso.ThemanneverpaysattentiontoawordIsay."
"I'llfetchyousomeothers,shallI,Mr.Rafiel?"
"No,youwon't,you'llsithereandkeepquiet.Ihatepeoplerushingaboutlikeclucking
hens."
Evelynshiftedslightlyinthewarmsand,stretchingoutherarms.MissMarple,intenton
herknittingorsoitseemedstretchedoutafoot,thenhastilysheapologised."I'mso
sorry,soverysorry,Mrs.Hillingdon.I'mafraidIkickedyou."
"Oh,it'squiteallright,"saidEvelyn."Thisbeachgetsrathercrowded."
"Oh,pleasedon'tmove.Please.I'llmovemychairalittlebacksothatIwon'tdoitagain."
As Miss Marple resettled herself, she went on talking in a childish and garrulous
manner."Itseemssowonderfultobehere.I'veneverbeentotheWestIndiesbefore,you
know.IthoughtitwasthekindofplaceInevershouldcometoandhereIam.Allbythe
kindnessofmydearnephew.Isupposeyouknowthispartoftheworldverywell,don't
you,Mrs.Hillingdon?"
"Ihavebeeninthisislandonceortwicebeforeandofcourseinmostoftheothers."
"Ohyes.Butterflies,isn'tit,andwildflowers?Youandyouryourfriendsorarethey
relations?"
"Friends.Nothingmore."
"AndIsupposeyougoabouttogetheragreatdealbecauseofyourinterestsbeingthe
same?"
"Yes.We'vetravelledtogetherforsomeyearsnow."
"Isupposeyoumusthavehadsomeratherexcitingadventuressometimes?"
"Idon'tthinkso,"saidEvelyn.Hervoicewasunaccentuated,slightlybored."Adventures
alwaysseemtohappentootherpeople."Sheyawned.
"No dangerous encounters with snakes or with wild animals or with natives gone
berserk?"("WhatafoolIsound,")thoughtMissMarple.
"Nothingworsethaninsectbites,"Evelynassuredher.
"PoorMajorPalgrave,youknow,wasbittenbyasnakeonce,"saidMissMarple,makinga
purelyfictitiousstatement.
"Washe?"
31

"Didhenevertellyouaboutit?"
"Perhaps.Idon'tremember."
"Isupposeyouknewhimquitewell,didn'tyou?"
"MajorPalgrave?No,hardlyatall."
"Healwayshadsomanyinterestingstoriestotell."
"Ghastlyoldbore,"saidMr.Rafiel."Sillyfool,too.Heneedn'thavediedifhe'dlooked
afterhimselfproperly."
"Ohcomenow,Mr.Rafiel,"saidMrs.Walters.
"IknowwhatI'mtalkingabout.Ifyoulookafteryourhealthproperlyyou'reallright
anywhere.Lookatme.Thedoctorsgavemeupyearsago.Allright,Isaid,I'vegotmy
rulesofhealthandIshallkeeptothem.AndhereIam."Helookedroundproudly.Itdid
indeedseemratheramiraclethatheshouldbethere.
"PoorMajorPalgravehadhighbloodpressure,"saidMrs.Walters.
"Nonsense,"saidMr.Rafiel.
"Oh,buthedid,"saidEvelynHillingdon.Shespokewithsudden,unexpectedauthority.
"Whosaysso?"saidMr.Rafiel."Didhetellyouso?"
"Somebodysaidso."
"Helookedveryredintheface,"MissMarplecontributed.
"Can't go by that," said Mr. Rafiel. "And anyway he didn't have high blood pressure
becausehetoldmeso."
"Whatdoyoumean,hetoldyouso?"saidMrs.Walters."Imean,youcan'texactlytell
peopleyouhaven'tgotathing."
"Yesyoucan.IsaidtohimoncewhenhewasdowningallthosePlantersPunches,and
eatingtoomuch.Isaid.'Yououghttowatchyourdietandyourdrink.You'vegottothink
ofyourbloodpressureatyourage.'Andhesaidhe'dnothingtolookoutforinthatline,
thathisbloodpressurewasverygoodforhisage."
"Buthetooksomestuffforit,Ibelieve,"saidMissMarple,enteringtheconversationonce
more."Somestuffcalledoh,somethinglikewasitSerenite?"
"Ifyouaskme,"saidEvelynHillingdon,"Idon'tthinkheeverlikedtoadmitthatthere
couldbeanythingthematterwithhimorthathecouldbeill.Ithinkhewasoneofthose
people who are afraid of illness and therefore deny there's ever anything wrong with
them."

32

Itwasalongspeechforher.MissMarplelookedthoughtfullydownatthetopofherdark
head.
"The trouble is," said Mr. Rafiel dictatorially "everybody's too fond of knowing other
people's ailments. They think everybody over fifty is going to die of hypertension or
coronarythrombosisoroneofthosethingspoppycock!Ifamansaysthere'snothing
much wrong with him I don't suppose there is. A man ought to know about his own
health.What'sthetime?Quartertotwelve?Ioughttohavehadmydiplongago.Why
can'tyouremindmeaboutthesethings,Esther?"
Mrs.Waltersmadenoprotest.SherosetoherfeetandwithsomedeftnessassistedMr.
Rafieltohis.Togethertheywentdownthebeach,shesupportinghimcarefully.Together
theysteppedintothesea.SeoradeCaspearoopenedhereyesandmurmured:"Howugly
areoldmen!Ohhowtheyareugly!Theyshouldallbeputtodeathatforty,orperhaps
thirtyfivewouldbebetter.Yes?"
Edward Hillingdon and Gregory Dyson came crunching down the beach. "What's the
waterlike,Evelyn?"
"Justthesameasalways."
"Nevermuchvariation,isthere?Where'sLucky?"
"Idon'tknow,"saidEvelyn.
AgainMissMarplelookeddownthoughtfullyatthedarkhead.
"Well,nowIgivemyimitationofawhale,"saidGregory.Hethrewoffhisgailypatterned
Bermudashirtandtoredownthebeach,flinginghimself,puffingandpanting,intothe
sea,doingafastcrawl.EdwardHillingdonsatdownonthebeachbyhiswife.Presently
heasked,"Cominginagain?"
Shesmiledputonhercapandtheywentdownthebeachtogetherinamuchless
spectacularmanner.SeoradeCaspearoopenedhereyesagain."Ithinkatfirstthosetwo
theyareontheirhoneymoon,heissocharmingtoher,butIheartheyhavebeenmarried
eightnineyears.Itisincredible,isitnot?"
"IwonderwhereMrs.Dysonis?"saidMissMarple.
"ThatLucky?Sheiswithsomeman."
"Youyouthinkso?"
"Itiscertain,"saidSeoradeCaspearo."Sheisthattype.Butsheisnotsoyoungany
longerHerhusbandalreadyhiseyesgoelsewhere.Hemakespasseshere,there,all
thetime.Iknow."
"Yes,"saidMissMarple,"Iexpectyouwouldknow."
33

Seora de Caspearo shot a surprised glance at her. It was clearly not what she had
expectedfromthatquarter.MissMarple,however,waslookingatthewaveswithanairof
gentleinnocence.

II
"MayIspeaktoyou,ma'am,Mrs.Kendal?"
"Yes,ofcourse,"saidMolly.Shewassittingatherdeskintheoffice.VictoriaJohnson,
tallandbuoyantinhercrispwhiteuniformcameinfartherandshutthedoorbehindher
withasomewhatmysteriousair.
"Iliketotellyousomething,please,Mrs.Kendal."
"Yes,whatisit.Isanythingwrong?"
"Idon'tknowthat.Notforsure.It'stheoldgentlemanwhodied.TheMajorgentleman.
Hedieinhissleep."
"Yes,yes.Whataboutit?"
"Therewasabottleofpillsinhisroom.Doctor,heaskedmeaboutthem."
"Yes?"
"Thedoctorsaid:'Letmeseewhathehashereonthebathroomshelf,'andhelooked,you
see.Heseetherewastoothpowderandindigestionpillsandaspirinandcascarapills,
andthenthesepillsinabottlecalledSerenite."
"Yes,"repeatedMollyyetagain.
"Andthedoctorlookedatthem.Heseemedquitesatisfied,andnoddedhishead.ButIget
to thinking afterwards. Those pills weren't there before. I've not seen them in his
bathroombefore.Theothers,yes.Thetoothpowderandtheaspirinandtheaftershave
lotionandalltherest.Butthosepills,thoseSerenitepills,Inevernoticedthembefore."
"Soyouthink"Mollylookedpuzzled.
"Idon'tknowwhattothink,"saidVictoria."Ijustthinkit'snotright,soIthinkIbetter
tellyouaboutit.Perhapsyoutelldoctor?Perhapsitmeanssomething.Perhapssomeone
putthosepillstheresohetakethemandhedied."
"Oh,Idon'tthinkthat'slikelyatall,"saidMolly.
Victoriashookherdarkhead."Youneverknow.Peopledobadthings."
Molly glanced out of the window. The place looked like an earthly paradise. With its
sunshine,itssea,itscoralreef,itsmusic,itsdancing,itseemedaGardenofEden.But
34

evenintheGardenofEden,therehadbeenashadowtheshadowoftheSerpent.Bad
thingshowhatefultohearthosewords."I'llmakeinquiries,Victoria,"shesaidsharply.
"Don'tworry.Andabovealldon'tgostartingalotofsillyrumours."
Tim Kendal came in, just as Victoria was, somewhat unwillingly, leaving. "Anything
wrong,Molly?"
ShehesitatedbutVictoriamightgotohim.Shetoldhimwhatthegirlhadsaid.
"Idon'tseewhatallthisrigmarolewhatwerethesepillsanyway?"
"Well,Idon'treallyknow,Tim.Dr.Robertsonwhenhecamesaidtheyweresomethingto
dowithbloodpressure,Ithink."
"Well,thatwouldbeallright,wouldn'tit?Imean,hehadhighbloodpressure,andhe
wouldbetakingthingsforit,wouldn'the?Peopledo.I'veseenthem,lotsoftimes."
"Yes,"Mollyhesitated,"butVictoriaseemedtothinkthathemighthavetakenoneof
thesepillsanditwouldhavekilledhim."
"Ohdarling,thatisabittoomelodramatic!Youmeanthatsomebodymighthavechanged
hisbloodpressurepillsforsomethingelse,andthattheypoisonedhim?"
"Itdoessoundabsurd,"saidMollyapologetically,"whenyousayitlikethat.Butthat
seemedtobewhatVictoriathought!"
"Sillygirl!WecouldgoandaskDr.Grahamaboutit,Isupposehe'dknow.Butreallyit's
suchnonsensethatit'snotworthbotheringhim."
"That'swhatIthink."
"Whatonearthmadethegirlthinkanybodywouldhavechangedthepills.Youmean,put
differentpillsintothesamebottle?"
"Ididn'tquitegather,"saidMolly,lookingratherhelpless."Victoriaseemedtothinkthat
wasthefirsttimethatSerenitebottlehadbeenthere."
"Ohbutthat'snonsense,"saidTimKendal."Hehadtotakethosepillsallthetimeto
keephisbloodpressuredown."AndhewentoffcheerfullytoconsultwithFernandothe
maitred'hotel.ButMollycouldnotdismissthemattersolightly.Afterthestressoflunch
wasovershesaidtoherhusband:"TimI'vebeenthinking.IfVictoriaisgoingaround
talkingaboutthisperhapsweoughtjusttoasksomeoneaboutit?"
"Mydeargirl!Robertsonandalltherestofthemcameandlookedateverythingand
askedallthequestionstheywantedatthetime."
"Yes,butyouknowhowtheyworkthemselvesup,thesegirls"
"Oh,allright!I'lltellyouwhatwe'llgoandaskGrahamhe'llknow."

35

Dr.Grahamwassittingonhisloggiawithabook.TheyoungcouplecameinandMolly
plungedintoherrecital.ItwasalittleincoherentandTimtookover."Soundsrather
idiotic,"hesaidapologetically,"butasfarasIcanmakeout,thisgirlhasgotitintoher
headthatsomeoneputsomepoisontabletsinthewhat'sthenameofthestuffSera
somethingbottle."
"But why should she get this idea into her head?" asked Dr. Graham. "Did she see
anythingorhearanythingorImean,whyshouldshethinkso?"
"Idon'tknow,"saidTimratherhelplessly.
'"Wasitadifferentbottle?Wasthatit,Molly?"
"No,"saidMolly."IthinkwhatshesaidwasthattherewasabottletherelabelledSeven
Seren"
"Serenite," said the doctor. "That's quite right. A wellknown preparation. He'd been
takingitregularly."
"Victoriasaidshe'dneverseenitinhisroombefore."
"Neverseenitinhisroombefore?"saidGrahamsharply."Whatdoesshemeanbythat?"
"Well,that'swhatshesaid.Shesaidtherewereallsortsofthingsonthebathroomshelf.
Youknow,toothpowder,aspirinandaftershaveandohsherattledthemoffgaily.I
supposeshe'salwayscleaningthemandsosheknowsthemalloffbyheart.Butthisone
theSereniteshehadn'tseenithereuntilthedayafterhedied."
"That'sveryodd,"saidDr.Graham,rathersharply."Isshesure?"
TheunusualsharpnessofhistonemadebothoftheKendalslookathim.Theyhadnot
expectedDr.Grahamtotakeupquitethisattitude.
"She sounded sure," said Molly slowly. "Perhaps she just wanted to be sensational,"
suggestedTim.
"Ithinkperhaps,"saidDr.Graham,"I'dbetterhaveafewwordswiththegirlmyself."
Victoriadisplayedadistinctpleasureatbeingallowedtotellherstory.
"Idon'twanttogetinnotrouble,"shesaid."Ididn'tputthatbottlethereandIdon't
knowwhodid."
"Butyouthinkitwasputthere?"askedGraham.
"Well,yousee.Doctor,itmusthavebeenputthereifitwasn'ttherebefore."
"MajorPalgravecouldhavekeptitinadraweroradispatchcase,somethinglikethat."
Victoria shookher head shrewdly. "Wouldn't dothat if hewas taking it all thetime,
wouldhe?"
36

"No,"saidGrahamreluctantly."No,itwasstuffhewouldhavetotakeseveraltimesaday.
Youneversawhimtakingitoranythingofthatkind?"
"He didn't have it there before. I just thought word got round as that stuff had
somethingtodowithhisdeath,poisonedhisbloodorsomething,andIthoughtmaybehe
hadanenemywhoputittheresoastokillhim."
"Nonsense,mygirl,"saidthedoctorrobustly."Sheernonsense."
Victorialookedshaken.
"Yousayasthisstuffwasmedicine,goodmedicine?"sheaskeddoubtfully.
"Good medicine, and what is more, necessary medicine," said Dr. Graham. "So you
needn'tworry,Victoria.Icanassureyoutherewasnothingwrongwiththatmedicine.It
wastheproperthingforamantotakewhohadhiscomplaint."
"Surelyyou'vetakenaloadoffmymind,"saidVictoria.Sheshowedwhiteteethathimin
acheerfulsmile.ButtheloadwasnottakenoffDr.Graham'smind.Thatuneasinessof
histhathadbeensonebulouswasnowbecomingtangible.

37

CHAPTER 8: A Talk with Esther Walters

"Thisplaceisn'twhatitusedtobe,"saidMr.Rafiel,irritably,asheobservedMissMarple
approachingthespotwhereheandhissecretaryweresitting."Can'tmoveastepwithout
someoldhengettingunderyourfeet.WhatdooldladieswanttocometotheWestIndies
for?"
"Wheredoyousuggesttheyshouldgo?"askedEstherWalters.
"ToCheltenham,"saidMr.Rafielpromptly."OrBournemouth,"heoffered,"orTorquayor
LlandrindodWells.Plentyofchoice.Theylikeittherethey'requitehappy."
"They can't often afford to come to the West Indies, I suppose," said Esther. "It isn't
everyonewhoisasluckyasyouare."
"That'sright,"saidMr.Rafiel."Rubitin.HereamI,amassofachesandpainsand
disjoints.Yougrudgemeanyalleviation!Andyoudon'tdoanywork.Whyhaven'tyou
typedoutthoselettersyet?"
"Ihaven'thadtime."
"Well,getonwithit,can'tyou?Ibringyououtheretodoabitofwork,nottositabout
sunningyourselfandshowingoffyourfigure."
SomepeoplewouldhaveconsideredMr.Rafiel'sremarksquiteinsupportablebutEsther
WaltershadworkedforhimforsomeyearsandsheknewwellenoughthatMr.Rafiel's
barkwasagreatdealworsethanhisbite.Hewasamanwhosufferedalmostcontinual
pain, and making disagreeable remarks was one of his ways of letting off steam. No
matterwhathesaidsheremainedquiteimperturbable.
"Suchalovelyevening,isn'tit?"saidMissMarple,pausingbesidethem.
"Whynot?"saidMr.Rafiel."That'swhatwe'reherefor,isn'tit?"
MissMarplegaveatinklylittlelaugh."You'resosevereofcoursetheweatherisavery
EnglishsubjectofconversationoneforgetsOhdear,thisisthewrongcolouredwool."
She deposited her knitting bag on the garden table and trotted towards her own
bungalow.
"Jackson!"yelledMr.Rafiel.Jacksonappeared.
"Takemebackinside,"saidMr.Rafiel."I'llhavemymassagenowbeforethatchattering
hencomesback.Notthatmassagedoesmeabitofgood,"headded.Havingsaidwhich,
38

heallowedhimselftobedeftlyhelpedtohisfeetandwentoffwiththemasseurbeside
himintohisbungalow.
EstherWalterslookedafterthemandthenturnedherheadasMissMarplecameback
withaballofwooltositdownnearher.
"IhopeI'mnotdisturbingyou?"saidMissMarple.
"Ofcoursenot,"saidEstherWalters,"I'vegottogooffanddosometypinginaminute,
butI'mgoingtoenjoyanothertenminutesofthesunsetfirst."
MissMarplesatdownandinagentlevoicebegantotalk.Asshetalked,shesummedup
EstherWalters.Notatallglamorous,butcouldbeattractivelookingifshetried.Miss
Marplewonderedwhyshedidn'ttry.Itcouldbe,ofcourse,becauseMr.Rafielwouldnot
havelikedit,butMissMarpledidn'tthinkMr.Rafielwouldreallymindintheleast.He
wassocompletelytakenupwithhimselfthatsolongashewasnotpersonallyneglected,
hissecretarymighthavegotherselfuplikeahouriinParadisewithouthisobjecting.
Besides, he usually went to bed early and in the evening hours of steel bands and
dancing,EstherWaltersmighteasilyhaveMissMarplepausedtoselectawordinher
mind, at the same time conversing cheerfully about her visit to Jamestown. Ah yes,
blossomed.EstherWaltersmighthaveblossomedintheeveninghours.
SheledtheconversationgentlyinthedirectionofJackson.
OnthesubjectofJackson,EstherWalterswasrathervague.
"He'sverycompetent,"shesaid."Afullytrainedmasseur."
"Isupposehe'sbeenwithMr.Rafielalongtime?"
"Ohnoaboutninemonths,Ithink."
"Ishemarried?"MissMarplehazarded.
"Married?Idon'tthinkso,"saidEstherslightlysurprised."He'snevermentioneditif
so"
"No,"sheadded."Definitelynotmarried,Ishouldsay."Andsheshowedamusement.
MissMarpleinterpretedthatbyaddingtoitinherownmindthefollowingsentence:"At
anyratehedoesn'tbehaveasthoughheweremarried."
But then, how many married men there were who behaved as though they weren't
married!!MissMarplecouldthinkofadozenexamples!
"He'squitegoodlooking,"shesaidthoughtfully.
"YesIsupposeheis,"saidEstherwithoutinterest.
Miss Marple considered her thoughtfully. Uninterested in men? The kind of woman,
39

perhaps,whowasonlyinterestedinoneman.Awidow,theyhadsaid.Sheasked:"Have
youworkedforMr.Rafiellong?"
"Fourorfiveyears.Aftermyhusbanddied,Ihadtotakeajobagain.I'vegotadaughter
atschoolandmyhusbandleftmeverybadlyoff."
"Mr.Rafielmustbearatherdifficultmantoworkfor?"MissMarplehazarded.
"Notreally,whenyougettoknowhim.Hefliesintoragesandisverycontradictory.I
thinktherealtroubleishegetstiredofpeople.He'shadfivedifferentvaletattendantsin
twoyears.Helikeshavingsomeonenewtobully.ButheandIhavealwaysgotonvery
well."
"Mr.Jacksonseemsaveryobligingyoungman?"
"He'sverytactfulandresourceful,"saidEsther."Ofcourse,he'ssometimesalittle"She
brokeoff.
MissMarpleconsidered."Ratheradifficultpositionsometimes?"shesuggested.
"Well,yes.Neitheronethingnortheother.However"shesmiled"Ithinkhemanages
tohavequiteagoodtime."
MissMarpleconsideredthisalso.Itdidn'thelphermuch.Shecontinuedhertwittering
conversationandsoonshewashearingagooddealaboutthatnaturelovingquartet,the
DysonsandtheHillingdons.
"TheHillingdonshavebeenhereforthelastthreeorfouryearsatleast,"saidEsther,
"butGregoryDysonhasbeenheremuchlongerthanthat.HeknowstheWestIndiesvery
well.Hecamehere,originally,Ibelieve,withhisfirstwife.Shewasdelicateandhadto
goabroadinthewinters,orgosomewherewarm,atanyrate."
"Andshedied?Orwasitdivorce?"
"No.Shedied.Outhere,Ibelieve.Idon'tmeanthisparticularislandbutoneoftheWest
Indiesislands.Therewassomesortoftrouble,Ibelieve,somekindofscandalorother.He
nevertalksabouther.Somebodyelsetoldmeaboutit.Theydidn't,Igather,getonvery
welltogether."
"And then he married this wife. 'Lucky'." Miss Marple said the word with faint
dissatisfactionasiftosay"Really,amostincrediblename!"
"Ibelieveshewasarelationofhisfirstwife."
"HavetheyknowntheHillingdonsagreatmanyyears?"
"Oh,IthinkonlysincetheHillingdonscameouthere.Threeorfouryears,notmore."
"TheHillingdonsseemverypleasant,"saidMissMarple."Quiet,ofcourse."

40

"Yes.They'rebothquiet."
"Everyonesaysthey'reverydevotedtoeachother,"saidMissMarple.Thetoneofher
voicewasquitenoncommittalbutEstherWalterslookedathersharply."Butyoudon't
thinktheyare?"shesaid.
"Youdon'treallythinksoyourself,doyou,mydear?"
"Well,I'vewonderedsometimes..."
"Quietmen,likeColonelHillingdon,"saidMissMarple"areoftenattractedtoflamboyant
types."Andsheadded,afterasignificantpause"Luckysuchacuriousname.Doyou
thinkMr.Dysonhasanyideaofofwhatmightbegoingon?"
"Oldscandalmonger,"thoughtEstherWalters."Really,theseoldwomen!"
Shesaidrathercoldly,"I'venoidea."
MissMarpleshiftedtoanothersubject."It'sverysadaboutpoorMajorPalgraveisn'tit?"
shesaid.
EstherWaltersagreed,thoughinasomewhatperfunctoryfashion."ThepeopleI'mreally
sorryforaretheKendals,"shesaid.
"Yes,Isupposeitisreallyratherunfortunatewhensomethingofthatkindhappensinan
hotel."
"Peoplecomehere,yousee,toenjoythemselves,don'tthey?"saidEsther."Toforgetabout
illnessesanddeathsandincometaxandfrozenpipesandalltherestofit.Theydon'tlike
"shewenton,withasuddenflashofanentirelydifferentmanner"anyremindersof
mortality."
MissMarplelaiddownherknitting."Nowthatisverywellput,mydear,"shesaid,"very
wellputindeed.Yes,itisasyousay."
"Andyouseethey'requiteayoungcouple,"wentonEstherWalters."Theyonlyjusttook
over from the Sandersons six months ago and they're terribly worried about whether
they'regoingtosucceedornot,becausetheyhaven'thadmuchexperience."
"Andyouthinkthismightbereallydisadvantageoustothem?"
"Well,no,Idon't,frankly,"saidEstherWalters."Idon'tthinkpeoplerememberanything
formorethanadayortwo,notinthisatmosphereofwe'veallcomeoutheretoenjoy
ourselveslet'sgetonwithit.Ithinkadeathjustgivesthemajoltforabouttwentyfour
hoursorsoandthentheydon'tthinkofitagainoncethefuneralisover.Notunless
they'reremindedofit,thatis.I'vetoldMollyso,butofcoursesheisaworrier."
"Mrs.Kendalisaworrier?Shealwaysseemssocarefree."
"Ithinkalotofthatisputon,"saidEstherslowly."Actually,Ithinkshe'soneofthose
41

anxioussortofpeoplewhocan'thelpworryingallthetimethatthingsmaygowrong."
"Ishouldhavethoughtheworriedmorethanshedid."
"No,Idon'tthinkso.Ithinkshe'stheworrierandheworriesbecausesheworries,ifyou
knowwhatImean."
"Thatisinteresting,"saidMissMarple.
"IthinkMollywantsdesperatelytotryandappearverygayandtobeenjoyingherself.
Sheworksatitveryhardbuttheeffortexhaustsher.Thenshehastheseoddfitsof
depression.She'snotwellnotreallywellbalanced."
"Poor child," said Miss Marple. "There certainly are people like that, and very often
outsidersdon'tsuspectit."
"No,theyputonsuchagoodshow,don'tthey?However,"Estheradded,"Idon'tthink
Molly has really anything to worry about in this case. I mean, people are dying of
coronary thrombosis or cerebral haemorrhage or things of that kind all the time
nowadays.Farmorethantheyusedto,asfarasIcansee.It'sonlyfoodpoisoningor
typhoidorsomethinglikethat,thatmakespeoplegethetup."
"Major Palgrave never mentioned to me that he had high blood pressure," said Miss
Marple."Didhetoyou?"
"HesaidsotosomebodyIdon'tknowwho.ItmayhavebeentoMr.Rafiel.IknowMr.
Rafielsaysjusttheoppositebutthenhe'slikethat!CertainlyJacksonmentioneditto
meonce.HesaidtheMajoroughttobemorecarefuloverthealcoholhetook."
"Isee,"saidMissMarple,thoughtfully.Shewenton:"Iexpectyoufoundhimrathera
boringoldman?HetoldalotofstoriesandIexpectrepeatedhimselfagooddeal."
"That'stheworstofit,"saidEsther."Youdohearthesamestoryagainandagainunless
youcanmanagetobequickenoughandfendhimoff."
"OfcourseIdidn'tmindsomuch,"saidMissMarple,"becauseI'musedtothatsortof
thing.IfIgetstoriestoldtomeratheroften,Idon'treallymindhearingthemagain
becauseI'veusuallyforgottenthem."
"Thereisthat,"saidEstherandlaughedcheerfully.
"Therewasonestoryhewasveryfondoftelling,"saidMissMarple,"aboutamurder.I
expecthetoldyouthat,didn'the?"
EstherWaltersopenedherhandbagandstartedsearchingthroughit.Shedrewouther
lipsticksaying,"IthoughtI'dlostit."Thensheasked,"Ibegyourpardon,whatdidyou
say?"
"IaskedifMajorPalgravetoldyouhisfavouritemurderstory?"
42

"I believe he did, now I come to think of it. Something about someone who gassed
themselves,wasn'tit?Onlyreallyitwasthewifewhogassedhim.Imeanshe'dgivenhim
asedativeofsomekindandthenstuckhisheadinthegasoven.Wasthatit?"
"I don't think that was exactly it," said Miss Marple. She looked at Esther Walters
thoughtfully.
"Hetoldsuchalotofstories,"saidEstherWalters,apologetically,"andasIsaid,one
didn'talwayslisten."
"Hehadasnapshot,"saidMissMarple,"thatheusedtoshowpeople."
"Ibelievehedid...Ican'trememberwhatitwasnow.Didheshowittoyou?"
"No,"saidMissMarple."Hedidn'tshowittome.Wewereinterrupted"

43

CHAPTER 9: Miss Prescott and Others

"The story I heard," began Miss Prescott, lowering her voice, and looking carefully
around.
MissMarpledrewherchairalittlecloser.Ithadbeensometimebeforeshehadbeenable
togettogetherwithMissPrescottforahearttoheartchat.Thiswasowingtothefact
that clergymen are very strong family men so that Miss Prescott was nearly always
accompaniedbyherbrother,andtherewasnodoubtthatMissMarpleandMissPrescott
founditlesseasytotaketheirbackhairdowninagoodgossipwhenthejovialCanonwas
oftheircompany.
"Itseems,"saidMissPrescott,"thoughofcourseIdon'twanttotalkanyscandalandI
reallyknownothingaboutit"
"Oh,Iquiteunderstand,"saidMissMarple.
"It seemstherewas somescandal whenhis firstwife was still alive! Apparentlythis
woman,Luckysuchaname!whoIthinkwasacousinofhisfirstwife,cameouthere
and joined them and I think did some work with him on flowers or butterflies or
whateveritwas.Andpeopletalkedalotbecausetheygotonsowelltogetherifyou
knowwhatImean."
"Peopledonoticethingssomuch,don'tthey,"saidMissMarple.
"Andthenofcourse,whenhiswifediedrathersuddenly"
"Shediedhere,onthisisland?"
"No.No,IthinktheywereinMartiniqueorTobagoatthetime."
"Isee."
"ButIgatheredfromsomeotherpeoplewhowerethereatthetime,andwhocameon
hereandtalkedaboutthings,thatthedoctorwasn'tverysatisfied."
"Indeed,"saidMissMarple,withinterest.
"It was only gossip," of course, "but well, Mr. Dyson certainly married again very
quickly."Sheloweredhervoiceagain."OnlyamonthIbelieve."
"Onlyamonth,"saidMissMarple.
Thetwowomenlookedateachother.
44

"Itseemedunfeeling,"saidMissPrescott.
"Yes," said Miss Marple. "It certainly did." She added delicately, "Was there any
money?"
"Idon'treallyknow.Hemakeshislittlejokeperhapsyou'veheardhimaboutthiswife
beinghis'luckypiece'"
"Yes,I'veheardhim,"saidMissMarple.
"Andsomepeoplethinkthatmeansthathewasluckytomarryarichwife.Though,of
course,"saidMissPrescottwiththeairofonebeingentirelyfair,"she'sverygoodlooking
too,ifyoucareforthattype.AndIthinkmyselfthatitwasthefirstwifewhohadthe
money."
"AretheHillingdonswelloff?"
"Well,Ithinkthey'rewelloff,Idon'tmeanfabulouslyrich,Ijustmeanwelloff.Theyhave
twoboysatPublicSchoolandaveryniceplaceinEngland,Ibelieve,andtheytravelmost
ofthewinter."
TheCanonappearingatthismomenttosuggestabriskwalk.MissPrescottrosetojoin
herbrother.MissMarpleremainedsittingthere.
A few minutes later Gregory Dyson passed her striding along towards the hotel. He
wavedacheerfulhandashepassed.
"Pennyforyourthoughts,"hecalledout.
MissMarplesmiledgently,wonderinghowhewouldhavereactedifshehadreplied:"I
waswonderingifyouwereamurderer."
Itreallyseemedmostprobablethathewas.Itallfittedinsonicely,thisstoryaboutthe
deathofthefirstMrs.Dyson.MajorPalgravehadcertainlybeentalkingaboutawife
killerwithspecialreferencetothe"BridesintheBathCase".Yes.Itfitted.Theonly
objectionwasthatitfittedalmosttoowell.ButMissMarplereprovedherselfforthis
thought.WhowasshetodemandMurdersMadetoMeasure?
Avoicemadeherjumpasomewhatraucousone.
"SeenGreganyplace.Misser"
Lucky,MissMarplethought,wasnotinagoodtemper."Hepassedbyjustnowgoing
towardsthehotel."
"I'llbet!"Luckyutteredanirritatedejaculationandhurriedon.
"Forty,ifshe'saday,andlooksitthismorning,"thoughtMissMarple.Pityinvadedher.
PityfortheLuckysoftheworld,whoweresovulnerabletoTime.Atthesoundofanoise
behindher,sheturnedherchairround.
45

Mr.Rafiel,supportedbyJackson,wasmakinghismorningappearanceandcomingoutof
hisbungalow.
Jacksonsettledhisemployerinhiswheelchairandfussedroundhim.Mr.Rafielwaved
hisattendantawayimpatientlyandJacksonwentoffinthedirectionofthehotel.
Miss Marple lost no time. Mr. Rafiel was never left alone for long. Probably Esther
Walterswouldcomeandjoinhim.MissMarplewantedawordalonewithMr.Rafieland
now,shethought,washerchance.Shewouldhavetobequickaboutwhatshewantedto
say.Therecouldbenoleadinguptothings.Mr.Rafielwasnotamanwhocaredforthe
idle twittering conversation of old ladies. He would probably retreat again into his
bungalow,definitelyregardinghimselfthevictimofpersecution.MissMarpledecidedto
plumpfordownrightness.
Shemadeherwaytowherehewassitting,drewupachair,satdown,andsaid:"Iwantto
askyousomething,Mr.Rafiel."
"Allright,allright,"saidMr.Rafiel,"let'shaveit.Whatdoyouwantasubscription,I
suppose?MissionsinAfricaorrepairingachurch,somethingofthatkind?"
"Yes,"saidMissMarple."Iaminterestedinseveralobjectsofthatnature,andIshallbe
delightedifyouwillgivemeasubscriptionforthem.Butthatwasn'tactuallywhatIwas
goingtoaskyou.WhatIwasgoingtoaskyouwasifMajorPalgraveevertoldyouastory
aboutamurder."
"Oho,"saidMr.Rafiel."Sohetoldittoyoutoo,didhe?AndIsupposeyoufellforit,hook
lineandsinker."
"Ididn'treallyknowwhattothink,"saidMissMarple."Whatexactlydidhetellyou?"
"Heprattledon,"saidMr.Rafiel,"aboutalovelycreature,LucreziaBorgiareincarnated.
Beautiful,young,goldenhaired,everything."
"Oh,"saidMissMarpleslightlytakenaback,"andwhodidshemurder?"
"Herhusband,ofcourse,"saidMr.Rafiel,"whodoyouthink?"
"Poison?"
"No, I think she gave him a sleeping draught and then stuck him in a gas oven.
Resourcefulfemale.Thenshesaiditwassuicide.Shegotoffquitelightly.Diminished
responsibility or something. That's what it's called nowadays if you're a goodlooking
woman,orsomemiserableyounghooliganwhosemother'sbeentoofondofhim.Bah!"
"DidtheMajorshowyouasnapshot?"
"Whatasnapshotofthewoman?No.Whyshouldhe?"
"Oh"saidMissMarple.Shesatthere,rathertakenaback.ApparentlyMajorPalgrave
46

spent his life telling people not only about tigers he had shot and elephants he had
hunted but also about murderers he had met. Perhaps he had a whole repertoire of
murderstories.Onehadtofaceit.ShewasstartledbyMr.Rafielsuddenlygivingaroar
of"Jackson!"Therewasnoresponse.
"ShallIfindhimforyou?"saidMissMarplerising.
"Youwon'tfindhim.Tomcattingsomewhere,that'swhathedoes.Nogood,thatfellow.
Badcharacter.Buthesuitsmeallright."
"I'llgoandlookforhim,"saidMissMarple.
MissMarplefoundJacksonsittingonthefarsideofthehotelterracehavingadrinkwith
TimKendal.
"Mr.Rafielisaskingforyou,"shesaid.
Jacksonmadeanexpressivegrimace,drainedhisglass,androsetohisfeet.
"Herewegoagain,"hesaid."Nopeaceforthewicked.Twotelephonecallsandaspecial
dietorder.Ithoughtthatmightgivemeaquarterofanhour'salibi.Apparentlynot!
ThankyouMissMarple.Thanksforthedrink,Mr.Kendal."
Hestrodeaway.
"Ifeelsorryforthatchap,"saidTim."Ihavetostandhimadrinknowandthen,justto
cheerhimup.CanIofferyousomething,MissMarple?Howaboutfreshlime?Iknow
you'refondofthat."
''Notjustnow,thankyou.IsupposelookingaftersomeonelikeMr.Rafielmustalwaysbe
ratherexacting.Invalidsarefrequentlydifficult"
"Ididn'tmeanonlythat.It'sverywellpaidandyouexpecttoputupwithagooddealof
crotchetinessoldRafiel'snotreallyabadsort.Imeantmorethat"hehesitated.
MissMarplelookedinquiring.
"WellhowshallIputitit'sdifficultforhimsocially.Peoplearesodamnedsnobbish
there'snoonehereofhisclass.He'sbetterthanaservantandbelowtheaveragevisitor
ortheythinkheis.RatherliketheVictoriangoverness.Eventhesecretarywoman,
Mrs.Walters,feelsshe'sacutabovehim.Makesthingsdifficult."Timpaused,thensaid
withfeeling:"It'sreallyawfultheamountofsocialproblemsthereareinaplacelike
this."
Dr. Graham passed them. He had a book in his hand. He went and sat at a table
overlookingthesea.
"Dr.Grahamlooksratherworried,"remarkedMissMarple.
"Oh!We'reallworried."
47

"Youtoo?BecauseofMajorPalgrave'sdeath?"
"I'veleftoffworryingaboutthat.Peopleseemtohaveforgottenittakenitintheir
stride.Noit'smywifeMolly.Doyouknowanythingaboutdreams?"
"Dreams?"MissMarplewassurprised.
"Yesbaddreamsnightmares,Isuppose.Oh,weallgetthatsortofthingsometimes.
But Molly she seems to have them nearly all the time. They frighten her. Is there
anythingonecandoaboutthem?Takeforthem?She'sgotsomesleepingpills,butshe
saystheymakeitworseshestrugglestowakeupandcan't."
"Whatarethedreamsabout?"
"Oh,somethingorsomeonechasingher.Orwatchingherandspyingonher.Shecan't
shakeoffthefeelingevenwhenshe'sawake."
"Surelyadoctor"
"She'sgotathingagainstdoctors.Won'thearofit.Ohwell,Idaresayitwillallpassoff.
Butweweresohappy.ItwasallsuchfunAndnow,justlatelyPerhapsoldPalgrave's
deathupsether.Sheseemslikeadifferentpersonsince..."
Hegotup.
"Mustgetonwiththedailychoresareyousureyouwon'thavethatfreshlime?"
MissMarpleshookherhead.
Shesatthere,thinking.Herfacewasgraveandanxious.SheglancedoveratDr.Graham.
Presentlyshecametoadecision.Sheroseandwentacrosstohistable.
"Ihavegottoapologisetoyou.Dr.Graham,"shesaid.
"Indeed?"Thedoctorlookedatherinkindlysurprise.Hepulledforwardachairandshe
satdown.
"IamafraidIhavedonethemostdisgracefulthing,"saidMissMarple."Itoldyou,Dr.
Graham,adeliberatelie."
Shelookedathimapprehensively.
Dr.Grahamdidnotlookatallshattered,buthedidlookalittlesurprised."Really?"he
said."Ahwell,youmustn'tletthatworryyoutoomuch."Whathadthedearoldthing
beentellingliesabout,hewondered;herage?Thoughasfarashecouldremembershe
hadn'tmentionedherage."Well,let'shearaboutit,"hesaid,sincesheclearlywishedto
confess.
"Youremembermyspeakingtoyouaboutasnapshotofmynephew,onethatIshowedto
MajorPalgrave,andthathedidn'tgivebacktome?"
48

"Yes,yes,ofcourseIremember.Sorrywecouldn'tfinditforyou."
"Therewasn'tanysuchthing,"saidMissMarple,inasmall,frightenedvoice.
"Ibegyourpardon?"
"Therewasn'tanysuchthing.Imadeupthatstory,I'mafraid."
"Youmadeitup?"Dr.Grahamlookedslightlyannoyed."Why?"
MissMarpletoldhim.Shetoldhimquiteclearly,withouttwittering.Shetoldhimabout
Major Palgrave's murder story and how he'd been about to show her this particular
snapshotandhissuddenconfusionandthenshewentontoherownanxietyandtoher
finaldecisiontotrysomehowtoobtainaviewofit.
"Andreally,Icouldn'tseeanywayofdoingsowithouttellingyousomethingthatwas
quiteuntrue,"shesaid,"Idohopeyouwillforgiveme."
"Youthoughtthatwhathehadbeenabouttoshowyouwasapictureofamurderer?"
"That'swhathesaiditwas,"saidMissMarple."Atleasthesaiditwasgivenhimbythis
acquaintancewhohadtoldhimthestoryaboutamanwhowasamurderer."
"Yes,yes.Andexcusemeyoubelievedhim?"
"Idon'tknowifIreallybelievedhimornotatthetime,"saidMissMarple."Butthen,you
see,thenextdayhedied."
"Yes,"saidDr.Graham,strucksuddenlybytheclarityofthatonesentence.Thenextday
hedied...
"Andthesnapshothaddisappeared."
Dr.Grahamlookedather.Hedidn'tquiteknowwhattosay.
"Excuse,MissMarple,"hesaidatlast,"butiswhatyou'retellingmenowisitreally
truethistime?"
"Idon'twonderyourdoubtingme,"saidMissMarple."Ishould,inyourplace.Yes,itis
truewhatIamtellingyounow,butIquiterealisethatyouhaveonlymywordforit.Still,
evenifyoudon'tbelieveme,IthoughtIoughttotellyou."
"Why?"
"Irealisedthatyououghttohavethefullestinformationpossible.Incase"
"Incasewhat?"
"Incaseyoudecidedtotakeanystepsaboutit."

49

CHAPTER 10: A Decision in Jamestown

Dr.GrahamwasinJamestown,intheAdministrator'soffice;sittingatatableopposite
hisfriendDaventry,agraveyoungmanofthirtyfive.
"Yousoundedrathermysteriousonthephone,Graham,"saidDaventry."Anythingspecial
thematter?"
"Idon'tknow,"saidDr.Graham,"butI'mworried."
Daventrylookedattheother'sface,thenhenoddedasdrinkswerebroughtin.Hespoke
lightlyofafishingexpeditionhehadmadelately.Thenwhentheservanthadgoneaway,
hesatbackinhischairandlookedattheotherman.
"Nowthen"hesaid,"let'shaveit."
Dr.Grahamrecountedthefactsthathadworriedhim.Daventrygaveaslowlongwhistle.
"Isee.Youthinkmaybethere'ssomethingfunnyaboutoldPalgrave'sdeath?You'reno
longer sure that it was just natural causes? Who certified the death? Robertson, I
suppose.Hedidn'thaveanydoubts,didhe?"
"No,butIthinkhemayhavebeeninfluencedingivingthecertificatebythefactofthe
Serenite tablets in the bathroom. He asked me if Palgrave had mentioned that he
sufferedfromhypertension,andIsaidno,I'dneverhadanymedicalconversationwith
himmyself,butapparentlyhehadtalkedaboutittootherpeopleinthehotel.Thewhole
thingthebottleoftablets,andwhatPalgravehadsaidtopeopleitallfittedinno
earthlyreasontosuspectanythingelse.Itwasaperfectlynaturalinferencetomakebut
I think now it may not have been correct. If it had been my business to give the
certificate, I'd have given it without a second thought. The appearances are quite
consistentwithhishavingdiedfromthatcause.I'dneverhavethoughtaboutitsinceifit
hadn'tbeenfortheodddisappearanceofthatsnapshot..."
"Butlookhere,Graham,"saidDaventry,"ifyouwillallowmetosayso,aren'tyourelying
alittletoomuchonaratherfancifulstorytoldbyanelderlylady.Youknowwhatthese
elderlyladiesarelike.Theymagnifysomedetailandworkthewholethingup."
"Yes,Iknow,"saidDr.Graham,unhappily."Iknowthat.I'vesaidtomyselfthatitmaybe
so,thatitprobablyisso.ButIcan'tquiteconvincemyself.Shewassoveryclearand
detailedinherstatement."
"Thewholethingseemswildlyimprobabletome,"saidDaventry."Someoldladytellsa
50

storyaboutasnapshotthatoughtnottobetherenoI'mgettingmixedmyselfImean
theotherwayaboutdon'tI?buttheonlythingyou'vereallygottogoonisthata
chambermaidsaysthatabottleofpillswhichtheauthoritieshadreliedonforevidence,
wasn't in the Major's room the day before his death. But there are a hundred
explanationsforthat.Hemightalwayshavecarriedthosepillsaboutinhispocket."
"It'spossible,Isuppose,yes."
"Or the chambermaid may havemade a mistake and she simply hadn't noticed them
before"
"That'spossible,too."
"Well,then."
Grahamsaidslowly:"Thegirlwasverypositive."
"Well,theSt.Honorpeopleareveryexcitable,youknow.Emotional.Workthemselvesup
easily.Areyouthinkingthatsheknowsalittlemorethanshehassaid?"
"Ithinkitmightbeso,"saidDr.Grahamslowly.
"You'dbettertryandgetitoutofher,ifso.Wedon'twanttomakeanunnecessaryfuss
unlesswe'vesomethingtogoon.Ifhedidn'tdieofbloodpressure,whatdoyouthinkit
was?"
"Therearetoomanythingsitmightbenowadays,"saidDr.Graham.
"Youmeanthingsthatdon'tleaverecognisabletraces?"
"Noteveryone,"saidDr.Grahamdryly,"issoconsiderateastousearsenic"
"Now let's get things quite clear what's the suggestion? That a bottle of pills was
substitutedfortherealones?AndthatMajorPalgravewaspoisonedinthatway?"
"Noit'snotlikethat.That'swhatthegirlVictoriaSomethingthinks.Butshe'sgotit
allwrong.IfitwasdecidedtogetridoftheMajorquicklyhewouldhavebeengiven
somethingmostlikelyinadrinkofsomekind.Thentomakeitappearanaturaldeath,
abottleofthetabletsprescribedtorelievebloodpressurewasputinhisroom.Andthe
rumourwasputaboutthathesufferedfromhighbloodpressure."
"Whoputtherumourabout?"
"I'vetriedtofindoutwithnosuccess.It'sbeentoocleverlydone.Asays'IthinkBtold
me'B,asked,says'No,Ididn'tsaysobutIdorememberCmentioningitoneday.'C
says'Severalpeopletalkedaboutitoneofthem,Ithink,wasA.'Andthereweare,back
again."
"Someonewasclever?"

51

"Yes.Assoonasthedeathwasdiscovered,everybodyseemedtobetalkingabout the
Major'shighbloodpressureandrepeatingroundwhatotherpeoplehadsaid."
"Wouldn'tithavebeensimplerjusttopoisonhimandletitgoatthat?"
"No.Thatmighthavemeantaninquirypossiblyanautopsy.Thisway,adoctorwould
acceptthedeathandgiveacertificateashedid."
"Whatdoyouwantmetodo?GototheC.I.D.?Suggesttheydigthechapup?It'dmakea
lotofstink"
"Itcouldbekeptquitequiet."
"Couldit?InSt.Honor?Thinkagain!Thegrapevinewouldbeontoitbeforeithad
happened.Allthesame,"Daventrysighed"Isupposewe'llhavetodosomething.Butif
youaskme,it'sallamare'snest!"
"Idevoutlyhopeitis,"saidDr.Graham.

52

CHAPTER 11: Evening at the Golden Palm

I
Mollyrearrangedafewofthetabledecorationsinthediningroom,removedanextra
knife,straightenedafork,resetaglassortwo,stoodbacktolookattheeffectandthen
walkedoutontotheterraceoutside.
Therewasnooneaboutjustatpresentandshestrolledtothefarcornerandstoodbythe
balustrade.Soonanothereveningwouldbegin.Chattering,talking,drinking,allsogay
andcarefree,thesortoflifeshehadlongedforand,uptoafewdaysago,hadenjoyedso
much. Now even Tim seemed anxious and worried. Natural, perhaps, that he should
worryalittle.Itwasimportantthatthisventureoftheirsshouldturnoutallright.After
all,hehadsunkallhehadinit.
Butthat,thoughtMolly,isnotreallywhat'sworryinghim.It'sme.ButIdon'tsee,said
Mollytoherself,whyheshouldworryaboutme.Becausehedidworryabouther.That
shewasquitesureof.Thequestionsheput,thequicknervousglanceheshotatherfrom
timetotime.Butwhy?thoughtMolly."I'vebeenverycareful,"shesummedupthingsin
hermind.Shedidn'tunderstanditreallyherself.Shecouldn'trememberwhenithad
begun.Shewasn'tevenverysurewhatitwas.She'dbeguntobefrightenedofpeople.She
didn'tknowwhy.Whatcouldtheydotoher?Whatshouldtheywanttodotoher?
Shenoddedherhead,thenstartedviolentlyasahandtouchedherarm.Shespunround
tofindGregoryDyson,slightlytakenaback,lookingapologetic.
"Eversosorry.DidIstartleyou,littlegirl?"
Mollyhatedbeingcalled"littlegirl".
Shesaidquicklyandbrightly:"Ididn'thearyoucoming,Mr.Dyson,soitmademejump."
"Mr.Dyson?We'reveryformaltonight.Aren'tweallonegreathappyfamilyhere?Edand
meandLuckyandEvelynandyouandTimandEstherWaltersandoldRafiel.Allthelot
ofusonehappyfamily."
"He'shadplentytodrinkalready,"thoughtMolly.Shesmiledathimpleasantly.
"Oh!Icomeovertheheavyhostesssometimes,"shesaidlightly."TimandIthinkit's
morepolitenottobetoohandywithChristiannames."
"Aw!wedon'twantanyofthatstuffedshirtbusiness.Nowthen,Mollymylovely,havea
drinkwithme."
53

"Askmelater,"saidMolly."Ihaveafewthingstogetonwith."
"Nowdon'trunaway."Hisarmfastenedroundherarm."You'realovelygirl,Molly.Ihope
Timappreciateshisgoodluck."
"Oh,Iseetoitthathedoes,"saidMollycheerfully.
"Icouldgoforyou,youknow,inabigway."Heleeredather"thoughIwouldn'tletmy
wifehearmesayso."
"Didyouhaveagoodtripthisafternoon?"
"Isupposeso.BetweenyouandmeIgetabitfedupsometimes.Youcangettiredofthe
birdsandbutterflies.WhatsayyouandIgoforalittlepicniconourownoneday?"
"We'llhavetoseeaboutthat,"saidMollygaily."I'llbelookingforwardtoit."
Withalightlaughsheescaped,andwentbackintothebar.
"Hallo,Molly,"saidTim,"youseeminahurry.Who'sthatyou'vebeenwithoutthere?"
Hepeeredout.
"GregoryDyson."
"Whatdoeshewant?"
"Wantedtomakeapassatme,"saidMolly.
"Blasthim,"saidTim.
"Don'tworry,"saidMolly,"Icandoalltheblastingnecessary."
Timstartedtoanswerher,caughtsightofFernandoandwentovertohimshoutingout
somedirections.Mollyslippedawaythroughthekitchen,outthroughthekitchendoor
anddownthestepstothebeach.
GregoryDysonsworeunderhisbreath.
Thenhewalkedslowlybackinthedirectionofhisbungalow.Hehadnearlygotthere
whenavoicespoketohimfromtheshadowofoneofthebushes.Heturnedhishead,
startled.Inthegatheringduskhethoughtforamomentthatitwasaghostlyfigurethat
stood there. Then he laughed. It had looked like a faceless apparition but that was
because,thoughthedresswaswhite,thefacewasblack.
Victoriasteppedoutofthebushesontothepath.
"Mr.Dyson,please?"
"Yes.Whatisit?"
Ashamedofbeingstartled,hespokewithatouchofimpatience.
54

"Ibroughtyouthis,sir."Sheheldoutherhand.Initwasabottleoftablets."Thisbelongs
toyou,doesn'tit?Yes?"
"Oh,mybottleofSerenitetablets.Yes,ofcourse.Wheredidyoufindit?"
"Ifounditwhereithadbeenput.Inthegentleman'sroom."
"Whatdoyoumeaninthegentleman'sroom?"
"Thegentlemanwhoisdead,"sheaddedgravely."Idonotthinkhesleepsverywellinhis
grave."
"Whythedevilnot?"askedDyson.
Victoriastoodlookingathim.
"Istilldon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout.Youmeanyoufoundthisbottleoftabletsin
MajorPalgrave'sbungalow?"
"Thatisright,yes.AfterthedoctorandtheJamestownpeoplegoaway,theygivemeall
thethingsinhisbathroomtothrowaway.Thetoothpasteandthelotions,andallthe
otherthingsincludingthis."
"Well,whydidn'tyouthrowitaway?"
"Becausetheseareyours.Youmissedthem.Youremember,youaskedaboutthem?"
"Yeswellyes,Idid.IIthoughtI'djustmislaidthem."
"No,youdidnotmislaythem.TheyweretakenfromyourbungalowandputinMajor
Palgrave'sbungalow."
"Howdoyouknow?"Hespokeroughly.
"IknowIsaw."Shesmiledathiminasuddenflashofwhiteteeth."Someoneputthemin
thedeadgentleman'sroom.NowIgivethembacktoyou."
"Herewait.Whatdoyoumean?Whatwhodidyousee?"
Shehurriedaway,backintothedarknessofthebushes.Gregmadeastomoveafterher
andthenstopped.Hestoodstrokinghischin.
"What'sthematter,Greg?Seenaghost?"askedMrs.Dyson,asshecamealongthepath
fromtheirbungalow."ThoughtIhadforaminuteortwo."
"Whowasthatyouweretalkingto?"
"Thecolouredgirlwhodoesourplace.Victoria,hernameis,isn'tit?"
"Whatdidshewant?Makingapassatyou?"
"Don'tbestupid.Lucky.Thatgirl'sgotsomeidioticideaintoherhead."
55

"Ideaaboutwhat?"
"YourememberIcouldn'tfindmySerenitetheotherday?"
"Yousaidyoucouldn't."
"Whatdoyoumean'IsaidIcouldn't'?"
"Oh,forheck'ssake,haveyougottotakemeuponeverything?"
"I'msorry,"saidGreg."Everybodygoesaboutbeingsodamnmysterious."
Heheldouthishandwiththebottleinit.
"Thatgirlbroughtthembacktome."
"Hadshepinchedthem?"
"No.ShefoundthemsomewhereIthink."
"Well,whatofit?What'sthemysteryabout?"
"Ohnothing,"saidGreg."Shejustriledme,that'sall."
"Look here, Greg, what is this stuff all about? Come along and have a drink before
dinner."

II
Mollyhadgonedowntothebeach.Shepulledoutoneoftheoldbasketchairs,oneofthe
morericketyonesthatwereseldomused.Shesatinitforawhilelookingatthesea,then
suddenlyshedroppedherheadinherhandsandburstintotears.Shesattheresobbing
unrestrainedlyforsometime.Thensheheardarustlebyherandglancedupsharplyto
seeMrs.Hillingdonlookingdownather.
"Hallo,Evelyn,Ididn'thearyou.II'msorry."
"What's thematter, child?" saidEvelyn. "Somethinggone wrong?" She pulledanother
chairforwardandsatdown."Tellme."
"There'snothingwrong,"saidMolly."Nothingatall."
"Ofcoursethereis.Youwouldn'tsitandcryherefornothing.Can'tyoutellme?Isit
sometroublebetweenyouandTim?"
"Ohno!"
"I'mgladofthat.Youalwayslooksohappytogether."
"Notmorethanyoudo,"saidMolly."TimandIalwaysthinkhowwonderfulitwouldbe
56

forthechildrenyouknow,"shesaid."Childrenwhomwe'rebothveryfondof.They'reat
schoolinEngland.Wedidn'twanttobreakupthehome.Andthenofcourse,Luckydidn't
wantadivorceeither.Greg'saveryrichman.Hisfirstwifeleftalotofmoney.Sowe
agreed to live and let live. Edward and Lucky in happy immorality, Greg in blissful
ignorance,andEdwardandIjustgoodfriends."Shespokewithscaldingbitterness.
"Howhowcanyoubearit?"
"Onegetsusedtoanything.Butsometimes"
"Yes?"saidMolly.
"SometimesI'dliketokillthatwoman."
ThepassionbehindhervoicestartledMolly.
"Don'tlet'stalkanymoreaboutme,"saidEvelyn."Let'stalkaboutyou.Iwanttoknow
what'sthematter."
Mollywassilentforsomemomentsandthanshesaid,"It'sonlyit'sonlythatIthink
there'ssomethingwrongaboutme."
"Wrong?Whatdoyoumean?"
Mollyshookherheadunhappily."I'mfrightened,"shesaid."I'mterriblyfrightened."
"Frightenedofwhat?"
"Everything,"saidMolly."It'sgrowingonme.Voicesinthebushes,footstepsorthings
that people say. As though someone were watching me all the time, spying on me.
Somebodyhatesme.That'swhatIkeepfeeling.Somebodyhatesme."
"Mydearchild,"Evelynwasshockedandstartled."Howlonghasthisbeengoingon?"
"Idon'tknow.Itcameitstartedbydegrees.Andtherehavebeenotherthingstoo."
"Whatsortofthings?"
"Therearetimes,"saidMollyslowly,"thatIcan'taccountfor,thatIcan'tremember."
"Doyoumeanyouhaveblackoutsthatsortofthing?"
"Isupposeso.Imeansometimesit'soh,sayit'sfiveo'clockandIcan'tremember
anythingsinceabouthalfpastoneortwo."
"Ohmydear,butthat'sjustthatyou'vebeenasleep.Hadadoze."
"No,"saidMolly,"it'snotlikethatatall.Becauseyousee,attheendofthetimeit'snotas
thoughI'djustdozedoff.I'minadifferentplace.SometimesI'mwearingdifferentclothes
andsometimesIseemtohavebeendoingthingsevensayingthingstopeople,talkingto
someone,andnotrememberingthatI'vedoneso."
57

Evelynlookedshocked."But,Molly,mydear,ifthisisso,thenyououghttoseeadoctor."
"Iwon'tseeadoctor!Idon'twantto.Iwouldn'tgonearadoctor."
Evelynlookedsharplydownintoherface,thenshetookthegirl'shandinhers."Youmay
be frightening yourself for nothing, Molly. You know there are all kinds of nervous
disordersthataren'treallyseriousatall.Adoctorwouldsoonreassureyou."
"Hemightn't.Hemightsaythattherewassomethingreallywrongwithme."
"Whyshouldtherebeanythingwrongwithyou?"
"Because"Mollyspokeandthenwassilent."noreason,Isuppose,"shesaid.
"Couldn'tyourfamilyhaven'tyouanyfamilyanymotherorsistersorsomeonewho
couldcomeouthere?"
"I don't get on with my mother. I never have. I've got sisters. They're married but I
supposeIsupposetheycouldcomeifIwantedthem.ButIdon'twantthem.Idon't
wantanyoneanyoneexceptTim."
"DoesTimknowaboutthis?Haveyoutoldhim?"
"Notreally,"saidMolly."Buthe'sanxiousaboutmeandhewatchesme.It'sasthoughhe
weretryingtotohelpmeortoshieldme.ButifhedoesthatitmeansIwantshielding,
doesn'tit?"
"IthinkalotofitmaybeimaginationbutIstillthinkyououghttoseeadoctor."
"OldDr.Graham?Hewouldn'tbeanygood."
"Thereareotherdoctorsontheisland."
"It'sallright,really,"saidMolly."Ijustmustn'tthinkofit.Iexpect,asyousay,it'sall
imagination.Goodgracious,it'sgettingfrightfullylate.Ioughttobeondutynowinthe
diningroom.IImustgoback."
ShelookedsharplyandalmostoffensivelyatEvelynHillingdon,andthenhurriedoff.
Evelynstaredafterher.

58

CHAPTER 12: Old Sins Cast Long Shadows

I
"IthinkasIamontosomething,man."
"What'sthatyousay,Victoria?"
"IthinkI'montosomething.Itmaymeanmoney.Bigmoney."
"Nowlook,girl,youbecareful,you'llnottangleyourselfupinsomething.MaybeI'dbetter
tacklewhatitis."
Victorialaughed,adeeprichchuckle."Youwaitandsee,"shesaid."Iknowhowtoplay
thishand.It'smoney,man,it'sbigmoney.SomethingIsee,andsomethingIguess.I
thinkIguessright."
Andagainthesoftrichchucklerolledoutonthenight.

II
"Evelyn..."
"Yes?"
EvelynHillingdonspokemechanically,withoutinterest.Shedidnotlookatherhusband.
"Evelyn,wouldyoumindifwechuckedallthisandwenthometoEngland?"
Shehadbeencombinghershortdarkhair.Nowherhandscamedownfromherhead
sharply.Sheturnedtowardshim.
"YoumeanButwe'veonlyjustcome.We'venotbeenouthereintheislandsformore
thanthreeweeks."
"Iknow.Butwouldyoumind?"
Her eyes searched him incredulously. "You really want to go back to England. Back
home?"
"Yes."
"LeavingLucky."
Hewinced.
59

"You'veknownallthetime,Isuppose,thatthatitwasstillgoingon?"
"Prettywell.Yes."
"You'veneversaidanything."
"WhyshouldI?Wehadthewholethingoutyearsago.Neitherofuswantedtomakea
break.Soweagreedtogoourseparatewaysbutkeepuptheshowinpublic."
Thensheaddedbeforehecouldspeak,"ButwhyareyousosetongoingbacktoEngland
now?"
"BecauseI'matbreakingpoint.Ican'tstickitanylonger,Evelyn.Ican't."Thequiet
Edward Hillingdon was transformed. His hands shook, he swallowed, his calm
unemotionalfaceseemeddistortedbypain.
"ForGod'ssake,Edward,what'sthematter?"
"Nothing'sthematterexceptthatIwanttogetoutofhere"
"YoufellwildlyinlovewithLucky.Andnowyou'vegotoverit.Isthatwhatyou'retelling
me?"
"Yes.Idon'tsupposeyou'lleverfeelthesame."
"Oh let's not go into that now! I want to understand what's upsetting you so much,
Edward."
"I'mnotparticularlyupset."
"Butyouare.Why?"
"Isn'titobvious?"
"No,itisn't,"saidEvelyn."Let'sputitinplainconcreteterms.You'vehadanaffairwitha
woman.Thathappensoftenenough.Andnowit'sover.Orisn'titover?Perhapsitisn't
overonherside.Isthatit?DoesGregknowaboutit?I'veoftenwondered."
"I don't know," said Edward. "He's never said anything. He always seems friendly
enough."
"Mencanbeextraordinarilyobtuse,"saidEvelynthoughtfully."OrelsePerhapsGreg
hasgotanoutsideinterestofhisown!"
"He'smadepassesatyou,hasn'the?"saidEdward."AnswermeIknowhehas"
"Ohyes,"saidEvelyn,carelessly,"buthemakespassesateverybody.That'sjustGreg.It
doesn'teverreallymeanmuch.Iimagine.It'sjustpartoftheGreghemanact."
"Doyoucareforhim,Evelyn?I'dratherknowthetruth."
"Greg?I'mquitefondofhimheamusesme.He'sagoodfriend."
60

"Andthat'sall?IwishIcouldbelieveyou."
"Ican'treallyseehowitcanpossiblymattertoyou,"saidEvelyndryly.
"IsupposeIdeservethat."
Evelynwalkedtothewindow,lookedoutacrosstheverandaandcamebackagain."Iwish
youwouldtellmewhat'sreallyupsettingyou,Edward."
"I'vetoldyou."
"Iwonder."
"Youcan'tunderstand,Isuppose,howextraordinaryatemporarymadnessofthiskind
canseemtoyouafteryou'vegotoverit."
"Icantry,Isuppose.Butwhat'sworryingmenowisthatLuckyseemstohavegotsome
kindofstrangleholduponyou.She'snotjustadiscardedmistress.She'satigresswith
claws.Youmusttellmethetruth,Edward.It'stheonlywayifyouwantmetostandby
you."
Edwardsaidinalowvoice:"IfIdon'tgetawayfromhersoonIshallkillher."
"KillLucky?Why?"
"Becauseofwhatshemademedo..."
"Whatdidshemakeyoudo?"
"Ihelpedhertocommitamurder"
Thewordswereout.Therewassilence.Evelynstaredathim."Doyouknowwhatyouare
saying?"
"Yes.Ididn'tknowIwasdoingit.Therewerethingssheaskedmetogetforheratthe
chemist's.Ididn'tknowIhadn'ttheleastideawhatshewantedthemfor.Shegotmeto
copyoutaprescriptionshehad..."
"Whenwasthis?"
"Fouryearsago.WhenwewereinMartinique.WhenwhenGreg'swife"
"YoumeanGreg'sfirstwifeGail?YoumeanLuckypoisonedher?"
"YesandIhelpedher.WhenIrealised"
Evelyninterruptedhim."Whenyourealisedwhathadhappened,Luckypointedoutto
youthatyouhadwrittenouttheprescription,thatyouhadgotthedrugs,thatyouand
shewereinittogether?Isthatright?"
"Yes.ShesaidshehaddoneitoutofpitythatGailwassufferingthatshehadbegged
Luckytogetsomethingthatwouldenditall."
61

"Amercykilling!Isee.Andyoubelievedthat?"
EdwardHillingdonwassilentamoment,thenhesaid:"NoIdidn'treallynotdeep
down.IaccepteditbecauseIwantedtobelieveitbecauseIwasinfatuatedwithLucky."
"AndafterwardswhenshemarriedGregdidyoustillbelieveit?"
"I'dmademyselfbelieveitbythen."
"AndGreghowmuchdidheknowaboutitall?"
"Nothingatall."
"ThatIfindhardtobelieve!"
EdwardHillingdonbrokeout:"Evelyn,I'vegottogetfreeofitall!Thatwomantauntsme
stillwithwhatIdid.SheknowsIdon'tcareforheranylonger.Careforher?I'vecometo
hateher!ButshemakesmefeelI'mtiedtoherbythethingwedidtogether."Evelyn
walkedupanddowntheroomthenshestoppedandfacedhim.
"Theentiretroublewithyou,Edward,isthatyouareridiculouslysensitiveandalso
incrediblysuggestible.Thatdevilofawomanhasgotyoujustwhereshewantsyouby
playingonyoursenseofguilt.AndI'lltellyouthisinplainBibleterms,theguiltthat
weighsonyouistheguiltofadulterynotmurder.Youwereguiltstrickenaboutyour
affairwithLuckyandthenshemadeacat'spawofyouforhermurderscheme,and
managedtomakeyoufeelyousharedherguilt.Youdon't."
"Evelyn..."Hesteppedtowardsher.
Shesteppedbackaminuteandlookedathimsearchingly.
"Isthisalltrue,Edward?Isit?Orareyoumakingitup?"
"Evelyn!WhyonearthshouldIdosuchathing?"
"Idon'tknow,"saidEvelynHillingdonslowly."It'sjustperhapsbecauseIfindithardto
trustanybody.AndbecauseOh!Idon'tknow.I'vegot,Isuppose,sothatIdon'tknow
thetruthwhenIhearit."
"Let'schuckallthis.GobackhometoEngland."
"Yes.Wewill.Butnotnow."
"Whynot?"
"Wemustcarryonasusualjustforthepresent.It'simportant.Doyouunderstand,
Edward?Don'tletLuckyhaveaninklingofwhatwe'reupto"

62

CHAPTER 13: Exit Victoria Johnson

Theeveningwasdrawingtoaclose.
Thesteelbandwasatlastrelaxingitsefforts.Timstoodbythediningroomlookingover
theterrace.Heextinguishedafewlightsontablesthathadbeenvacated.
Avoicespokebehindhim."Tim,canIspeaktoyouamoment?"
TimKendalstarted.
"Hallo,Evelyn,isthereanythingIcandoforyou?"
Evelynlookedround.
"Cometothistablehere,andlet'ssitdownaminute."
Sheledthewaytoatableattheextremeendoftheterrace.Therewerenootherpeople
nearthem.
"Tim,youmustforgivemetalkingtoyou,butI'mworriedaboutMolly."
Hisfacechangedatonce.
"WhataboutMolly?"hesaidstiffly.
"Idon'tthinkshe'sawfullywell.Sheseemsupset."
"Thingsdoseemtoupsetherrathereasilyjustlately."
"Sheoughttoseeadoctor,Ithink."
"Yes,Iknow,butshedoesn'twantto.She'dhateit."
"Why?"
"Eh?Whatd'youmean?"
"Isaidwhy?Whyshouldshehateseeingadoctor?"
"Well,"saidTimrathervaguely,"Peopledosometimes,youknow.It'swell,itsortof
makesthemfeelfrightenedaboutthemselves."
"You'reworriedaboutheryourself,aren'tyou,Tim?"
"Yes.Yes,Iamrather."
"Isn'tthereanyoneofherfamilywhocouldcomeoutheretobewithher?"
63

"No.That'dmakethingsfarworse."
"Whatisthetroublewithherfamily,Imean?"
"Oh,justoneofthosethings.Isupposeshe'sjusthighlystrungandshedidn'tgeton
with them particularly her mother. She never has. They're they're rather an odd
familyinsomewaysandshecutloosefromthem.Goodthingshedid,Ithink."
Evelynsaidhesitantly:"Sheseemstohavehadblackouts,fromwhatshetoldme,andto
befrightenedofpeople.Almostlikepersecutionmania."
"Don't say that," said Tim angrily. "Persecution mania! People always say that about
people.Justbecauseshewellmaybeshe'sabitnervy.ComingoutheretotheWest
Indies.Allthedarkfaces.Youknow,peopleareratherqueer,sometimes,abouttheWest
Indiesandcolouredpeople."
"SurelynotgirlslikeMolly?"
"Oh,howdoesoneknowthethingspeoplearefrightenedof?Therearepeoplewhocan't
beintheroomwithcats.Andotherpeoplewhofaintifacaterpillardropsonthem."
"I hate suggesting it but don't you think perhaps she ought to see a well, a
psychiatrist?"
"No!"saidTimexplosively."Iwon'thavepeoplelikethatmonkeyingaboutwithher.I
don't believe in them. They make people worse. If her mother had left psychiatrists
alone..."
"Sotherewastroubleofthatkindinherfamily,wasthere?Imeanahistoryof"she
chosethewordcarefully"instability."
"Idon'twanttotalkaboutit.Itookherawayfromitallandshewasallright,quiteall
right. She has just got into a nervous state... But these things aren't hereditary.
Everybodyknowsthatnowadays.It'sanexplodedidea.Molly'sperfectlysane.It'sjust
thatoh!IbelieveitwasthatwretchedoldPalgravedyingthatstarteditalloff."
"Isee,"saidEvelynthoughtfully."ButtherewasnothingreallytoworryanyoneinMajor
Palgrave'sdeath,wasthere?"
"Noofcoursetherewasn't.Butit'sakindofshockwhensomebodydiessuddenly."
HelookedsodesperateanddefeatedthatEvelyn'sheartsmoteher.Sheputherhandon
hisarm.
"Well,Ihopeyouknowwhatyou'redoing,Tim,butifIcouldhelpinanywayImeanifI
couldgowithMollytoNewYorkIcouldflywithherthereorMiamiorsomewhere
whereshecouldgetreallyfirstclassmedicaladvice."
"It'sverygoodofyou,Evelyn,butMolly'sallright.She'sgettingoverit,anyway."
64

Evelynshookherheadindoubt.Sheturnedawayslowlyandlookedalongthelineofthe
terrace.Mostpeoplehadgonebynowtotheirbungalows.Evelynwaswalkingtowards
her table to see if she'd left anything behind there, when she heard Tim give an
exclamation.Shelookedupsharply.Hewasstaringtowardsthestepsattheendofthe
terraceandshefollowedhisgaze.Thenshetoocaughtherbreath.
Mollywascomingupthestepsfromthebeach.Shewasbreathingwithdeep,sobbing
breaths,herbodyswayedtoandfroasshecame,inacuriousdirectionlessrun.Tim
cried,"Molly!What'sthematter?"
HerantowardsherandEvelynfollowedhim.Mollywasatthetopofthestepsnowand
shestoodthere,bothhandsbehindherback.Shesaidinsobbingbreaths:"Ifoundher...
She'sthereinthebushes...Thereinthebushes...Andlookatmyhandslookatmy
hands"SheheldthemoutandEvelyncaughtherbreathasshesawthequeerdark
stains.
Theylookeddarkinthesubduedlightingbutsheknewwellenoughthattheirrealcolour
wasred.
''What'shappened,Molly?"criedTim.
"Downthere,"saidMolly.Sheswayedonherfeet."Inthebushes..."
Timhesitated,lookedatEvelyn,thenshovedMollyalittletowardsEvelynandrandown
thesteps.Evelynputherarmroundthegirl.
"Come.Sitdown,Molly.Here.You'dbetterhavesomethingtodrink."
Mollycollapsedinachairandleanedforwardonthetable,herforeheadonhercrossed
arms.Evelyndidnotquestionheranymore.Shethoughtitbettertoleavehertimeto
recover.
"It'llbeallright,youknow,"saidEvelyngently."It'llbeallright."
"Idon'tknow,"saidMolly."Idon'tknowwhathappened.Idon'tknowanything.Ican't
remember.I"Sheraisedherheadsuddenly."What'sthematterwithme?What'sthe
matterwithme?"
"It'sallright,child.It'sallright."
Tim was coming slowly up the steps. His face was ghastly. Evelyn looked up at him,
raisinghereyebrowsinaquery.
"It'soneofourgirls,"hesaid."What'shernameVictoria.Somebody'sputaknifein
her."

65

CHAPTER 14: Inquiry

I
Mollylayonherbed.Dr.GrahamandDr.Robertson,theWestIndianpolicedoctorstood
ononeside,Timontheother.RobertsonhadhishandonMolly'spulse.Henoddedtothe
manatthefootofthebed,aslenderdarkmaninpoliceuniform.InspectorWestonofthe
St.HonorPoliceForce.
"Abarestatementnomore."thedoctorsaid.
Theothernodded.
''Now,Mrs.Kendaljusttellushowyoucametofindthisgirl."
Foramomentortwoitwasasthoughthefigureonthebedhadnotheard.Thenshe
spokeinafaint,farawayvoice.
"Inthebusheswhite..."
"Yousawsomethingwhiteandyoulookedtoseewhatitwas?Isthatit?"
"YeswhitelyingthereItriedtriedtoliftsheitbloodbloodallovermy
hands."
Shebegantotremble.
Dr.Grahamshookhisheadatthem.
Robertsonwhispered:"Shecan'tstandmuchmore."
"Whatwereyoudoingonthebeachpath,Mrs.Kendal?"
"Warmnicebythesea"
"Youknewwhothegirlwas?"
"Victorianicenicegirllaughssheusedtolaughoh!andnowshewon'tShe
won't ever laugh again. I'll never forget it I'll never forget it " Her voice rose
hysterically.
"Mollydon't."ItwasTim.
"QuietQuiet"Dr.Robertsonspokewithasoothingauthority."Justrelax,relax.Now
justasmallprick"Hewithdrewthehypodermic."She'llbeinnofitconditiontobe
questionedforatleasttwentyfourhours,"hesaid."I'llletyouknowwhen."

66

II
ThebighandsomeNegrolookedfromonetotheotherofthemensittingatthetable.
"AhdeclaretoGod,"hesaid."That'sallIknow.Idon'tknownothingbutwhatAh'vetold
you."
Theperspirationstoodoutonhisforehead.
Daventrysighed.Themanpresidingatthetable,InspectorWestonoftheSt.Honor
C.I.D.,madeagestureofdismissal.BigJimEllisshuffledoutoftheroom.
"It'snotallheknows,ofcourse,"Westonsaid.HehadthesoftIslandvoice."Butit'sallwe
shalllearnfromhim."
"Youthinkhe'sintheclearhimself?"askedDaventry.
"Yes.Theyseemtohavebeenongoodtermstogether."
"Theyweren'tmarried?"
AfaintsmileappearedonLieutenantWeston'slips."No,"hesaid,"theyweren'tmarried.
Wedon'thavesomanymarriagesontheIsland.Theychristenthechildren,though.He's
hadtwochildrenbyVictoria."
"Doyouthinkhewasinit,whateveritwas,withher?"
"Probablynot.Ithinkhe'dhavebeennervousofanythingofthatkind.AndI'dsay,too,
thatwhatshedidknowwasn'tverymuch."
"Butenoughforblackmail?"
"Idon'tknowthatI'devencallitthat.Idoubtifthegirlwouldevenunderstandthat
word. Payment for being discreet isn't thought of as blackmail. You see, some of the
people who stay here are the rich playboy lot and their morals won't bear much
investigation."Hisvoicewasslightlyscathing.
"Wegetallkinds,Iagree,"saidDaventry."Awoman,maybe,doesn'twantitknownthat
she'ssleepingaround,soshegivesapresenttothegirlwhowaitsonher.It's tacitly
understoodthatthepayment'sfordiscretion."
"Exactly."
"Butthis,"objectedDaventry,"wasn'tanythingofthatkind.Itwasmurder."
"I should doubt, though, if the girl knew it was serious. She saw something, some
puzzlingincident,somethingtodopresumablywiththisbottleofpills.ItbelongedtoMr.
Dyson,Iunderstand.We'dbetterseehimnext."
67

Gregorycameinwithhisusualheartyair.
"HereIam,"hesaid,"whatcanIdotohelp?Toobadaboutthisgirl.Shewasanicegirl.
Webothlikedher.Isupposeitwassomesortofquarrelorotherwithaman,butshe
seemedquitehappyandnosignsofbeingintroubleaboutanything.Iwaskiddingher
onlylastnight."
"Ibelieveyoutakeapreparation,Mr.Dyson,calledSerenite?"
"Quiteright.Littlepinktablets."
"Youhavethemonprescriptionfromaphysician?"
"Yes.Icanshowittoyouifyoulike.Sufferabitfromhighbloodpressure,likesomany
peopledonowadays."
"Veryfewpeopleseemtobeawareofthatfact."
"Well,Idon'tgotalkingaboutit.Iwell,I'vealwaysbeenwellandheartyandInever
likepeoplewhotalkabouttheirailmentsallthetime."
"Howmanyofthepillsdoyoutake?"
"Two,threetimesaday."
"Doyouhaveafairlylargestockwithyou?"
"Yes.I'vegotabouthalfadozenbottles.Butthey'relockedup,youknow,inasuitcase.I
onlykeepoutone,theonethat'sincurrentuse."
"Andyoumissedthisbottleashorttimeago,soIhear?"
"Quiteright."
"Andyouaskedthisgirl,VictoriaJohnson,whethershe'dseenit?"
"Yes,Idid."
"Andwhatdidshesay?"
"Shesaidthelasttimeshe'dseenitwasontheshelfinourbathroom.Shesaidshe'dlook
around."
"Andafterthat?"
"Shecameandreturnedthebottletomesometimelater.Shesaidwasthisthebottle
thatwasmissing?"
"Andyousaid?"
"I said 'that's it, all right, where did you find it?' And she said it was in old Major
Palgrave'sroom.Isaid'howonearthdiditgetthere?'"
68

"Andwhatdidsheanswertothat?"
"Shesaidshedidn'tknow,but"hehesitated.
"Yes,Mr.Dyson?"
"Well,shegavemethefeelingthatshedidknowalittlemorethanshewassaying,butI
didn'tpaymuchattention.Afterall,itwasn'tveryimportant.AsIsay,I'vegotother
bottles of pills with me. I thought perhaps I'd left it around in the restaurant or
somewhereandoldPalgravepickeditupforsomereason.Perhapsheputitinhispocket
meaningtoreturnittome,thenforgot."
"Andthat'sallyouknowaboutit,Mr.Dyson?"
"That'sallIknow.Sorrytobesounhelpful.Isitimportant?Why!"
Westonshruggedhisshoulders."Asthingsare,anythingmaybeimportant."
"Idon'tseewherepillscomein.Ithoughtyou'dwanttoknowaboutwhatmymovements
werewhenthiswretchedgirlwasstabbed.I'vewrittenthemalldownascarefullyasI
can."
Westonlookedathimthoughtfully.
"Indeed?Thatwasveryhelpfulofyou,Mr.Dyson."
"Saveeverybodytrouble,Ithought,"saidGreg.Heshovedapieceofpaperacrossthe
table.
WestonstudieditandDaventrydrewhischairalittlecloserandlookedoverhisshoulder.
"Thatseemsveryclear,"saidWeston,afteramomentortwo."Youandyourwifewere
togetherchangingfordinnerinyourbungalowuntiltenminutestonine.Youthenwent
alongtotheterracewhereyouhaddrinkswithSeoradeCaspearo.Atquarterpastnine
Colonel and Mrs. Hillingdon joined you and you went in to dine. As far as you can
remember,youwentofftobedatabouthalfpasteleven."
"Ofcourse,"saidGreg."Idon'tknowwhattimethegirlwasactuallykilled?"
Therewasafaintsemblanceofaquestioninthewords.LieutenantWeston,however,did
notappeartonoticeit.
"Mrs.Kendalfoundher,Iunderstand?Musthavebeenaverynastyshockforher."
"Yes.Dr.Robertsonhadtogiveherasedative."
"Thiswasquitelate,wasn'tit,whenmostpeoplehadtrundledofftobed?"
"Yes."
"Hadshebeendeadlong?WhenMrs.Kendalfoundher,Imean?"
69

"We'renotquitecertainoftheexacttimeyet,"saidWestonsmoothly.
"PoorlittleMolly.Itmusthavebeenanastyshockforher.Matteroffact,Ididn'tnotice
heraboutlastnight.Thoughtshemighthaveaheadacheorsomethingandwaslying
down."
"WhenwasthelasttimeyoudidseeMrs.Kendal?"
"Oh,quiteearly,beforeIwenttochange.Shewasplayingaboutwithsomeofthetable
decorationsandthings.Rearrangingtheknives."
"Isee."
"Shewasquitecheerfulthen,"saidGreg."Kiddingandallthat.She'sagreatgirl.We're
allveryfondofher.Tim'saluckyfellow."
"Well, thank you, Mr. Dyson. You can't remember anything more than you've told us
aboutwhatthegirlVictoriasaidwhenshereturnedthetablets?"
"No...ItwasjustasIsay.AskedmewerethesethetabletsI'dbeenaskingfor.Saidshe'd
foundtheminoldPalgrave'sroom."
"She'dnoideawhoputthemthere?"
"Don'tthinksocan'tremember,really."
"Thankyou,Mr.Dyson."
Gregorywentout.
"Verythoughtfulofhim,"saidWeston,gentlytappingthepaperwithhisfingernail,"tobe
soanxioustowantustoknowforsureexactlywherehewaslastnight."
"Alittleoveranxiousdoyouthink?"askedDaventry.
"That'sverydifficulttotell.Therearepeople,youknow,whoarenaturallynervousabout
theirownsafety,aboutbeingmixedupwithanything.Itisn'tnecessarilybecausethey
haveanyguiltyknowledge.Ontheotherhanditmightbejustthat."
"Whataboutopportunity?Nobody'sreallygotmuchofanalibi,whatwiththebandand
thedancingandthecomingandgoing.Peoplearegettingup,leavingtheirtables,coming
back.Womengotopowdertheirnoses.Mentakeastroll.Dysoncouldhaveslippedaway.
Anybody could have slipped away. But he does seem rather anxious to prove that he
didn't." He looked thoughtfully down at the paper. "So Mrs. Kendal was rearranging
knivesonthetable,"hesaid."Iratherwonderifhedraggedthatinonpurpose."
"Diditsoundlikeittoyou?"
Theotherconsidered."Ithinkit'spossible."
Outsidetheroomwherethetwomenweresitting,anoisehadarisen.Ahighvoicewas
70

demandingadmittanceshrilly."I'vegotsomethingtotell.I'vegotsomethingtotell.You
takemeintowherethegentlemenare.Youtakemeintowherethepolicemanis."
Auniformedpolicemanpushedopenthedoor.
"It'soneofthecookshere,"hesaid,"veryanxioustoseeyou.Sayshe'sgotsomethingyou
oughttoknow."
Afrighteneddarkmaninacook'scappushedpasthimandcameintotheroom.Itwas
oneoftheminorcooks.ACuban,notanativeofSt.Honor."Itellyousomething.Itell
you,"hesaid."Shecomethroughmykitchen,shedid,andshehadaknifewithher.A
knife,Itellyou.Shehadaknifeinherhand.Shecomethroughmykitchenandoutofthe
door.Outintothegarden.Isawher."
"Nowcalmdown,"saidDaventry,"calmdown.Whoareyoutalkingabout?"
"I tell you who I'm talking about. I'm talking about the boss's wife. Mrs Kendal. I'm
talkingabouther.Shehaveaknifeinherhandandshegooutintothedark.Before
dinnerthatwasandshedidn'tcomeback"

71

CHAPTER 15: Inquiry Continued

I
"Canwehaveawordwithyou,Mr.Kendal?"
"Ofcourse."Timlookedupfromhisdesk.Hepushedsomepapersasideandindicated
chairs.Hisfacewasdrawnandmiserable."Howareyougettingon?Gotanyforwarder?
Thereseemstobeadoominthisplace.Peoplearewantingtoleave,youknow,asking
aboutairpassages.Justwhenitseemedeverythingwasbeingasuccess.Ohlord,you
don'tknowwhatitmeans,thisplace,tomeandtoMolly.Westakedeverythingonit."
"It's very hard on you, I know," said Inspector Weston. "Don't think that we don't
sympathise."
"Ifitallcouldbeclearedupquickly,"saidTim."ThiswretchedgirlVictoria Oh!I
oughtn'ttotalkaboutherlikethat.Shewasquiteagoodsort,Victoriawas.Butbut
theremustbesomequitesimplereason,somekindofintrigue,orloveaffairshehad.
Perhapsherhusband"
"JimElliswasn'therhusband,andtheyseemedasettledsortofcouple."
"Ifitcouldonlybeclearedupquickly,"saidTimagain."I'msorry.Youwantedtotalkto
meaboutsomething,askmesomething."
"Yes.Itwasaboutlastnight.AccordingtomedicalevidenceVictoriawaskilledsometime
between10.30P.M.andmidnight.Alibisunderthecircumstancesthatprevailhere,are
notveryeasytoprove.Peoplearemovingabout,dancing,walkingawayfromtheterrace,
comingback.It'sallverydifficult."
"Isupposeso.ButdoesthatmeanthatyoudefinitelyconsiderVictoriawaskilledbyone
oftheguestshere?"
"Well, we have to examine that possibility, Mr. Kendal. What I want to ask you
particularlyabout,isastatementmadebyoneofyourcooks."
"Oh?Whichone?Whatdoeshesay?"
"He'saCuban,Iunderstand."
"We'vegottwoCubansandaPuertoRican."
"ThismanEnricostatesthatyourwifepassedthroughthekitchenonherwayfromthe
diningroom,andwentoutintothegardenandthatshewascarryingaknife."
Timstaredathim.
72

"Molly,carryingaknife?Well,whyshouldn'tshe?Imeanwhyyoudon'tthinkwhat
areyoutryingtosuggest?"
"Iamtalkingofthetimebeforepeoplehadcomeintothediningroom.Itwouldbe,I
suppose,sometimeabout8.30.Youyourselfwereinthediningroomtalkingtothehead
waiter,Fernando,Ibelieve."
"Yes."Timcasthismindback."Yes,Iremember."
"Andyourwifecameinfromtheterrace?"
"Yes,shedid,"Timagreed."Shealwayswentouttolookoverthetables.Sometimesthe
boyssetthingswrong,forgotsomeofthecutlery,thingslikethat.Verylikelythat'swhat
itwas.Shemayhavebeenrearrangingcutleryorsomething.Shemighthavehadaspare
knifeoraspoon,somethinglikethatinherhand."
"Andshecamefromtheterraceintothediningroom.Didshespeaktoyou?"
"Yes,wehadawordortwotogether."
"Whatdidshesay?Canyouremember?"
"IthinkIaskedherwhoshe'dbeentalkingto.Iheardhervoiceoutthere."
"Andwhodidshesayshe'dbeentalkingto?"
"GregoryDyson."
"Ah.Yes.Thatiswhathesaid."
Timwenton,"He'dbeenmakingapassatherIunderstand.Hewasabitgiventothat
kindofthing.ItannoyedmeandIsaid'Blasthim'andMollylaughedandsaidshecould
doalltheblastingthatneededtobedone.Molly'saveryclevergirlthatway.It'snot
alwaysaneasyposition,youknow.Youcan'toffendguests,andsoanattractivegirllike
Mollyhastopassthingsoffwithalaughandashrug.GregoryDysonfindsitdifficultto
keephishandsoffanygoodlookingwoman."
"Hadtherebeenanyaltercationbetweenthem?"
"No,Idon'tthinkso.Ithink,asIsay,shejustlaugheditoffasusual."
"Youcan'tsaydefinitelywhethershehadaknifeinherhandornot?"
"Ican'tremember.I'malmostsureshedidn't.Infactquitesureshedidn't."
"Butyousaidjustnow..."
"Lookhere,whatImeantwasthatifshewasinthediningroomorinthekitchenit's
quitelikelyshemighthavepickedupaknifeorhadoneinherhand.MatteroffactIcan
rememberquitewell,shecameinfromthediningroomandshehadnothinginherhand.
Nothingatall.That'sdefinite."
73

"Isee,"saidWeston.
Timlookedathimuneasily.
"Whatonearthisthisyou'regettingat?Whatdidthatdamn.foolEnricoManuel
whicheveritwassay?"
"Hesaidyourwifecameoutintothekitchen,thatshelookedupset,thatshehadaknife
inherhand."
"He'sjustdramatising."
"Didyouhaveanyfurtherconversationwithyourwifeduringdinnerorafter?"
"No,Idon'tthinkIdidreally.MatteroffactIwasratherbusy."
"Wasyourwifeinthediningroomduringthemeal?"
"Iohyes,wealwaysmoveaboutamongtheguestsandthingslikethat.Seehow
thingsaregoingon."
"Didyouspeaktoheratall?"
"No,Idon'tthinkIdid...We'reusuallyfairlybusy.Wedon'talwaysnoticewhattheother
one'sdoingandwecertainlyhaven'tgottimetotalktoeachother."
"Actuallyyoudon'trememberspeakingtoheruntilshecameupthestepsthreehours
later,afterfindingthebody?"
"Itwasanawfulshockforher.Itupsetherterribly."
"Iknow.Averyunpleasantexperience.Howdidshecometobewalkingalongthebeach
path?"
"Afterthestressofdinnerbeingserved,sheoftendoesgoforaturn.Youknow,getaway
fromtheguestsforaminuteortwo,getabreather."
"Whenshecameback,IunderstandyouweretalkingtoMrs.Hillingdon."
"Yes.Practicallyeveryoneelsehadgonetobed."
"WhatwasthesubjectofyourconversationwithMrs.Hillingdon?"
"Nothingparticular.Why?What'sshebeensaying?"
"Sofarshehasn'tsaidanything.Wehaven'taskedher."
"We were just talking of this and that. Molly, the hotel running, and one thing and
another."
"Andthenyourwifecameupthestepsoftheterraceandtoldyouwhathadhappened?"
"Yes."
74

"Therewasbloodonherhands?"
"Ofcoursetherewas!She'dbentoverthegirl,triedtolifther,couldn'tunderstandwhat
hadhappened,whatwasthematterwithher.Ofcoursetherewasbloodonherhands!
Lookhere,whatthehellareyousuggesting?Youaresuggestingsomething?"
"Pleasecalmdown,"saidDaventry.
"It'sallagreatstrainonyouIknow,Tim,butwehavetogetthefactsclear.Iunderstand
yourwifehasn'tbeenfeelingverywelllately?"
"Nonsenseshe'sallright.MajorPalgrave'sdeathupsetherabit.Naturally.She'sa
sensitivegirl."
"Weshallhavetoaskherafewquestionsassoonasshe'sfitenough,"saidWeston.
"Well,youcan'tnow.Thedoctorgaveherasedativeandsaidshewasn'ttobedisturbed.I
won'thaveherupsetandbrowbeaten,d'youhear?"
"We'renotgoingtodoanybrowbeating,"saidWeston."We'vejustgottogetthefacts
clear.Wewon'tdisturbheratpresent,butassoonasthedoctorallowsus,we'llhaveto
seeher."Hisvoicewasgentleinflexible.
Timlookedathim,openedhismouth,butsaidnothing.

II
EvelynHillingdon,calmandcomposedasusual,satdowninthechairindicated.She
consideredthefewquestionsaskedher,takinghertimeoverit.Herdark,intelligenteyes
lookedatWestonthoughtfully.
"Yes,"shesaid,"IwastalkingtoMr.Kendalontheterracewhenhiswifecameupthe
stepsandtoldusaboutthemurder."
"Yourhusbandwasn'tthere?"
"No,hehadgonetobed."
"HadyouanyspecialreasonforyourconversationwithMr.Kendal?"
Evelynraisedherfinelypencilledeyebrows.Itwasadefiniterebuke.
She said coldly: ''What a very odd question. No, there was nothing special about our
conversation."
"Didyoudiscussthematterofhiswife'shealth?"
AgainEvelyntookhertime.

75

"Ireallycan'tremember,"shesaidatlast.
"Areyousureofthat?"
"SurethatIcan'tremember?Whatacuriouswayofputtingit.Onetalksaboutsomany
thingsatdifferenttimes."
"Mrs.Kendalhasnotbeeningoodhealthlately,Iunderstand."
"Shelookedquiteallrightalittletiredperhaps.Ofcourserunningaplacelikethis
meansalotofworries,andsheisquiteinexperienced.Naturally,shegetsflusterednow
andthen."
"Flustered."Westonrepeatedtheword."Thatwasthewayyouwoulddescribeit?"
"It'sanoldfashionedword,perhaps,butjustasgoodasthemodernjargonweusefor
everything.A'virusinfection'forabiliousattackan'anxietyneurosis'fortheminor
bothers of daily life." Her smile made Weston feel slightly ridiculous. He thought to
himselfthatEvelynHillingdonwasacleverwoman.HelookedatDaventrywhoseface
remainedunmovedandwonderedwhathethought.
"Thankyou,Mrs.Hillingdon,"saidWeston.

III
"Wedon'twanttoworryyou,Mrs.Kendal,butwehavetohaveyouraccountofjusthow
youcametofindthisgirl.Dr.Grahamsaysyouaresufficientlyrecoveredtotalkaboutit
now."
"Ohyes,"saidMolly,"I'mreallyquiteallrightagain."Shegavethemasmallnervous
smile."Itwasjusttheshock.Itwasratherawful,youknow."
"Yes,indeeditmusthavebeen.Iunderstandyouwentforawalkafterdinner."
"Yes.Ioftendo."
Hereyesshifted,Daventrynoticed,andthefingersofherhandstwinedanduntwined
abouteachother.
"Whattimewouldthathavebeen,Mrs.Kendal?"askedWeston.
"Well,Idon'treallyknowwedon'tgomuchbythetime."
"Thesteelbandwasstillplaying?"
"Yes.AtleastIthinkso.Ican'treallyremember."
"Andyouwalked,whichway?"

76

"Oh,alongthebeachpath."
"Totheleftortheright?"
"Oh!Firstonewayandthentheother.IIreallydidn'tnotice."
"Whydidn'tyounotice,Mrs.Kendal?"
Shefrowned.
"IsupposeIwaswellthinkingofthings."
"Thinkingofanythingparticular?"
"No.No.Nothingparticular.Justthingsthathadtobedoneseentointhehotel."
Againthatnervoustwininganduntwiningoffingers.
"AndthenInoticedsomethingwhiteinaclumpofhibiscusbushesandIwonderedwhat
itwas.Istoppedandandpulled"Sheswallowedconvulsively."Anditwasher
VictoriaallhuddledupandItriedtoraiseherheadupandIgotbloodonmy
hands." She looked at them and repeated wonderingly as though recalling something
impossible:"Bloodonmyhands."
"Yes.Yes.Averydreadfulexperience.Thereisnoneedforyoutotellusmoreaboutthat
partofit.Howlonghadyoubeenwalking,doyouthink,whenyoufoundher?"
"Idon'tknow.Ihavenoidea."
"Anhour?Halfanhour?Ormorethananhour?"
"Idon'tknow,"Mollyrepeated.
Daventryaskedinaquieteverydayvoice:"Didyoutakeaknifewithyouonyourwalk?"
"Aknife?"Mollysoundedsurprised."WhyshouldItakeaknife?"
"Ionlyaskbecauseoneofthekitchenstaffmentionedthatyouhadaknifeinyourhand
whenyouwentoutofthekitchenintothegarden."
Mollyfrowned.
"ButIdidn'tgooutofthekitchenohyoumeanearlierbeforedinner.IIdon'tthink
so."
"Youhadbeenrearrangingthecutleryonthetables,perhaps."
"Ihaveto,sometimes.Theylaythingswrong,notenoughknives,ortoomany.Thewrong
numberofforksandspoons,thatsortofthing."
"Anddidthathappenonthisparticularevening?"
"It may have done something like that. It's really automatic. One doesn't think, or
77

remember"
"Soyoumayhavegoneoutofthekitchenthateveningcarryingaknifeinyourhand?"
"Idon'tthinkIdidI'msureIdidn't."Sheadded:"Timwastherehewouldknow.Ask
him."
"DidyoulikethisgirlVictoriawasshegoodatherwork?"askedWeston.
"Yesshewasaverynicegirl."
"Youhadhadnodisputewithher?"
"Dispute?No."
"Shehadneverthreatenedyouinanyway?"
"Threatenedme?Whatdoyoumean?"
"Itdoesn'tmatter.Youhavenoideaofwhocouldhavekilledher?Noideaatall?"
"None."Shespokepositively.
"Well,thankyou,Mrs.Kendal."Hesmiled."Itwasn'tsoterrible,wasit?"
"That'sall?"
"That'sallfornow."
Daventrygotup,openedthedoorforher,andwatchedhergoout.
"Timwouldknow,"hequotedashereturnedtohischair."AndTimsaysdefinitelythat
shedidn'thaveaknife."
Westonsaidgravely:"Ithinkthatthatiswhatanyhusbandwouldfeelcalleduponto
say."
"Atableknifeseemsaverypoortypeofknifetouseformurder."
"Butitwasasteakknife,Mr.Daventry.Steakswereonthemenuthatevening.Steak
knivesarekeptsharp."
"Ireallycan'tbringmyselftobelievethatthegirlwe'vejustbeentalkingtoisared
handedmurderess,Weston."
"Itisnotnecessarytobelieveityet.ItcouldbethatMrs.Kendalwentoutintothegarden
before dinner, clasping a knife she had taken off one of the tables because it was
superfluousshemightnotevenhavenoticedshewasholdingit,andshecouldhaveput
itdownsomewhereordroppedit.Itcouldhavebeenfoundandusedbysomeoneelse.I,
too,thinkheranunlikelymurderess."
"All the same," said Daventry thoughtfully, "I'm pretty sure she is not telling all she
78

knows.Hervaguenessovertimeisodd,Wherewasshe?Whatwasshedoingoutthere?
Nobody,sofar,seemstohavenoticedherinthediningroomthatevening."
"Thehusbandwasaboutasusual,butnotthewife..."
"Youthinkshewenttomeetsomeone?VictoriaJohnson?"
"PerhapsorperhapsshesawwhoeveritwaswhodidgotomeetVictoria."
"You'rethinkingofGregoryDyson?"
"WeknowhewastalkingtoVictoriaearlier.Hemayhavearrangedtomeetheragain
later.Everyonemovedaroundfreelyontheterrace,rememberdancing,drinkingin
andoutofthebar."
"Noalibilikeasteelband,"saidDaventrywryly.

79

CHAPTER 16: Miss Marple Seeks Assistance

If anybody had been there to observe the gentlelooking elderly lady who stood
meditatively on the loggia outside her bungalow, they would have thought she had
nothingmoreonhermindthandeliberationonhowtoarrangehertimethatday.An
expedition, perhaps, to Castle Cliff; a visit to Jamestown; a nice drive and lunch at
PelicanPointorjustaquietmorningonthebeach.
Butthegentleoldladywasdeliberatingquiteothermatters.Shewasinamilitantmood.
"Somethinghasgottobedone,"saidMissMarpletoherself.
Moreover,shewasconvincedthattherewasnotimetobelost.Therewasurgency.But
whowastherethatshecouldconvinceofthatfact?Giventime,shethoughtshecould
findoutthetruthbyherself.
Shehadfoundoutagooddeal.Butnotenoughnotnearlyenough.Andtimewasshort.
Sherealised,bitterly,thathereonthisParadiseofanisland,shehadnoneofherusual
allies.ShethoughtregretfullyofherfriendsinEngland:SirHenryClithering,always
willingtolistenindulgently,hisgodsonDermot,whoinspiteofhisincreasedstatusat
ScotlandYard,wasstillreadytobelievethatwhenMissMarplevoicedanopinionthere
wasusuallysomethingbehindit.
Butwouldthatsoftvoicednativepoliceofficerpayanyattentiontoanoldlady'surgency?
Dr. Graham? But Dr. Graham was not what she needed too gentle and hesitant,
certainlynotamanofquickdecisionsandrapidactions.
MissMarple,feelingratherlikeahumbledeputyoftheAlmighty,almostcriedaloudher
needinBiblicalphrasing.
Whowillgoforme?
WhomshallIsend?
Thesoundthatreachedherearsamomentlaterwasnotinstantlyrecognisedbyheras
ananswertoaprayer,farfromit.Atthebackofherminditregisteredonlyasaman
possiblycallinghisdog.
"TO?"
MissMarple,lostinperplexity,paidnoattention.

80

"Hi!"Thevolumethusincreased.MissMarplelookedvaguelyround.
"Hi!"calledMr.Rafielimpatiently.Headded:"Youthere"
MissMarplehadnotatfirstrealisedthatMr.Rafiel's"HiYou"wasaddressedtoher.It
wasnotamethodthatanyonehadeverusedbeforetosummonher.Itwascertainlynota
gentlemanlymodeofaddress.MissMarpledidnotresentitbecausepeopleseldomdid
resent Mr. Rafiel's somewhat arbitrary method of doing things. He was a law unto
himselfandpeopleacceptedhimassuch.
Miss Marple looked across the intervening space between her bungalow and his. Mr.
Rafielwassittingoutsideonhisloggiaandhebeckonedher.
"Youwerecallingme?"sheasked.
"OfcourseIwascallingyou,"saidMr.Rafiel."WhodidyouthinkIwascallingacat?
Comeoverhere."
MissMarplelookedroundforherhandbag,pickeditup,andcrossedtheintervening
space.
"Ican'tcometoyouunlesssomeonehelpsme,"explainedMr.Rafiel,"soyou'vegotto
cometome."
"Ohyes,"saidMissMarple,"Iquiteunderstandthat."
Mr. Rafiel pointed to an adjacent chair. "Sit down," he said, "I want to talk to you.
Somethingdamnedoddisgoingoninthisisland."
"Yes,indeed,"agreedMissMarple,takingthechairasindicated.Bysheerhabitshedrew
herknittingoutofherbag.
"Don'tstartknittingagain,"saidMr.Rafiel,"Ican'tstandit.Ihatewomenknitting.It
irritatesme."
Miss Marple returned her knitting to her bag. She did this with no undue air of
meekness,ratherwiththeairofonewhomakesallowancesforafractiouspatient.
"There'salotofchitchatgoingon,"saidMr.Rafiel,"andIbetyou'reintheforefrontofit.
Youandtheparsonandhissister."
"Itis,perhaps,onlynaturalthatthereshouldbechitchat,"saidMissMarplewithspirit,
"giventhecircumstances."
"ThisIslandgirlgetsherselfknifed.Foundinthebushes.Mightbeordinaryenough.
Thatchapshewaslivingwithmighthavegotjealousofanothermanorhe'sgothimself
anothergirlandshegotjealousandtheyhadarow.Sexinthetropics.Thatsortofstuff.
Whatdoyousay?"
"No,"saidMissMarple,shakingherhead.
81

"Theauthoritiesdon'tthinkso,either."
"Theywouldsaymoretoyou,"pointedoutMissMarple,"thantheywouldsaytome."
"Allthesame,IbetyouknowmoreaboutitthanIdo.You'velistenedtothetittletattle."
"CertainlyIhave,"saidMissMarple.
"Nothingmuchelsetodo,haveyou,exceptlistentotittletattle?"
"Itisofteninformativeanduseful."
"D'youknow,"saidMr.Rafiel,studyingherattentively,"Imadeamistakeaboutyou.I
don'toftenmakemistakesaboutpeople.There'salotmoretoyouthanIthoughtthere
was.AlltheserumoursaboutMajorPalgraveandthestorieshetold.Youthinkhewas
bumpedoff,don'tyou?"
"Iverymuchfearso,"saidMissMarple.
"Well,hewas,"saidMr.Rafiel.
MissMarpledrewadeepbreath."Thatisdefiniteisit?"sheasked.
"Yes,it'sdefiniteenough.IhaditfromDaventry.I'mnotbreakingaconfidencebecause
thefactsoftheautopsywillhavetocomeout.YoutoldGrahamsomething,hewentto
Daventry,DaventrywenttotheAdministrator,theC.I.D.wereinformed,andbetween
themtheyagreedthatthingslookedfishy,sotheydugupoldPalgraveandhadalook."
"Andtheyfound?"MissMarplepausedinterrogatively.
"They found he'd had a lethal dose of something that only a doctor could pronounce
properly.AsfarasIcanrememberitsoundsvaguelylikediflorhexagonalethylcarbenzol.
That'snottherightname.Butthat'sroughlywhatitsoundslike.Thepolicedoctorputit
thatwaysothatnobodyshouldknow,Isuppose,whatitreallywas.Thestuff'sprobably
got some quite simple nice easy name like Evipan or Veronal or Easton's Syrup or
somethingofthatkind.Thisisitsofficialnametobafflelaymenwith.Anyway,asizeable
doseofit,Igather,wouldproducedeath,andthesignswouldbemuchthesameasthose
ofhighbloodpressureaggravatedbyoverindulgenceinalcoholonagayevening.Infact,
italllookedperfectlynaturalandnobodyquestioneditforamoment.Justsaid'poorold
chap'andburiedhimquick.Nowtheywonderifheeverhadhighbloodpressureatall.
Didheeversayhehadtoyou?"
"No."
"Exactly!Andyeteveryoneseemstohavetakenitasafact."
"Apparentlyhetoldpeoplehehad."
"It'slikeseeingghosts,"saidMr.Rafiel."Younevermeetthechapwho'sseentheghost
himself.It'salwaysthesecondcousinofhisaunt,orafriend,orafriendofafriend.But
82

leavethatforamoment.Theythoughthehadbloodpressure,becausetherewasabottle
oftabletscontrollingbloodpressurefoundinhisroombutandnowwe'recomingtothe
pointIgatherthatthisgirlwhowaskilledwentaboutsayingthatthatbottlewasput
therebysomebodyelse,andthatactuallyitbelongedtothatfellowGreg."
"Mr.Dysonhasgotbloodpressure.Hiswifementionedit,"saidMissMarple.
"SoitwasputinPalgrave'sroomtosuggestthathesufferedfrombloodpressureandto
makehisdeathseemnatural."
"Exactly,"saidMissMarple."Andthestorywasputabout,verycleverly,thathehad
frequentlymentionedtopeoplethathehadhighbloodpressure.Butyouknow,it'svery
easytoputaboutastory.Veryeasy.I'veseenalotofitinmytime."
"Ibetyouhave,"saidMr.Rafiel.
"Itonlyneedsamurmurhereandthere,"saidMissMarple."Youdon'tsayitofyourown
knowledgeyoujustsaythatMrs.B.toldyouthatColonelC.toldher.It'salwaysatsecond
handorthirdhandorfourthhandandit'sverydifficulttofindoutwhowastheoriginal
whisperer.Ohyes,itcanbedone.Andthepeopleyousayittogoonandrepeatitto
othersasiftheyknowitoftheirownknowledge."
"Yes,"saidMissMarple,"Ithinksomebody'sbeenquiteclever."
"Thisgirlsawsomething,orknewsomethingandtriedblackmail,Isuppose,"saidMr.
Rafiel.
"Shemayn'thavethoughtofitasblackmail,"saidMissMarple."Intheselargehotels,
thereareoftenthingsthemaidsknowthatsomepeoplewouldrathernothaverepeated.
Andsotheyhandoutalargertiporalittlepresentofmoney.Thegirlpossiblydidn't
realiseatfirsttheimportanceofwhatsheknew."
"Still,shegotaknifeinherbackallright,"saidMr.Rafielbrutally.
"Yes.Evidentlysomeonecouldn'taffordtolethertalk."
"Well?Let'shearwhatyouthinkaboutitall."
MissMarplelookedathimthoughtfully.
"WhyshouldyouthinkIknowanymorethanyoudo,Mr.Rafiel?"
"Probablyyoudon't,"saidMr.Rafiel,"butI'minterestedtohearyourideasaboutwhat
youdoknow."
"Butwhy?"
"There'snotverymuchtodoouthere,"saidMr.Rafiel,"exceptmakemoney."
MissMarplelookedslightlysurprised.
83

"Makemoney?Outhere?"
"Youcansendouthalfa dozencables incodeeverydayifyoulike," saidMr.Rafiel.
"That'showIamusemyself."
"Takeoverbids?"MissMarpleaskeddoubtfully,inthetoneofonewhospeaksaforeign
language.
"Thatkindofthing,"agreedMr.Rafiel."Pittingyourwitsagainstotherpeople'swits.The
trouble is it doesn't occupy enough time, so I've got interested in this business. It's
arousedmycuriosity.Palgravespentagooddealofhistimetalkingtoyou.Nobodyelse
wouldbebotheredwithhim,Iexpect.Whatdidhesay?"
"Hetoldmeagoodmanystories,"saidMissMarple.
"Iknowhedid.Damnboring,mostofthem.Andyouhadn'tonlygottohearthemonce.If
yougotanywherewithinrangeyouheardthemthreeorfourtimesover."
"Iknow,"saidMissMarple."I'mafraidthatdoeshappenwhengentlemengetolder."
Mr.Rafiellookedatherverysharply.
"Idon'ttellstories,"hesaid."Goon.ItstartedwithoneofPalgrave'sstories,didit?"
"Hesaidheknewamurderer,"saidMissMarple."There'snothingreallyspecialabout
that,"sheaddedinhergentlevoice,"becauseIsupposeithappenstonearlyeverybody."
"Idon'tfollowyou,"saidMr.Rafiel.
"Idon'tmeanspecifically,"saidMissMarple."butsurely,Mr.Rafiel,ifyoucastoverin
yourmindyourrecollectionsofvariouseventsinyourlife,hasn'ttherenearlyalways
beenanoccasionwhensomebodyhasmadesomecarelessreferencesuchas'OhyesI
knewtheSoandSoquitewellhediedverysuddenlyandtheyalwayssayhiswife
didhimin,butIdaresaythat'sjustgossip'.You'veheardpeoplesaysomethinglikethat,
haven'tyou?"
'Well,Isupposesoyes,somethingofthekind.Butnotwell,notseriously."
"Exactly," said Miss Marple, "but MajorPalgravewas a veryserious man. Ithinkhe
enjoyedtellingthisstory.Hesaidhehadasnapshotofthemurderer.Hewasgoingto
showittomebutactuallyhedidn't."
"Why?"
"Becausehesawsomething,"saidMissMarple."Sawsomeone,Isuspect.Hisfacegot
veryredandheshovedbackthesnapshotintohiswalletandbegantalkingonanother
subject."
"Whodidhesee?"

84

"I've thought about that a good deal," said Miss Marple. "I was sitting outside my
bungalow,andhewassittingnearlyoppositemeandwhateverhesaw,hesawovermy
rightshoulder."
"Someonecomingalongthepaththenfrombehindyouontheright,thepathfromthe
creekandthecarpark."
"Yes."
"Wasanyonecomingalongthepath?"
"Mr.andMrs.DysonandColonelandMrs.Hillingdon."
"Anybodyelse?"
"NotthatIcanfindout.Ofcourse,yourbungalowwouldalsobeinhislineofvision..."
"Ah.ThenweincludeshallwesayEstherWaltersandmychap,Jackson.Isthat
right?Eitherofthem,Isuppose,mighthavecomeoutofthebungalowandgoneback
insideagainwithoutyourseeingthem."
"Theymighthave,"saidMissMarple,"Ididn'tturnmyheadatonce."
"TheDysons,theHillingdons,Esther,Jackson.Oneofthem'samurderer.Orofcourse,
myself,"headded,obviouslyasanafterthought.
MissMarplesmiledfaintly.
"Andhespokeofthemurdererasaman?"
"Yes."
"Right.ThatcutsoutEvelynHillingdon,LuckyandEstherWalters.Soyourmurderer,
allowingthatallthisfarfetchednonsenseistrue,yourmurdererisDyson,Hillingdonor
mysmoothtonguedJackson."
"Oryourself,"saidMissMarple.
Mr.Rafielignoredthislastpoint.
"Don'tsaythingstoirritateme,"hesaid."I'lltellyouthefirstthingthatstrikesme,and
whichyoudon'tseemtohavethoughtof.Ifit'soneofthosethree,whythedevildidn'told
Palgraverecognisehimbefore?Dashitall,they'veallbeensittingroundlookingateach
otherforthelasttwoweeks.Thatdoesn'tseemtomakesense."
"Ithinkitcould,"saidMissMarple.
"Well,tellmehow."
"Yousee,inMajorPalgrave'sstoryhehadn'tseenthismanhimselfatanytime.Itwasa
storytoldtohimbyadoctor.Thedoctorgavehimthesnapshotasacuriosity.Major
85

Palgravemayhavelookedatthesnapshotfairlycloselyatthetimebutafterthathe'djust
stuckitawayinhiswalletandkeptitasasouvenir.Occasionally,perhaps,he'dtakeit
outandshowittosomeonehewastellingthestoryto.Andanotherthing,Mr.Rafiel,we
don'tknowhowlongagothishappened.Hedidn'tgivemeanyindicationofthatwhenhe
wastellingthestory.Imeanthismayhavebeenastoryhe'sbeentellingtopeoplefor
years.Fiveyears.Tenyears.Longerstillperhaps.Someofhistigerstoriesgobackabout
twentyyears."
"Theywould!"saidMr.Rafiel.
"SoIdon'tsupposeforamomentthatMajorPalgravewouldrecognisethefaceinthe
snapshotifhecameacrossthemancasually.WhatIthinkhappened,whatI'malmost
suremusthavehappened,isthatashetoldhisstoryhefumbledforthesnapshot,tookit
out,lookeddownatitstudyingthefaceandthenlookeduptoseethesameface,orone
withastrongresemblancecomingtowardshimfromadistanceofabouttenortwelvefeet
away."
"Yes,"saidMr.Rafielconsideringly,"Yes,that'spossible."
"Hewastakenaback,"saidMissMarple,"andheshoveditbackinhiswalletandbegan
totalkloudlyaboutsomethingelse."
"Hecouldn'thavebeensure,"saidMr.Rafiel,shrewdly.
"No,"saidMissMarple,"hecouldn'thavebeensure.Butofcourseafterwardshewould
havestudiedthesnapshotverycarefullyandwouldhavelookedatthemanandtriedto
makeuphismindwhetheritwasjustalikenessorwhetheritcouldactuallybethesame
person."
Mr.Rafielreflectedamomentortwo,thenheshookhishead."There'ssomethingwrong
here.Themotive'sinadequate.Absolutelyinadequate.Hewasspeakingtoyouloudly,
washe?"
"Yes,"saidMissMarple,"quiteloudly.Healwaysdid."
"Trueenough.Yes,hedidshout.Sowhoeverwasapproachingwouldhearwhathesaid?"
"Ishouldimagineyoucouldhearitforquiteagoodradiusround."
Mr.Rafielshookhisheadagain.Hesaid,"It'sfantastic,toofantastic.Anybodywould
laughatsuchastory.Here'sanoldboobytellingastoryaboutanotherstorysomebody
toldhim,andshowingasnapshot,andallofitcentringroundamurderwhichhadtaken
placeyearsago!Oratanyrate,ayearortwo.Howonearthcanthatworrythemanin
question.Noevidence,justabitofhearsay,astoryatthirdhand.Hecouldevenadmita
likeness,hecouldsay:'Yes,Idolookratherlikethatfellow,don'tI!Ha,ha!'Nobody's
going to take old Palgrave's identification seriously. Don't tell me so, because I won't
believeit.No,thechap,ifitwasthechap,hadnothingtofearnothingwhatever.It'sthe
86

kindofaccusationhecanjustlaughoff.Whyonearthshouldheproceedtomurderold
Palgrave?It'sabsolutelyunnecessary.Youmustseethat."
"OhIdoseethat,"saidMissMarple."Icouldn'tagreewithyoumore.That'swhatmakes
meuneasy.SoveryuneasythatIreallycouldn'tsleeplastnight."
Mr.Rafielstaredather."Let'shearwhat'sonyourmind,"hesaidquietly.
"Imaybeentirelywrong,"saidMissMarplehesitantly.
"Probablyyouare,"saidMr.Rafielwithhisusuallackofcourtesy,"butatanyratelet's
hearwhatyou'vethoughtupinthesmallhours."
"Therecouldbeaverypowerfulmotiveif"
"Ifwhat?"
"Iftherewasgoingtobequitesoonanothermurder."
Mr.Rafielstaredather.Hetriedtopullhimselfupalittleinhischair.
"Let'sgetthisclear,"hesaid.
"Iamsobadatexplaining."MissMarplespokerapidlyandratherincoherently.Apink
flushrosetohercheeks."Supposingtherewasamurderplanned.Ifyouremember,the
story Major Palgrave told me concerned a man whose wife died under suspicious
circumstances. Then, after a certain lapse of time, there was another murder under
exactlythesamecircumstances.Amanofadifferentnamehadawifewhodiedinmuch
the same way and the doctor who was telling it recognised him as the same man,
althoughhe'dchangedhisname.Well,itdoeslook,doesn'tit,asthoughthismurderer
mightbethekindofmurdererwhomadeahabitofthething?"
"YoumeanlikeSmith,BridesintheBath,thatkindofthing.Yes?"
"AsfarasIcanmakeout,"saidMissMarple,"andfromwhatIhaveheardandread,a
man who does a wickedthing likethis andgets awaywithit thefirst time, is,alas,
encouraged.Hethinksit'seasy,hethinkshe'sclever.Andsoherepeatsit.Andinthe
end,asyousay,likeSmithandtheBridesintheBath,itbecomesahabit.Eachtimeina
differentplaceandeachtimethemanchangeshisname.Butthecrimesthemselvesare
allverymuchalike.Soitseemstome,althoughImaybequitewrong"
"Butyoudon'tthinkyouarewrong,doyou?"Mr.Rafielputitshrewdly.
MissMarplewentonwithoutanswering."thatifthatweresoandifthisthisperson
hadgotthingsalllinedupforamurderouthere,forgettingridofanotherwife,say,and
if this is crime three or four, well then, the Major's story would matter because the
murderercouldn'taffordtohaveanysimilaritypointedout.Ifyouremember,thatwas
exactlythewaySmithgotcaught.Thecircumstancesofacrimeattractedtheattentionof
somebodywhocompareditwithanewspaperclippingofsomeothercase.Soyoudosee,
87

don'tyou,thatifthiswickedpersonhasgotacrimeplanned,arranged,andshortlyabout
totakeplace,hecouldn't affordto let MajorPalgravegoabout tellingthis storyand
showingthatsnapshot."
ShestoppedandlookedappealinglyatMr.Rafiel.
"Soyouseehehadtodosomethingveryquickly,asquicklyaspossible."
Mr.Rafielspoke,"Infact,thatverysamenight,eh?"
"Yes,"saidMissMarple.
"Quickwork,"saidMr.Rafiel,"butitcouldbedone.PutthetabletsinoldPalgrave's
room,spreadthebloodpressurerumouraboutandaddalittleofourfourteensyllable
drugtoaPlantersPunch.Isthatit?"
"Yes.Butthat'sallover.Weneedn'tworryaboutit.It'sthefuture.It'snow.WithMajor
Palgraveoutofthewayandthesnapshotdestroyed,thismanwillgoonwithhismurder
asplanned."
Mr.Rafielwhistled.
"You'vegotitallworkedout,haven'tyou?"
MissMarplenodded.Shesaidinamostunaccustomedvoice,firmandalmostdictatorial,
"Andwe'vegottostopit.You'vegottostopit,Mr.Rafiel."
"Me?"saidMr.Rafiel,astonished,"whyme?"
"Becauseyou'rerichandimportant,"saidMissMarple,simply."Peoplewilltakenoticeof
whatyousayorsuggest.Theywouldn'tlistentomeforamoment.TheywouldsaythatI
wasanoldladyimaginingthings."
"Theymightatthat,"saidMr.Rafiel."Morefoolsiftheydid.Imustsay,though,that
nobodywouldthinkyouhadanybrainsinyourheadtohearyourusuallineoftalk.
Actually, you've got a logical mind. Very few women have." He shifted himself
uncomfortably in his chair. "Where the hell's Esther or Jackson?" he said. "I need
resettling.No,it'snogoodyourdoingit.You'renotstrongenough.Idon'tknowwhatthey
mean,leavingmealonelikethis."
"I'llgoandfindthem."
''No,youwon't.You'llstayhereandthrashthisout.Whichofthemisit?Theegregious
Greg?ThequietEdwardHillingdonormyfellowJackson?It'sgottobeoneofthethree,
hasn'tit?"

88

CHAPTER 17: Mr. Rafiel takes Charge

"Idon'tknow,"saidMissMarple.
''Whatdoyoumean?Whathavewebeentalkingaboutforthelasttwentyminutes?"
"IthasoccurredtomethatImayhavebeenwrong."
Mr.Rafielstaredather.
"Scattyafterall!"hesaiddisgustedly."Andyousoundedsosureofyourself."
"Oh,Iamsureaboutthemurder.It'sthemurdererI'mnotsureabout.YouseeI've
foundoutthatMajorPalgravehadmorethanonemurderstoryyoutoldmeyourself
he'dtoldyouoneaboutakindofLucreziaBorgia."
"Sohedid,atthat.Butthatwasquiteadifferentkindofstory."
"Iknow.AndMrs.Walterssaidhehadoneaboutsomeonebeinggassedinagasoven"
"Butthestoryhetoldyou"
Miss Marple allowed herself to interrupt a thing that did not often happen to Mr.
Rafiel.
Shespokewithdesperateearnestnessandonlymoderateincoherence."Don'tyousee
it'ssodifficulttobesure.Thewholepointisthatsooftenonedoesn'tlisten.AskMrs.
Walters.Shesaidthesamething.Youlistentobeginwith,andthenyourattentionflags,
yourmindwandersandsuddenlyyoufindyou'vemissedabit.Ijustwonderifpossibly
theremayhavebeenagapaverysmallonebetweenthestoryhewastellingme
aboutamanandthemomentwhenhewasgettingouthiswalletandsaying:'Liketo
seeapictureofamurderer'."
"Butyouthoughtitwasapictureofthemanhehadbeentalkingabout?"
"Ithoughtsoyes.Itneveroccurredtomethatitmightn'thavebeen.Butnow,howcanI
besure?"
Mr.Rafiellookedatherverythoughtfully.
"Thetroublewithyouis"hesaid,"thatyou'retooconscientious.Greatmistake.Makeup
yourmindanddon'tshillyshally.Youdidn'tshillyshallytobeginwith.Ifyouaskme,in
allthischitchatyou'vebeenhavingwiththeparson'ssisterandtherestofthem,you've
gotholdofsomethingthat'sunsettledyou."
89

"Perhapsyou'reright."
"Well, cut it out for the moment. Let's go ahead with what you had to begin with.
Because,ninetimesoutoften,one'soriginaljudgementsarerightorsoI'vefound.
We've got three suspects. Let's take 'em out and have a good look at them. Any
preference?"
"Ireallyhaven't,"saidMissMarple,"allthreeofthemseemsoveryunlikely."
"We'll take Greg first," said Mr. Rafiel. "Can't stand the fellow. Doesn't make him a
murderer,though.Still,thereareoneortwopointsagainsthim.Thosebloodpressure
tabletsbelongedtohim.Niceandhandytomakeuseof."
"Thatwouldbealittleobvious,wouldn'tit?"MissMarpleobjected.
"I don't know that it would," said Mr. Rafiel. "After all, the main thing was to do
somethingquickly,andhe'dgotthetablets.Hadn'tmuchtimetogolookingroundfor
tabletsthatsomebodyelsemighthave.Let'ssayit'sGreg.Allright.Ifhewantedtoput
hisdearwifeLuckyoutoftheway(Goodjob,too,I'dsay.InfactI'minsympathywith
him)Ican'tactuallyseehismotive.Fromallaccountshe'srich.Inheritedmoneyfrom
hisfirstwifewhohadpotsofit.Hequalifiesonthatasapossiblewifemurdererallright.
Butthat'soveranddonewith.Hegotawaywithit.ButLuckywashisfirstwife'spoor
relation.Nomoneythere,soifhewantstoputheroutofthewayitmustbeinorderto
marrysomebodyelse.Anygossipgoingaroundaboutthat?"
MissMarpleshookherhead."NotthatIhaveheard.Heerhasaverygallantmanner
withalltheladies."
"Well,that'sanice,oldfashionedwayofputtingit,"saidMr.Rafiel."Allright,he'sa
stoat.Hemakespasses.Notenough!Wewantmorethanthat.Let'sgoontoEdward
Hillingdon.Nowthere'sadarkhorse,ifevertherewasone."
"Heisnot,Ithink,ahappyman,"offeredMissMarple.
Mr.Rafiellookedatherthoughtfully.
"Doyouthinkamurdereroughttobeahappyman?"
MissMarplecoughed."Well,theyusuallyhavebeeninmyexperience."
"Idon'tsupposeyourexperiencehasgoneveryfar,"saidMr.Rafiel.
Inthisassumption,asMissMarplecouldhavetoldhim,hewaswrong.Butsheforboreto
contesthisstatement.Gentlemen,sheknew,didnotliketobeputrightintheirfacts.
"IratherfancyHillingdonmyself,"saidMr.Rafiel."I'veanideathatthereissomethinga
bitoddgoingonbetweenhimandhiswife.Younoticeditatall?"
"Ohyes,"saidMissMarple,"Ihavenoticedit.Theirbehaviourisperfectinpublic,of
90

course,butthatonewouldexpect."
"YouprobablyknowmoreaboutthosesortofpeoplethanIwould,"saidMr.Rafiel."Very
well, then, everything is in perfectly good taste but it's a probability that, in a
gentlemanly way, Edward Hillingdon is contemplating doing away with Evelyn
Hillingdon.Doyouagree?"
"Ifso,"saidMissMarple,"theremustbeanotherwoman."
"Butwhatwoman?"
MissMarpleshookherheadinadissatisfiedmanner.
"Ican'thelpfeelingIreallycan'tthatit'snotallquiteassimpleasthat."
"Well,whoshallweconsidernextJackson?Weleavemeoutofit."
MissMarplesmiledforthefirsttime.
"Andwhydoweleaveyououtofit,Mr.Rafiel?"
"Becauseifyouwanttodiscussthepossibilitiesofmybeingamurdereryou'dhavetodo
itwithsomebodyelse.Wasteoftimetalkingaboutittome.Andanyway,Iaskyou,amI
cutoutforthepart?Helpless,hauledoutofbedlikeadummy,dressed,wheeledaboutin
achair,shuffledalongforawalk.WhatearthlychancehaveIofgoingandmurdering
anyone?"
"Probablyasgoodachanceasanyoneelse,"saidMissMarplevigorously.
"Andhowdoyoumakethatout?"
"Well,youwouldagreeyourself,Ithink,thatyouhavebrains?"
"OfcourseI'vegotbrains,"declaredMr.Rafiel."Agooddealmorethananybodyelsein
thiscommunity,I'dsay."
"Andhavingbrains,"wentonMissMarple,"wouldenableyoutoovercomethephysical
difficultiesofbeingamurderer."
"Itwouldtakesomedoing!"
"Yes,"saidMissMarple,"itwouldtakesomedoing.Butthen,Ithink,Mr.Rafiel,you
wouldenjoythat."
Mr.Rafielstaredatherforquitealongtimeandthenhesuddenlylaughed.
"You'vegotanerve!"hesaid."Notquitethegentlefluffyoldladyyoulook,areyou?So
youreallythinkI'mamurderer?"
"No,"saidMissMarple,"Idonot."
"Andwhy?"
91

"Well,really,Ithinkjustbecauseyouhavegotbrains.Havingbrains,youcangetmost
thingsyouwant,withouthavingrecoursetomurder.Murderisstupid."
"AndanywaywhothedevilshouldIwanttomurder?"
"Thatwouldbeaveryinterestingquestion,"saidMissMarple."Ihavenotyethadthe
pleasureofsufficientconversationwithyoutoevolveatheoryastothat."
Mr.Rafiel'ssmilebroadened.
"Conversationswithyoumightbedangerous,"hesaid.
"Conversationsarealwaysdangerous,ifyouhavesomethingtohide,"saidMissMarple.
"Youmayberight.Let'sgetontoJackson.WhatdoyouthinkofJackson?"
"Itisdifficultformetosay.Ihavenothadtheopportunityreallyofanyconversationwith
him."
"Soyou'venoviewsonthesubject?"
"Heremindsmealittle,"saidMissMarplereflectively,"ofayoungmanintheTown
Clerk'sofficenearwhereIlive,JonasParry."
"And?"Mr.Rafielaskedandpaused.
"Hewasnot,"saidMissMarple,"verysatisfactory."
"Jackson'snotwhollysatisfactoryeither.Hesuitsmeallright.He'sfirstclassathisjob,
andhedoesn'tmindbeingswornat.Heknowshe'sdamnwellpaidandsoheputsup
withthings.Iwouldn'temployhiminapositionoftrust,butIdon'thavetotrusthim.
Maybehispastisblameless,maybeitisn't.HisreferenceswereallrightbutIdiscern
shallIsay,anoteofreserve.Fortunately,I'mnotamanwhohasanyguiltysecrets,soI'm
notasubjectforblackmail."
"No secrets?" said Miss Marple, thoughtfully. "Surely, Mr. Rafiel, you have business
secrets?"
"NotwhereJacksoncangetatthem.No.Jacksonisasmootharticle,onemightsay,butI
reallydon'tseehimasamurderer.I'dsaythatwasn'thislineatall."
Hepausedaminuteandthensaidsuddenly,"Doyouknow,ifonestandsbackandtakesa
goodlookatallthisfantasticbusiness,MajorPalgraveandhisridiculousstoriesandall
therestofit,theemphasisisentirelywrong.I'mthepersonwhooughttobemurdered."
MissMarplelookedathiminsomesurprise.
"Propertypecasting,"explainedMr.Rafiel."Who'sthevictiminmurderstories?Elderly
menwithlotsofmoney."
"Andlotsofpeoplewithagoodreasonforwishinghimoutoftheway,soastogetthat
92

money,"saidMissMarple."Isthattruealso?"
"Well"Mr.Rafielconsidered,"IcancountuptofiveorsixmeninLondonwhowouldn't
burstintotearsiftheyreadmyobituaryinTheTimes.Buttheywouldn'tgoasfartodo
anythingtobringaboutmydemise.Afterall,whyshouldthey?I'mexpectedtodieany
day. Infact thebugblighters are astonished that I'velastedso long. The doctors are
surprisedtoo."
"Youhaveofcourse,agreatwilltolive,"saidMissMarple.
"Youthinkthat'sodd,Isuppose,"saidMr.Rafiel.
MissMarpleshookherhead."Ohno,"shesaid,"Ithinkit'squitenatural.Lifeismore
worthliving,morefullofinterestwhenyouarelikelytoloseit.Itshouldn'tbe,perhaps,
butitis.Whenyou'reyoungandstrongandhealthy,andlifestretchesaheadofyou,
livingisn'treallyimportantatall.It'syoungpeoplewhocommitsuicideeasily,outof
despairfromlove,sometimesfromsheeranxietyandworry.Butoldpeopleknowhow
valuablelifeisandhowinteresting."
"Hah!"saidMr.Rafiel,snorting."Listentoacoupleofoldcrocks."
"Well,whatIsaidistrue,isn'tit?"demandedMissMarple.
"Oh,yes,"saidMr.Rafiel,"it'strueenough.Butdon'tyouthinkI'mrightwhenIsaythat
Ioughttobecastasthevictim?"
"Itdependsonwhohasreasontogainbyyourdeath,"saidMissMarple.
"Nobody,really,"saidMr.Rafiel."Apart,asI'vesaid,frommycompetitorsinthebusiness
worldwho,asIhavealsosaid,cancountcomfortablyonmybeingoutofitbeforevery
long. I'm not such a fool as to leave a lot of money divided up among my relations.
Preciouslittlethey'dgetofitafterGovernmenthadtakenpracticallythelot.Ohno,I've
attendedtoallthatyearsago.Settlements,trusts,andalltherestofit."
"Jackson,forinstance,wouldn'tprofitbyyourdeath?"
"Hewouldn'tgetapenny,"saidMr.Rafielcheerfully."Ipayhimdoublethesalarythat
he'dgetfromanyoneelse.That'sbecausehehastoputupwithmybadtemper,andhe
knowsquitewellthathewillbetheloserwhenIdie."
"AndMrs.Walters?"
"The same goes for Esther. She's a good girl. Firstclass secretary, intelligent, good
tempered,understandsmyways,doesn'tturnahairifIflyoffthehandle,couldn'tcare
lessifIinsulther.Behaveslikeanicenurserygovernessinchargeofanoutrageousand
obstreperouschild.Sheirritatesmeabitsometimes,butwhodoesn't?There'snothing
outstandingabouther.She'sratheracommonplaceyoungwomaninmanyways,butI
couldn'thaveanyonewhosuitedmebetter.She'shadalotoftroubleinherlife.Marrieda
93

manwhowasn'tmuchgood.I'dsaysheneverhadmuchjudgementwhenitcametomen.
Some women haven't. They fall for anyone who tells them a hard luck story. Always
convincedthatallthemanneedsisproperfemaleunderstanding.That,oncemarriedto
her,he'llpulluphissocksandmakeagooflife!Butofcoursethattypeofmannever
does.Anyway,fortunatelyherunsatisfactoryhusbanddied,dranktoomuchataparty
onenightandsteppedinfrontofabus.Estherhadadaughtertosupportandshewent
backtohersecretarialjob.She'sbeenwithmefiveyears.Imadeitquitecleartoherfrom
thestartthatsheneedhavenoexpectationsfrommeintheeventofmydeath.Ipaidher
from the start a very large salary, and that salary I've augmented by as much as a
quarter as much again each year. However decent and honest people are, one should
nevertrustanybody.That'swhyItoldEstherquiteclearlythatshe'dnothingtohopefor
frommydeath.EveryyearIliveshe'llgetabiggersalary.Ifsheputsmostofthataside
everyyearandthat'swhatIthinkshehasdoneshe'llbequiteawelltodowomanby
thetimeIkickthebucket.I'vemademyselfresponsibleforherdaughter'sschoolingand
I'veputasumintrustforthedaughterwhichshe'llgetwhenshecomesofage.SoMrs.
Esther Walters is very comfortably placed. My death, let me tell you, would mean a
seriousfinanciallosstoher."HelookedveryhardatMissMarple."Shefullyrealisesall
that.She'sverysensible,Estheris."
"DosheandJacksongeton?"askedMissMarple.
Mr.Rafielshotaquickglanceather."Noticedsomething,haveyou?"hesaid."Yes,Ithink
Jackson'sdoneabitoftomcattingaround,withaneyeinherdirection,especiallylately.
He'sagoodlookingchap,ofcourse,buthehasn'tcutanyiceinthatdirection.Forone
thing,there'sclassdistinction.She'sjustacutabovehim.Notverymuch.Ifshewas
really a cut above him it wouldn't matter, but the lower middle class they're very
particular.Hermotherwasaschoolteacherandherfatherabankclerk.No,shewon't
makeafoolofherselfaboutJackson.Daresayhe'safterherlittlenestegg,buthewon't
getit."
"Hushshe'scomingnow!"saidMissMarple.
TheybothlookedatEstherWaltersasshecamealongthehotelpathtowardsthem.
"She'squiteagoodlookinggirl,youknow,"saidMr.Rafiel,"butnotanatomofglamour.I
don'tknowwhy,she'squitenicelyturnedout."
Miss Marple sighed, a sigh that any woman will give however old at what might be
consideredwastedopportunities.WhatwaslackinginEstherhadbeencalledbysomany
namesduringMissMarple'sspanofexistence,"Notreallyattractivetomen.""NoS.A."
"Lacks Comehither in her eye." Fair hair, good complexion, hazel eyes, quite a good
figure,pleasantsmile,butlackingthatsomethingthatmakesaman'sheadturnwhenhe
passesawomaninthestreet.
"Sheoughttogetmarriedagain,"saidMissMarple,loweringhervoice.
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"Ofcoursesheought.She'dmakeamanagoodwife."
EstherWaltersjoinedthemandMr.Rafielsaid,inaslightlyartificialvoice."Sothereyou
areatlast!What'sbeenkeepingyou?"
"Everyoneseemedtobesendingcablesthismorning,"saidEsther."Whatwiththat,and
peopletryingtocheckout"
"Tryingtocheckout,arethey?Aresultofthismurderbusiness?"
"Isupposeso.PoorTimKendalisworriedtodeath."
"Andwellhemightbe.Badluckforthatyoungcouple,Imustsay."
"Iknow.Igatheritwasratherabigundertakingforthemtotakeonthisplace.They've
beenworriedaboutmakingasuccessofit.Theyweredoingverywell,too."
"Theyweredoingagoodjob,"agreedMr.Rafiel."He'sverycapableandadamnedhard
worker.She'saverynicegirlattractivetoo.They'vebothworkedlikeblacks,though
that'sanoddtermtouseouthere,forblacksdon'tworkthemselvestodeathatall,sofar
asIcansee.Waslookingatafellowshinningupacoconuttreetogethisbreakfast,then
hegoestosleepfortherestoftheday.Nicelife."
Headded,"We'vebeendiscussingthemurderhere."
EstherWalterslookedslightlystartled.SheturnedherheadtowardsMissMarple.
"I'vebeenwrongabouther,"saidMr.Rafiel,withcharacteristicfrankness."Neverbeen
muchofaonefortheoldpussies.Allknittingwoolandtittletattle.Butthisone'sgot
something.Eyesandears,andsheusesthem."
EstherWalterslookedapologeticallyatMissMarple,butMissMarpledidnotappearto
takeoffence.
"That'sreallymeanttobeacompliment,youknow,"Estherexplained.
"Iquiterealisethat,"saidMissMarple."Irealise,too,thatMr.Rafielisprivileged,or
thinksheis."
"Whatdoyoumeanprivileged?"askedMr.Rafiel.
"Toberudeifyouwanttoberude,"saidMissMarple.
"HaveIbeenrude?"saidMr.Rafiel,surprised."I'msorryifI'veoffendedyou."
"Youhaven'toffendedme,"saidMissMarple,"Imakeallowances."
"Now,don'tbenasty.Esther,getachairandbringithere.Maybeyoucanhelp."
Estherwalkedafewstepstothebalconyofthebungalowandbroughtoveralightbasket
chair.
95

"We'll go on with our consultation," said Mr. Rafiel. "We started with old Palgrave,
deceased,andhiseternalstories."
"Ohdear,"sighedEsther."I'mafraidIusedtoescapefromhimwheneverIcould."
"MissMarplewasmorepatient,"saidMr.Rafiel."Tellme,Esther,didheevertellyoua
storyaboutamurderer?"
"Ohyes,"saidEsther."Severaltimes."
"Whatwasitexactly?Let'shaveyourrecollection."
"Well"Estherpausedtothink."Thetroubleis,"shesaidapologetically,"Ididn'treally
listen very closely. You see, it was rather like that terrible story about the lion in
Rhodesiawhichusedtogoonandon.Onedidgetratherinthehabitofnotlistening."
"Well,telluswhatyoudoremember."
"Ithinkitaroseoutofsomemurdercasethathadbeeninthepapers.MajorPalgrave
saidthathe'dhadanexperiencenoteverypersonhadhad.He'dactuallymetamurderer
facetoface."
"Met?"Mr.Rafielexclaimed."Didheactuallyusetheword'Met'?"
Estherlookedconfused."Ithinkso."Shewasdoubtful."Orhemayhavesaid,'Icanpoint
yououtamurderer'."
"Well,whichwasit?There'sadifference."
"Ican'treallybesure...Ithinkhesaidhe'dshowmeapictureofsomeone."
"That'sbetter."
"AndthenhetalkedalotaboutLucreziaBorgia."
"NevermindaboutLucreziaBorgia.Weknowallabouther."
"HetalkedaboutpoisonersandthatLucreziawasverybeautifulandhadredhair.He
saidtherewereprobablyfarmorewomenpoisonersgoingabouttheworldthananyone
knew."
"ThatIfearisquitelikely,"saidMissMarple.
"Andhetalkedaboutpoisonbeingawoman'sweapon."
"Seemstohavebeenwanderingfromthepointabit,"saidMr.Rafiel.
"Well,ofcourse,healwaysdidwanderfromthepointinhisstories.Andthenoneusedto
stoplisteningandjustsay'Yes'and'Really?'and'Youdon'tsayso'."
"Whataboutthispicturehewasgoingtoshowyou?"

96

"Idon'tremember.Itmayhavebeensomethinghe'dseeninthepaper"
"Hedidn'tactuallyshowyouasnapshot?"
"Asnapshot?No."Sheshookherhead."I'mquitesureofthat.Hedidsaythatshewasa
goodlookingwoman,andyou'dneverthinkshewasamurderertolookather."
"She?"
"Thereyouare,"exclaimedMissMarple."Itmakesitallsoconfusing."
"Hewastalkingaboutawoman?"Mr.Rafielasked.
"Ohyes."
"Thesnapshotwasasnapshotofawoman?"
"Yes."
"Itcan'thavebeen!"
"Butitwas,"Estherpersisted."Hesaid'She'shereinthisisland.I'llpointherout,and
thenI'lltellyouthewholestory.'"
Mr.Rafielswore.InsayingwhathethoughtofthelateMajorPalgravehedidnotmince
hiswords.
"Theprobabilitiesare,"hefinished,"thatnotawordofanythinghesaidwastrue!"
"Onedoesbegintowonder,"MissMarplemurmured.
"Sothereweare,"saidMr.Rafiel."Theoldboobystartedtellingyouhuntingtales.Pig
sticking,tigershooting,elephanthunting,narrowescapesfromlions.Oneortwoofthem
mighthavebeenfact.Severalofthemwerefiction,andothershadhappenedtosomebody
else! Then he gets on to the subject of murder and he tells one murder story to cap
anothermurderstory.Andwhat'smorehetellsthemallasifthey'dhappenedtohim.
Tentoonemostofthemwereahashupofwhathe'dreadinthepaper,orseenonT.V.."
HeturnedaccusinglyonEsther."Youadmitthatyouweren'tlisteningclosely.Perhaps
youmisunderstoodwhathewassaying."
"I'mcertainhewastalkingaboutawoman,"saidEstherobstinately,"becauseofcourseI
wonderedwhoitwas."
''Whodoyouthinkitwas?"askedMissMarple.
Estherflushedandlookedslightlyembarrassed."Oh,Ididn'treallyImean,Iwouldn't
liketo"
MissMarpledidnotinsist.ThepresenceofMr.Rafiel,shethought,wasinimicaltoher
findingoutexactlywhatsuppositionsEstherWaltershadmade.Thatcouldonlybecosily
97

broughtoutinattettebetweentwowomen.Andtherewas,ofcourse,thepossibility
thatEstherWalterswaslying.Naturally,MissMarpledidnotsuggestthisaloud.She
registereditasapossibilitybutshewasnotinclinedtobelieveinit.Foronethingshedid
notthinkthatEstherWalterswasaliar(thoughoneneverknew)andforanother,she
couldseenopointinsuchalie.
"Butyousay,"Mr.RafielwasnowturninguponMissMarple,"yousaythathetoldyou
thisyamaboutamurdererandthathethensaidhehadapictureofhimwhichhewas
goingtoshowyou."
"Ithoughtso,yes."
"Youthoughtso?Youweresureenoughtobeginwith!"
MissMarpleretortedwithspirit."Itisnevereasytorepeataconversationandbeentirely
accurateinwhattheotherpartytoithassaid.Oneisalwaysinclinedtojumpatwhat
youthinktheymeant.Then,afterwards,youputactualwordsintotheirmouths.Major
Palgravetoldmethisstory,yes.Hetoldmethatthemanwhotoldittohim,thisdoctor,
hadshownhimasnapshotofthemurderer;butifIamtobequitehonestImustadmit
thatwhatheactuallysaidtomewas'Wouldyouliketoseeasnapshotofamurderer?'
andnaturallyIassumedthatitwasthesamesnapshothehadbeentalkingabout.That
itwasthesnapshotofthatparticularmurderer.ButIhavetoadmitthatitispossible
onlyremotelypossible,butstillpossiblethatbyanassociationofideasinhismindhe
leapedfromthesnapshothehadbeenshowninthepast,toasnapshothehadtaken
recentlyofsomeoneherewhomhewasconvincedwasamurderer."
"Women!"snortedMr.Rafiel,inexasperation,"You'reallthesame,thewholeblinkinglot
ofyou!Can'tbeaccurate.You'reneverexactlysureofwhatathingwas.Andnow,"he
addedirritably,"wheredoesthatleaveus?"Hesnorted."EvelynHillingdon,orGreg's
wife.Lucky?Thewholethingisamess."
Therewasaslightapologeticcough.
Arthur Jackson was standing at Mr. Rafiel's elbow. He had come so noiselessly that
nobodyhadnoticedhim.
"Timeforyourmassage,sir,"hesaid.
Mr.Rafieldisplayedimmediatetemper."Whatdoyoumeanbysneakinguponmeinthat
wayandmakingmejump?Ineverheardyou."
"Verysorry,sir."
"Idon'tthinkI'llhaveanymassagetoday.Itneverdoesmeadamnbitofgood."
"Ohcomesir,youmustn'tsaythat."Jacksonwasfullofprofessionalcheerfulness."You'd
soonnoticeitifyouleftitoff."
98

Hewheeledthechairdeftlyround.
MissMarplerosetoherfeet,smiledatEstherandwentdowntothebeach.

99

CHAPTER 18: Without Benefit of Clergy

Thebeachwasratheremptythismorning.Gregwassplashinginthewaterinhisusual
noisystyle.Luckywaslyingonherfaceonthebeachwithasuntannedbackwelloiled
andherblondehairsplayedoverhershoulders.TheHillingdonswerenotthere.Seora
deCaspearo,withanassortedbagofgentlemeninattendancewaslyingfaceupwards
and talking deepthroated, happy Spanish. Some French and Italian children were
playingatthewater'sedgeandlaughing.CanonandMissPrescottweresittinginbeach
chairs observing the scene. The Canon had his hat tilted forward over his eyes and
seemedhalfasleep.TherewasaconvenientchairnexttoMissPrescottandMissMarple
madeforitandsatdown.
"Ohdear,"shesaid,withadeepsigh.
"Iknow,"saidMissPrescott.
Itwastheirjointtributetoviolentdeath.
"Thatpoorgirl,"saidMissMarple.
"Verysad,"saidtheCanon."Mostdeplorable."
"Foramomentortwo,"saidMissPrescott,"wereallythoughtofleaving,JeremyandI.
Butthenwedecidedagainstit.Itwouldnotreallybefair,Ifelt,ontheKendals.Afterall,
it'snottheirfault.Itmighthavehappenedanywhere."
"Inthemidstoflifeweareindeath,"saidtheCanonsolemnly.
"It'sveryimportant,youknow,"saidMissPrescott,"thattheyshouldmakeagoofthis
place.Theyhavesunkalltheircapitalinit."
"Averysweetgirl,"saidMissMarple,"butnotlookingatallwelllately."
"Verynervy,"agreedMissPrescott."Ofcourseherfamily"sheshookherhead.
"Ireallythink,Joan,"saidtheCanoninmildreproof,"thattherearesomethings"
"Everybodyknowsaboutit,"saidMissPrescott."Herfamilyliveinourpartoftheworld.
Agreatauntmostpeculiarandoneofherunclestookoffallhisclothesinoneofthe
tubestations.GreenPark,Ibelieveitwas."
"Joan,thatisathingthatshouldnotberepeated."
"Verysad,"saidMissMarple,shakingherhead,"thoughIbelievenotanuncommonform
100

ofmadness.IknowwhenwewereworkingfortheArmenianrelief,amostrespectable
elderlyclergymanwasafflictedthesameway.Theytelephonedhiswifeandshecame
alongatonceandtookhimhomeinacab,wrappedinablanket."
"Ofcourse,Molly'simmediatefamily'sallright,"saidMissPrescott."Shenevergoton
very well with her mother, but then so few girls seem to get on with their mothers
nowadays."
"Suchapity,"saidMissMarple,shakingherhead,"becausereallyayounggirlneedsher
mother'sknowledgeoftheworldandexperience."
"Exactly,"saidMissPrescottwithemphasis."Molly,youknow,tookupwithsomeman
quiteunsuitable,Iunderstand."
"Itsooftenhappens,"saidMissMarple.
"Herfamilydisapproved,naturally.Shedidn'ttellthemaboutit.Theyheardaboutit
fromacompleteoutsider.Ofcoursehermothersaidshemustbringhimalongsothat
they met him properly. This, I understand, the girl refused to do. She said it was
humiliatingtohim.Mostinsultingtobemadetocomeandmeetherfamilyandbelooked
over.Justasthoughyouwereahorse,shesaid."
MissMarplesighed."Onedoesneedsomuchtactwhendealingwiththeyoung,"she
murmured.
"Anywaythereitwas!Theyforbadehertoseehim."
"But you can't do that nowadays," said Miss Marple. "Girls have jobs and they meet
peoplewhetheranyoneforbidsthemornot."
"Butthen,veryfortunately,"wentonMissPrescott,"shemetTimKendal,andtheother
mansortoffadedoutofthepicture.Ican'ttellyouhowrelievedthefamilywas."
"Ihopetheydidn'tshowittooplainly,"saidMissMarple."Thatsooftenputsgirlsoff
fromformingsuitableattachments."
"Yes,indeed."
"Oneremembersoneself."MurmuredMissMarple,hermindgoingbacktothepast.A
youngmanshehadmetatacroquetparty.Hehadseemedsonicerathergay,almost
Bohemianinhisviews.Andthenhehadbeenunexpectedlywarmlywelcomedbyher
father.Hehadbeensuitable,eligible;hehadbeenaskedfreelytothehousemorethan
once,andMissMarplehadfoundthat,afterall,hewasdull.Verydull.
TheCanonseemedsafelycomatoseandMissMarpleadvancedtentativelytothesubject
shewasanxioustopursue.
"Of course you know so much about this place," she murmured. "You have been here
severalyearsrunning,haveyounot?"
101

"Well,lastyearandtwoyearsbeforethat.WelikeSt.Honorverymuch.Alwayssuch
nicepeoplehere.Nottheflashy,ultrarichset."
"SoIsupposeyouknowtheHillingdonsandtheDysonswell!"
'"Yes,fairlywell."
MissMarplecoughedandloweredhervoiceslightly.
"MajorPalgravetoldmesuchaninterestingstory,"shesaid.
"Hehadagreatrepertoireofstories,hadn'the?Ofcoursehehadtravelledverywidely.
Africa,India,evenChinaIbelieve."
"Yesindeed,"saidMissMarple."ButIdidn'tmeanoneofthosestories.Thiswasastory
concernedwithwell,withoneofthepeopleIhavejustmentioned."
"Oh!"saidMissPrescott.Hervoiceheldmeaning.
"Yes.NowIwonder"MissMarpleallowedhereyestotravelgentlyroundthebeachto
whereLuckylaysunningherback."Verybeautifullytanned,isn'tshe,"remarkedMiss
Marple."Andherhair.Mostattractive.PracticallythesamecolourasMollyKendal's,
isn'tit?"
"Theonlydifference,"saidMissPrescott,"isthatMolly'sisnaturalandLucky'scomesout
ofabottle!"
"Really,Joan,"theCanonprotested,unexpectedlyawakeagain."Don'tyouthinkthatis
ratheranuncharitablethingtosay?"
"It'snotuncharitable,"saidMissPrescott,acidly."Merelyaccurate."
"Itlooksverynicetome."saidtheCanon.
"Ofcourse.That'swhyshedoesit.ButIassureyou,mydearJeremy,itwouldn'tdeceive
anywomanforamoment.Wouldit?"SheappealedtoMissMarple.
"Well,I'mafraid"saidMissMarple,"ofcourseIhaven'ttheexperiencethatyouhave
butI'mafraidyesIshouldsaydefinitelynotnatural.Theappearanceattherootsevery
fifthorsixthday"ShelookedatMissPrescottandtheybothnoddedwithquietfemale
assurance.
TheCanonappearedtobedroppingoffagain.
"MajorPalgravetoldmeareallyextraordinarystory,murmuredMissMarple,"about
wellIcouldn'tquitemakeout.Iamalittledeafsometimes.Heappearedtobesayingor
hinting"shepaused.
"Iknowwhatyoumean.Therewasagreatdealoftalkatthetime"
"Youmeanatthetimethat"
102

"WhenthefirstMrs.Dysondied.Herdeathwasquiteunexpected.Infact,everybody
thoughtshewasamaladeimaginaireahypochondriac.Sowhenshehadthisattack
anddiedsounexpectedly,wellofcourse,peopledidtalk."
"Therewasn'tanytroubleatthetime?"
"Thedoctorwaspuzzled.Hewasquiteayoungmanandhehadn'thadmuchexperience.
HewaswhatIcalloneofthoseantibioticsforallmen.Youknow,thekindthatdoesn't
bothertolookatthepatientmuch,orworrywhat'sthematterwithhim.Theyjustgive
themsomekindofpilloutofabottleandiftheydon'tgetbetter,thentheytryadifferent
pill.Yes,Ibelievehewaspuzzled,butitseemedshehadhadgastrictroublebefore.At
leastherhusbandsaidso,andthereseemednoreasonforbelievinganythingwaswrong."
"Butyouyourselfthink"
"Well,Ialwaystrytokeepanopenmind,butonedoeswonder,youknow.Andwhatwith
variousthingspeoplesaid"
"Joan!"TheCanonsatup.Helookedbelligerent."Idon'tlikeIreallydon'tliketohear
thiskindofillnaturedgossipbeingrepeated.We'vealwayssetourfacesagainstthat
kindofthing.Seenoevil,hearnoevil,speaknoevilandwhatismore,thinknoevil!
ThatshouldbethemottoofeveryChristianmanandwoman."
Thetwowomensatinsilence.Theywererebuked,andindeferencetotheirtrainingthey
deferredtothecriticismofaman.Butinwardlytheywerefrustrated,irritatedandquite
unrepentant.MissPrescottthrewafrankglanceofirritationtowardsherbrother.Miss
Marpletookoutherknittingandlookedatit.Fortunatelyforthem,chancewasontheir
side.
"Monpre!"saidasmallshrillvoice.ItwasoneoftheFrenchchildrenwhohadbeen
playingatthewater's edge.Shehadcomeupunnoticed,andwasstandingbyCanon
Prescott'schair.
"Monpre!"shefluted.
"Eh?Yes,mydear?Oui,qu'estcequ'ilya,mapetite!"
Thechildexplained.Therehadbeenadisputeaboutwhoshouldhavethewaterwings
nextandalsoothermattersofseasideetiquette.CanonPrescottwasextremelyfondof
children,especiallysmallgirls.Hewasalwaysdelightedtobesummonedtoactasarbiter
intheirdisputes.Herosewillinglynowandaccompaniedthechildtothewater'sedge.
Miss Marple and Miss Prescott breathed deep sighs and turned avidly towards each
other.
"Jeremy,ofcourserightly,isveryagainstillnaturedgossip,"saidMissPrescott,"butone
cannotreallyignorewhatpeoplearesaying.Andtherewas,asIsay,agreatdealoftalk
atthetime."
103

"Yes?"MissMarple'stoneurgedherforward.
"This young woman, you see. Miss Greatorex I think her name was then I can't
remembernowwasakindofcousinandshelookedafterMrs.Dyson.Gaveherallher
medicinesandthingslikethat."Therewasashort,meaningfulpause."Andofcourse
therehad,Iunderstand"MissPrescott'svoicewaslowered"beengoingsonbetween
Mr.DysonandMissGreatorex.Alotofpeoplehadnoticedthem.Imeanthingslikethat
arequicklyobservedinaplacelikethis.Thentherewassomecuriousstoryaboutsome
stuffthatEdwardHillingdongotforheratachemist."
"Oh,EdwardHillingdoncameintoit?"
"Ohyes,hewasverymuchattracted.Peoplenoticedit.AndLuckyMissGreatorex
playedthemoffagainsteachother.GregoryDysonandEdwardHillingdon.Onehasto
faceit,shehasalwaysbeenanattractivewoman."
"Thoughnotasyoungasshewas,"MissMarplereplied.
"Exactly. But she was always very well turned out and made up. Of course not so
flamboyantwhenshewasjustthepoorrelation.Shealwaysseemedverydevotedtothe
invalid.But,well,youseehowitwas."
"Whatwasthisstoryaboutthechemist?Howdidthatgetknown?"
"Well,itwasn'tinJamestown;IthinkitwaswhentheywereinMartinique.TheFrench,
I believe, are more lax than we are in the matter of drugs. This chemist talked to
someone,andthestorygotaround.Youknowhowthesethingshappen."
MissMarpledid.Nonebetter.
"HesaidsomethingaboutColonelHillingdonaskingforsomethingandnotseemingto
knowwhatitwashewasaskingfor.Consultingapieceofpaper,youknow,onwhichit
waswrittendown.Anyway,asIsay,therewastalk."
"ButIdon'tseequitewhyColonelHillingdon"MissMarplefrownedinperplexity.
"Isupposehewasjustbeingusedasacat'spaw.Anyway,GregoryDysonmarriedagain
inanalmostindecentlyshorttime.Barelyamonthlater,Iunderstand."
Theylookedateachother.
"Buttherewasnorealsuspicion?"MissMarpleasked.
"Ohno,itwasjustwell,talk.Ofcoursetheremayhavebeenabsolutelynothinginit."
"MajorPalgravethoughttherewas."
"Didhesaysotoyou?"
"Iwasn'treallylisteningveryclosely,"confessedMissMarple."Ijustwonderedifer
104

well,ifhe'dsaidthesamethingstoyou?"
"Hedidpointherouttomeoneday,"saidMissPrescott.
"Really?Heactuallypointedherout?"
"Yes.Asamatteroffact,IthoughtatfirstitwasMrs.Hillingdonhewaspointingout.He
wheezedandchuckledabitandsaid'Lookatthatwomanoverthere.Inmyopinionthat's
awomanwho'sdonemurderandgotawaywithit.'Iwasveryshocked,ofcourse.Isaid,
'Surelyyou'rejoking,MajorPalgrave,'andhesaid,'Yes,yes,dearlady,let'scallitjoking.'
TheDysonsandtheHillingdonsweresittingatatablequiteneartous,andIwasafraid
they'doverhear.Hechuckledandsaid'Wouldn'tcaretogotoadrinkpartyandhavea
certainpersonmixmeacocktail.ToomuchlikesupperwiththeBorgias.'"
"Howveryinteresting,"saidMissMarple.
"Didhementionaaphotograph?"
"Idon'tremember...Wasitsomenewspapercutting?"
Miss Marple, about to speak, shut her lips. The sun was momentarily obscured bya
shadow.EvelynHillingdonpausedbesidethem.
"Goodmorning,"shesaid.
"Iwaswonderingwhereyouwere,"saidMissPrescott,lookingupbrightly.
"I'vebeentoJamestown,shopping."
"Oh,Isee."
Miss Prescott looked round vaguely and Evelyn Hillingdon said: "Oh, I didn't take
Edwardwithme.Menhateshopping."
"Didyoufindanythingofinterest?"
"Itwasn'tthatsortofshopping.Ijusthadtogotothechemist."Withasmileandaslight
nodshewentondownthebeach.
"Suchnicepeople,theHillingdons,"saidMissPrescott,"thoughshe'snotreallyveryeasy
toknow,isshe?Imean,she'salwaysverypleasantandallthat,butoneneverseemsto
gettoknowheranybetter."
MissMarpleagreedthoughtfully.
"Oneneverknowswhatsheisthinking,"saidMissPrescott.
"Perhapsthatisjustaswell,"saidMissMarple.
"Ibegyourpardon?"
"Ohnothingreally,onlythatI'vealwayshadthefeelingthatperhapsherthoughtsmight
105

beratherdisconcerting."
"Oh,"saidMissPrescott,lookingpuzzled."Iseewhatyoumean."Shewentonwitha
slightchangeofsubject."IbelievetheyhaveaverycharmingplaceinHampshire,anda
boyorisittwoboyswhohavejustgoneoroneofthemtoWinchester."
"DoyouknowHampshirewell?"
"No.Hardlyatall.IbelievetheirhouseissomewherenearAlton."
"Isee."MissMarplepausedandthensaid,"AndwheredotheDysonslive?"
"California," said Miss Prescott. "When they are at home, that is. They are great
travellers."
"Onereallyknowssolittleaboutthepeopleonemeetswhenoneistravelling,"saidMiss
Marple."ImeanhowshallIputitoneonlyknows,doesn'tone,whattheychooseto
tellyouaboutthemselves.Forinstance,youdon'treallyknowthattheDysonslivein
California."
MissPrescottlookedstartled."I'msureMr.Dysonmentionedit."
"Yes.Yes,exactly.That'swhatImean.AndthesamethingperhapswiththeHillingdons.
ImeanwhenyousaythattheyliveinHampshire,you'rereallyrepeatingwhattheytold
youaren'tyou?"
MissPrescottlookedslightlyalarmed."Doyoumeanthattheydon'tliveinHampshire?"
sheasked.
"No,no,notforonemoment,"saidMissMarple,quicklyapologetic."Iwasonlyusing
themasaninstanceastowhatoneknowsordoesn'tknowaboutpeople."Sheadded,"I
havetoldyouthatIliveatSt.MaryMead,whichisaplace,nodoubt,ofwhichyouhave
neverheard.Butyoudon't,ifImaysayso,knowitofyourownknowledge,doyou?"
MissPrescottforborefromsayingthatshereallycouldn'tcarelesswhereMissMarple
lived.ItwassomewhereinthecountryandinthesouthofEnglandandthatisallshe
knew. "Oh, I do see what you mean," she agreed hastily, "and I know that one can't
possiblybetoocarefulwhenoneisabroad."
"Ididn'texactlymeanthat."saidMissMarple.
ThereweresomeoddthoughtsgoingthroughMissMarple'smind.Didshereallyknow,
shewasaskingherself,thatCanonPrescottandMissPrescottwerereallyCanonPrescott
andMissPrescott?
Theysaidso.Therewasnoevidencetocontradictthem.Itwouldreallybeeasy,wouldit
not, to put on a dogcollar, to wear the appropriate clothes, to make the appropriate
conversation.Iftherewasamotive...
106

MissMarplewasfairlyknowledgeableabouttheclergyinherpartoftheworld,butthe
Prescotts came from the north. Durham, wasn't it? She had no doubt they were the
Prescotts,butstill,itcamebacktothesamethingonebelievedwhatpeoplesaidtoone.
Perhaps one ought to be on one's guard against that. Perhaps... She shook her head
thoughtfully.

107

CHAPTER 19: Uses of a Shoe

CanonPrescottcamebackfromthewater'sedgeslightlyshortofbreath(playingwith
childrenisalwaysexhausting).
Presentlyheandhissisterwentbacktothehotel,findingthebeachalittletoohot.
"But,"saidSeoradeCaspearoscornfullyastheywalkedaway,"Howcanabeachbetoo
hot?Itisnonsensethat.Andlookwhatshewearsherarmsandherneckareallcovered
up.Perhapsitisaswell,that.Herskinitishideous,likeapluckedchicken."
MissMarpledrewadeepbreath.NoworneverwasthetimeforconversationwithSeora
deCaspearo.Unfortunatelyshedidnotknowwhattosay.Thereseemedtobenocommon
groundonwhichtheycouldmeet.
"Youhavechildren,Seora?"sheinquired.
"Ihavethreeangels,"saidSeoradeCaspearo,kissingherfingertips.MissMarplewas
ratheruncertainastowhetherthismeantthatSeoradeCaspearo'soffspringwerein
Heaven or whether it merely referred to their characters. One of the gentlemen in
attendance made a remark in Spanish and Seora de Caspearo flung back her head
appreciativelyandlaughedloudlyandmelodiously.
"Youunderstandwhathesaid?"sheinquiredofMissMarple.
"I'mafraidnot,"saidMissMarpleapologetically.
"Itisjustaswell.Heisawickedman."
ArapidandspiritedinterchangeofSpanishfollowed.
"Itisinfamousinfamous,"saidSeoradeCaspearo,revertingtoEnglishwithsudden
gravity,"thatthepolicedonotletusgofromthisisland.Istorm,Iscream,Istampmy
foot,butalltheysayisNo.No.Youknowhowitwillend,weshallallbekilled."
Herbodyguardattemptedtoreassureher.
"Butyes.Itellyouitisunluckyhere.Iknewitfromthefirst.ThatoldMajor,theugly
one,hehadtheEvilEye.Youremember?Hiseyestheycrossed.Itisbad,that!Imakethe
SignoftheHornseverytimewhenhelooksmyway."Shemadeitinillustration."Though
sinceheiscrosseyedIamnotalwayssurewhenhedoeslookmyway"
"He had a glass eye," said Miss Marple in an explanatory voice. "An accident, I
understand,whenhewasquiteyoung.Itwasnothisfault."

108

"Itellyouhebroughtbadluck.Isayitistheevileyehehad."
HerhandshotoutagaininthewellknownLatingesture:thefirstfingerandthelittle
fingerstickingout,thetwomiddleonesdoubledin."Anyway,"shesaidcheerfully,"heis
dead.Idonothavetolookathimanymore.Idonotliketolookatthingsthatareugly."
Itwas,MissMarplethought,asomewhatcruelepitaphonMajorPalgrave.Fartherdown
thebeachGregoryDysonhadcomeoutofthesea.Luckyhadturnedherselfoveronthe
sand.EvelynHillingdonwaslookingatLucky,andherexpression,forsomereason,made
MissMarpleshiver.
"SurelyIcan'tbecoldinthishotsun,"shethought.
Whatwastheoldphrase?"Agoosewalkingoveryourgrave"
Shegotupandwentslowlybacktoherbungalow.
OnthewayshepassedMr.RafielandEstherWalterscomingdownthebeach.Mr.Rafiel
winkedather.MissMarpledidnotwinkback.Shelookedathimdisapprovingly.She
wentintoherbungalowandlaydownonherbed.Shefeltoldandtiredandworried.
Shewasquitecertainthattherewasnotimetobelostnotimetobelost...Itwas
gettinglate...Thesunwasgoingtoset.Thesun,onemustalwayslookatthesunthrough
smokedglass...Wherewasthatpieceofsmokedglassthatsomeonehadgivenher?...No,
shewouldn'tneeditafterall.Ashadowhadcomeoverthesunblottingitout.Ashadow.
EvelynHillingdon's shadow.No,notEvelynHillingdonTheShadow(whatwerethe
words)theShadowoftheValleyofDeath.Thatwasit.Shemustwhatwasit?Makethe
Sign of the Horns to avert the Evil Eye Major Palgrave's Evil Eye. Her eyelids
flickeredopenshehadbeenasleep.Buttherewasashadowsomeonepeeringinat
herwindow.
TheshadowmovedawayandMissMarplesawwhoitwas.ItwasJackson.
"Impertinencepeeringinlikethat,"shethoughtandaddedparenthetically"Justlike
JonasParry."
ThecomparisonreflectednocreditonJackson.
ThenshewonderedwhyJacksonhadbeenpeeringintoherbedroom.Toseeifshewas
there?Ortonotethatshewasthere,butwasasleep.Shegotup,wentintothebathroom
andpeeredcautiouslythroughthewindow.ArthurJacksonwasstandingbythedoorof
thebungalownextdoor.Mr.Rafiel'sbungalow.Shesawhimgivearapidglanceround
andthenslipquicklyinside.
Interesting,thoughtMissMarple.Whydidhehavetolookroundinthatfurtivemanner.
Nothing in the world could have been more natural than his going into Mr. Rafiel's
bungalowsincehehimselfhadaroomatthebackofit.Hewasalwaysgoinginandoutof
109

itonsomeerrandorother.
Sowhythatquick,guiltyglanceround?"Onlyonereason,"saidMissMarple,"hewanted
tobesurethatnobodywasobservinghimenteratthisparticularmomentbecauseof
somethinghewasgoingtodointhere."
Everybody,ofcourse,wasonthebeachatthismomentexceptthosewhohadgonefor
expeditions.Inabouttwentyminutesorso,Jacksonhimselfwouldarriveonthebeachin
thecourseofhisdutiestoaidMr.Rafieltotakehisseadip.Ifhewantedtodoanything
inthebungalowunobserved,nowwasaverygoodtime.Hehadsatisfiedhimselfthat
MissMarplewasasleeponherbed,hehadsatisfiedhimselfthattherewasnobodynear
athandtoobservehismovements.Well,shemustdoherbesttodoexactlythat.
Sittingdownonherbed.MissMarpleremovedherneatsandalshoesandreplacedthem
withapairofplimsolls.Thensheshookherhead,removedtheplimsolls,burrowedinher
suitcaseandtookoutapairofshoestheheelononeofwhichshehadrecentlycaughton
ahookbythedoor.ItwasnowinaslightlyprecariousstateandMissMarpleadroitly
rendereditevenmoreprecariousbyattentionwithanailfile.Thensheemergedwithdue
precautionfromherdoorwalkinginstockingedfeet.
WithallthecareofaBigGameHunterapproachingupwindofaherdofantelope,Miss
MarplegentlycircumnavigatedMr.Rafiel'sbungalow.
Cautiouslyshemanoeuvredherwayaroundthecornerofthehouse.Sheputononeofthe
shoesshewascarrying,gaveafinalwrenchtotheheeloftheother,sankgentlytoher
kneesand layproneunderthewindow.IfJacksonheardanything,ifhecametothe
windowtolookout,anoldladywouldhavehadafallowingtotheheelcomingoffher
shoe.ButevidentlyJacksonhadheardnothing.
Very,verygentlyMissMarpleraisedherhead.Thewindowsofthebungalowwerelow.
Shieldingherselfslightlywithafestoonofcreepershepeeredinside...
Jacksonwasonhiskneesbeforeasuitcase.
ThelidofthesuitcasewasupandMissMarplecouldseethatitwasaspeciallyfitted
affaircontainingcompartmentsfilledwithvariouskindsofpapers.
Jackson was looking through the papers, occasionally drawing documents out of long
envelopes.MissMarpledidnotremainatherobservationpostforlong.Allshewanted
wastoknowwhatJacksonwasdoing.Sheknewnow.Jacksonwassnooping.Whetherhe
waslookingforsomethinginparticular,orwhetherhewasjustindulginghisnatural
instincts,shehadnomeansofjudging.ButitconfirmedherinherbeliefthatArthur
JacksonandJonasParryhadstrongaffinitiesinotherthingsthanfacialresemblance.
Her problem was now to withdraw. Very carefully she dropped down again and crept
alongtheflowerbeduntilshewasclearofthewindow.Shereturnedtoherbungalowand
110

carefullyputawaytheshoeandtheheelthatshehaddetachedfromit.Shelookedat
themwithaffection.Agooddevicewhichshecoulduseonanotherdayifnecessary.She
resumedherownsandalshoes,andwentthoughtfullydowntothebeachagain.
ChoosingamomentwhenEstherWalterswasinthewater.MissMarplemovedintothe
chairEstherhadvacated.
GregandLuckywerelaughingandtalkingwithSeoradeCaspearoandmakingagood
dealofnoise.
MissMarplespokeveryquietly,almostunderherbreath,withoutlookingatMr.Rafiel.
"DoyouknowthatJacksonsnoops?"
"Doesn'tsurpriseme,"saidMr.Rafiel."Caughthimatit,didyou?"
"Imanagedtoobservehimthroughawindow.Hehadoneofyoursuitcasesopenandwas
lookingthroughyourpapers."
"Musthavemanagedtogetholdofakeytoit.Resourcefulfellow.He'llbedisappointed
though.Nothinghegetsholdofinthatwaywilldohimamiteofgood."
"He'scomingdownnow,"saidMissMarple,glancinguptowardsthehotel.
"Timeforthatidioticseadipofmine."Hespokeagainveryquietly."Asforyoudon't
betooenterprising.Wedon'twanttobeattendingyourfuneralnext.Rememberyourage,
andbecareful.There'ssomebodyaboutwhoisn'ttooscrupulous,remember?"

111

CHAPTER 20: Night Alarm

I
Eveningcame.Thelightscameupontheterrace.Peopledinedandtalkedandlaughed,
albeitlessloudlyandmerrilythantheyhadadayortwoago.Thesteelbandplayed.But
thedancingendedearly.Peopleyawned,wentofftobed.Thelightswentout.Therewas
darknessandstillness.TheGoldenPalmTreeslept...
"Evelyn.Evelyn!"Thewhispercamesharpandurgent.
EvelynHillingdonstirredandturnedonherpillow.
"Evelyn.Pleasewakeup."
EvelynHillingdonsatupabruptly.TimKendalwasstandinginthedoorway.Shestared
athiminsurprise.
''Evelyn,please,couldyoucome?It'sMolly.She'sill.Idon'tknowwhat'sthematter
withher.Ithinkshemusthavetakensomething."
Evelynwasquick,decisive.
"Allright,Tim.I'llcome.Yougobacktoher.I'llbewithyouinamoment."
TimKendaldisappeared.Evelynslippedoutofbed,threwonadressinggownandlooked
acrossattheotherbed.Herhusband,itseemed,hadnotbeenawakened.Helaythere,
hisheadturnedaway,breathingquietly.Evelynhesitatedforamoment,thendecidednot
todisturbhim.Shewentoutofthedoorandwalkedrapidlytothemainbuildingand
beyondittotheKendals'bungalow.ShecaughtupwithTiminthedoorway.
Mollylayinbed.Hereyeswereclosedandherbreathingwasclearlynotnatural.Evelyn
bentoverher,rolledupaneyelid,feltherpulseandthenlookedatthebedsidetable.
Therewasaglasstherewhichhadbeenused.Besideitwasanemptyphialoftablets.
Shepickeditup.
"Theywerehersleepingpills,"saidTim,"butthatbottlewashalffullyesterdayorthe
daybefore.Ithinkshemusthavetakenthelot."
"GoandgetDr.Graham,"saidEvelyn,"andonthewayknockthemupandtellthemto
makestrongcoffee.Strongaspossible.Hurry."
Timdashedoff.JustoutsidethedoorwayhecollidedwithEdwardHillingdon.
"Oh,sorry,Edward."
"What'shappeninghere?"demandedHillingdon."What'sgoingon?"
112

"It'sMolly.Evelyn'swithher.Imustgetholdofthedoctor.IsupposeIought'vegoneto
himfirstbutIIwasn'tsureandIthoughtEvelynwouldknow.Mollywouldhavehated
itifI'dfetchedadoctorwhenitwasn'tnecessary."
Hewentoff,running.EdwardHillingdonlookedafterhimforamomentandthenhe
walkedintothebedroom.
"What'shappening?"hesaid."Isitserious?"
"Oh, there you are, Edward. I wondered if you'd woken up. This silly child has been
takingthings."
"Isitbad?"
"Onecan'ttellwithoutknowinghowmuchshe'staken.Ishouldn'tthinkitwastoobadif
wegetgoingintime.I'vesentforcoffee.Ifwecangetsomeofthatdownher"
"Butwhyshouldshedosuchathing?Youdon'tthink"Hestopped.
"Whatdon'tIthink?"askedEvelyn.
"Youdon'tthinkit'sbecauseoftheinquirythepoliceallthat?"
"It'spossible,ofcourse.Thatsortofthingcouldbeveryalarmingtoanervoustype."
"Mollyneverusedtoseemanervoustype."
"Onecan'treallytell,"saidEvelyn."It'sthemostunlikelypeoplesometimeswholose
theirnerve."
"Yes,Iremember..."Againhestopped.
"Thetruthis,"saidEvelyn,"thatonedoesn'treallyknowanythingaboutanybody."She
added,"Noteventhepeoplewhoarenearesttoyou..."
"Isn'tthatgoingalittletoofar,Evelynexaggeratingtoomuch?"
"Idon'tthinkitis.Whenyouthinkofpeople,itisintheimageyouhavemadeofthemfor
yourself."
"Iknowyou,"saidEdwardHillingdonquietly.
"Youthinkyoudo."
"No.I'msure."Headded,"Andyou'resureofme."
Evelynlookedathimthenturnedbacktothebed.ShetookMollybytheshouldersand
shookher.
"We ought to be doing something, but I suppose it's better to wait until Dr. Graham
comes.Oh,IthinkIhearthem."

113

II
"She'lldonow."Dr.Grahamsteppedback,wipedhisforeheadwithahandkerchiefand
breathedasighofrelief.
"Youthinkshe'llbeallright,sir?"Timdemandedanxiously.
"Yes,yes.Wegottoheringoodtime.Anyway,sheprobablydidn'ttakeenoughtokillher.
Acoupleofdaysandshe'llbeasrightasrainbutshe'llhavearathernastydayortwo
first."Hepickeduptheemptybottle."Whogaveherthesethingsanyway?"
"AdoctorinNewYork.Shewasn'tsleepingwell."
"Well,well.Iknowallwemedicoshandthesethingsoutfreelynowadays.Nobodytells
youngwomenwhocan'tsleeptocountsheep,orgetupandeatabiscuit,orwriteacouple
of letters and then go back to bed. Instant remedies, that's what people demand
nowadays.SometimesIthinkit'sapitywegivethemtothem.You'vegottolearntoput
upwiththingsinlife.Allverywelltostuffacomforterintoababy'smouthtostopit
crying.Can'tgoondoingthatallaperson'slife."Hegaveasmallchuckle."Ibetyou,if
youaskedMissMarplewhatshedoesifshecan'tsleep,she'dtellyoushecountedsheep
goingunderagate."HeturnedbacktothebedwhereMollywasstirring.Hereyeswere
opennow.Shelookedatthemwithoutinterestorrecognition.Dr.Grahamtookherhand.
"Well,well,mydear,andwhathaveyoubeendoingtoyourself?"
Sheblinkedbutdidnotreply.
"Whydidyoudoit,Molly,why?Tellmewhy?"Timtookherotherhand.
Stillhereyesdidnotmove.IftheyrestedonanyoneitwasonEvelynHillingdon.
Theremighthavebeenevenafaintquestioninthembutitwashardtotell.
Evelynspokeasthoughtherehadbeenthequestion.
"Timcameandfetchedme,"shesaid.
HereyeswenttoTim,thenshiftedtoDr.Graham.
"You'regoingtobeallrightnow,"saidDr.Graham,"butdon'tdoitagain."
"Shedidn'tmeantodoit,"saidTimquietly."I'msureshedidn'tmeantodoit.Shejust
wantedagoodnight'srest.Perhapsthepillsdidn'tworkatfirstandsoshetookmoreof
them.Isthatit,Molly?"
Herheadmovedveryfaintlyinanegativemotion.
"Youmeanyoutookthemonpurpose?"saidTim.
114

Mollyspokethen."Yes,"shesaid.
"Butwhy,Molly,why?"
Theeyelidsfaltered."Afraid."Thewordwasjustheard.
"Afraid?Ofwhat?"
Buthereyelidscloseddown.
"Betterletherbe,"saidDr.Graham.
Timspokeimpetuously."Afraidofwhat?Thepolice?Becausethey'vebeenhoundingyou,
askingyouquestions?Idon'twonder.Anyonemightfeelfrightened.Butit'sjusttheir
way,that'sall.Nobodythinksforonemoment"hebrokeoff.
Dr.Grahammadehimadecisivegesture.
"Iwanttogotosleep,"saidMolly.
"Thebestthingforyou,"saidDr.Graham.
Hemovedtothedoorandtheothersfollowedhim.
"She'llsleepallright,"saidGraham.
"IsthereanythingIoughttodo?"askedTim.Hehadtheusual,slightlyapprehensive
attitudeofamaninillness.
"I'llstayifyoulike,"saidEvelynkindly.
"Ohno.No,that'squiteallright,"saidTim.
Evelynwentbacktowardsthebed."ShallIstaywithyou,Molly?"
Molly'seyesopenedagain.Shesaid,"No,"andthenafterapause,"justTim."
Timcamebackandsatdownbythebed.
"I'mhere,Molly,"hesaidandtookherhand.
"Justgotosleep.Iwon'tleaveyou."
Shesighedfaintlyandhereyesclosed.
ThedoctorpausedoutsidethebungalowandtheHillingdonsstoodwithhim.
"You'resurethere'snothingmoreIcando?"askedEvelyn.
"Idon'tthinkso,thankyou,Mrs.Hillingdon.She'llbebetterwithherhusbandnow.But
possiblytomorrowafterall,he'sgotthishoteltorunIthinksomeoneshouldbewith
her."
"D'youthinkshemighttryagain?"askedHillingdon.
115

Graham rubbedhis foreheadirritably. "Onenever knows inthesecases. Actually, it's

most unlikely. As you've seen for yourselves, the restorative treatment is extremely
unpleasant.Butofcourseonecanneverbeabsolutelycertain.Shemayhavemoreofthis
stuffhiddenawaysomewhere."
"I should never have thought of suicide in connection with a girl like Molly," said
Hillingdon.
Graham said dryly, "It's not the people who are always talking of killing themselves,
threateningtodoso,whodoit.Theydramatisethemselvesthatwayandletoffsteam."
"Mollyalwaysseemedsuchahappygirl.Ithinkperhaps"Evelynhesitated"Ioughtto
tellyouDr.Graham."ShetoldhimthenaboutherinterviewwithMollyonthebeachthe
nightthatVictoriahadbeenkilled.
Graham'sfacewasverygravewhenshehadfinished.
"I'mgladyou'vetoldme,Mrs.Hillingdon.Thereareverydefiniteindicationsthereof
some kind of deep rooted trouble. Yes. I'll have a word with her husband in the
morning."

III
"Iwanttotalktoyouseriously,Kendal,aboutyourwife."
They were sitting in Tim's office. Evelyn Hillingdon had taken his place by Molly's
bedsideandLuckyhadpromisedtocomeand,assheexpressedit,"spellher"later.
MissMarplehadalsoofferedherservices.
PoorTimwastornbetweenhishotelcommitmentsandhiswife'scondition.
"Ican'tunderstandit,"saidTim,"Ican'tunderstandMollyanylonger.She'schanged.
Changedoutofallseeming."
"Iunderstandshe'sbeenhavingbaddreams?"
"Yes.Yes,shecomplainedaboutthemagooddeal."
"Forhowlong?"
"Oh,Idon'tknow.AboutohIsupposeamonthperhapslonger.Shewethought
theywerejustwell,nightmares,youknow."
"Yes,yes,Iquiteunderstand.Butwhat'samuchmoreserioussignisthefactthatshe
seemstohavefeltafraidofsomeone.Didshecomplainaboutthattoyou?"
"Well,yes.Shesaidonceortwicethatoh,peoplewerefollowingher."
116

"Ah!Spyingonher?"
"Yes,shedidusethattermonce.Shesaidtheywereherenemiesandthey'dfollowedher
here."
"Didshehaveenemies,Mr.Kendal?"
"No.Ofcourseshedidn't."
"NoincidentinEngland,anythingyouknowaboutbeforeyouweremarried?"
"Ohno,nothingofthatkind.Shedidn'tgetonwithherfamilyverywell,thatwasall.Her
motherwasratheraneccentricwoman,difficulttolivewithperhaps,but..."
"Anysignsofmentalinstabilityinherfamily?"
Timopenedhismouthimpulsively,thenshutitagain.Hepushedafountainpenabouton
thedeskinfrontofhim.
Thedoctorsaid:"Imuststressthefactthatitwouldbebettertotellme,Tim,ifthatis
thecase."
"Well,yes,Ibelieveso.Nothingserious,butIbelievetherewasanauntorsomethingwho
wasabitbatty.Butthat'snothing.Imeanwellyougetthatinalmostanyfamily."
"Ohyes,yes,that'squitetrue.I'mnottryingtoalarmyouaboutthat,butitjustmight
showatendencytowelltobreakdownorimaginethingsifanystressarose."
"Idon'treallyknowverymuch,"saidTim."Afterall,peopledon'tpouroutalltheirfamily
historiestoyou,dothey?"
"No,no.Quiteso.Shehadnoformerfriend,shewasnotengagedtoanyone,anyonewho
mighthavethreatenedherormadejealousthreats?Thatsortofthing?"
"Idon'tknow.Idon'tthinkso.MollywasengagedtosomeothermanbeforeIcamealong.
Herparentswereveryagainstit,Iunderstand,andIthinkshereallystucktothechap
moreoutofoppositionanddefiancethananythingelse."Hegaveasuddenhalfgrin."You
knowwhatitiswhenyou'reyoung.Ifpeoplecutupafussitmakesyoumuchkeeneron
whoeveritis."
Dr.Grahamsmiledtoo."Ahyes,oneoftenseesthat.Oneshouldnevertakeexceptionto
one'schildren'sobjectionablefriends.Usuallytheygrowoutofthemnaturally.Thisman,
whoeverhewas,didn'tmakethreatsofanykindagainstMolly?"
"No,I'msurehedidn't.Shewouldhavetoldme.Shesaidherselfshejusthadasilly
adolescentcrazeonhim,mainlybecausehehadsuchabadreputation."
"Yes,yes.Well,thatdoesn'tsoundserious.Nowthere'sanotherthing.Apparentlyyour
wifehashadwhatshedescribesasblackouts.Briefpassagesoftimeduringwhichshe
can'taccountforheractions.Didyouknowaboutthat,Tim?"
117

"No,"saidTimslowly,"No.Ididn't.Shenevertoldme.Ididnotice,youknow,nowyou
mentionit,thatsheseemedrathervaguesometimesand..."Hepaused,thinking."Yes,
thatexplainsit.Icouldn'tunderstandhowsheseemedtohaveforgottenthesimplest
things,orsometimesnottoseemtoknowwhattimeofdayitwas.Ijustthoughtshewas
absentminded,Isuppose."
"Whatitamountsto,Tim,isjustthis.Iadviseyoumoststronglytotakeyourwifetosee
agoodspecialist."
Timflushedangrily."Youmeanamentalspecialist,Isuppose?"
"Now, now, don't be upset by labels. A neurologist, a psychologist, someone who
specialisesinwhatthelaymancallnervousbreakdowns.There'sagoodmaninKingston.
Orthere'sNewYorkofcourse.Thereissomethingthatiscausingthesenervousterrorsof
your wife's. Something, perhaps, for which she hardly knows the reason herself. Get
adviceabouther,Tim.Getadviceassoonaspossible."
Heputhishandontheyoungman'sshoulderandgotup.
"There'snoimmediateworry.Yourwifehasgoodfriendsandwe'llallbekeepinganeye
onher."
"Shewon'tYoudon'tthinkshe'lltryitagain?"
"Ithinkitmostunlikely,"saidDr.Graham.
"Youcan'tbesure,"saidTim.
"Onecanneverbesure,"saidDr.Graham,"that'soneofthefirstthingsyoulearninmy
profession."AgainhelaidahandonTim'sshoulder."Don'tworrytoomuch."
"That'seasytosay,"saidTimasthedoctorwentoutofthedoor."Don'tworry,indeed!
WhatdoeshethinkI'mmadeof?"

118

CHAPTER 21: Jackson on Cosmetics

"You'resureyoudon'tmind,MissMarple?"saidEvelynHillingdon.
"No,indeed,mydear,"saidMissMarple."I'monlytoodelightedtobeofuseinanyway.
Atmyage,youknow,onefeelsveryuselessintheworld.EspeciallywhenIaminaplace
likethis,justenjoyingmyself.Nodutiesofanykind.No,I'llbedelightedtositwithMolly.
Yougoalongonyourexpedition.PelicanPoint,wasn'tit?"
"Yes,"saidEvelyn."BothEdwardandIloveit.Inevergettiredofseeingthebirdsdiving
down,catchingupthefish.Tim'swithMollynow.Buthe'sgotthingstodoandhedoesn't
seemtolikeherbeingleftalone."
"He'squiteright,"saidMissMarple."Iwouldn'tinhisplace.Oneneverknows,doesone?
Whenanyonehasattemptedanythingofthatkind.Well,goalong,mydear."
Evelynwentofftojoinalittlegroupthatwaswaitingforher.Herhusband,theDysons
andthreeorfourotherpeople.
MissMarplecheckedherknittingrequirements,sawthatshehadallshewantedwith
her,andwalkedovertowardstheKendals'bungalow.
AsshecameupontotheloggiasheheardTim'svoicethroughthehalfopenFrench
window.
"Ifyou'donlytellmewhyyoudidit,Molly.Whatmadeyou?WasitanythingIdid?There
mustbesomereason.Ifyou'donlytellme."
MissMarplepaused.TherewasalittlepauseinsidebeforeMollyspoke.Hervoicewas
flatandtired.
"Idon'tknow,Tim,Ireallydon'tknow.Isupposesomethingcameoverme."
MissMarpletappedonthewindowandwalkedin.
"Ohthereyouare.MissMarple.Itisverygoodofyou."
"Notatall,"saidMissMarple."I'mdelightedtobeofanyhelp.ShallIsithereinthis
chair?You'relookingmuchbetter,Molly.I'msoglad."
"I'mallright,"saidMolly."Quiteallright.Just,oh,justsleepy."
"I shan't talk," said Miss Marple. '"You just lie quiet and rest. I'll get on with my
knitting."
TimKendalthrewheragratefulglanceandwentout.MissMarpleestablishedherselfin
119

herchair.
Mollywaslyingonherleftside.Shehadahalfstupefied,exhaustedlook.Shesaidina
voicethatwasalmostawhisper:"It'sverykindofyou.MissMarple.IIthinkI'llgoto
sleep."
She half turned away on her pillows and closed her eyes. Her breathing grew more
regular though it was still far from normal. Long experience of nursing made Miss
Marplealmostautomaticallystraightenthesheetandtuckitunderthemattressonher
sideofthebed.Asshedidsoherhandencounteredsomethinghardandrectangular
underthemattress.Rathersurprisedshetookholdofthisandpulleditout.Itwasa
book.MissMarplethrewaquickglanceatthegirlinthebed,butshelaythereutterly
quiescent.Shewasevidentlyasleep.MissMarpleopenedthebook.Itwas,shesaw,a
currentworkonnervousdiseases.Itcameopennaturallyatacertainplacewhichgavea
description of the onset of persecution mania and various other manifestations of
schizophreniaandalliedcomplaints.
Itwasnotahighlytechnicalbook,butonethatcouldbeeasilyunderstoodbyalayman.
MissMarple'sfacegrewverygraveassheread.Afteraminuteortwosheclosedthebook
andstayedthinking.
Thenshebentforwardandwithsomecarereplacedthebookwhereshehadfoundit,
underthemattress.
Sheshookherheadinsomeperplexity.Noiselesslysherosefromherchair.Shewalked
the few steps towards the window, then turned her head sharply over her shoulder.
Molly'seyeswereopenbutevenasMissMarpleturnedtheeyesshutagain.Foraminute
ortwoMissMarplewasnotquitecertainwhethershemightnothaveimaginedthat
quick,sharpglance.WasMollythenonlypretendingtobeasleep?Thatmightbenatural
enough.ShemightfeelthatMissMarplewouldstarttalkingtoherifsheshowedherself
awake.Yes,thatcouldbeallitwas.
WasshereadingintothatglanceofMolly'sakindofslynessthatwassomehowinnately
disagreeable?Onedoesn'tknow,MissMarplethoughttoherself,onereallydoesn'tknow.
ShedecidedthatshewouldtrytomanagealittletalkwithDr.Grahamassoonasit
couldbemanaged.Shecamebacktoherchairbythebed.Shedecidedafteraboutfive
minutesorsothatMollywasreallyasleep.Noonecouldhavelainsostill,couldhave
breathedsoevenly.MissMarplegotupagain.Shewaswearingherplimsollstoday.Not
perhapsveryelegant,butadmirablysuitedtothisclimateandcomfortableandroomyfor
thefeet.
Shemovedgentlyroundthebedroom,pausingatbothofthewindows,whichgaveoutin
twodifferentdirections.
Thehotelgroundsseemedquietanddeserted.MissMarplecamebackandwasstanding
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alittleuncertainlybeforeregainingherseat,whenshethoughtsheheardafaintsound
outside.Likethescrapeofashoeontheloggia?Shehesitatedamomentthenshewentto
thewindow,pusheditalittlefartheropen,steppedoutandturnedherheadbackintothe
roomasshespoke.
"Ishallbegoneonlyaveryshorttime,dear,"shesaid,"justbacktomybungalow,tosee
whereIcouldpossiblyhaveputthatpattern.IwassosureIhadbroughtitwithme.
You'llbequiteallrighttillIcomeback,won'tyou?"
Thenturningherheadback,shenoddedtoherself."Asleep,poorchild.Agoodthing."
Shewentquietlyalongtheloggia,downthestepsandturnedsharprighttothepath
there.Passingalongbetweenthescreenofsomehibiscusbushesanobservermighthave
beencurioustoseethatMissMarpleveeredsharplyontotheflowerbed,passedroundto
thebackofthebungalowandentereditagainthroughtheseconddoorthere.Thisled
directlyintoasmallroomthatTimsometimesusedasanunofficialofficeandfromthat
intothesittingroom.
Heretherewerewidecurtainssemidrawntokeeptheroomcool.MissMarpleslipped
behindoneofthem.Thenshewaited.Fromthewindowhereshehadagoodviewof
anyonewhoapproachedMolly'sbedroom.Itwassomefewminutes,fourorfive,before
shesawanything.
TheneatfigureofJacksoninhiswhiteuniformwentupthestepsoftheloggia.
He paused for a minute at the balcony there, and then appeared to be giving a tiny
discreettaponthedoorofthewindowthatwasajar.TherewasnoresponsethatMiss
Marplecouldhear.Jacksonlookedaroundhim,aquickfurtiveglance,thenheslipped
insidetheopendoors.MissMarplemovedtothedoorwhichleddirectlyintothebedroom.
Shedidnotgothroughitbutappliedhereyetothehinge.
Jacksonhadwalkedintotheroom.Heapproachedthebedandlookeddownforaminute
onthesleepinggirl.Thenheturnedawayandwalkednottothesittingroomdoorbutto
thefardoorwhichledintotheadjoiningbathroom.MissMarple'seyebrowsroseinslight
surprise.Shereflectedaminuteortwo,thenwalkedoutintothepassagewayandintothe
bathroombytheotherdoor.
Jacksonspunroundfromexaminingtheshelfoverthewashbasin.Helookedtaken
aback,whichwasnotsurprising.
"Oh,"hesaid,"IIdidn't..."
"Mr.Jackson,"saidMissMarple,ingreatsurprise.
"Ithoughtyouwouldbeheresomewhere,"saidJackson.
"Didyouwantanything?"inquiredMissMarple.
121

"Actually,"saidJackson,"IwasjustlookingatMrs.Kendal'sbrandoffacecream."
MissMarpleappreciatedthefactthatasJacksonwasstandingwithajaroffacecreamin
hishandhehadbeenadroitinmentioningthefactatonce.
"Nicesmell,"hesaid,wrinklinguphisnose."Fairlygoodstuff,asthesepreparationsgo.
Thecheaperbrandsdon'tsuiteveryskin.Bringitoutinarashaslikelyasnot.Thesame
thingwithfacepowderssometimes."
"Youseemtobeveryknowledgeableonthesubject,"saidMissMarple.
"Workedinthepharmaceuticallineforabit,"saidJackson."Onelearnstoknowagood
deal about cosmetics there. Put stuff in a fancy jar, package it expensively, and it's
astonishingwhatyoucouldrookwomenfor."
"Isthatwhatyou?"MissMarplebrokeoffdeliberately.
"Wellno,Ididn'tcomeinheretotalkaboutcosmetics,"Jacksonagreed.
"You'venothadmuchtimetothinkupalie,"thoughtMissMarpletoherself."Let'ssee
whatyou'llcomeoutwith."
"Matteroffact,"saidJackson,"Mrs.WalterslentherlipsticktoMrs.Kendaltheother
day.Icameintogetitbackforher.ItappedonthewindowandthenIsawMrs.Kendal
wasfastasleep,soIthoughtitwouldbequiteallrightifIjustwalkedacrossintothe
bathroomandlookedforit."
"Isee,"saidMissMarple."Anddidyoufindit?"
Jackson shook his head. "Probably in one of her handbags," he said lightly. "I won't
bother.Mrs.Waltersdidn'tmakeapointofit.Sheonlyjustmentioneditcasually."He
wenton,surveyingthetoiletpreparations:"Doesn'thaveverymuch,doesshe?Ahwell,
doesn'tneeditatherage.Goodnaturalskin."
"You must look at women with quite a different eye from ordinary men," said Miss
Marple,smilingpleasantly.
"Yes.Isupposevariousjobsdoalterone'sangle."
"Youknowagooddealaboutdrugs?"
"Ohyes.Goodworkingacquaintancewiththem.Ifyouaskme,therearetoomanyof
themaboutnowadays.Toomanytranquilisersandpeppillsandmiracledrugsandallthe
restofit.Allrightifthey'regivenonprescription,buttherearetoomanyofthemyoucan
getwithoutprescription.Someofthemcanbedangerous."
"Isupposeso,"saidMissMarple."Yes,Isupposeso."
"Theyhaveagreateffect,youknow,onbehaviour.Alotofthisteenagehysteriayouget
fromtimetotime.It'snotnaturalcauses.Thekids'vebeentakingthings.Oh,there's
122

nothingnewaboutit.It'sbeenknownforages.OutintheEastnotthatI'veeverbeen
thereallsortsoffunnythingsusedtohappen.You'dbesurprisedatsomeofthethings
womengavetheirhusbands.InIndia,forexample,inthebadolddays,ayoungwifewho
marriedanoldhusband.Didn'twanttogetridofhim,Isuppose,becauseshe'dhavebeen
burntonthefuneralpyre,orifshewasn'tburntshe'dhavebeentreatedasanoutcastby
thefamily.NocatchtohavebeenawidowinIndiainthosedays.Butshecouldkeepan
elderlyhusbandunderdrugs,makehimsemiimbecile,givehimhallucinations,drive
himmoreorlessoffhishead."Heshookhishead."Yes,lotofdirtywork."
Hewenton:"Andwitches,youknow.There'salotofinterestingthingsknownnowabout
witches. Why did they always confess, why did they admit so readily that they were
witches,thattheyhadflownonbroomstickstotheWitches'Sabbath."
"Torture,"saidMissMarple.
"Notalways,"saidJackson."Ohyes,tortureaccountedforalotofit,buttheycameout
withsomeofthoseconfessionsalmostbeforetorturewasmentioned.Theydidn'tsomuch
confess as boast about it. Well, they rubbed themselves with ointments, you know.
Anointingtheyusedtocallit.Someofthepreparations,belladonna,atropine,allthat
sortofthing,ifyourubthemontheskintheygiveyouhallucinationsoflevitation,of
flying through the air. They thought it all was genuine, poor devils. And look at the
Assassinsmedievalpeople,outinSyria,theLebanon,somewherelikethat.Theyfed
themIndianhemp,gavethemhallucinationsofparadiseandhouris,andendlesstime.
Theyweretoldthatthatwaswhatwouldhappentothemafterdeath,buttoattainit
theyhadtogoanddoaritualkilling.Oh,I'mnotputtingitinfancylanguage,butthat's
whatitcameto."
"What it came to," said Miss Marple, "is in essence the fact that people are highly
credulous."
"Wellyes,Isupposeyoucouldputitlikethat."
"Theybelievewhattheyaretold,"saidMissMarple."Yesindeed,we'reallinclinedtodo
that,"sheadded.Thenshesaidsharply."WhotoldyouthesestoriesaboutIndia,about
thedopingofhusbandswithdatura,"andsheaddedsharply,beforehecouldanswer,
"WasitMajorPalgrave?"
Jacksonlookedslightlysurprised.
"Wellyes,asamatteroffact,itwas.Hetoldmealotofstorieslikethat.Ofcoursemost
ofitmusthavebeenbeforehistime,butheseemedtoknowallaboutit."
"MajorPalgravewasundertheimpressionthatheknewalotabouteverything,"said
Miss Marple. "He was often inaccurate in what he told people." She shook her head
thoughtfully."MajorPalgrave,"shesaid,"hasalottoanswerfor."

123

There was a slight sound from the adjoining bedroom. Miss Marple turned her head
sharply. She went quickly out of the bathroom into the bedroom. Lucky Dyson was
standingjustinsidethewindow.
"Ioh!Ididn'tthinkyouwerehere,MissMarple."
"Ijuststeppedintothebathroomforamoment,"saidMissMarple,withdignityanda
faintairofVictorianreserve.
Inthebathroom,Jacksongrinnedbroadly.Victorianmodestyalwaysamusedhim.
"Ijustwonderedifyou'dlikemetositwithMollyforabit,"saidLucky.Shelookedover
towardsthebed."She'sasleep,isn'tshe?"
"Ithinkso,"saidMissMarple."Butit'sreallyquiteallright.Yougoandamuseyourself,
mydear.Ithoughtyou'dgoneonthatexpedition?"
"Iwasgoing,"saidLucky,"butIhadsuchafilthyheadachethatatthelastmomentI
criedoff.SoIthoughtImightaswellmakemyselfuseful."
"That was very nice of you," said Miss Marple. She reseated herself by the bed and
resumedherknitting,"butI'mquitehappyhere."
Luckyhesitatedforamomentortwoandthenturnedawayandwentout.
MissMarplewaitedamomentthentiptoedbackintothebathroom,butJacksonhad
departed,nodoubtthroughtheotherdoor.MissMarplepickedupthejaroffacecreamhe
hadbeenholding,andslippeditintoherpocket.

124

CHAPTER 22: A Man in Her Life

Getting a little chat in a natural manner with Dr. Graham was not so easy as Miss
Marplehadhoped.Shewasparticularlyanxiousnottoapproachhimdirectlysinceshe
didnotwanttolendundueimportancetothequestionsshewasgoingtoaskhim.
Timwasback,lookingafterMollyandMissMarplehadarrangedthatsheshouldrelieve
himthereduringthetimethatdinnerwasservedandhewasneededinthediningroom.
He hadassured herthat Mrs.Dysonwas quitewillingto take that on,oreven Mrs.
Hillingdon,butMiss Marplesaidfirmlythat theywerebothyoungwomenwholiked
enjoyingthemselvesandthatsheherselfpreferredalightmealearlyandsothatwould
suiteverybody.Timonceagainthankedherwarmly.Hoveringratheruncertainlyround
thehotelandonthepathwaywhichconnectedwithvariousbungalows,amongthemDr.
Graham's,MissMarpletriedtoplanwhatshewasgoingtodonext.
Shehadalotofconfusedandcontradictoryideasinherheadandiftherewasonething
thatMissMarpledidnotlike,itwastohaveconfusedandcontradictoryideas.Thiswhole
businesshadstartedoutclearlyenough.MajorPalgravewithhisregrettablecapacityfor
tellingstories,hisindiscretionthathadobviouslybeenoverheardandthecorollary,his
deathwithintwentyfourhours.Nothingdifficultaboutthat,thoughtMissMarple.But
afterwards,shewasforcedtoadmit,therewasnothingbutdifficulty.
Everythingpointedintoomanydifferentdirectionsatonce.Onceadmitthatyoudidn't
believeawordthatanybodyhadsaidtoyou,thatnobodycouldbetrusted,andthatmany
ofthepersonswithwhomshehadconversedherehadhadregrettableresemblancesto
certain persons at St. Mary Mead, and where did that lead you? Her mind was
increasingly focused on the victim. Someone was going to be killed and she had the
increasingfeelingthatsheoughttoknowquitewellwhothatsomeonewas.
Therehadbeensomething.Somethingshehadheard?Noticed?Seen?
Somethingsomeonehadtoldherthathadabearingonthecase.JoanPrescott?Joan
Prescotthadsaidalotofthingsaboutalotofpeople.Scandal?Gossip?Whatexactlyhad
JoanPrescottsaid?
Gregory Dyson, Lucky Miss Marple's mind hovered over Lucky. Lucky, she was
convincedwithacertaintybornofhernaturalsuspicions,hadbeenactivelyconcernedin
thedeathofGregoryDyson'sfirstwife.Everythingpointedtoit.Coulditbethatthe
predestined victim over whom she was worrying was Gregory Dyson? That Lucky
intendedtotryherluckagainwithanotherhusband,andforthatreasonwantednotonly
125

freedombutthehandsomeinheritancethatshewouldgetasGregoryDyson'swidow?
"Butreally,"saidMissMarpletoherself,"thisisallpureconjecture.I'mbeingstupid.I
knowI'mbeingstupid.Thetruthmustbequiteplain,ifonecouldjustclearawaythe
litter.Toomuchlitter,that'swhat'sthematter."
"Talkingtoyourself?"saidMr.Rafiel.
MissMarplejumped.Shehadnotnoticedhisapproach.EstherWalterswassupporting
himandhewascomingslowlydownfromhisbungalowtotheterrace.
"Ireallydidn'tnoticeyou,Mr.Rafiel."
"Yourlipsweremoving.What'sbecomeofallthisurgencyofyours?"
"It'sstillurgent,"saidMissMarple,"onlyIcan'tjustseewhatmustbeperfectlyplain"
"I'mgladit'sassimpleasthat.Well,ifyouwantanyhelp,countonme."
HeturnedhisheadasJacksonapproachedthemalongthepath.
"Sothereyouare,Jackson.Wherethedevilhaveyoubeen?NeveraboutwhenIwant
you."
"Sorry,Mr.Rafiel."
DexterouslyheslippedhisshoulderunderMr.Rafiel's."Downtotheterrace,sir?"
"Youcantakemetothebar,"saidMr.Rafiel."Allright,Esther,youcangonowand
changeintoyoureveningtogs.Meetmeontheterraceinhalfanhour."
HeandJacksonwentofftogether.Mrs.WaltersdroppedintothechairbyMissMarple.
She rubbed herarm gently."He seemsa verylightweight," sheobserved,"butat the
momentmyarmfeelsquitenumb.Ihaven'tseenyouthisafternoonatall,MissMarple."
"No,I'vebeensittingwithMollyKendal,"MissMarpleexplained."Sheseemsreallyvery
muchbetter."
"Ifyouaskmetherewasneververymuchwrongwithher,"saidEstherWalters.
MissMarpleraisedhereyebrows.
EstherWalters'stonehadbeendecidedlydry.
"Youmeanyouthinkhersuicideattempt..."
"Idon'tthinktherewasanysuicideattempt,"saidEstherWalters."Idon'tbelievefora
momentshetookarealoverdoseandIthinkDr.Grahamknowsthatperfectlywell."
"Nowyouinterestmeverymuch,"saidMissMarple."Iwonderwhyyousaythat?"
"BecauseI'malmostcertainthatit'sthecase.Oh,it'sathingthathappensveryoften.
126

It'saway,Isuppose,ofcallingattentiontooneself,"wentonEstherWalters.
"'You'llbesorrywhenI'mdead'?"quotedMissMarple.
"Thatsortofthing,"agreedEstherWalters,"thoughIdon'tthinkthatwasthemotivein
this particular instance. That's the sort of thing you feel like when your husband's
playingyouupandyetyou'restillterriblyfondofhim."
"Youdon'tthinkMollyKendalisfondofherhusband?"
"Well,"saidEstherWalters,"doyou?"
Miss Marple considered. "I have," she said, "more or less assumed it." She paused a
momentbeforeadding,"perhapswrongly."
Estherwassmilingherratherwrysmile.
"I'veheardalittleabouther,youknow.Aboutthewholebusiness."
"FromMissPrescott?"
"Oh,"saidEsther,"fromoneortwopeople.There'samaninthecase.Someoneshewas
keenon.Herpeopleweredeadagainsthim."
"Yes,"saidMissMarple,"Ididhearthat."
"AndthenshemarriedTim.Perhapsshewasfondofhiminaway.Buttheotherman
didn'tgiveup.I'vewonderedonceortwiceifhedidn'tactuallyfollowherouthere."
"Indeed.Butwho?"
"I'venoideawho,"saidEsther,"andIshouldimaginethatthey'vebeenverycareful."
"Youthinkshecaresforthisotherman?"
Esthershruggedhershoulders."Idaresayhe'sabadlot,"shesaid,"butthat'sveryoften
thekindwhoknowshowtogetunderawoman'sskinandstaythere."
"Youneverheardwhatkindofamanwhathedidanythinglikethat?"
Esthershookherhead."No.Peoplehazardguesses,butyoucan'tgobythattypeofthing.
Hemayhavebeenamarriedman.Thatmayhavebeenwhyherpeopledislikedit,orhe
mayhavebeenarealbadlot.Perhapshedrank.Perhapshetangledwiththelaw.Idon't
know.Butshecaresforhimstill.ThatIknowpositively."
"You'veseensomething,heardsomething?"MissMarplehazarded.
"IknowwhatI'mtalkingabout,"saidEsther.Hervoicewasharshandunfriendly.
"Thesemurders"beganMissMarple.
"Can't youforgetmurders?"saidEsther."You'vegot Mr. Rafiel nowalltangledup in
127

them.Can'tyoujustletthembe?You'llneverfindoutanymore,I'msureofthat."
MissMarplelookedather.
"Youthinkyouknow,don'tyou?"shesaid.
"IthinkIdo,yes.I'mfairlysure."
"Thenoughtn'tyoutotellwhatyouknowdosomethingaboutit?"
"WhyshouldI?Whatgoodwoulditdo?Icouldn'tproveanything.Whatwouldhappen
anyway?Peoplegetletoffnowadayssoeasily.Theycallitdiminishedresponsibilityand
thingslikethat.Afewyearsinprisonandyou'reoutagain,asrightasrain."
"Supposing,becauseyoudon'ttellwhatyouknow,somebodyelsegetskilledanother
victim?"
Esthershookherheadwithconfidence.
"Thatwon'thappen,"shesaid.
"Youcan'tbesureofit."
"Iamsure.AndinanycaseIdon'tseewho"Shefrowned."Anyway,"sheadded,almost
inconsequently,"perhapsitisdiminishedresponsibility.Perhapsyoucan'thelpitnot
ifyouarereallymentallyunbalanced.Oh,Idon'tknow.Byfarthebestthingwouldbeif
shewentoffwithwhoeveritis,thenwecouldallforgetaboutthings."
Sheglancedatherwatch,gaveanexclamationofdismayandgotup."Imustgoand
change."
Miss Marple sat looking after her. Pronouns, she thought, were always puzzling and
womenlikeEstherWalterswereparticularlypronetostrewthemabouthaphazard.
WasEstherWaltersforsomereasonconvincedthatawomanhadbeenresponsibleforthe
deathsofMajorPalgraveandVictoria?Itsoundedlikeit.
MissMarpleconsidered.
"Ah,MissMarple,sittinghereallaloneandnotevenknitting?"
ItwasDr.Grahamforwhomshehadsoughtsolongandsounsuccessfully.
Andherehewaspreparedofhisownaccordtosit downforafewminutes'chat.He
wouldn'tstaylong.MissMarplethought,becausehetoowasbentonchangingfordinner,
and he usually dined fairly early. She explained that she had been sitting by Molly
Kendal'sbedsidethatafternoon.
"Onecanhardlybelieveshehasmadesuchagoodrecoverysoquickly,"shesaid.
"Oh well," said Dr. Graham, "it's not very surprising. She didn't take a very heavy
128

overdose,youknow."
"Oh,Iunderstoodshe'dtakenquiteahalfbottlefulloftablets."
Dr.Grahamwassmilingindulgently.
"No,"hesaid,"Idon'tthinkshetookthatamount.Idaresayshemeanttotakethem,
thenprobablyatthelastmomentshethrewhalfofthemaway.People,evenwhenthey
thinktheywanttocommitsuicide,oftendon'treallywanttodoit.Theymanagenotto
takeafulloverdose.It'snotalwaysdeliberatedeceit,it'sjustthesubconsciouslooking
afteritself."
"Or,Isupposeitmightbedeliberate.Imean,wantingittoappearthat..."MissMarple
paused.
"It'spossible,"saidDr.Graham.
"IfsheandTimhadhadarow,forinstance?"
"Theydon'thaverows,youknow.Theyseemveryfondofeachother.Still,Isupposeitcan
alwayshappenonce.No,Idon'tthinkthere'sverymuchwrongwithhernow.Shecould
reallygetupandgoaboutasusual.Still,it'ssafertokeepherwheresheisforadayor
two"Hegotup,noddedcheerfullyandwentofftowardsthehotel.MissMarplesat
whereshewasalittlewhilelonger.
Variousthoughtspassedthroughhermind.ThebookunderMolly'smattress.Theway
Mollyhadfeignedsleep.ThingsJoanPrescottand,laterEstherWalters,hadsaid...And
thenshewentbacktothebeginningofitalltoMajorPalgrave.
Somethingstruggledinhermind.SomethingaboutMajorPalgrave...
Somethingthatifshecouldonlyremember...

129

CHAPTER 23: The Last Day

I
"Andtheeveningandthemorningwerethelastday,"saidMissMarpletoherself.Then,
slightlyconfused,shesatuprightagaininherchair.Shehaddozedoff,anincredible
thingtodobecausethesteelbandwasplayingandanyonewhocoulddozeoffduringthe
steel band... Well, it showed, thought Miss Marple, that she was getting used to this
place!Whatwasitshehadbeensaying?Somequotationthatshe'dgotwrong.Lastday?
Firstday.That'swhatitoughttobe.Thiswasn'tthefirstday.Presumablyitwasn'tthe
lastdayeither.
Shesatuprightagain.Thefactwasthatshewasextremelytired.Allthisanxiety,this
feeling of having been shamefully inadequate in some way... She remembered
unpleasantlyoncemorethatqueerslylookthatMollyhadgivenherfromunderherhalf
closedeyelids.Whathadbeengoingoninthatgirl'shead?Howdifferent,thoughtMiss
Marple,everythinghadseemedatfirst.TimKendalandMolly,suchanaturalhappy
youngcouple.TheHillingdonssopleasant,sowellbred,suchwhatiscalled"nice"people.
Thegayheartyextrovert,GregDyson,andthegaystridentLucky,talkingnineteentothe
dozen, pleased with herself and the world... A quartet of people getting on so well
together.CanonPrescott,thatgenialkindlyman.JoanPrescott,anacidstreakinher,but
averynicewoman,andnicewomenhavetohavetheirgossipydistractions.Theyhaveto
knowwhatisgoingon,toknowwhentwoandtwomakefour,andwhenitispossibleto
stretchthemtofive!Therewasnoharminsuchwomen.Theirtongueswaggedbutthey
werekindifyouwereinmisfortune.Mr.Rafiel,apersonality,amanofcharacter,aman
thatyouwouldneverbyanychanceforget.ButMissMarplethoughtsheknewsomething
elseaboutMr.Rafiel.Thedoctorshadoftengivenhimup,sohehadsaid,butthistime,
shethought,theyhadbeenmorecertainintheirpronouncements.Mr.Rafielknewthat
hisdayswerenumbered.
Knowingthiswithcertainty,wasthereanyactionhemighthavebeenlikelytotake?
MissMarpleconsideredthequestion.
Itmight,shethought,beimportant.
Whatwasitexactlyhehadsaid,hisvoicealittletooloud,alittletoosure?
MissMarplewasveryskillfulintonesofvoice.Shehaddonesomuchlisteninginherlife.
Mr.Rafielhadbeentellinghersomethingthatwasn'ttrue.
MissMarplelookedroundher.Thenightair,thesoftfragranceofflowers,thetableswith
130

theirlittlelights,thewomenwiththeirprettydresses,Evelyninadarkindigoandwhite
print.Luckyinawhitesheath,hergoldenhairshining.
Everybodyseemedgayandfulloflifetonight.EvenTimKendalwassmiling.
He passed her table and said: "Can't thank you enough for all you've done. Molly's
practicallyherselfagain.Thedocsaysshecangetuptomorrow."
MissMarplesmiledathimandsaidthatthatwasgoodhearing.Shefoundit,however,
quiteanefforttosmile.Decidedly,shewastired...
She got up and walked slowly back to her bungalow. She would have liked to go on
thinking,puzzling,tryingtoremember,tryingtoassemblevariousfactsandwordsand
glances.Butshewasn'tabletodoit.Thetiredmindrebelled.Itsaid"Sleep!You'vegotto
gotosleep!"
MissMarpleundressed,gotintobed,readafewversesoftheThomasKempiswhichshe
keptbyherbed,thensheturnedoutthelight.Inthedarknessshesentupaprayer.
Onecouldn'tdoeverythingoneself.
Onehadtohavehelp."Nothingwillhappentonight,"shemurmuredhopefully.

II
MissMarplewokesuddenlyandsatupinbed.Herheartwasbeating.Sheswitchedon
thelightandlookedatthelittleclockbyherbedside.TwoA.M..TwoA.M.andoutside
activityofsomekindwasgoingon.Shegotup,putonherdressinggownandslippers,
and a woollen scarf round her head and went out to reconnoitre. There were people
movingaboutwithtorches.
AmongthemshesawCanonPrescottandwenttohim.
"What'shappening?"
"Oh,MissMarple?It'sMrs.Kendal.Herhusbandwokeup,foundshe'dslippedoutofbed
andgoneout.We'relookingforher."
Hehurriedon.MissMarplewalkedmoreslowlyafterhim.WherehadMollygone?Why?
Hadsheplannedthisdeliberately,plannedtoslipawayassoonastheguardonherwas
relaxed,andwhileherhusbandwasdeepinsleep?MissMarplethoughtitwasprobable.
Butwhy?Whatwasthereason?Wasthere,asEstherWaltershadsostronglyhinted,
someotherman?Ifso,whocouldthatmanbe?Orwastheresomemoresinisterreason?
MissMarplewalkedon,lookingaroundher,peeringunderbushes.Thensuddenlyshe
heardafaintcall:"Here...Thisway..."

131

Thecryhadcomefromsomelittledistancebeyondthehotelgrounds.Itmustbe,thought
MissMarplenearthecreekofwaterthatrandowntothesea.Shewentinthatdirection
asbrisklyasshecould.
Therewerenotreallysomanysearchersasithadseemedtoheratfirst.Mostpeople
muststillbeasleepintheirbungalows.
Shesawaplaceonthecreekbankwheretherewerepeoplestanding.Someonepushed
pasther,almostknockingherdown,runninginthatdirection.ItwasTimKendal.A
minuteortwolatersheheardhisvoicecryout:"Molly!MyGod,Molly!"
ItwasaminuteortwobeforeMissMarplewasabletojointhelittlegroup.
ItconsistedofoneoftheCubanwaiters,EvelynHillingdon,andtwoofthenativegirls.
TheyhadpartedtoletTimthrough.
MissMarplearrivedashewasbendingovertolook.
"Molly..."Heslowlydroppedontohisknees.MissMarplesawthegirl'sbodyclearly,lying
thereinthecreek,herfacebelowthelevelofthewater,hergoldenhairspreadoverthe
palegreenembroideredshawlthatcoveredhershoulders.Withtheleavesandrushesof
thecreek,itseemedalmostlikeascenefromHamletwithMollyasthedeadOphelia...
AsTimstretchedoutahandtotouchher,thequiet,commonsenseMissMarpletook
chargeandspokesharplyandauthoritatively.
'Don'tmoveher,Mr.Kendal,"shesaid."Shemustn'tbemoved."
Timturnedadazedfaceuptoher.
"ButImustit'sMolly.Imust..."
EvelynHillingdontouchedhisshoulder.
"She'sdead,Tim.Ididn'tmoveher,butIdidfeelherpulse."
"Dead?"saidTimunbelievingly.
"Dead?Youmeanshe'sdrownedherself?"
"I'mafraidso.Itlookslikeit."
"Butwhy?"Agreatcryburstfromtheyoungman."Why?Shewassohappythisevening.
Talkingaboutwhatwe'ddotomorrow.Whyshouldthisterribledeathwishcomeoverher
again?Whyshouldshestealawayasshedidrushoutintothenight,comedownhere
anddrownherself?Whatdespairdidshehavewhatmiserywhycouldn'tshetellme
anything?"
"Idon'tknow,mydear,"saidEvelyngently."Idon'tknow."
Miss Marple said, "Somebody had better get Dr. Graham. And someone will have to
132

telephonethepolice."
"Thepolice?"Timutteredabitterlaugh."Whatgoodwilltheybe?"
"Thepolicehavetobenotifiedinacaseofsuicide,"saidMissMarple.
Timroseslowlytohisfeet.
"I'llgetGraham,"hesaidheavily."Perhapsevennowhecoulddosomething."
Hestumbledawayinthedirectionofthehotel.
EvelynHillingdonandMissMarplestoodsidebysidelookingdownatthedeadgirl.
Evelynshookherhead."It'stoolate.She'squitecold.Shemusthavebeendeadatleast
anhour,perhapsmore.Whatatragedyitallis.Thosetwoalwaysseemedsohappy.I
supposeshewasalwaysunbalanced."
"No,"saidMissMarple."Idon'tthinkshewasunbalanced."
Evelynlookedathercuriously."Whatdoyoumean?"
Themoonhadbeenbehindacloud,butnowitcameoutintotheopen.Itshonewitha
luminoussilverybrightnessonMolly'soutspreadhair...
MissMarplegaveasuddenejaculation.
Shebentdown,peering,thenstretchedoutherhandandtouchedthegoldenhead.She
spoketoEvelynHillingdon,andhervoicesoundedquitedifferent.
"Ithink,"shesaid,"thatwehadbettermakesure."
EvelynHillingdonstaredatherinastonishment.
"ButyouyourselftoldTimwemustn'ttouchanything?"
"Iknow.Butthemoonwasn'tout.Ihadn'tseen"Herfingerpointed.Then,verygently,
shetouchedtheblondehairandparteditsothattherootswereexposed...
Evelyngaveasharpejaculation."Lucky!Andthenafteramomentsherepeated:"Not
Molly...Lucky."
MissMarplenodded."Theirhairwasofmuchthesamecolourbuthers,ofcourse,was
darkattherootsbecauseitwasdyed."
"Butshe'swearingMolly'sshawl!"
"Sheadmiredit.Iheardhersayshewasgoingtogetonelikeit.Evidentlyshedid."
"Sothat'swhyweweredeceived..."EvelynbrokeoffasshemetMissMarple'seyes
watchingher.
"Someone,"saidMissMarple,"willhavetotellherhusband."
133

Therewasamoment'spause,thenEvelynsaid:"Allright.I'lldoit."
Sheturnedandwalkedawaythroughthepalmtrees.
MissMarpleremainedforamomentmotionless,thensheturnedherheadveryslightly,
andsaid:"Yes,ColonelHillingdon?"
EdwardHillingdoncamefromthetreesbehindhertostandbyherside."YouknewIwas
there?"
"Youcastashadow,"saidMissMarple.
Theystoodamomentinsilence.
Hesaid,moreasthoughhewerespeakingtohimself:"So,intheend,sheplayedherluck
toofar..."
"Youare,Ithink,gladsheisdead?"
"Andthatshocksyou?Well,Iwillnotdenyit.Iamgladsheisdead."
"Deathisoftenasolutiontoproblems."
Edward Hillingdon turned his head slowly. Miss Marple met his eyes calmly and
steadfastly.
"Ifyouthink"hetookasharpsteptowardsher.
Therewasasuddenmenaceinhistone.
MissMarplesaidquietly:"YourwifewillbebackwithMr.Dysoninamoment.OrMr.
KendalwillbeherewithDr.Graham."
Edward Hillingdon relaxed. He turned back to look down at the dead woman. Miss
Marpleslippedawayquietly.Presentlyherpacequickened.Justbeforereachingherown
bungalow,shepaused.ItwasherethatshehadsatthatdaytalkingtoMajorPalgrave.It
washerethathehadfumbledinhiswalletlookingforthesnapshotofamurderer...
Sherememberedhowhehadlookedup,andhowhisfacehadgonepurpleandred..."So
ugly,"asSeoradeCaspearohadsaid."HehastheEvilEye."
TheEvilEye...Eye...Eye...

134

CHAPTER 24: Nemesis

I
Whateverthealarmsandexcursionsofthenight,Mr.Rafielhadnotheardthem.
Hewasfastasleepinbed,afaintthinsnorecomingfromhisnostrils,whenhewastaken
bytheshouldersandshakenviolently.
"Ehwhatwhatthedevil'sthis?"
"It'sme,"saidMissMarple,foronceungrammatical,"thoughIshouldputitalittlemore
stronglythanthat.TheGreeks,Ibelieve,hadawordforit.Nemesis,ifIamnotwrong."
Mr.Rafielraisedhimselfonhispillowsasfarashecould.Hestaredather.MissMarple,
standingthereinthemoonlight,herheadencasedinafluffyscarfofpalepinkwool,
lookedasunlikeafigureofNemesisasitwaspossibletoimagine.
"Soyou'reNemesis,areyou?"saidMr.Rafielafteramomentarypause.
"Ihopetobewithyourhelp."
"Doyoumindtellingmequiteplainlywhatyou'retalkingaboutlikethisinthemiddleof
thenight."
"Ithinkwemayhavetoactquickly.Veryquickly.Ihavebeenfoolish.Extremelyfoolish.I
oughttohaveknownfromtheverybeginningwhatallthiswasabout.Itwassosimple."
"Whatwassimple,andwhatareyoutalkingabout?"
"Yousleptthroughagooddeal,"saidMissMarple."Abodywasfound.Wethoughtatfirst
itwasthebodyofMollyKendal.Itwasn't,itwasLuckyDyson.Drownedinthecreek."
"Lucky,eh?"saidMr.Rafiel."Anddrowned?Inthecreek.Didshedrownherselfordid
somebodydrownher?"
"Somebodydrownedher,"saidMissMarple.
"Isee.AtleastIthinkIsee.That'swhatyoumeanbysayingit'ssosimple,isit?Greg
Dysonwasalwaysthefirstpossibility,andhe'stherightone.Isthatit?Isthatwhat
you'rethinking?Andwhatyou'reafraidofisthathemaygetawaywithit."
MissMarpletookadeepbreath.
"Mr.Rafiel,willyoutrustme.Wehavegottostopamurderbeingcommitted."
"Ithoughtyousaidithadbeencommitted."

135

"Thatmurderwascommittedinerror.Anothermurdermaybecommittedanymoment
now.There'snotimetolose.Wemustpreventithappening.Wemustgoatonce."
"It'sallverywelltotalklikethat,"saidMr.Rafiel."We,yousay?WhatdoyouthinkIcan
doaboutit?Ican'tevenwalkwithouthelp.HowcanyouandIsetaboutpreventinga
murder?You'reaboutahundredandI'mabrokenupoldcrock."
"IwasthinkingofJackson,"saidMissMarple."Jacksonwilldowhatyoutellhim,won't
he?"
"Hewillindeed,"saidMr.Rafiel,"especiallyifIaddthatI'llmakeitworthhiswhile.Is
thatwhatyouwant?"
"Yes.TellhimtocomewithmeandtellhimtoobeyanyordersIgivehim."
Mr.Rafiellookedatherforaboutsixseconds.Thenhesaid:"Done.IexpectI'mtaking
thebiggestriskofmylife.Well,itwon'tbethefirstone."Heraisedhisvoice."Jackson."
Atthesametimehepickeduptheelectricbellthatlaybesidehishandandpressedthe
button.
HardlythirtysecondspassedbeforeJacksonappearedthroughtheconnectingdoortothe
adjoiningroom.
"Youcalledandrang,sir?Anythingwrong?"Hebrokeoff,staringatMissMarple.
"NowJackson,doasItellyou.Youwillgowiththislady.MissMarple.You'llgowhere
shetakesyouandyou'lldoexactlyasshesays.You'llobeyeveryordershegivesyou.Is
thatunderstood?"
"Yes,sir."
"And fordoingthat," saidMr. Rafiel,"you won't be theloser.I'll make it worthyour
while."
"Thankyou,sir."
"Comealong,Mr.Jackson,"saidMissMarple.ShespokeoverhershouldertoMr.Rafiel.
"We'lltellMrs.Walterstocometoyouonourway.Gethertogetyououtofbedandbring
youalong."
"Bringmealongwhere?"
"TotheKendals'bungalow,"saidMissMarple."IthinkMollywillbecomingbackthere."

II
Mollycameupthepathfromthesea.
136

Hereyesstaredfixedlyaheadofher.
Occasionally,underherbreath,shegavealittlewhimper...
Shewentupthestepsoftheloggia,pausedamoment,thenpushedopenthewindowand
walkedintothebedroom.
Thelightswereon,buttheroomitselfwasempty.Mollywentacrosstothebedandsat
down.Shesatforsomeminutes,nowandagainpassingherhandoverherforeheadand
frowning.Then,afteraquicksurreptitiousglanceround,sheslippedherhandunderthe
mattressandbroughtoutthebookthatwashiddenthere.Shebentoverit,turningthe
pagestofindwhatshewanted.
Thensheraisedherheadasasoundofrunningfootstepscamefromoutside.
Withaquickguiltymovementshepushedthebookbehindherback.
TimKendal,pantingandoutofbreath,camein,andutteredagreatsighofreliefatthe
sightofher.
"ThankGod.Wherehaveyoubeen,Molly?I'vebeensearchingeverywhereforyou."
"Iwenttothecreek."
"Youwent"hestopped.
"Yes.Iwenttothecreek.ButIcouldn'twaitthere.Icouldn't.Therewassomeoneinthe
waterandshewasdead."
"YoumeanDoyouknowIthoughtitwasyou.I'veonlyjustfoundoutitwasLucky."
"Ididn'tkillher.Really,Tim,Ididn'tkillher.I'msureIdidn't.ImeanI'drememberif
Idid,wouldn'tI?"
Timsankslowlydownontheendofthebed.
"Youdidn'tareyousureofthat?No.No,ofcourseyoudidn't!"Hefairlyshoutedthe
words. "Don't start thinking like that, Molly. Lucky drowned herself. Of course she
drownedherself.Hillingdonwasthroughwithher.Shewentandlaydownwithherface
inthewater"
"Luckywouldn'tdothat.She'dneverdothat.ButIdidn'tkillher.IswearIdidn't."
"Darling,ofcourseyoudidn't!"Heputhisarmsroundherbutshepulledherselfaway.
"Ihatethisplace.Itoughttobeallsunlight.Itseemedtobeallsunlight.Butitisn't.
Insteadthere'sashadowabigblackshadow...AndI'minitandIcan'tgetout"Her
voicehadrisentoashout.
"Hush,Molly.ForGod'ssake,hush!"

137

Hewentintothebathroom,camebackwithaglass.
"Look.Drinkthis.It'llsteadyyou."
"IIcan'tdrinkanything.Myteetharechatteringso."
"Yes you can, darling. Sit down. Here, on the bed." He put his arm round her. He
approachedtheglasstoherlips."Thereyouarenow.Drinkit."
Avoicespokefromthewindow.
"Jackson," said Miss Marple clearly. "Go over. Take that glass from him and hold it
tightly.Becareful.He'sstrongandhemaybeprettydesperate."
There were certain points about Jackson. He was a man of training, trained to obey
orders.Hewasamanwithagreatloveformoney,andmoneyhadbeenpromisedhimby
hisemployer,thatemployerbeingamanofstatureandauthority.Hewasalsoamanof
extrememusculardevelopmentheightenedbyhistraining.Hisnottoreasonwhy,hisbut
todo.Swiftasaflashhehadcrossedtheroom.HishandwentovertheglassthatTim
washoldingtoMolly'slips,hisotherarmhadfastenedroundTim.Aquickflickofthe
wristandhehadtheglass.Timturnedonhimwildly,butJacksonheldhimfirmly.
"Whatthedevilletgoofme.Letgoofme.Haveyougonemad?Whatareyoudoing?"
Timstruggledviolently.
"Holdhim,Jackson,"saidMissMarple.
"What'sgoingon?What'sthematterhere?"
SupportedbyEstherWalters,Mr.Rafielcamethroughthewindow.
"Youaskwhat'sthematter?"shoutedTim."Yourman'sgonemad,stark,staringmad,
that'swhat'sthematter.Tellhimtoletgoofme."
"No,"saidMissMarple.
Mr.Rafielturnedtoher."Speakup,Nemesis,"hesaid."We'vegottohavechapterand
verseofsomekind."
"I'vebeenstupidandafool,"saidMissMarple,"butI'mnotbeingafoolnow.Whenthe
contentsofthatglassthathewastryingtomakehiswifedrink,havebeenanalysed,I'll
wageryes,I'llwagermyimmortalsoulthatyou'llfindit'sgotalethaldoesofnarcoticin
it.It'sthesamepattern,yousee,thesamepatternasinMajorPalgrave'sstory.Awifein
adepressedstate,andshetriestodoawaywithherself,husbandsavesherintime.Then
thesecondtimeshesucceeds.Yes,it'stherightpattern.MajorPalgravetoldmethestory
andhetookoutasnapshotandthenhelookedupandsaw"
"Overyourrightshoulder"continuedMr.Rafiel.
"No," said Miss Marple, shaking her head. "He didn't see anything over my right
138

shoulder."
"Whatareyoutalkingabout?Youtoldme..."
"Itoldyouwrong.Iwascompletelywrong.Iwasstupidbeyondbelief.MajorPalgrave
appearedtometobelookingovermyrightshoulder,glaring,infact,atsomething.But
hecouldn'thaveseenanything,becausehewaslookingthroughhislefteyeandhisleft
eyewashisglasseye."
"Irememberhehadaglasseye,"saidMr.Rafiel."I'dforgottenorItookitforgranted.
Youmeanhecouldn'tseeanything?"
"Ofcoursehecouldsee,"saidMissMarple."Hecouldseeallright,buthecouldonlysee
withoneeye.Theeyehecouldseewithwashisrighteye.Andso,yousee,hemusthave
beenlookingatsomethingorsomeonenottotherightofmebuttotheleftofme."
"Wasthereanyoneontheleftofyou?"
"Yes,"saidMissMarple."TimKendalandhiswifeweresittingnotfaroff.Sittingata
tablejustbyabighibiscusbush.Theyweredoingaccountsthere.SoyouseetheMajor
lookedup.Hisglasslefteyewasglaringovermyshoulder,butwhathesawwithhisother
eyewasamansittingbyahibiscusbushandthefacewasthesame,onlyratherolder,as
thefaceinthesnapshot.Alsobyahibiscusbush.TimKendalhadheardthestorythe
MajorhadbeentellingandhesawthattheMajorhadrecognisedhim.So,ofcourse,he
hadtokillhim.Later,hehadtokillthegirl,Victoria,becauseshe'dseenhimputtinga
bottleoftabletsintheMajor'sroom.Shedidn'tthinkanythingofitatfirstbecauseof
courseitwasquitenaturalonvariousoccasionsforTimKendaltogointotheguests'
bungalows.Hemighthavejustbeenreturningsomethingtoitthathadbeenleftona
restauranttable.Butshethoughtaboutitandthensheaskedhimquestionsandsohe
hadtogetridofher.Butthisistherealmurder,themurderhe'sbeenplanningallalong.
He'sawifekiller,yousee."
"Whatdamnednonsense,what"TimKendalshouted.
There was a sudden cry, a wild angry cry. Esther Walters detached herself from Mr.
Rafiel, almost flinging him down and rushed across the room. She pulled vainly at
Jackson.
"Letgoofhimletgoofhim.It'snottrue.Notawordofit'strue.TimTimdarling,it's
nottrue.Youcouldneverkillanyone,Iknowyoucouldn't.Iknowyouwouldn't.It'sthat
horriblegirlyoumarried.She'sbeentellingliesaboutyou.They'renottrue.Noneof
them aretrue.Ibelieveinyou.Iloveyouandtrust inyou.I'll neverbelieveaword
anyonesays.I'll"
ThenTimKendallostcontrolofhimself.
"ForGod'ssake,youdamnedbitch,"hesaid,"shutup,can'tyou?D'youwanttogetme
139

hanged?Shutup,Itellyou.Shutthatbig,uglymouthofyours."
"Poorsillycreature,"saidMr.Rafielsoftly."Sothat'swhat'sbeengoingon,isit?"

140

CHAPTER 25: Miss Marple Uses Her Imagination

"Sothat'swhathadbeengoingon?"saidMr.Rafiel.HeandMissMarpleweresitting
togetherinaconfidentialmanner."She'dbeenhavinganaffairwithTimKendalhad
she?"
"Hardly an affair, I imagine," said Miss Marple, primly. "It was, I think, a romantic
attachmentwiththeprospectofmarriageinthefuture."
"Whatafterhiswifewasdead?"
"Idon'tthinkpoorEstherWaltersknewthatMollywasgoingtodie,"saidMissMarple."I
justthinkshebelievedthestoryTimKendaltoldheraboutMollyhavingbeeninlove
withanotherman,andthemanhavingfollowedherhere,andIthinkshecountedon
Tim'sgettingadivorce.Ithinkitwasallquiteproperandrespectable.Butshewasvery
muchinlovewithhim."
"Well,that'seasilyunderstood.Hewasanattractivechap.Butwhatmadehimgoforher,
d'youknowthattoo?"
"Youknow,don'tyou?"saidMissMarple.
"IdaresayI'vegotaprettyfairidea,butIdon'tknowhowyoushouldknowaboutit.As
farasthatgoes,Idon'tseehowTimKendalcouldknowaboutit."
"Well,IreallythinkIcouldexplainallthatwithalittleimagination,thoughitwouldbe
simplerifyoutoldme."
"I'mnotgoingtotellyou,"saidMr.Rafiel."Youtellme,sinceyou'rebeingsoclever."
"Well,itseemstomepossible,"saidMissMarple,"thatasIhavealreadyhintedtoyou,
yourmanJacksonwasinthehabitoftakingagoodsnoopthroughyourvariousbusiness
papersfromtimetotime."
"Perfectlypossible,"saidMr.Rafiel,"butIshouldn'thavesaidtherewasanythingthere
thatcoulddohimmuchgood.Itookcareofthat."
"Iimagine,"saidMissMarple,"hereadyourwill."
"OhIsee.Yes,yes,Ididhaveacopyofmywillalong."
"Youtoldme,"saidMissMarple,"youtoldme(asHumptyDumptysaidveryloudand
clear)thatyouhadnotleftanythingtoEstherWaltersinyourwill.Youhadimpressed
that fact upon her, and also upon Jackson. It was true in Jackson's case, I should
imagine.Youhavenotlefthimanything,butyouhadleftEstherWaltersmoney,though
141

youweren'tgoingtoletherhaveanyinklingofthefact.Isn'tthatright?"
"Yes,it'squiteright,butIdon'tknowhowyouknew."
"Well, it's the way you insisted on the point," said Miss Marple. "I have a certain
experienceofthewaypeopletelllies."
"Igivein,"saidMr.Rafiel."Allright.IleftEsther50,000pounds.Itwouldcomeasanice
surprise to her when I died. I suppose that, knowing this, Tim Kendal decided to
exterminatehispresentwifewithanicedoseofsomethingorotherandmarry50,000
poundsandEstherWalters.Possiblytodisposeofheralsoingoodtime.Buthowdidhe
knowshewasgoingtohave50,000pounds?"
"Jacksontoldhim,ofcourse,"saidMissMarple."Theywereveryfriendly,thosetwo.Tim
KendalwasnicetoJacksonand,quite,Ishouldimagine,withoutulteriormotive.But
amongstthebitsofgossipthatJacksonletslipIthinkJacksontoldhimthatunbeknown
toherself,EstherWalterswasgoingtoinheritafatlotofmoney,andhemayhavesaid
thathehimselfhopedtoinduceEstherWalterstomarryhimthoughhehadn'thadmuch
successsofarintakingherfancy.Yes,Ithinkthat'showithappened."
"Thethingsyouimaginealwaysseemperfectlyplausible,"saidMr.Rafiel.
"ButIwasstupid,"saidMissMarple,"verystupid.Everythingfittedinreally,yousee.
Tim Kendal was a very clever man as well as being a very wicked one. He was
particularlygoodatputtingaboutrumours.HalfthethingsI'vebeentoldherecamefrom
himoriginally,Iimagine.TherewerestoriesgoingaroundaboutMollywantingtomarry
an undesirable young man but I rather fancy that the undesirable young man was
actuallyTimKendalhimself,thoughthatwasn'tthenamehewasusingthen.Herpeople
hadheardsomething,perhapsthathisbackgroundwasratherfishy.Soheputonahigh
indignationact,refusedtobetakenbyMollytobe'shownoff'toherpeopleandthenhe
brewedupalittleschemewithherwhichtheyboththoughtgreatfun.Shepretendedto
sulkandpineforhim.ThenaMr.TimKendalturnedup,primedwiththenamesof
variousoldfriendsofMolly'speople,andtheywelcomedhimwithopenarmsasbeingthe
sortofyoungmanwhowouldputtheformerdelinquentoneoutofMolly'shead.Iam
afraidMollyandhemusthavelaughedoveritagooddeal.Anyway,hemarriedher,and
withhermoneyheboughtoutthepeoplewhoranthisplaceandtheycameouthere.I
shouldimaginethatheranthroughhermoneyataprettyfairrate.Thenhecameacross
EstherWaltersandhesawaniceprospectofmoremoney."
"Whydidn'thebumpmeoff?"saidMr.Rafiel.
MissMarplecoughed."IexpecthewantedtobefairlysureofMrs.Waltersfirst.Besides,
Imean..."Shestopped,alittleconfused.
"Besides,herealisedhewouldn'thavetowaitlong,"saidMr.Rafiel,"anditwouldclearly
be better for me to die a natural death. Being so rich. Deaths of millionaires are
142

scrutinisedrathercarefully,aren'tthey,unlikemerewives?"
"Yes,you'requiteright.Suchalotofliesashetold,"saidMissMarple."Lookatthelies
hegotMollyherselftobelieve,puttingthatbookonmentaldisordersinherway.Giving
herdrugswhichwouldgiveherdreamsandhallucinations.Youknow,yourJacksonwas
rathercleveroverthat.IthinkherecognisedcertainofMolly'ssymptomsasbeingthe
resultofdrugs.Andhecameintothebungalowthatdaytopotteraboutabitinthe
bathroom.Thatfacecreamheexamined.Hemighthavegotsomeideafromtheoldtales
ofwitchesrubbingthemselveswithointmentsthathadbelladonnainthem.Belladonna
infacecreamcouldhaveproducedjustthatresult.Mollywouldhaveblackouts.Timesshe
couldn'taccountfor,dreamsofflyingthroughtheair.Nowondershegotfrightenedabout
herself.Shehadallthesignsofmentalillness,Jacksonwasontherighttrack.Maybehe
gottheideafromMajorPalgrave'sstoriesabouttheuseofdaturabyIndianwomenon
theirhusbands."
"MajorPalgrave!"saidMr.Rafiel."Really,thatman!"
"He brought about his own murder," said Miss Marple, "and that poor girl Victoria's
murder,andhenearlybroughtaboutMolly'smurder.Butherecognisedamurdererall
right."
"Whatmadeyousuddenlyrememberabouthisglasseye?"askedMr.Rafielcuriously.
"SomethingthatSeoradeCaspearosaid.Shetalkedsomenonsenseabouthisbeingugly,
andhavingtheEvilEye;andIsaiditwasonlyaglasseye,andhecouldn'thelpthat,poor
man,andshesaidhiseyeslookeddifferentways,theywerecrosseyeswhich,ofcourse,
theywere.Andshesaiditbroughtbadluck.IknewIknewthatIhadheardsomething
thatdaythatwasimportant.Lastnight,justafterLucky'sdeath,itcametomewhatit
was!AndthenIrealisedtherewasnotimetowaste..."
"HowdidTimKendalcometokillthewrongwoman?"
"Sheerchance.Ithinkhisplanwasthis:Havingconvincedeverybodyandthatincluded
Mollyherselfthatshewasmentallyunbalanced,andaftergivingherasizeabledoseof
thedrughewasusing,hetoldherthatbetweenthemtheyweregoingtoclearupall
thesemurderpuzzles.Butshehadgottohelphim.Aftereveryonewasasleep,theywould
goseparatelyandmeetatanagreedspotbythecreek.Hesaidhehadaverygoodidea
whothemurdererwas,andtheywouldtraphim.Mollywentoffobedientlybutshewas
confused andstupefiedwiththedrugshehadbeengiven,andit slowedherup.Tim
arrived there first and saw what he thought was Molly. Golden hair and pale green
shawl.Hecameupbehindher,puthishandoverhermouth,andforcedherdownintothe
waterandheldherthere."
"Nicefellow!Butwouldn'tithavebeeneasierjusttogiveheranoverdoseofnarcotic?"
"Mucheasier,ofcourse.Butthatmighthavegivenrisetosuspicion.Allnarcoticsand
143

sedativeshadbeencarefullyremovedfromMolly'sreach,remember.Andifshehadgot
holdofafreshsupply,whomorelikelytohavesupplieditthanherhusband?Butif,ina
fitofdespair,shewentoutanddrownedherselfwhilstherinnocenthusbandslept,the
wholethingwouldbearomantictragedy,andnoonewouldbelikelytosuggestthatshe
hadbeendrowneddeliberately.Besides,"addedMissMarple,"murderersalwaysfindit
difficulttokeepthingssimple.Theycan'tkeepthemselvesfromelaborating."
"Youseemconvincedyouknowallthereistobeknownaboutmurderers!Soyoubelieve
Timdidn'tknowhehadkilledthewrongwoman?"
MissMarpleshookherhead."Hedidn'tevenlookatherface,justhurriedoffasquickly
ashecould,letanhourelapse,thenstartedtoorganiseasearchforher,playingthepart
ofadistractedhusband."
"ButwhatthedevilwasLuckydoinghangingaboutthecreekinthemiddleofthenight?"
MissMarplegaveanembarrassedlittlecough.
"Itispossible,Ithink,thatshewaserwaitingtomeetsomeone."
"EdwardHillingdon?"
"Ohno,"saidMissMarple."That'sallover.Iwonderedwhetherjustpossiblyshe
mighthavebeenwaitingforJackson."
"WaitingforJackson?"
"I'venoticedherlookathimonceortwice,"murmuredMissMarple,avertinghereyes.
Mr.Rafielwhistled."MytomcatJackson!Iwouldn'tputitpasthim!Timmusthavehada
shocklaterwhenhefoundhe'dkilledthewrongwoman."
"Yes,indeed.Hemusthavefeltquitedesperate.HerewasMollyaliveandwandering
about. And the story he'd circulated so carefully about her mental condition wouldn't
standupforamomentonceshegotintothehandsofcompetentmentalspecialists.And
onceshetoldherdamningstoryofhishavingaskedhertomeethimatthecreek,where
wouldTimKendalbe?He'donlyonehopetofinishoffMollyasquicklyaspossible.
ThentherewasaverygoodchancethateveryonewouldbelievethatMolly,inafitof
mania,haddrownedLucky,andhadthen,horrifiedbywhatshehaddone,takenherown
life."
"Anditwasthen,"saidMr.Rafiel,"thatyoudecidedtoplayNemesis,eh?"Heleanedback
suddenlyandroaredwithlaughter."It'sadamnedgoodjoke,"hesaid."Ifyouknewwhat
youlookedlikethatnightwiththatfluffypinkwoolallroundyourhead,standingthere
andsayingyouwereNemesis!I'llneverforgetit!"

144

EPILOGUE

ThetimehadcomeandMissMarplewaswaitingattheairportforherplane.Quitealot
ofpeoplehadcometoseeheroff.TheHillingdonshadleftalready.GregoryDysonhad
flowntooneoftheotherislandsandtherumourhadcomethathewasdevotinghimself
toanArgentinianwidow.SeoradeCaspearohadreturnedtoSouthAmerica.Mollyhad
cometoseeMissMarpleoff.Shewaspaleandthinbutshehadweatheredtheshockof
herdiscoverybravelyandwiththehelpofoneofMr.Rafiel'snomineeswhomhehad
wiredfortoEnglandshewascarryingonwiththerunningofthehotel.
"Doyougoodtobebusy,"Mr.Rafielobserved."Keepyoufromthinking.Gotagoodthing
here."
"Youdon'tthinkthemurders"
"Peoplelovemurderswhenthey'reallclearedup,"Mr.Rafielassuredher."Youcarryon,
girl,andkeepyourheartup.Don'tdistrustallmenbecauseyou'vemetonebadlot."
"YousoundlikeMissMarple,"Mollyhadsaid,"she'salwaystellingmeMr.Rightwill
comealongoneday."
Mr.Rafielgrinnedatthissentiment.SoMollywasthereandthetwoPrescottsandMr.
Rafiel,ofcourse,andEstheranEstherwholookedolderandsadderandtowhomMr.
Rafiel was quite often unexpectedly kind. Jackson also was very much to the fore,
pretendingtobelookingafterMissMarple'sbaggage.Hewasallsmilesthesedaysand
letitbeknownthathehadcomeintomoney.
Therewasahuminthesky.Theplanewasarriving.Thingsweresomewhatinformal
here.Therewasno"takingyourplacebyChannel8"orChannel9.Youjustwalkedout
fromthelittleflowercoveredpavilionontothetarmac.
"Goodbye,darlingMissMarple."Mollykissedher.
"Goodbye.Dotryandcomeandvisitus."MissPrescottshookherwarmlybythehand.
"It has been a great pleasure to know you," said the Canon. "I second my sister's
invitationmostwarmly."
"Allthebest.Madam,"saidJackson,"andrememberanytimeyouwantanymassage
free,justyousendmealineandwe'llmakeanappointment."
OnlyEstherWaltersturnedslightlyawaywhenthetimecameforgoodbyes.MissMarple
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didnotforceoneuponher.Mr.Rafielcamelast.Hetookherhand."AveCaesar,nos
morituritesalutamus,"hesaid.
"I'mafraid,"saidMissMarple,"Idon'tknowverymuchLatin."
"Butyouunderstandthat?"
"Yes."Shesaidnomore.Sheknewquitewellwhathewastellingher."Ithasbeenagreat
pleasuretoknowyou,"shesaid.
Thenshewalkedacrossthetarmacandgotintotheplane.

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