- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

C r i m e N e v e r Pa y s

‘M u r d e r m o s t f o u l ’ - t h e f i r s t a n d t h e o l d e s t c r im e . S to r ie s
a b o u t m u r d e r , in p o e m , p l a y , a n d n o v e l , h a v e b e e n w i t h
u s f o r a l o n g ti m e . T h e y h e l d a u d i e n c e s s p e l l - b o u n d in th e
t h e a t r e s o f a n c i e n t G r e e c e ; th e y h o l d a u d i e n c e s t o d a y g lu e d
t o t h e i r te le v i s io n s e ts . R e a d e r s e n g r o s s e d in t h e p a g e s o f
t h e la t e s t m u r d e r m y s t e r y s it u p r e a d i n g h a l f t h e n i g h t , in
o r d e r t o f i n d o u t ‘w h o d u n n i t ’.

M u r d e r s to r ie s c o n t i n u e t o f a s c i n a t e , a p p a l , s h o c k , a n d t h e
g e n r e t o d a y is w i d e - r a n g i n g . T h e r e a r e t h e c l a s s ic d e t e c ti v e
s to r ie s , w h e r e t h e m u r d e r e r ’s w i t s a r e p i t t e d a g a i n s t t h e
f o r c e s o f la w a n d o r d e r . W e s t r u g g le w i t h t h e d e t e c ti v e t o
p ic k u p t h e c lu e s a n d t o d r a w t i g h t t h e n e t o f ju s t ic e a r o u n d
t h e c r im in a l. T h e r e a r e t h e d r a m a s i n l a w c o u r t s w h e n t h e
m u r d e r e r is b r o u g h t t o t r i a l ; t h e t a l e s o f o r d i n a r y p e o p l e
le a d in g o r d in a r y liv e s , p i t c h f o r k e d i n t o tra g e d y b y th e
u n e x p e c te d e r u p tio n o f s o m e m u r d e r o u s p a s s io n . T h e re a re
t h e s to r ie s w h e r e w e s e e t h e w o r l d t h r o u g h t h e m u r d e r e r ’s
e y e s , d i s t o r t e d a n d b l u r r e d b y o b s e s s io n , h a t e , je a lo u s y ,
g ree d , m a d n e ss . . .

T h i s c o l le c ti o n o f m u r d e r s t o r i e s o f f e r s a t a s t e o f m a n y
s ty le s : p u z z li n g , c h i ll in g , b i z a r r e , h o r r i f y i n g . L e t u s j o i n o n e
o f t h e c h a r a c t e r s in A g a t h a C h r i s t i e ’s s t o r y :
‘I f e e l, ’ s a id J a n e d r e a m i l y , ‘t h a t I w o u l d lik e t o w a l l o w
in c r im e t h i s e v e n in g . ’

O x f o r d Bo o k w o r m s Co l l e c t io n
 Ac k n o w l e d g e m e n t s

T h e e d i t o r s a n d p u b li s h e r s a r e g r a t e f u l f o r p e r m i s s i o n t o
u s e th e f o ll o w in g c o p y r i g h t m a te r ia l:

‘T h r e e is a L u c k y N u m b e r ’ f r o m T h e A llin g h a m C ase
B o o k by M a r g e r y A l l in g h a m , p u b lis h e d b y C h a tto &
W in d u s . © P . 6c M . Y o u n g m a n C a r t e r 1 9 6 9 . R e p r i n te d b y
p e r m i s s io n o f C u r t i s B r o w n G r o u p L td .
‘T h e C o m p a n i o n ’ b y A g a t h a Ch r is t ie ta k e n f ro m th e
c o l le c ti o n T h e T h ir te e n P r o b le m s . C o p y r i g h t © A g a th a
C h r is t ie M a llo w a n 1932. R e p rin te d by p e rm is s io n of
A itk e n Sc S to n e L td .
‘T h e C a s e f o r th e D e f e n c e ’ f r o m C o l le c te d S to r i e s b y
G r a h a m G r e e n e , p u b l i s h e d b y W i ll ia m H e i n e m a n n L td
and T he B o d le y H e a d L td . R e p r i n t e d b y p e r m i s s i o n o f
L a u r e n c e P o l lin g e r L td .
‘S a u c e fo r th e G o ose’ fro m C h ille r s by Pa t r ic ia

H ig h s m it h ( f ir s t p u b l i s h e d u n d e r t h e ti t l e ‘H o m e B o d i e s ’
in E lle r y Q u e e n 's M y s t e r y M a g a z in e , 1 9 7 2 ) . A ll r ig h t s
re s e rv e d . © 19 7 2 b y P a t r i c i a H i g h s m i t h . R e p r i n t e d b y k i n d
p e r m i m io n o f th e a u t h o r .
‘R i c o c h e t ’ by An g e l a N o e l fro m London M y s te r y
S e l e c ti o n N o. 124, M a rc h 1980. R e p rin te d by k in d
p e r m i w i o n o f th e a u t h o r .
‘A G lo w in g F u t u r e ’ f r o m T h e F e v e r T r e e a n d o t h e r s to r ie s
by R u t h R e n d e l l , p u b lis h e d b y H u tc h in s o n . R e p rin te d
b y p e r m i s s io n o f R a n d o m C e n t u r y G r o u p L t d a n d P e t e r s
F r a s e r Hi D u n l o p G r o u p L td .
‘T h e F o u n ta in P la y s ’ fro m H a n g m a n ’s H o lid a y by
D o r o t h y L. Sa y e r s , p u b l i s h e d b y V i c t o r G o ll a n c z L t d a n d
H o d d c r ÖC S t o u g h t o n . R e p r i n t e d b y p e r m i s s i o n o f D a v id
H i g h a m A s s o c ia te s L td .
Cr im e N e v e r
Pa y s

Short Stories

Ed it e d by

Clare W est

Se r ie s Ad v is e r s

H .G . W id d o w s o n
J e n n i f e r B a s s e tt

O x f o r d Un iv e r s it y Pr ess
 OXFORD
U N IV E R S IT Y PRE SS

G r e a t C la r e n d o n S t r e e t , O x fo r d 0 x 2 6 d p

O x f o r d U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s is a d e p a r t m e n t o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f O x fo r d .
I t f u r t h e r s t h e U n i v e r s i t y ’s o b j e c t i v e o f e x c e l l e n c e i n r e s e a r c h , s c h o l a r s h i p ,
a n d e d u c a t io n b y p u b lis h in g w o r ld w id e in
O x fo r d N e w Yo r k
A u c k la n d Cap e Tow n D a r e s S a la a m H o n g K o n g Ka r a ch i
K u a la L u m p u r M a d r i d M e lb o u r n e M e x ic o C it y N a ir o b i
N e w D e lh i S h a n g h a i T a i p e i T o r o n t o
W i t h o f fi c e s i n
A r g e n t in a A u s t r ia B r a z il C h i l e C z e c h R e p u b l i c F r a n c e G r e e c e
G u a t e m a la H u n g a r y I t a ly J a p a n P o l a n d P o r t u g a l S i n g a p o r e
S o u t h K o r e a S w it z e r la n d T h a ila n d T u r k e y U k r a in e V ie t n a m

o x f o r d an d o x f o r d E n g l i s h a r e r e g is t e r e d t r a d e m a r k s o f
O x fo r d U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s i n t h e U K a n d i n c e r t a i n o t h e r c o u n t r i e s

T h i s e d i t i o n © O x fo r d U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s 19 9 3
T h e m o r a l r ig h t s o f t h e a u t h o r h a v e b e e n a s s e r t e d
D a t a b a s e r ig h t O x fo r d U n iv e r s it y P r e s s (m a k e r )
22 23 21

N o u n a u th o rized p h o to c o p y in g
A ll r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . N o p a r t o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n m a y b e r e p r o d u c e d ,
s t o r e d in a r e t r i e v a l s y s t e m , o r t r a n s m i t t e d , i n a n y f o r m o r b y a n y m e a n s ,
w it h o u t t h e p r io r p e r m is s io n in w r it i n g o f O x fo r d U n iv e r s it y P r e s s ,
o r a s e x p r e s s l y p e r m i t t e d b y la w , o r u n d e r t e r m s a g r e e d w i t h t h e a p p r o p r i a t e
r e p r o g r a p h ic s r ig h t s o r g a n iz a t io n . E n q u ir ie s c o n c e r n in g r e p r o d u c t io n
o u t s i d e t h e s c o p e o f t h e a b o v e s h o u l d b e s e n t t o t h e E LT R ig h t s D e p a r t m e n t ,
O x fo r d U n iv e r s it y P r e s s , a t t h e a d d r e s s a b o v e
Yo u m u s t n o t c i r c u l a t e t h i s b o o k i n a n y o t h e r b i n d i n g o r c o v e r
a n d y o u m u s t im p o s e t h is s a m e c o n d i t io n o n a n y a c q u ir e r

A n y w e b s i t e s r e f e r r e d t o in t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n a r e i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a i n a n d
t h e ir a d d r e s s e s a r e p r o v id e d b y O x fo r d U n iv e r s it y P r e s s fo r i n fo r m a t io n o n ly .
O x fo r d U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s d i s c la i m s a n y r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e c o n t e n t

1 su n 9 7 8 0 1 9 4 2 2 6 9 3 6

T y p e s e t b y W y v e r n T y p e s e t t i n g L t d , B r is t o l

P r in t e d i n C h in a
 O x f o r d B o o k w o r m s
^ C o l l e c t i o n s

Fo r e w o r d

T e x t s o f a ll k i n d s , i n c l u d i n g li t e r a r y t e x t s , a r e u s e d a s d a t a
f o r l a n g u a g e te a c h i n g . T h e y a r e d e s ig n e d o r a d a p t e d a n d
p r e s s e d i n t o s e r v ic e t o e x e m p li f y t h e la n g u a g e a n d p r o v i d e
p r a c ti c e in r e a d in g . T hese are c o m m e n d a b le p e d a g o g ic
p u rp o se s. T h ey a re n o t, h o w e v e r, w h a t a u th o rs o r re a d e rs
o f t e x t s u s u a ll y h a v e in m i n d . T h e r e a s o n w e r e a d s o m e th in g
is b e c a u s e w e f e e l t h e w r i t e r h a s s o m e t h i n g o f i n t e r e s t o r
s ig n if ic a n c e t o s a y a n d w e o n ly a t t e n d t o t h e la n g u a g e t o
t h e e x t e n t t h a t i t h e l p s u s t o u n d e r s t a n d w h a t t h a t m ig h t
b e . A n i m p o r t a n t p a r t o f la n g u a g e l e a r n i n g is k n o w i n g h o w
to a d o p t th i s n o r m a l r e a d e r r o l e , h o w t o u s e l a n g u a g e t o
a c h ie v e m e a n in g s o f s i g n i f ic a n c e t o u s , a n d s o m a k e t e x t s
our ow n.

T h e p u r p o s e o f t h e O x f o r d B o o k w o r m s C o l le c ti o n is t o
e n c o u r a g e s t u d e n t s o f E n g lis h t o a d o p t th i s r o le . I t o f f e r s
s a m p le s of E n g lis h la n g u a g e f ic ti o n , u n a b rid g e d and
u n s i m p li f ie d , w h i c h h a v e b e e n s e le c te d a n d p r e s e n t e d t o
in d u c e e n jo y m e n t, and to d e v e lo p a s e n s i ti v i ty to th e
la n g u a g e th r o u g h a n a p p r e c ia tio n o f th e lite ra tu re . T h e
i n t e n t i o n is t o s t i m u l a t e s t u d e n t s t o f in d in f i c t io n w h a t J a n e
A u s t e n f o u n d : ‘t h e m o s t t h o r o u g h k n o w l e d g e o f h u m a n
n a t u r e , t h e h a p p i e s t d e l i n e a t i o n o f i ts v a r ie ti e s , t h e liv e lie s t
e f f u s i o n s o f w i t a n d h u m o u r . . . c o n v e y e d t o t h e w o r l d in
th e b e s t c h o s e n la n g u a g e .’ (N o r th a n g e r A b b e y )

H .G . W i d d o w s o n
S e r ie s A d v i s e r
 O x f o r d B o o k w o r m s
C o l l e c t i o n ^

N o n e o f t h e t e x t s h a s b e e n a b r i d g e d o r s im p lif ie d in a n y w a y , b u t e a c h v o lu m e
c o n ta in s n o te s and q u e s tio n s to h elp s tu d e n ts in th e ir u n d e rs ta n d in g and
a p p re c ia tio n .

B e fo re e a c h s to ry
• a s h o r t b io g ra p h ic a l n o te o n th e a u th o r
• a n i n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e th e m e a n d c h a r a c t e r s o f t h e s t o r y

A fte r e a c h s to ry
• N o t e s S o m e w o r d s a n d p h r a s e s in t h e t e x t s a r e m a r k e d w i t h a n a s t e r i s k * ,
a n d e x p l a n a t i o n s f o r th e s e a r e g iv e n in t h e n o te s . T h e e x p r e s s io n s s e le c te d
a r e u s u a l l y c u l t u r a l r e f e r e n c e s o r a r c h a i c a n d d i a l e c t w o r d s u n l ik e ly t o b e
f o u n d in d i c t i o n a r i e s . O t h e r d if f i c u lt w o r d s a r e n o t e x p l a i n e d . T h i s is b e c a u s e
t o d o s o m i g h t b e t o f o c u s a t t e n t i o n t o o m u c h o n t h e a n a ly s i s o f p a r t i c u l a r
m e a n in g s , a n d to d is r u p t th e n a tu r a l r e a d in g p ro c e s s . S tu d e n ts s h o u ld be
e n c o u r a g e d b y t h e i r e n g a g e m e n t w i t h t h e s t o r y t o in f e r g e n e r a l a n d r e l e v a n t
m e a n in g f ro m c o n te x t.
• D is c u s s i o n T h e s e a r e q u e s t i o n s o n t h e s t o r y ’s t h e m e a n d c h a r a c t e r s , d e s ig n e d
t o s t i m u l a t e c l a s s d is c u s s io n o r t o e n c o u r a g e t h e in d i v i d u a l r e a d e r t o t h i n k
a b o u t t h e s t o r y f r o m d i f f e r e n t p o i n t s o f v ie w .
• L a n g u a g e F o c u s T h e s e q u e s t i o n s a n d t a s k s d i r e c t t h e r e a d e r ’s a t t e n t i o n to
p a r t i c u l a r f e a tu r e s o f la n g u a g e u s e o r s ty le .
• A c t i v i t i e s T h e s e a r e s u g g e s t io n s f o r c r e a ti v e w r i t i n g a c ti v it ie s , t o e n c o u r a g e
r e a d e r s t o e x p l o r e o r d e v e lo p t h e id e a s a n d th e m e s o f t h e s t o r y in v a r i o u s
im a g i n a t i v e w a y s .
• I d e a s f o r C o m p a r i s o n A c t i v i t i e s T h e s e a r e o c c a s i o n a l a d d i t i o n a l s e c ti o n s w i t h
i d e a s f o r d is c u s s io n o r w r i t i n g , w h i c h c o m p a r e a n d c o n t r a s t a n u m b e r o f
s to r ie s in t h e v o l u m e .

C u r r e n t T it l e s

F r o m th e C r a d le to th e G ra v e
S h o r t s t o r ie s b y S a k i , E v e l y n W a u g h , S o m e r s e t M a u g h a m , R o a l d D a h l , F r a n k
S a r g e s o n , R a y m o n d C a r v e r , H . E . B a te s , S u s a n H i l l
C rim e N e v e r P ay s
S h o r t s t o r ie s b y A g a t h a C h r is tie , G r a h a m G r e e n e , R u t h R e n d e ll , A n g e l a N o e l ,
D o r o th y L. Sayers, M arg ery A llin g h a m , A r th u r C onan D o y le , P a tr ic ia
H ig h s m ith
Co n t en t s

Th e Co m p a n io n 9
A g a th a C h r i s ti e

Th e Ca se f o r t h e Def en c e 33
G ra h a m G ree ne

A Gl o w in g Fu t u r e 41
R u th R e n d e ll

R ic o c h et 55
A n g e la N o e l

Th e Fo u n t a in Pl ays 67
D o r o th y L . S a yers

Th r e e is a Lu ck y N u mber 87
M a r g e ry A llin g h a m

Th e Ad v en t u r e o f t h e Ret ir e d

Co l o u r ma n 103
S ir A r t h u r C o n a n D o y l e

Sa u ce f o r t h e Go o se 125
P a tr ic ia H i g h s m i t h
 Th e Co m pa n io n

T h e Au t h o r

A g a th a C h r is t ie 1 v as b o r n in 1 8 9 0 . S h e w r o t e o v e r s e v e n ty
d e t e c tiv e n o v e ls , m o r e t h a n a h u n d r e d s h o r t s to r i e s , a n d
m any sta g e p la y s . H er p la y The M o u s e tr a p has been
r u n n i n g in L o n d o n s in c e 1 9 5 2 . M a n y o f h e r n o v e l s f e a t u r e
t h e B e lg ia n d e te c tiv e , H e r c u l e P o i r o t , o r t h e e l d e r ly v illa g e
l a d y , M is s J a n e M a r p l e . A m o n g h e r b e s t - k n o w n t it le s a r e
T h e M y s t e r i o u s A f f a i r a t S ty le s , T he M urder o f R oger
A c k r o y d , D e a t h o n t h e N i l e , M u r d e r a t t h e V ic a r a g e , a n d
M u r d e r o n t h e O r i e n t E x p r e s s , w h i c h w a s m a d e i n t o a film
in 1 9 7 5 . B e c a u s e o f t h e in g e n u i t y a n d u n f a i l i n g s u s p e n s e o f
h e r p l o t s s h e h a s r e m a i n e d o n e o f t h e m o s t p o p u l a r d e t e c tiv e
w r i t e r s o f a l l ti m e . S h e d ie d in 1 9 7 6 .

T h e St o r y

M i s s M a r p l e is o n e o f t h e f a m o u s c h a r a c t e r s o f d e t e c ti v e
f i c t io n . S h e is a s m a l l e l d e r ly l a d y , w i t h q u ie t p le a s a n t
m a n n e r s , w h o is f o n d o f k n i t t i n g ; v e r y f a r f r o m b e in g a
g r e a t d e te c tiv e , y o u w o u l d t h i n k . B u t M is s M a r p l e is a g o o d
lis te n e r . S h e h a s a v e r y s h a r p e y e f o r d e t a i l a n d a s h r e w d
u n d e rs ta n d in g o f h u m a n n a tu re . M a n y m u rd e re rs h a v e h a d
c a u s e t o r e g r e t h e r i n t e r e s t in t h e i r a f f a i r s .
I n th is s t o r y M is s M a r p l e is a t a d i n n e r p a r t y , lis te n i n g
t o th e t a l e o f a c r im e t o l d b y a f r ie n d . T h e g u e s ts t r y t o
s o lv e t h e m y s t e r y in D r L l o y d ’s s t o r y , b u t i t is n ’t e v e n c l e a r
if a c r im e h a s b e e n c o m m i t t e d . D r L lo y d d e s c r ib e s t w o
m id d l e - a g e d la d ie s o n h o l i d a y in G r a n d C a n a r y ; o n e o f
t h e m d r o w n s w h il e s w im m in g . A s a d a c c i d e n t , i t s e e m s .
M is s M a r p l e lis te n s c a r e f u ll y . . .
 Th e Co m pa n io n

o w , D r L l o y d , ’ s a i d M i s s H e l i e r . ‘D o n ’t y o u know any

c re e p y s to rie s ? ’
She s m ile d at h im - th e s m ile th a t n ig h tly b e w itc h e d th e
th e a tre -g o in g p u b lic . J a n e H e lie r w a s s o m e tim e s c a lle d th e m o s t
b e a u tifu l w o m a n in E n g la n d , a n d je a lo u s m e m b e rs o f h e r o w n
p r o f e s s i o n w e r e i n t h e h a b i t o f s a y i n g t o e a c h o t h e r : ‘O f c o u r s e
J a n e ’s n o t a n a r t i s t . S h e c a n ’t a c t - i f y o u k n o w w h a t I m e a n . I t ’s

th o s e e y e s!’
A n d t h o s e ‘e y e s ’ w e r e a t t h i s m i n u t e f i x e d a p p e a l i n g l y o n t h e
g r i z z l e d e l d e r l y b a c h e l o r d o c t o r w h o , f o r t h e l a s t f iv e y e a r s , h a d
m in is te r e d t o th e a ilm e n ts o f th e v illa g e o f S t M a r y M e a d .
W ith an u n c o n s c io u s g e s tu re , th e d o c to r p u lle d dow n h is
w a is tc o a t (in c lin e d o f la te to b e u n c o m f o r ta b ly tig h t) a n d ra c k e d
h is b r a i n s h a s t i l y , s o a s n o t t o d i s a p p o i n t t h e l o v e l y c r e a t u r e w h o

a d d re s s e d h im s o c o n fid e n tly .
‘I f e e l , ’ s a i d J a n e d r e a m i l y , ‘t h a t I w o u l d l i k e t o w a l l o w i n c r i m e

th is e v e n in g .’
‘S p l e n d i d , ’ s a i d C o l o n e l B a n t r y , h e r h o s t . ‘S p l e n d i d , s p l e n d i d . ’
A n d h e l a u g h e d a l o u d h e a r t y m i l i t a r y l a u g h . ‘E h , D o l l y ? ’
H i s w i f e , h a s t i l y r e c a l l e d t o t h e e x i g e n c i e s o f s o c i a l lif e ( s h e h a d

b e e n p la n n in g h e r s p rin g b o r d e r ) a g re e d e n th u s ia s tic a lly .

‘O f c o u r s e i t ’s s p l e n d i d , ’ s h e s a i d h e a r t i l y b u t v a g u e l y . ‘I a l w a y s

th o u g h t s o .’
‘D i d y o u , m y d e a r ? ’ s a i d o l d M i s s M a r p l e , a n d h e r e y e s t w i n k l e d

a l i t t le .
‘W e d o n ’t g e t m u c h i n t h e c r e e p y l i n e - a n d s t i l l le s s i n t h e
c r im in a l lin e - in S t M a r y M e a d , y o u k n o w , M is s H e lie r ,’ s a id D r

L lo y d .
‘Y o u s u rp ris e m e ,’ s a id S ir H en ry C lith e rin g . The
12 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

e x -C o m m is s io n e r o f S c o tla n d Y a rd * t u r n e d t o M i s s M a r p l e . ‘I
a l w a y s u n d e r s t o o d f r o m o u r f r i e n d h e r e t h a t S t M a r y M e a d is a
p o s itiv e h o t b e d o f c r im e a n d v ic e .’
‘O h , S ir H e n r y ! ’ p r o t e s t e d M i s s M a r p l e , a s p o t o f c o l o u r c o m i n g
i n t o h e r c h e e k s . ‘I ’m s u r e I n e v e r s a i d a n y t h i n g o f t h e k i n d . T h e
o n l y t h i n g I e v e r s a i d w a s t h a t h u m a n n a t u r e is m u c h t h e s a m e
in a v illa g e a s a n y w h e r e e ls e , o n ly o n e h a s o p p o r t u n i t i e s a n d le is u r e
f o r s e e in g it a t c lo s e r q u a r te r s .’
‘B u t y o u h a v e n ’t a lw a y s li v e d h e r e ,’ s a id Jane H e lie r, s t il l
a d d r e s s i n g t h e d o c t o r . ‘Y o u ’v e b e e n i n a l l s o r t s o f q u e e r p l a c e s a ll
o v e r th e w o r ld - p la c e s w h e r e th in g s h a p p e n !’
‘T h a t is s o , o f c o u r s e , ’ s a i d D r L l o y d , s t i l l t h i n k i n g d e s p e r a t e l y .
‘Y e s , o f c o u r s e . . . Y e s . . . A h ! I h a v e i t ! ’
H e s a n k b a c k w i t h a s i g h o f r e li e f .
‘I t is s o m e y e a r s a g o n o w - I h a d a lm o s t fo rg o tte n . B u t th e
f a c ts w e r e re a lly v e ry s tr a n g e - v e ry s tr a n g e in d e e d . A n d th e fin a l
c o in c id e n c e w h ic h p u t th e c lu e in t o m y h a n d w a s s tr a n g e a l s o .’
M is s H e lie r d re w h e r c h a ir a little n e a r e r to h im , a p p lie d s o m e
lip s tic k a n d w a ite d e x p e c ta n tly . T h e o th e r s a ls o tu r n e d in te re s te d
f a c e s to w a r d s h im .
‘I d o n ’t k n o w w h e t h e r a n y o f y o u k n o w th e C a n a r y Is la n d s ,’
b e g a n th e d o c to r.
‘T h e y m u s t b e w o n d e r f u l , ’ s a i d J a n e H e l i e r . ‘T h e y ’r e i n t h e S o u t h
S e a s , a r e n ’t t h e y ? O r is it t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n ? ’
‘I ’v e c a l l e d in t h e r e o n m y w a y t o S o u t h A f r i c a , ’ s a i d t h e C o l o n e l .
‘T h e P e a k o f T e n e r i f e is a f in e s i g h t w i t h t h e s e t t i n g s u n o n i t . ’
‘T h e i n c i d e n t I a m d e s c r i b i n g h a p p e n e d i n t h e i s l a n d o f G r a n d
C a n a r y , n o t T e n e r i f e . I t is a g o o d m a n y y e a r s a g o n o w . I h a d h a d
a b r e a k d o w n in h e a lth a n d w a s f o r c e d t o g iv e u p m y p r a c tic e in
E n g l a n d a n d g o a b r o a d . I p r a c t i s e d i n L a s P a l m a s , w h i c h is t h e
p r i n c i p a l t o w n o f G r a n d C a n a r y . I n m a n y w a y s I e n j o y e d t h e lif e
o u t th e r e v e ry m u c h . T h e c lim a te w a s m ild a n d s u n n y , th e r e w a s
 T h e C o m p a n io n 13

e x c e lle n t s u r f b a th in g (a n d I a m a n e n th u s ia s tic b a th e r) a n d th e
neu life o f t h e p o r t a t t r a c t e d m e . S h i p s f r o m a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d p u t
in a t L a s P a l m a s . I u s e d t o w a l k a l o n g t h e m o l e e v e r y m o r n i n g
fu r m o r e in te r e s te d t h a n a n y m e m b e r o f th e f a ir s e x c o u ld b e in
a s tre e t o f h a t sh o p s .
‘A s I s a y , s h i p s f r o m a ll o v e r th e w o r ld p u t in a t L a s P a lm a s .
S o m e tim e s th e y s ta y a fe w h o u r s , s o m e tim e s a d a y o r tw o . I n th e
p r i n c i p a l h o t e l t h e r e , t h e M e t r o p o l e , y o u w i l l s e e p e o p l e o f a ll
ra c e s a n d n a tio n a litie s - b ir d s o f p a s s a g e . E v e n th e p e o p le g o in g
to T e n e rife u s u a lly c o m e h e re a n d s ta y a fe w d a y s b e fo re c ro s s in g
to th e o th e r is la n d .
‘M y s to r y b e g in s th e r e , in th e M e tr o p o le H o te l, o n e T h u r s d a y
e v e n in g in J a n u a r y . T h e r e w a s a d a n c e g o in g o n a n d I a n d a frie n d
h a d b e e n s ittin g a t a s m a ll ta b le w a tc h in g th e s c e n e . T h e re w e re
H fa ir s p r in k lin g o f E n g lis h a n d o t h e r n a tio n a litie s , b u t th e m a jo r ity
o f th e d a n c e rs w e re S p a n is h ; a n d w h e n th e o r c h e s tr a s tr u c k u p a
ta n g o , o n ly h a lf a d o z e n c o u p le s o f th e la tte r n a tio n a lity to o k th e
f lo o r. T h e y a ll d a n c e d w e ll a n d w e l o o k e d o n a n d a d m ir e d . O n e
w o m a n in p a r t i c u l a r e x c ite d o u r liv e ly a d m i r a t i o n . T a ll, b e a u tif u l
a n d s in u o u s , sh e m o v e d w ith th e g ra c e o f a h a lf - ta m e d le o p a rd e s s .
T h e re w a s s o m e th in g d a n g e r o u s a b o u t h e r. I s a id a s m u c h to m y
frie n d a n d h e a g re e d .
‘ “ W o m e n l ik e t h a t , ” h e s a i d , “ a r e b o u n d t o h a v e a h i s t o r y . L if e
w i ll n o t p a s s t h e m b y . ”
‘ “ B e a u t y is p e r h a p s a d a n g e r o u s p o s s e s s i o n , ” I s a i d .
‘ “ I t ’s n o t o n l y b e a u t y , ” h e i n s i s t e d . “ T h e r e is s o m e t h i n g e ls e .
L o o k a t h e r a g a in . T h in g s a re b o u n d to h a p p e n to th a t w o m a n ,
o r b e c a u s e o f h e r . A s I s a i d , li f e w i l l n o t p a s s h e r b y . S t r a n g e a n d
e x c i t i n g e v e n t s w i l l s u r r o u n d h e r . Y o u ’v e o n l y g o t t o l o o k a t h e r
to k n o w it.”
‘H e p a u s e d a n d t h e n a d d e d w i t h a s m il e :
1 “ J u s t a s y o u ’v e o n l y g o t t o lo o k a t th o s e tw o w o m e n o v e r
14 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

th e r e , a n d k n o w th a t n o th in g o u t o f th e w a y c o u ld e v e r h a p p e n to
e ith e r o f th e m ! T h e y a r e m a d e f o r a sa fe a n d u n e v e n tf u l e x is te n c e .”
‘I f o l l o w e d h i s e y e s . T h e t w o w o m e n h e r e f e r r e d t o w e r e t r a v e l ­
le rs w h o h a d ju s t a r r iv e d - a H o ll a n d L lo y d b o a t h a d p u t in to
p o r t t h a t e v e n in g , a n d th e p a s s e n g e rs w e re ju s t b e g in n in g t o a rriv e .
‘A s I l o o k e d a t t h e m I s a w a t o n c e w h a t m y f r i e n d m e a n t . T h e y
w e r e tw o E n g lis h la d ie s - th e t h o r o u g h ly n ic e tr a v e llin g E n g lis h
t h a t y o u d o fin d a b r o a d . T h e ir a g e s , I s h o u ld s a y , w e r e r o u n d
a b o u t fo rty . O n e w a s f a ir a n d a little - ju s t a little - to o p lu m p ;
th e o th e r w a s d a r k a n d a little - a g a in ju s t a little - in c lin e d to
s c r a g g i n e s s . T h e y w e r e w h a t is c a l l e d w e l l - p r e s e r v e d , q u i e t l y a n d
in c o n s p ic u o u s ly d re s s e d in w e ll-c u t tw e e d s , a n d in n o c e n t o f a n y
k i n d o f m a k e - u p . T h e y h a d t h a t a i r o f q u i e t a s s u r a n c e w h i c h is
th e b irth r ig h t o f w e ll-b re d E n g lis h w o m e n . T h e re w as n o th in g
r e m a r k a b le a b o u t e ith e r o f th e m . T h e y w e r e lik e th o u s a n d s o f
th e ir s is te rs . T h e y w o u ld d o u b tle s s see w h a t th e y w is h e d t o see ,
a s s i s t e d b y B a e d e k e r “' , a n d b e b l i n d t o e v e r y t h i n g e l s e . T h e y w o u l d
u s e th e E n g lis h lib r a r y a n d a tte n d th e E n g lis h C h u r c h in a n y p la c e
th e y h a p p e n e d t o b e , a n d it w a s q u ite lik e ly t h a t o n e o r b o t h o f
th e m s k e tc h e d a little . A n d a s m y f r ie n d s a id , n o th in g e x c itin g o r
re m a rk a b le w o u ld e v e r h a p p e n to e ith e r o f th e m , th o u g h th e y
m ig h t q u ite lik e ly tr a v e l h a lf o v e r th e w o r ld . I l o o k e d f r o m th e m
back to our s in u o u s S p a n is h w om an w ith her h a lf-c lo s e d
s m o u ld e r in g e y e s a n d I s m ile d .’
‘P o o r t h i n g s , ’ s a i d J a n e H e l i e r w i t h a s i g h . ‘B u t I d o t h i n k i t ’s
s o s il l y o f p e o p l e n o t t o m a k e t h e m o s t o f t h e m s e l v e s . T h a t w o m a n
i n B o n d S t r e e t 11' - V a l e n t i n e - is r e a l l y w o n d e r f u l . A u d r e y D e n m a n
g o e s to h e r; a n d h a v e y o u s e e n h e r in “ T h e D o w n w a r d S te p ? ” A s
th e s c h o o lg irl in th e f i r s t a c t s h e ’s r e a l l y m a r v e l l o u s . A n d yet
A u d r e y is f i f t y i f s h e ’s a d a y . A s a m a t t e r o f f a c t I h a p p e n t o k n o w
s h e ’s r e a l l y n e a r e r s i x t y . ’
‘G o o n , ’ s a i d M r s B a n t r y t o D r L l o y d . ‘I l o v e s t o r i e s a b o u t
 T h e C o m p a n io n 15

iln u o u s S p a n is h d a n c e rs . I t m a k e s m e f o rg e t h o w o ld a n d fa t I

• in .’
' I ’m s o r r y , ’ s a i d D r L l o y d a p o l o g e t i c a l l y . ‘B u t y o u see, as a
m u t t e r o f f a c t , t h i s s t o r y i s n ’t a b o u t t h e S p a n i s h w o m a n . ’
‘I t i s n ’t ? ’

‘N o . A s i t h a p p e n s m y f r i e n d a n d I w e r e w r o n g . N o t h i n g i n t h e
le a n t e x c i t i n g h a p p e n e d t o t h e S p a n i s h b e a u t y . S h e m a r r i e d a c l e r k
In n s h i p p i n g o f f ic e , a n d b y t h e t i m e I l e f t t h e i s l a n d s h e h a d h a d
liv e c h i l d r e n a n d w a s g e t t i n g v e r y f a t . ’
'J u s t l i k e t h a t g i r l o f I s r a e l P e t e r s , ’ c o m m e n t e d M i s s M a r p l e .
'T h e o n e w h o w e n t o n t h e s t a g e a n d h a d s u c h g o o d le g s t h a t t h e y
m a d e h e r p r i n c i p a l b o y i n t h e p a n t o m i m e * . E v e r y o n e s a i d s h e ’d
co m e to n o g o o d , b u t sh e m a rrie d a c o m m e rc ia l tra v e lle r a n d
» rttle d d o w n s p le n d id ly .’
'T h e v i l l a g e p a r a l l e l , ’ m u r m u r e d S ir H e n r y s o f t l y .
‘N o , ’ w e n t o n t h e d o c t o r . ‘M y s t o r y is a b o u t t h e t w o E n g l i s h

I n d ie s . ’
'S o m e t h i n g h a p p e n e d t o t h e m ? ’ b r e a t h e d M i s s H e l i e r .
‘S o m e t h i n g h a p p e n e d t o t h e m - a n d t h e v e r y n e x t d a y , t o o . ’
‘Y e s ? ’ s a id M r s B a n tr y e n c o u r a g in g ly .
‘J u s t f o r c u r i o s i t y , a s I w e n t o u t t h a t e v e n i n g I g l a n c e d a t t h e
h o te l re g is te r . I f o u n d th e n a m e s e a s ily e n o u g h . M is s M a r y B a r to n
Mild M i s s A m y D u r r a n t o f L i t t l e P a d d o c k s , C a u g h t o n W e i r , B u c k s .
I little th o u g h t th e n h o w s o o n I w a s to e n c o u n te r th e o w n e r s o f
th o s e n a m e s a g a in - a n d u n d e r w h a t tr a g ic c ir c u m s ta n c e s .
' The fo llo w in g d a y I h a d a r r a n g e d to g o f o r a p ic n ic w ith s o m e
frie n d s . W e w e r e t o m o t o r a c r o s s th e is la n d , ta k i n g o u r lu n c h , to
a p l a c e c a l l e d ( a s f a r a s I r e m e m b e r - i t is s o l o n g a g o ) L a s N i e v e s ,
a w e ll-s h e lte re d b a y w h e r e w e c o u ld b a th e if w e fe lt in c lin e d . T h is
p ro g ra m m e w e d u ly c a r r ie d o u t, e x c e p t th a t w e w e re s o m e w h a t
la te in s t a r t i n g , s o t h a t w e s t o p p e d o n t h e w a y a n d p i c n i c k e d ,
K o in g o n t o L a s N i e v e s a f t e r w a r d s f o r a b a t h e b e f o r e t e a .
16 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

‘A s w e a p p r o a c h e d th e b e a c h , w e w e re a t o n c e a w a re of a
tr e m e n d o u s c o m m o tio n . T h e w h o le p o p u l a t i o n o f th e s m a ll v illa g e
s e e m e d to b e g a th e r e d o n th e s h o re . A s s o o n a s th e y s a w u s th e y
ru sh e d to w a rd s th e car and began e x p la in in g e x c ite d ly . O ur
S p a n is h not b e in g v ery good, it to o k me a few m in u te s to
u n d e r s t a n d , b u t a t l a s t I g o t it.
‘T w o o f t h e m a d E n g l i s h l a d i e s h a d g o n e i n t o b a t h e , a n d o n e
h a d s w u m o u t t o o f a r a n d g o t in t o d iffic u ltie s . T h e o t h e r h a d g o n e
a f te r h e r a n d h a d tr ie d to b r in g h e r in , b u t h e r s tr e n g th in tu r n
h a d fa ile d a n d sh e to o w o u ld h a v e d r o w n e d h a d n o t a m a n ro w e d
o u t in a b o a t a n d b r o u g h t in re s c u e r a n d re s c u e d - th e l a t t e r b e y o n d
h e lp .
‘A s s o o n a s I g o t t h e h a n g o f t h i n g s I p u s h e d t h e c r o w d a s i d e
a n d h u r r ie d d o w n th e b e a c h . I d id n o t a t firs t re c o g n iz e th e tw o
w o m e n . T h e p lu m p fig u re in th e b la c k s to c k in e t c o s tu m e a n d th e
tig h t g re e n r u b b e r b a th in g c a p a w o k e n o c h o rd o f re c o g n itio n as
s h e lo o k e d u p a n x io u s ly . S h e w a s k n e e lin g b e s id e th e b o d y o f h e r
frie n d , m a k in g som ew hat a m a te u ris h a tte m p ts at a rtific ia l
r e s p ir a tio n . W h e n I to ld h e r t h a t I w a s a d o c t o r s h e g a v e a s ig h
o f re lie f, a n d I o r d e r e d h e r o f f a t o n c e to o n e o f th e c o tta g e s f o r
a r u b d o w n a n d d r y c lo th in g . O n e o f th e la d ie s in m y p a r t y w e n t
w ith h e r . I m y s e lf w o r k e d u n a v a ilin g ly o n th e b o d y o f th e d r o w n e d
w o m a n i n v a i n . L if e w a s o n l y t o o c l e a r l y e x t i n c t , a n d i n t h e e n d
I h a d r e l u c t a n t l y t o g iv e in .
‘I r e j o i n e d t h e o t h e r s i n t h e s m a l l f i s h e r m a n ’s c o t t a g e a n d t h e r e
I h a d t o b r e a k th e s a d n e w s . T h e s u r v iv o r w a s a t t i r e d n o w in h e r
o w n c lo th e s , a n d I im m e d ia te ly re c o g n iz e d h e r a s o n e o f th e tw o
a r r iv a ls o f th e n ig h t b e fo re . S h e re c e iv e d th e s a d n e w s f a irly c a lm ly ,
a n d it w a s e v id e n tly th e h o r r o r o f th e w h o le th in g t h a t s tr u c k h e r
m o r e t h a n a n y g r e a t p e r s o n a l f e e li n g .
‘ “ P o o r A m y ,” s h e s a id . “ P o o r , p o o r A m y . S h e h a d b e e n lo o k in g
fo r w a r d to th e b a th in g h e re so m u c h . A n d sh e w a s a g o o d s w im m e r
 T h e C o m p a n io n 17

t o o , I c a n ’t u n d e r s t a n d i t . W h a t d o y o u t h i n k i t c a n h a v e b e e n ,
d o c to r? ”
' “ P o s s ib ly c r a m p . W ill y o u te ll m e e x a c tly w h a t h a p p e n e d ? ”
‘ " W e h a d b o th b e e n s w im m in g a b o u t f o r s o m e tim e - tw e n ty
m in u te s I s h o u ld s a y . T h e n I th o u g h t I w o u ld g o in , b u t A m y s a id
« lie w a s g o i n g t o s w i m o u t o n c e m o r e . S h e d i d s o , a n d s u d d e n l y
I h e a r d h e r c a ll a n d r e a liz e d s h e w a s c ry in g f o r h e lp . I s w a m o u t
an f a s t a s I c o u l d . S h e w a s s t i l l a f l o a t w h e n I g o t t o h e r , b u t s h e
d u t c h e d a t m e w i l d l y a n d w e b o t h w e n t u n d e r . I f i t h a d n ’t b e e n
lo r th a t m a n c o m in g o u t w ith h is b o a t I s h o u ld h a v e b e e n d r o w n e d

too.”
‘ “ T h a t h a s h a p p e n e d f a irly o f te n ,” I s a id . “ T o s a v e a n y o n e fr o m
d r o w n i n g is n o t a n e a s y a f f a i r . ”
‘ “ It se e m s s o a w f u l,” c o n tin u e d M is s B a rto n . “ W e o n ly a rriv e d
y e s te rd a y , a n d w e r e s o d e lig h tin g in th e s u n s h in e a n d o u r little
h o lid a y . A n d n o w th is - th is te r r ib le tr a g e d y o c c u r s .”
'1 ask ed her th e n fo r p a rtic u la rs about th e dead w om an,
e x p la in in g th a t I w o u ld d o e v e ry th in g I c o u ld f o r h e r , b u t th a t th e
S p a n is h a u th o r itie s w o u l d r e q u ir e fu ll in f o r m a tio n . T h is s h e g a v e

m e re a d ily e n o u g h .
'T h e d e a d w o m a n , M i s s A m y D u r r a n t , w a s h e r c o m p a n i o n a n d
h a d c o m e t o h e r a b o u t fiv e m o n t h s p r e v io u s ly . T h e y h a d g o t o n
v e ry w e ll t o g e t h e r , b u t M i s s D u r r a n t h a d s p o k e n v e r y l i t t l e a b o u t
h e r p e o p le . S h e h a d b e e n le ft a n o r p h a n a t a n e a r ly a g e a n d h a d
b e e n b r o u g h t u p b y a n u n c le a n d h a d e a r n e d h e r o w n liv in g s in c e
» lie w a s t w e n t y - o n e .
‘A n d s o t h a t w a s t h a t , ’ w e n t o n t h e d o c t o r . H e p a u s e d a n d s a i d

a g a i n , b u t t h i s t i m e w i t h a c e r t a i n f i n a l i t y i n h i s v o i c e , ‘A n d s o

th a t w a s th a t.’
‘ I d o n ’t u n d e r s t a n d , ’ s a i d J a n e H e l i e r . ‘I s t h a t a l l? I m e a n , i t ’s
v e r y t r a g i c , I s u p p o s e , b u t i t i s n ’t - w e l l , i t i s n ’t w h a t I c a l l c r e e p y . ’
‘ I t h i n k t h e r e ’s m o r e t o f o l l o w , ’ s a i d S ir H e n r y .
18 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

‘Y e s , ’ s a i d D r L l o y d , ‘t h e r e ’s m o r e t o f o l l o w . Y o u s e e , r i g h t a t
th e tim e th e r e w a s o n e q u e e r th in g . O f c o u rs e I a s k e d q u e s tio n s
of th e fis h e rm e n , e tc ., as to w hat t h e y ’d seen. T hey w e re
e y e - w i t n e s s e s . A n d o n e w o m a n h a d r a t h e r a f u n n y s t o r y . I d i d n ’t
pay any a tte n tio n to it a t t h e tim e , b u t it c a m e back to me
a f t e r w a r d s . S h e i n s i s t e d , y o u s e e , t h a t M i s s D u r r a n t w a s n ’t i n
d iffic u ltie s w h e n s h e c a lle d o u t. T h e o th e r s w a m o u t t o h e r a n d
a c c o r d i n g t o t h i s w o m a n , d e l i b e r a t e l y h e l d M i s s D u r r a n t ’s h e a d
u n d e r w a t e r . I d i d n ’t , a s I s a y , p a y m u c h a t t e n t i o n . I t w a s s u c h a
f a n ta s tic s to ry , a n d th e s e th in g s lo o k so d iffe re n tly f r o m th e s h o re .
M is s B a rto n m ig h t have trie d to m ake her frie n d lo s e
c o n s c i o u s n e s s , r e a l i z i n g t h a t t h e l a t t e r ’s p a n i c - s t r i c k e n c l u t c h i n g
w o u ld d ro w n th e m b o th . Y ou see, a c c o rd in g to th e S p a n is h
w o m a n ’s s t o r y , i t l o o k e d a s t h o u g h - w e l l , a s t h o u g h M i s s B a r t o n
w a s d e lib e ra te ly try in g to d r o w n h e r c o m p a n io n .
‘A s I s a y , I p a i d v e r y l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n t o t h i s s t o r y a t t h e t i m e . I t
c a m e b a c k to m e la te r. O u r g r e a t d iffic u lty w a s to fin d o u t a n y th in g
a b o u t t h i s w o m a n , A m y D u r r a n t . S h e d i d n ’t s e e m t o have any
r e la tio n s . M is s B a r to n a n d I w e n t th r o u g h h e r th in g s to g e th e r . W e
f o u n d o n e a d d r e s s a n d w r o te th e r e , b u t it p r o v e d to b e s im p ly a
r o o m s h e h a d t a k e n in w h i c h t o k e e p h e r t h i n g s . T h e l a n d l a d y k n e w
n o th in g , h a d o n ly se e n h e r w h e n sh e to o k th e ro o m . M is s D u r r a n t
h a d r e m a r k e d a t th e tim e t h a t s h e a lw a y s lik e d t o h a v e o n e p la c e sh e
c o u ld c a ll h e r o w n to w h ic h s h e c o u ld r e tu r n a t a n y m o m e n t. T h e re
w e r e o n e o r t w o n i c e p ie c e s o f o l d f u r n i t u r e a n d s o m e b o u n d
n u m b e r s o f A c a d e m y p ic tu r e s , a n d a tr u n k fu ll o f p ie c e s o f m a te r ia l
b o u g h t a t s a le s , b u t n o p e r s o n a l b e lo n g in g s . S h e h a d m e n tio n e d to
th e la n d la d y th a t h e r f a th e r a n d m o th e r h a d d ie d in I n d ia w h e n sh e
w a s a c h ild a n d t h a t s h e h a d b e e n b r o u g h t u p b y a n u n c le w h o w a s a
c l e r g y m a n , b u t s h e d i d n o t s a y if h e w a s h e r f a t h e r ’s o r h e r m o t h e r ’s
b r o th e r , so th e n a m e w a s n o g u id e .
‘I t w a s n ’t e x a c t l y m y s t e r i o u s , i t w a s j u s t u n s a t i s f a c t o r y . T h e r e
 T h e C o m p a n io n 19

n u iN t h e m a n y l o n e l y w o m e n , p r o u d and r e tic e n t, in j u s t t h a t
p e titio n . T h e re w e re a c o u p le of p h o to g ra p h s am o n gst her
b e l o n g i n g s in L a s P a l m a s - r a th e r o ld a n d f a d e d a n d th e y h a d
be e n c u t to f it t h e f r a m e s t h e y w e r e i n , s o t h a t t h e r e w a s n o
p h o t o g r a p h e r ’s nam e upon th e m , and th e re w as an o ld
d a g u e rre o ty p e w h ic h m ig h t have been her m o th e r or m o re
p ro b a b ly h e r g ra n d m o th e r.
‘M i s s B a r t o n h a d h a d t w o r e f e r e n c e s w i t h h e r . O n e s h e h a d
lo r g o tte n , th e o th e r n a m e sh e re c o lle c te d a f te r a n e ffo rt. I t p ro v e d
to be th a t of a la d y w ho w as now a b ro a d , h a v in g gone to
A u s tra lia . S h e w a s w r itte n to . H e r a n s w e r , o f c o u rs e , w a s a lo n g
I lin e in c o m i n g , a n d I m a y s a y t h a t w h e n i t d i d a r r i v e t h e r e w a s
n o p a r tic u la r h e lp to b e g a in e d f r o m it. S h e s a id M is s D u r r a n t
h a d b e e n w ith h e r a s c o m p a n io n a n d h a d b e e n m o s t e ffic ie n t a n d
th a t sh e w a s a v e ry c h a rm in g w o m a n , b u t t h a t sh e k n e w n o th in g
o f h e r p riv a te a ffa irs o r re la tio n s .
‘S o t h e r e it w a s - as I say , n o th in g u n u s u a l, re a lly . It w a s
ju s t t h e t w o th in g s to g e th e r th a t a ro u s e d m y u n e a s in e s s . T h is
A m y D u r r a n t o f w h o m n o o n e k n e w a n y th in g , a n d th e S p a n is h
w o m a n ’s q u e e r s t o r y . Y e s , a n d I ’ll a d d a th ird th in g : W h e n I
w a s firs t b e n d in g o v e r th e b o d y a n d M is s B a r to n w a s w a lk in g
a w a y to w a rd s th e h u ts , sh e lo o k e d b a c k . L o o k e d b a c k w ith a n
e x p re s s io n on her fa c e th a t I can o n ly d e s c rib e as one of
p o ig n a n t a n x ie ty - a k in d of a n g u is h e d u n c e rta in ty th a t
im p rin te d its e lf o n m y b r a in .
'I t d i d n ’t s t r i k e m e a s a n y t h i n g u n u s u a l a t t h e t i m e . I p u t i t
ilo w n to h e r te r r ib le d is tr e s s o v e r h e r f r ie n d . B u t, y o u s e e , la te r I
r e a l i z e d t h a t t h e y w e r e n ’t o n t h o s e t e r m s . T h e r e w a s n o d e v o t e d
a tta c h m e n t b e tw e e n th e m , n o te r r ib le g rie f. M is s B a r to n w a s f o n d
o t A m y D u r r a n t a n d s h o c k e d b y h e r d e a t h - t h a t w a s a ll .
‘B u t, t h e n , w h y t h a t t e r r i b l e p o i g n a n t a n x i e t y ? T h a t w a s t h e
ip ie s tio n t h a t k e p t c o m in g b a c k t o m e . I h a d n o t b e e n m is ta k e n
20 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

in t h a t lo o k . A n d a lm o s t a g a in s t m y w ill, a n a n s w e r b e g a n to
s h a p e i t s e l f i n m y m i n d . S u p p o s i n g t h e S p a n i s h w o m a n ’s s t o r y
w e r e tr u e ; s u p p o s in g t h a t M a r y B a r to n w ilfu lly a n d in c o ld b lo o d
tr ie d t o d r o w n A m y D u r r a n t . S h e s u c c e e d s in h o ld in g h e r u n d e r
w a t e r w h i l s t p r e t e n d i n g t o b e s a v i n g h e r . S h e is r e s c u e d b y a b o a t .
T hey a re on a lo n e ly beach fa r fro m a n y w h e re . A nd th e n I
appear - th e la s t th in g s h e e x p e c ts . A d o c to r ! A n d a n E n g lis h
d o c to r ! S h e k n o w s w e ll e n o u g h t h a t p e o p le w h o h a v e b e e n u n d e r
w a t e r f a r lo n g e r th a n A m y D u r r a n t h a v e b e e n re v iv e d b y a rtific ia l
r e s p ir a tio n . B u t s h e h a s to p la y h e r p a r t - t o g o o f f le a v in g m e
a lo n e w ith h e r v ic tim . A nd as sh e tu rn s fo r o n e la s t lo o k , a
te r r ib le p o ig n a n t a n x ie ty s h o w s o n h e r fa c e . W ill A m y D u r r a n t
c o m e b a c k t o lif e a n d t e l l w h a t s h e k n o w s ? ’
‘O h ! ’ s a i d J a n e H e l i e r . ‘I ’m t h r i l l e d n o w . ’
‘V i e w e d i n t h a t a s p e c t t h e w h o l e b u s i n e s s s e e m e d m o r e s i n i s t e r ,
a n d th e p e r s o n a lity o f A m y D u r r a n t b e c a m e m o r e m y s te rio u s .
W h o w a s A m y D u r r a n t? W h y s h o u ld sh e , a n in s ig n ific a n t p a id
c o m p a n io n , b e m u r d e r e d b y h e r e m p lo y e r? W h a t s to ry la y b e h in d
th a t fa ta l b a th in g e x p e d itio n ? She h ad e n te re d M a ry B a r t o n ’s
e m p lo y m e n t o n ly a fe w m o n th s b e fo re . M a r y B a r to n h a d b ro u g h t
h e r a b r o a d , a n d th e v e ry d a y a fte r th e y la n d e d th e tra g e d y h a d
o c c u rre d . A nd th e y w e re b o th n ic e , c o m m o n p la c e , re fin e d
E n g lis h w o m e n ! T h e w h o le th in g w a s f a n ta s tic a n d I to l d m y s e lf
so . I h a d b e e n le ttin g m y im a g in a tio n r u n a w a y w ith m e .’
‘Y o u d i d n ’t d o a n y t h i n g t h e n ? ’ a s k e d M i s s H e l i e r .
‘M y dear young la d y , w hat c o u ld I do? T h e re w as no
e v id e n c e . T h e m a jo r ity o f th e e y e -w itn e s s e s to ld th e s a m e s to ry
as M is s B a rto n . I had b u ilt up my ow n s u s p ic io n s out of a
fle e tin g e x p r e s s io n w h ic h I m ig h t p o s s ib ly h a v e im a g in e d . T h e
o n ly th in g I c o u ld and d id do w as to se e th a t th e w id e s t
in q u ir ie s w e re m a d e f o r th e r e la tio n s o f A m y D u r r a n t. T h e n e x t
tim e I w as in E n g la n d I even w ent and saw th e la n d la d y of
 T h e C o m p a n io n 21

h e r ro o m , w ith th e re s u lts I h a v e to ld y o u .’
‘B u t y o u f e lt th e r e w a s s o m e th in g w r o n g ,’ s a id M is s M a r p le .
D r L lo y d n o d d e d .
‘H a l f t h e t i m e I w a s a s h a m e d o f m y s e l f f o r t h i n k i n g s o . W h o w a s
1 to g o s u s p e c tin g th is n ic e , p l e a s a n t- m a n n e r e d E n g lis h la d y o f a f o u l
a n d c o ld - b lo o d e d c rim e ? I d id m y b e s t t o b e a s c o r d ia l a s p o s s ib le t o
h e r d u rin g th e s h o r t tim e sh e s ta y e d o n th e is la n d . I h e lp e d h e r w ith
th e S p a n is h a u th o ritie s . I d id e v e ry th in g I c o u ld do as an
E n g lis h m a n t o h e lp a c o m p a t r i o t in a fo r e ig n c o u n tr y ; a n d y e t I a m
c o n v in c e d t h a t s h e k n e w I s u s p e c te d a n d d is lik e d h e r .’
'H o w lo n g d id s h e s t a y o u t th e r e ? ’ a s k e d M i s s M a r p l e .
'1 t h i n k i t w a s a b o u t a f o r t n i g h t . M i s s D u r r a n t w a s b u r i e d t h e r e ,
M ild it m u s t h a v e b e e n a b o u t t e n d a y s l a t e r w h e n s h e t o o k a b o a t
b u ck to E n g la n d . T h e s h o c k h a d u p s e t h e r s o m u c h t h a t s h e fe lt sh e
c o u l d n ’t s p e n d t h e w i n t e r t h e r e a s s h e h a d p l a n n e d . T h a t ’s w h a t s h e
» a id .’
‘D id it s e e m t o h a v e u p s e t h e r ? ’ a s k e d M i s s M a r p l e .
The d o c to r h e s ita te d .
‘W e l l, I d o n ’t k n o w t h a t i t a f f e c t e d h e r a p p e a r a n c e a t a l l , ’ h e s a i d
c a u tio u s ly .
'S h e d i d n ’t , f o r i n s t a n c e , g r o w f a t t e r ? ’ a s k e d M i s s M a r p l e .
‘D o y o u k n o w - i t ’s a c u r i o u s t h i n g y o u r s a y i n g t h a t . N o w I c o m e
t o t h i n k b a c k , I b e l i e v e y o u ’r e r i g h t . S h e - y e s , s h e d i d s e e m , i f
a n y th in g , to b e p u ttin g o n w e ig h t.’

'H o w h o r r i b l e , ’ s a i d J a n e H e l i e r w i t h a s h u d d e r . ‘I t ’s l i k e - i t ’s
lik e f a t t e n i n g o n y o u r v i c t i m ’s b l o o d . ’
‘A n d y e t, in a n o t h e r w a y , I m a y b e d o in g h e r a n in ju s tic e ,’ w e n t
o n D r L lo y d . ‘S h e c e r t a i n l y s a i d s o m e t h i n g b e f o r e s h e l e f t , w h i c h
p o i n t e d in a n e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t d i r e c t i o n . T h e r e m a y b e , I t h i n k t h e r e
a re , c o n s c ie n c e s w h ic h w o r k v e ry s lo w ly - w h ic h ta k e s o m e tim e to
a w a k e n to th e e n o rm ity o f th e d e e d c o m m itte d .
'I t w a s t h e e v e n i n g b e f o r e h e r d e p a r t u r e f r o m t h e C a n a r i e s . S h e
22 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

h a d a s k e d m e to g o a n d se e h e r, a n d h a d th a n k e d m e v e ry w a r m ly
f o r a ll I h a d d o n e t o h e lp h e r . I, o f c o u r s e , m a d e lig h t o f th e m a tte r ,
s a id I h a d o n ly d o n e w h a t w a s n a tu r a l u n d e r th e c irc u m s ta n c e s , a n d
s o o n . T h e r e w a s a p a u s e a f te r th a t , a n d th e n s h e s u d d e n ly a s k e d m e
a q u e s tio n .
‘ “ D o y o u t h i n k , ” s h e a s k e d , “ t h a t o n e is e v e r j u s t i f i e d i n t a k i n g
t h e l a w i n t o o n e ’s o w n h a n d s ? ”
‘I r e p l i e d t h a t t h a t w a s r a t h e r a d i f f i c u l t q u e s t i o n , b u t t h a t o n t h e
w h o le , I th o u g h t n o t. T h e la w w a s th e la w , a n d w e h a d to a b id e b y
it.
‘ “ E v e n w h e n i t is p o w e r l e s s ? ”
‘ “ I d o n ’t q u i t e u n d e r s t a n d . ”
‘ “ I t ’s d i f f i c u l t t o e x p l a i n ; b u t o n e m i g h t d o s o m e t h i n g t h a t is
c o n s i d e r e d d e f i n i t e l y w r o n g - t h a t is c o n s i d e r e d a c r i m e , e v e n , f o r a
g o o d a n d s u ffic ie n t r e a s o n .”
‘I r e p l i e d d r i l y t h a t p o s s i b l y s e v e r a l c r i m i n a l s h a d t h o u g h t t h a t in
th e i r tim e , a n d s h e s h r a n k b a c k .
‘ “ B u t t h a t ’s h o r r i b l e , ” s h e m u r m u r e d . “ H o r r i b l e . ”
‘A n d th e n w ith a c h a n g e o f to n e she a sk e d m e to g iv e h e r
s o m e th in g to m ake h e r s le e p . S h e had n o t been a b le to s le e p
p r o p e r ly s in c e - s h e h e s ita te d - s in c e t h a t te r r ib le s h o c k .
‘ “ Y o u ’r e s u r e i t is t h a t ? T h e r e is n o t h i n g w o r r y i n g y o u ? N o t h i n g
o n y o u r m in d ? ”
‘ “ O n m y m in d ? W h a t s h o u ld b e o n m y m in d ? ”
‘S h e s p o k e f ie r c e ly a n d s u s p i c i o u s l y .
‘ “ W o r r y is a c a u s e o f s l e e p l e s s n e s s s o m e t i m e s , ” I s a i d l i g h t l y .
‘S h e s e e m e d t o b r o o d f o r a m o m e n t .
‘ “ D o y o u m e a n w o r r y in g o v e r th e fu tu r e , o r w o r r y in g o v e r th e
p a s t , w h i c h c a n ’t b e a l t e r e d ? ”
‘ “ E ith e r .”
‘ “ O n l y i t w o u l d n ’t b e a n y g o o d w o r r y i n g o v e r t h e p a s t . Y o u
c o u l d n ’t b r i n g b a c k - O h ! w h a t ’s t h e u s e ! O n e m u s t n ’t t h i n k . O n e
 T h e C o m p a n io n 23

m u st n o t th in k .”
'I p r e s c r i b e d h e r a m i l d s l e e p i n g d r a u g h t a n d m a d e m y a d i e u . A s
I w e n t a w a y I w o n d e r e d n o t a little o v e r th e w o r d s sh e h a d s p o k e n .
" Y o u c o u l d n ’t b r i n g b a c k W h a t? O r w h o }
'I t h i n k t h a t l a s t i n t e r v i e w p r e p a r e d m e i n a w a y f o r w h a t w a s t o
c o m e . 1 d i d n ’t e x p e c t i t , o f c o u r s e , b u t w h e n i t h a p p e n e d , I w a s n ’t
s u rp ris e d . B e c a u s e , y o u se e , M a r y B a r to n s tr u c k m e a ll a lo n g a s a
c o n s c ie n tio u s w o m a n - not a w eak s in n e r, b u t a w o m a n w ith
c o n v ic tio n s , w h o w o u ld a c t u p to th e m , a n d w h o w o u ld n o t r e le n t
rtl l o n g a s s h e s t i l l b e l i e v e d i n t h e m . I f a n c i e d t h a t i n t h e l a s t
ro n v c rs a tio n we had sh e w as b e g in n in g to doubt her ow n
i o n v ic tio n s . I k n o w h e r w o r d s s u g g e s te d t o m e t h a t s h e w a s fe e lin g
I h e f ir s t f a i n t b e g i n n i n g s o f t h a t t e r r i b l e s o u l - s e a r c h e r - r e m o r s e .
' T he th in g h a p p e n e d in C o r n w a ll, in a s m a ll w a te r in g - p la c e ,
r tt th e r d e s e r t e d a t t h a t s e a s o n o f t h e y e a r . I t m u s t h a v e b e e n -
le t m e s e e - la te M a r c h . I r e a d a b o u t it in th e p a p e r s . A la d y
h tiil b e e n s t a y i n g a t a s m a l l h o t e l t h e r e - a M is s B a rto n . S h e
hrtil b e e n v e r y o d d a n d p e c u l i a r i n h e r m a n n e r . T h a t h a d b e e n
noticed b y a l l . A t n ig h t she w o u ld w a lk up and dow n her
room, m u t t e r i n g t o h e rs e lf, and not a llo w in g th e p e o p le on
e ith e r s id e o f h e r t o s le e p . S h e h a d c a lle d o n th e v ic a r o n e d a y
■nul h a d t o l d h i m th a t sh e h a d a c o m m u n ic a tio n o f th e g ra v e s t
Im p o rta n c e to m ake to h im . She had, she s a id , c o m m itte d a
c r im e . T h e n , i n s t e a d o f p r o c e e d i n g , s h e h a d s to o d u p a b ru p tly
riiu l s a i d s h e w o u l d c a l l a n o t h e r d a y . T h e v i c a r p u t h e r d o w n
d t b e in g s lig h tly m e n ta l, a n d d id n o t ta k e h e r s e lf-a c c u s a tio n
» e r io u s ly .
'T h e v e r y n e x t m o r n i n g s h e w a s f o u n d t o b e m i s s i n g f r o m h e r
ro o m . A n o te w a s le ft a d d r e s s e d to th e c o r o n e r . I t r a n a s fo llo w s :
'I t r i e d t o s p e a k t o t h e v i c a r y e s t e r d a y , t o c o n f e s s a l l , b u t w a s
n o t a llo w e d . S h e w o u ld n o t le t m e . I c a n m a k e a m e n d s o n ly
o n e w a y - a lif e f o r a l if e ; a n d m y lif e m u s t g o t h e s a m e w a y a s
26 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

s a i d S ir H e n r y , ‘t h o u g h I a d m i t i t ’s o n l y a g u e s s . I s u g g e s t t h a t
M is s B a r t o n w a s a l w a y s m e n t a l l y u n h i n g e d . T h e r e a r e m o r e c a s e s
li k e t h a t t h a n y o u w o u l d i m a g i n e . H e r m a n i a g r e w s t r o n g e r a n d
she began to b e lie v e it her d u ty to rid th e w o rld o f c e rta in
p e r s o n s - p o s s i b l y w h a t is t e r m e d u n f o r t u n a t e f e m a l e s . N o t h i n g
m u c h is k n o w n a b o u t M i s s D u r r a n t ’s p a s t . S o v e r y p o s s i b l y s h e
h a d a p a s t - a n “ u n f o r tu n a te ” o n e . M is s B a r to n le a rn s o f th is a n d
d e c id e s on e x te rm in a tio n . L a te r, th e rig h te o u s n e s s of her act
b e g i n s t o t r o u b l e h e r a n d s h e is o v e r c o m e b y r e m o r s e . H e r e n d
s h o w s h e r to b e c o m p le te ly u n h in g e d . N o w , d o s a y y o u a g re e w ith
m e , M is s M a r p le .’
‘I ’m a fra id I d o n ’t , S ir H e n r y ,’ s a id M is s M a rp le , s m ilin g
a p o l o g e t i c a l l y . ‘I t h i n k h e r e n d s h o w s h e r t o h a v e b e e n a v e ry
c le v e r a n d r e s o u r c e f u l w o m a n .’
J a n e H e lie r in te r r u p te d w ith a little s c re a m .
‘O h ! I ’v e b e e n s o s t u p i d . M a y I g u e s s a g a i n ? O f c o u r s e i t m u s t
have been th a t. B la c k m a il! The c o m p a n io n w om an w as
b l a c k m a i l i n g h e r . O n l y I d o n ’t s e e w h y M i s s M a r p l e s a y s i t w a s
c l e v e r o f h e r t o k i l l h e r s e l f . I c a n ’t s e e t h a t a t a l l . ’
‘A h ! ’ s a i d S ir H e n r y . ‘Y o u s e e , M i s s M a r p l e k n e w a c a s e j u s t
li k e i t i n S t M a r y M e a d . ’
‘Y o u a lw a y s la u g h at m e, S ir H e n r y ,’ s a id M is s M a rp le
r e p r o a c h f u l l y . ‘I m u s t c o n f e s s i t d o e s r e m i n d m e , j u s t a l i t t l e , o f
o ld M r s T r o u t. S h e d r e w th e o ld a g e p e n s io n , y o u k n o w , fo r th re e
o ld w o m e n w h o w e re d e a d , in d iffe re n t p a r is h e s .’
‘I t s o u n d s a m o s t c o m p l i c a t e d a n d r e s o u r c e f u l c r i m e , ’ s a i d S ir
H e n r y . ‘B u t i t d o e s n ’t s e e m t o m e t o t h r o w a n y lig h t u p o n o u r
p re s e n t p r o b le m .’
‘O f c o u r s e n o t , ’ s a i d M i s s M a r p l e . ‘I t w o u l d n ’t - t o y o u . B u t
s o m e o f th e fa m ilie s w e r e v e r y p o o r , a n d th e o ld a g e p e n s io n w a s
a g re a t b o o n to th e c h ild re n . I k n o w i t ’s d i f f i c u l t f o r a n y o n e
o u ts id e t o u n d e r s ta n d . B u t w h a t I re a lly m e a n t w a s t h a t th e w h o le
 T h e C o m p a n io n 27

I ll ln g h i n g e d u p o n o n e o l d w o m a n b e i n g s o l i k e a n y o t h e r o l d
w o m a n .’
' E h ? ' s a i d S ir H e n r y , m y s t i f i e d .
'I a l w a y s e x p l a i n t h i n g s s o b a d l y . W h a t I m e a n is t h a t w h e n D r
1 l o y d d e s c r i b e d t h e t w o l a d i e s f i r s t , h e d i d n ’t k n o w w h i c h w a s
w h i c h , a n d I d o n ’t s u p p o s e a n y o n e e ls e i n t h e h o t e l d i d . T h e y
w o u ld h a v e , o f c o u r s e , a f te r a d a y o r s o , b u t th e v e ry n e x t d a y
o u r o f th e tw o w a s d r o w n e d , a n d if th e o n e w h o w a s le ft s a id sh e
w it* M i s s B a r t o n , I d o n ’t s u p p o s e i t w o u l d e v e r o c c u r t o a n y o n e
I I m t s h e m i g h t n ’t b e . ’
'Y o u t h i n k - O h ! I s e e , ’ s a i d S ir H e n r y s l o w l y .
' I t ’s t h e o n l y n a t u r a l w a y o f t h i n k i n g o f i t . D e a r M r s B a n t r y
b e g a n t h a t w a y ju s t n o w . W h y s h o u l d th e ric h e m p lo y e r k ill th e
h u m b l e c o m p a n i o n ? I t ’s s o m u c h m o r e l i k e l y t o b e t h e o t h e r w a y
a b o u t . 1 m e a n - t h a t ’s t h e w a y t h i n g s h a p p e n . ’
'I s i t ? ’ s a i d S ir H e n r y . ‘Y o u s h o c k m e . ’
'B u t o f c o u r s e , ’ w e n t o n M i s s M a r p l e , ‘s h e w o u l d h a v e t o w e a r
M in s B a r t o n ’s c l o t h e s , a n d t h e y w o u l d p r o b a b l y b e a l i t t l e t i g h t
o n h e r, so th a t h e r g e n e ra l a p p e a ra n c e w o u ld lo o k a s th o u g h sh e
had got a little fa tte r. T h a t ’s w hy I asked th a t q u e s tio n . A
g e n tle m a n w o u ld b e s u re to th in k it w a s th e la d y w h o h a d g o t
l a t t e r , a n d n o t t h e c l o t h e s t h a t h a d g o t s m a l l e r - t h o u g h t h a t i s n ’t
th e r ig h t w a y o f p u ttin g it.’
'B u t if A m y D u r r a n t k i l l e d M i s s B a r t o n , w h a t d i d s h e g a i n b y
I t? ' a s k e d M r s B a n t r y . ‘S h e c o u l d n ’t k e e p u p t h e d e c e p t i o n f o r
e v e r .’

‘S h e o n l y k e p t i t u p f o r a n o t h e r m o n t h o r s o , ’ p o i n t e d o u t M i s s
M a r p l e . ‘A n d d u r i n g t h a t t i m e I e x p e c t s h e t r a v e l l e d , k e e p i n g a w a y
f r o m a n y o n e w h o m i g h t k n o w h e r . T h a t ’s w h a t I m e a n t b y s a y i n g
l l m t o n e l a d y o f a c e r t a i n a g e l o o k s s o l i k e a n o t h e r . I d o n ’t s u p p o s e
th e d i f f e r e n t p h o t o g r a p h o n h e r p a s s p o r t w a s e v e r n o t i c e d - y o u
k n o w w h a t p a s s p o rts a re . A n d th e n in M a rc h , sh e w e n t d o w n to
28 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

th is C o r n is h p la c e a n d b e g a n to a c t q u e e rly a n d d r a w a tte n tio n

to h e rs e lf s o th a t w h e n p e o p le f o u n d h e r c lo th e s o n th e b e a c h
a n d r e a d h e r l a s t l e t t e r t h e y s h o u l d n ’t t h i n k o f t h e c o m m o n s e n s e
c o n c lu s io n .’
‘W h i c h w a s ? ’ a s k e d S ir H e n r y .
‘N o b o d y , ’ s a i d M i s s M a r p l e f i r m l y . ‘T h a t ’s t h e t h i n g t h a t w o u l d
s t a r e y o u i n t h e f a c e , i f t h e r e w e r e n ’t s u c h a l o t o f r e d h e r r i n g s t o
d r a w y o u o ff th e tr a il - in c lu d in g th e s u g g e s tio n o f fo u l p la y a n d
r e m o rs e . N o b o d y . T h a t w a s th e re a l s ig n ific a n t f a c t.’
‘D o y o u m e a n - ’ s a i d M r s B a n t r y - ‘d o y o u m e a n t h a t t h e r e
w a s n ’t a n y r e m o r s e ? T h a t t h e r e w a s n ’t - t h a t s h e d i d n ’t d r o w n
h e rs e lf? ’
‘N o t s h e ! ’ s a i d M i s s M a r p l e . ‘I t ’s j u s t M r s T r o u t o v e r a g a i n .
M rs T r o u t w a s v e ry g o o d a t re d h e rrin g s , b u t sh e m e t h e r m a tc h
in m e . A n d I c a n se e t h r o u g h y o u r r e m o r s e - d r iv e n M is s B a r to n .
D r o w n h e r s e l f ? W e n t o f f t o A u s t r a l i a , i f I ’m a n y g o o d a t g u e s s i n g . ’
‘Y o u a r e , M i s s M a r p l e , ’ s a i d D r L l o y d . ‘U n d o u b t e d l y y o u a r e .
N ow it a g a in to o k m e q u ite b y s u rp ris e . W h y , y o u c o u ld h a v e
k n o c k e d m e d o w n w ith a f e a th e r t h a t d a y in M e l b o u r n e .’
‘W a s t h a t w h a t y o u s p o k e o f a s a f i n a l c o i n c i d e n c e ? ’
D r L lo y d n o d d e d .
‘Y e s , i t w a s r a t h e r r o u g h l u c k o n M i s s B a r t o n - o r M i s s A m y
D u r r a n t - w h a t e v e r y o u l i k e t o c a l l h e r . I b e c a m e a s h i p ’s d o c t o r
f o r a w h ile , a n d la n d in g in M e lb o u r n e , th e firs t p e r s o n I s a w a s
I w a lk e d d o w n th e s tre e t w a s th e la d y I th o u g h t h a d b e e n d r o w n e d
in C o rn w a ll. S h e s a w th e g a m e w a s u p a s fa r a s I w a s c o n c e rn e d ,
and sh e d id th e b o ld th in g - to o k m e in to h e r c o n fid e n c e . A
c u rio u s w o m a n , c o m p le te ly la c k in g , I s u p p o s e , in so m e m o ra l
s e n s e . S h e w a s th e e ld e s t o f a fa m ily o f n in e , a ll w r e tc h e d ly p o o r .
T h e y h a d a p p lie d o n c e f o r h e lp to th e ir ric h c o u s in in E n g la n d
a n d b e e n r e p u ls e d , M is s B a r to n h a v in g q u a r r e lle d w ith th e ir f a th e r.
M o n e y w a s w a n te d d e s p e ra te ly , fo r th e th re e y o u n g e s t c h ild re n
 T h e C o m p a n io n 29

w t M' d e l i c a t e and w a n te d e x p e n s iv e m e d ic a l tre a tm e n t. Amy

N ito n th e n and th e re seem s to have d e c id e d on h e r p la n of
i o ld b l o o d e d m u r d e r . S h e s e t o u t f o r E n g l a n d , w o r k i n g h e r p a s s a g e
o v e i .in a c h i l d r e n ’s n u r s e . S h e o b t a i n e d t h e s i t u a t i o n o f c o m p a n i o n
t o M in n B a r t o n , c a l l i n g h e r s e l f A m y D u r r a n t . S h e e n g a g e d a r o o m
r in d p u t s o m e f u r n i t u r e i n t o i t s o a s t o c r e a t e m o r e o f a p e r s o n a l i t y
Im h e r s e lf . T h e d r o w n i n g p l a n w a s a s u d d e n i n s p i r a t i o n . S h e h a d
lirrii w a itin g fo r so m e o p p o rtu n ity to p r e s e n t its e lf. T h e n she
Mlin e d t h e f i n a l s c e n e o f t h e d r a m a a n d r e t u r n e d t o A u s t r a l i a , a n d
lit d u e t i m e s h e a n d h e r b r o t h e r s a n d s i s t e r s i n h e r i t e d M i s s B a r t o n ’s
m o n e y as n e x t o f k in .’
'A v e r y b o l d a n d p e r f e c t c r i m e , ’ s a i d S ir H e n r y . ‘A l m o s t t h e
p e rfe c t c rim e . If it had been M is s B a rto n w ho had d ie d in
th e C a n a r ie s , s u s p ic io n m ig h t a t t a c h t o A m y D u rra n t an d her
c o n n e c tio n w ith th e B a r to n fa m ily m ig h t h a v e b e e n d is c o v e re d ;
but th e c h a n g e \o f id e n tity and th e d o u b le c rim e , a s y o u m ay
t a ll it, e f f e c t u a l l y d i d a w a y w ith th a t. Y es, a lm o s t th e p e rfe c t
i rim e ,'
' W h a t h a p p e n e d t o h e r ? ’ a s k e d M r s B a n t r y . ‘W h a t d i d y o u d o
In t h e m a t t e r , D r L l o y d ? ’
'I w a s in a v e r y c u r i o u s p o s i t i o n , M r s B a n t r y . O f e v i d e n c e
iin t h e la w u n d e rs ta n d s it , I s till have v e ry little . A ls o , th e r e
w e re c e r ta in s ig n s , p la in t o m e a s a m e d ic a l m a n , t h a t th o u g h
M io n g a n d v ig o ro u s in a p p e a r a n c e , th e la d y w a s n o t lo n g f o r
tlilN w o r l d . I w ent hom e w ith her and saw th e re st of th e
liimily - a c h a rm in g fa m ily , d e v o te d to th e ir e ld e s t s is te r a n d
W i th o u t a n id e a in th e ir h e a d s th a t sh e m ig h t p ro v e to have
u iin m itte d a c rim e . W h y b rin g s o rr o w o n th e m w hen I c o u ld
p ro v e n o th in g . The l a d y ’s a d m is s io n to me w as u n h e a rd by
A n y o n e e ls e . I l e t N a t u r e t a k e i t s c o u r s e . M i s s A m y B a r t o n d i e d
tlx m o n th s a f te r m y m e e tin g w ith h e r. I h a v e o f te n w o n d e r e d
II n h e w a s c h e e r f u l a n d u n r e p e n t a n t u p t o t h e l a s t . ’
30 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

‘S u r e l y n o t , ’ s a i d M r s B a n t r y
‘I e x p e c t s o , ’ s a i d M i s s M a r p l e . ‘M r s T r o u t w a s . ’
J a n e H e lie r g a v e h e rs e lf a little s h a k e .
‘W e l l , ’ sh e s a id . ‘I t ’s v e ry , v e ry th rillin g . I d o n ’t q u ite
u n d e rs ta n d n o w w h o d r o w n e d w h ic h . A n d h o w d o e s th is M rs
T r o u t c o m e in to it? ’
‘S h e d o e s n ’t , m y d e a r , ’ s a i d M i s s M a r p l e . ‘S h e w a s o n ly a
p e r s o n - n o t a v e r y n ic e p e r s o n - in th e v illa g e .’
‘O h ! ’ s a i d J a n e . ‘I n t h e v i l l a g e . B u t n o t h i n g e v e r h a p p e n s i n a
v i l l a g e , d o e s i t ? ’ S h e s i g h e d . ‘I ’m s u r e I s h o u l d n ’t h a v e a n y b r a i n s
a t a ll if I liv e d in a v illa g e .’
 T h e C o m p a n io n 31

N o t bs
’<i n iliim l Y a r d ( p i 2)
tin h e a d q u a rte rs of th e London p o lic e fo rc e and th e C rim in a l
lllV M tl|i« tio n D e p a r t m e n t
H r tr tlf k c r ( p l 4 )
1 la tn o u « s e r ie s o f t r a v e l g u id e s , f i r s t p u b l i s h e d b y t h e G e r m a n K a r l
I W d r k e r in 1 8 2 7
IIiiik I S tr e e t (p l4 )
.1 » H e rr in L o n d o n , f a m o u s f o r e x p e n s i v e a n d f a s h i o n a b l e s h o p s
( itlm 'lp u l b o y in t h e p a n t o m i m e ( p l 5 )
I M iiio m im e s u s u a ll y h a v e a h e r o p l a y e d b y a g ir l in t i g h t s a n d a s h o r t
. iiM iim e w h ic h s h o w s o f f t h e le g s
W rtM n n ( p 2 5 )
I )i W a ts o n is t h e f r i e n d o f S h e r lo c k H o l m e s in t h e C o n a n D o y le d e t e c ti v e
M r s B a n tr y is t r y i n g t o t h i n k lik e S h e r lo c k H o l m e s , a n d s o
«lUlrcNNCB h e r h u s b a n d a s t h o u g h h e w e r e D r W a t s o n

O lN C U S S IO N

I W h a t w r o n g c o n c lu s i o n s a r e r e a c h e d b y t h e o t h e r g u e s ts a s th e y t r y t o
ii liv e th e m y s t e r y ? W h i c h o f t h e g u e s s e s d o y o u f i n d t h e m o s t p l a u s ib le
e x p l a n a ti o n ? D o e s a n y g u e s s c o m e n e a r t h e t r u t h ?

I Al w h a t p o i n t in t h e s t o r y d o e s M i s s M a r p l e a p p a r e n t l y g u e s s t h e
id in w e r t o th e m y s te r y ? W h a t q u e s t i o n d o e s s h e a s k t h a t s h o w s th is ?
( )n c p a r t i c u l a r f a c t s h e s e e s a s c o n f i r m a t i o n o f h e r th e o r y . W h a t is i t,
a n d w h y is i t s ig n if ic a n t?

I I h r c o in c i d e n c e o f D r L lo y d h a p p e n i n g t o b u m p i n t o A m y D u r r a n t
l a i n in A u s tr a li a is c e r t a i n l y v e r y s tr a n g e . D i d y o u f i n d th i s c o i n c id e n c e
l a t h e r u n r e a lis ti c ? E v e n if i t is , d o e s i t m a t t e r ? C a n a w r i t e r b e a l lo w e d
• n t h d e v ic e s f o r t h e s a k e o f a g o o d s to r y ?

I A N cJU A G E FO C U S

I I m il th e s e e x p r e s s io n s i n t h e t e x t o f t h e s t o r y a n d t h e n r e p h r a s e t h e m
In y o u r o w n w o r d s .

m i n is t e r e d t o t h e a i l m e n t s o f ( p l l )
32 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

r a c k e d b is b r a in s ( p i 1)
w a l l o w in c r im e ( p i 1)
a h o t b e d o f c r im e a n d v i c e ( p l 2 )
i n c l i n e d t o s c r a g g in e s s ( p l 4 )
a tr e m e n d o u s c o m m o tio n (p l6 )
n e x t o f k in (p24 )
y o u c o u ld h a v e k n o c k e d m e d o w n w ith a fe a th e r (p 2 8 )
w a s n o t lo n g f o r th i s w o r l d ( p 2 9 )

2 P e o p le ’s c h a r a c t e r s c a n o f t e n b e d e s c r ib e d o r s u g g e s te d b y ju s t a f e w
s im p l e p h r a s e s o r r e m a r k s . F in d t h e s e q u o t a t i o n s in t h e s t o r y a n d s a y
w h a t th e y te ll y o u a b o u t t h e c h a r a c t e r s c o n c e r n e d .

C o l o n e l B a n tr y : h e l a u g h e d a l o u d h e a r ty m i l i t a r y la u g h ( p i 1)
M is s M a r p l e : h e r e y e s t w i n k l e d a l i t tl e ( p i 1)
J a n e H e li e r : s h e a p p l i e d s o m e li p s t i c k a n d w a i t e d e x p e c t a n t l y ( p l 2 )
M r s B a n tr y : 'I t m a k e s m e fo r g e t h o w o ld a n d f a t I a m ’ ( p l5 )
S ir H e n r y : ‘I t h i n k I m u s t tr y to m a k e m y e x p l a n a t i o n a lit tl e m o r e
s u b tle ’ (p 2 5 )

Ac t iv it ie s

1 I m a g i n e t h a t y o u a r e D r L lo y d a n d y o u h a v e d e c id e d t h a t y o u s h o u l d
in f a c t te ll t h e a u t h o r i t i e s w h a t r e a ll y h a p p e n e d , w h ile A m y D u r r a n t
is s till a l iv e . W r i t e a c o n c is e r e p o r t f o r th e p o lic e , g iv in g a ll t h e f a c ts .

2 D o y o u t h i n k D r L lo y d w a s r i g h t n o t t o i n f o r m t h e p o lic e o f A m y
D u r r a n t ’s c r im e , o r s h o u l d s h e h a v e b e e n p u n i s h e d b y t h e c o u r ts ?
I m a g i n e t h a t A m y w a s in f a c t a r r e s t e d f o r t h e m u r d e r o f M is s M a r y
B a r t o n . D e p e n d i n g o n y o u r p o i n t o f v ie w , w r i t e s o m e n o t e s f o r t h e
s p e e c h e i t h e r f o r t h e d e f e n c e , o r t h e p r o s e c u t i o n , a t h e r tr ia l.
 Th e Ca s e f o r t h e
Defe nc e

T h e Au t h o r

G r a h a m e G r e e n e w a s b o r n in 1 9 0 4 . H e w o r k e d f o r v a r i o u s
n e w s p a p e r s , w a s a n in te lli g e n c e a g e n t in t h e S e c o n d W o r l d
W a r , a n d f r e q u e n t l y t r a v e l l e d in r e m o t e a n d d a n g e r o u s
p l a c e s . H e w r o t e n o v e l s , s h o r t s to r ie s , p la y s , a n d tr a v e l
h o o k s. A m o n g h is lig h te r n o v e ls, w h ic h G re e n e c a lle d
‘e n t e r t a i n m e n t s ’, a r e S t a m b o u l T r a in , A G u n f o r S a le , a n d
T h e T h i r d M a n , w h i c h w a s m a d e i n t o a f a m o u s f ilm . G r e e n e
hiitiN cIf p r e f e r r e d h is o t h e r n o v e l s , w h ic h r e f le c t h is in te n s e
I n te r e s t in r e li g io u s a n d m o r a l is s u e s ( h e w a s a R o m a n
C a th o li c c o n v e r t) . T hese p o w e rfu l and so m b re n o v els
I n c lu d e B r ig h to n R o c k , T h e P o w e r a n d t h e G l o r y , T h e
H e a r t o f th e M a t t e r , A B u r n t - o u t C a s e , a n d T h e H u m a n
F a c to r . G r e e n e d ie d in 1 9 9 1 .

T h e St o r y

S o m e c r im e s t o r ie s d e a l n o t w i t h t h e m u r d e r its e lf , b u t w i t h
th e tr ia l w h e n t h e m u r d e r e r is b r o u g h t t o ju s t ic e - o r n o t , a s
th e c a s e m a y b e . I t a l l d e p e n d s o n t h e s t r e n g t h o f t h e e v id e n c e
a n d th e r e li a b il i ty o f t h e w it n e s s e s . A c c o r d i n g t o E n g lis h la w ,
p e o p l e a r e i n n o c e n t u n t i l th e y a r e p r o v e d g u ilt y . I t is t h e
d e f e n c e la w y e r ’s j o b t o c h a ll e n g e t h e e v id e n c e , t o s h a k e th e
w itn e s s e s ’ c o n f i d e n c e , t o p e r s u a d e t h e j u r y t h a t h is c l i e n t is
n o t g u ilty ‘b e y o n d a l l r e a s o n a b l e d o u b t ’.
T h e a c c u s e d in th i s s t o r y w i ll b e s e n te n c e d t o d e a t h b y
h a n g i n g if th e j u r y f i n d h im g u ilt y . A t t h e b e g i n n in g it
neem s a n o p e n - a n d -s h u t c a se , a c c o rd in g to th e jo u r n a lis t
te llin g us th e s to r y . S u r e ly no d e fe n c e la w y e r c o u ld
c h a lle n g e th i s e v id e n c e , s h a k e th e s e w it n e s s e s ’ c e r t a i n t y . . .
 Th e Ca se f o r t h e De f enc e

t w a s th e s tr a n g e s t m u r d e r t r i a l I e v e r a tte n d e d . T h e y n a m e d it

I th e Peckham * m u rd e r in th e h e a d lin e s , th o u g h N o rth w o o d

S tre e t, w h e r e th e o ld w o m a n w a s f o u n d b a t t e r e d t o d e a th , w a s
n o t s tr ic tly s p e a k in g in P e c k h a m . T h is w a s n o t o n e o f th o s e c a s e s o f
c i r c u m s t a n t i a l e v i d e n c e i n w h i c h y o u f e e l t h e j u r y m e n ’s * a n x i e t y -
b c c a u s e m is ta k e s h a v e b e e n m a d e - lik e d o m e s o f s ile n c e m u tin g
th e c o u r t. N o , th is m u r d e r e r w a s a ll b u t f o u n d w ith th e b o d y : n o
o n e p r e s e n t w h e n th e C r o w n c o u n s e l* o u tlin e d h is c a s e b e lie v e d
t h a t t h e m a n i n t h e d o c k s t o o d a n y c h a n c e a t a ll.
H e w a s a h e a v y s t o u t m a n w i t h b u lg in g b l o o d s h o t e y e s . A ll h is
m u s c le s s e e m e d t o b e in h is th ig h s . Y e s , a n u g ly c u s to m e r , o n e
y o u w o u l d n ’t f o r g e t i n a h u r r y - a n d t h a t w a s a n i m p o r t a n t p o i n t
b e c a u s e t h e C r o w n p r o p o s e d t o c a l l f o u r w i t n e s s e s w h o h a d n ’t
fo rg o tte n h im , w h o h a d s e e n h im h u r r y in g a w a y f r o m th e little
re d v illa in N o r t h w o o d S tre e t. T h e c lo c k h a d ju s t s tr u c k t w o in
th e m o r n i n g .
M r s S a l m o n i n 1 5 N o r t h w o o d S t r e e t h a d b e e n u n a b l e t o s le e p :
sh e h e a r d a d o o r c lic k s h u t a n d t h o u g h t it w a s h e r o w n g a te . S o
sh e w e n t to th e w in d o w a n d s a w A d a m s ( th a t w a s h is n a m e ) o n
t h e s t e p s o f M r s P a r k e r ’s h o u s e . H e h a d j u s t c o m e o u t a n d h e w a s
w e a rin g g lo v e s . H e h a d a h a m m e r in h is h a n d a n d s h e s a w h im
d ro p it in to th e la u re l b u s h e s b y th e f r o n t g a te . B u t b e fo re h e
m o v e d a w a y , h e h a d lo o k e d u p - a t h e r w in d o w . T h e fa ta l in s tin c t
t h a t t e l l s a m a n w h e n h e is w a t c h e d e x p o s e d h i m i n t h e l i g h t o f
a s tr e e t- la m p to h e r g a z e - h is e y e s s u ffu s e d w ith h o r r if y in g a n d
b r u ta l f e a r , lik e a n a n i m a l ’s w h e n you ra is e a w h ip . I ta lk e d
a f te r w a r d s to M r s S a lm o n , w h o n a tu r a lly a f te r th e a s to n is h in g
v e rd ic t w e n t in f e a r h e rs e lf. A s I im a g in e d id a ll th e w itn e s s e s -
H e n ry M a c D o u g a ll, w h o h a d b e e n d riv in g h o m e f r o m B e n f le e t
36 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

la te a n d n e a rly r a n A dam s dow n a t th e c o rn e r o f N o r th w o o d

S t r e e t . A d a m s w a s w a l k i n g in t h e m i d d l e o f t h e r o a d l o o k i n g d a z e d .
A n d o ld M r W h e e le r , w h o liv e d n e x t d o o r t o M r s P a r k e r , a t N o .
1 2 , a n d w a s w a k e n e d b y a n o is e - lik e a c h a ir f a llin g - t h r o u g h
th e t h in - a s - p a p e r v illa w a ll, a n d g o t u p a n d l o o k e d o u t o f th e
w i n d o w , j u s t a s M r s S a l m o n h a d d o n e , s a w A d a m s ’s b a c k a n d ,
a s h e tu r n e d , th o s e b u lg in g e y e s. In L a u re l A v e n u e h e h a d b e e n
s e e n b y y e t a n o th e r w itn e s s - h is lu c k w a s b a d ly o u t; h e m ig h t a s
w e ll h a v e c o m m itte d th e c rim e in b r o a d d a y lig h t.
‘I u n d e r s t a n d , ’ c o u n s e l s a i d , ‘t h a t t h e d e f e n c e p r o p o s e s t o p l e a d
m i s t a k e n i d e n t i t y . A d a m s ’s w i f e w i l l t e l l y o u t h a t h e w a s w i t h h e r
a t tw o in th e m o r n in g o n F e b r u a r y 1 4 , b u t a f te r y o u h a v e h e a r d
th e w itn e s s e s f o r th e C r o w n a n d e x a m in e d c a re fu lly th e fe a tu re s
o f th e p r is o n e r , I d o n o t th in k y o u w ill b e p r e p a r e d to a d m it th e
p o s s ib ility o f a m is ta k e .’
I t w a s a ll o v e r, y o u w o u ld h a v e s a id , b u t th e h a n g in g .
A fte r th e f o r m a l e v id e n c e h a d b e e n g iv e n b y th e p o lic e m a n w h o
h a d f o u n d th e b o d y a n d th e s u r g e o n w h o e x a m in e d it, M r s S a lm o n
w a s c a lle d . S h e w a s th e id e a l w itn e s s , w ith h e r s lig h t S c o tc h a c c e n t
a n d h e r e x p r e s s io n o f h o n e s ty , c a re a n d k in d n e s s .
T h e c o u n s e l f o r th e C r o w n b r o u g h t th e s to r y g e n tly o u t. S h e
s p o k e v e ry firm ly . T h e r e w a s n o m a lic e in h e r , a n d n o s e n s e o f
im p o r ta n c e a t s ta n d in g th e r e in th e C e n tr a l C r im in a l C o u r t w ith
a ju d g e in s c a rle t h a n g in g o n h e r w o r d s a n d th e r e p o r te r s w r itin g
th e m d o w n . Y e s, s h e s a id , a n d th e n s h e h a d g o n e d o w n s ta ir s a n d
r u n g u p th e p o lic e s ta tio n .
‘A n d d o y o u s e e t h e m a n h e r e i n c o u r t ? ’
S h e lo o k e d s tr a ig h t a t th e b ig m a n in th e d o c k , w h o s ta r e d h a r d
a t h e r w ith h is p e k in g e s e * e y e s w ith o u t e m o tio n .
‘Y e s , ’ s h e s a i d , ‘t h e r e h e i s . ’
‘Y o u a r e q u i t e c e r t a i n ? ’
S h e s a i d s i m p l y , ‘I c o u l d n ’t b e m i s t a k e n , s i r . ’
 T h e C a se fo r th e D e fe n c e 37

It w a s a ll a s e a s y a s t h a t .
‘T h a n k y o u , M r s S a l m o n . ’
C ou nsel fo r th e d e fen ce ro se to c ro s s -e x a m in e . If y o u had
re p o rte d a s m a n y m u rd e r tria ls a s I h a v e , y o u w o u ld h a v e k n o w n
b e f o r e h a n d w h a t lin e h e w o u ld ta k e . A n d I w a s r ig h t, u p t o a
p o in t.

‘N o w , M r s S a l m o n , y o u m u s t r e m e m b e r t h a t a m a n ’s li f e m a y
d e p e n d o n y o u r e v id e n c e .’
*1 d o r e m e m b e r i t , s i r . ’
‘I s y o u r e y e s i g h t g o o d ? ’
*1 h a v e n e v e r h a d t o w e a r s p e c t a c l e s , s i r . ’
‘Y o u a r e a w o m a n o f f i f t y - f i v e ? ’
‘F i f t y - s i x , s i r . ’
‘A n d t h e m a n y o u s a w w a s o n t h e o t h e r s i d e o f t h e r o a d ? ’
‘Y e s , s i r . ’
‘A n d it w as tw o o ’c l o c k in th e m o rn in g . Y ou m ust have
re m a rk a b le ey es, M rs S a lm o n ? ’
‘N o , s ir. T h e r e w a s m o o n lig h t, a n d w h e n th e m a n lo o k e d u p ,
lie h a d t h e l a m p l i g h t o n h i s f a c e . ’
‘A n d y o u h a v e n o d o u b t w h a t e v e r t h a t t h e m a n y o u s a w is t h e
p ris o n e r? ’
I c o u l d n ’t m a k e o u t w h a t h e w a s a t . H e c o u l d n ’t h a v e e x p e c t e d
tin y o t h e r a n s w e r t h a n t h e o n e h e g o t .
‘N o n e w h a t e v e r , s i r . I t i s n ’t a f a c e o n e f o r g e t s . ’
C o u n s e l to o k a lo o k r o u n d th e c o u rt fo r a m o m e n t. T h e n h e
N uiil, ‘D o y o u m i n d , M r s S a l m o n , e x a m i n i n g a g a i n t h e p e o p l e i n
c o u rt? N o , n o t th e p r is o n e r . S ta n d u p , p le a s e , M r A d a m s ,’ a n d
Ih e re a t th e b a c k o f th e c o u r t w ith th ic k s to u t b o d y a n d m u s c u la r
legN a n d a p a i r o f b u l g i n g e y e s , w a s t h e e x a c t i m a g e o f t h e m a n
In t h e d o c k . H e w a s e v e n d r e s s e d t h e s a m e - t i g h t b l u e s u i t a n d
u tr ip c d tie .
' N o w t h i n k v e r y c a r e f u l l y , M r s S a l m o n . C a n y o u s t i ll s w e a r t h a t
38 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

t h e m a n y o u s a w d r o p t h e h a m m e r i n M r s P a r k e r ’s g a r d e n w a s
t h e p r i s o n e r - a n d n o t t h is m a n , w h o is h is t w i n b r o t h e r ? ’
O f c o u r s e s h e c o u l d n ’t . S h e l o o k e d f r o m o n e t o t h e o t h e r a n d
d i d n ’t s a y a w o r d .
T h e r e t h e b i g b r u t e s a t i n t h e d o c k w i t h h i s le g s c r o s s e d , a n d
th e re h e s to o d to o a t th e b a c k o f th e c o u r t a n d th e y b o th s ta re d
a t M r s S a lm o n . S h e s h o o k h e r h e a d .
W h a t w e saw t h e n w a s t h e e n d o f t h e c a s e . T h e r e w a s n ’t a
w i t n e s s p r e p a r e d t o s w e a r t h a t i t w a s t h e p r i s o n e r h e ’d s e e n . A n d
t h e b r o th e r ? H e h a d h is a lib i, t o o ; h e w a s w i t h h is w if e .
A nd so th e m an w as a c q u itte d fo r la c k of e v id e n c e . But
w h e th e r - if h e d i d t h e m u r d e r a n d n o t h i s b r o t h e r - he w as
p u n i s h e d o r n o t , I d o n ’t k n o w . T h a t e x t r a o r d i n a r y d a y h a d a n
e x tr a o r d in a r y e n d . I fo llo w e d M r s S a lm o n o u t o f c o u r t a n d w e
g o t w e d g e d in th e c r o w d w h o w e r e w a itin g , o f c o u r s e , f o r th e
tw in s . T h e p o lic e tr ie d t o d riv e th e c r o w d a w a y , b u t a ll th e y c o u ld
d o w a s k e e p th e r o a d - w a y c le a r f o r tra ffic . I le a r n e d l a te r t h a t th e y
t r i e d t o g e t t h e t w i n s t o l e a v e b y a b a c k w a y , b u t t h e y w o u l d n ’t.
O n e o f th e m - n o o n e k n e w w h i c h - s a i d , ‘I ’v e b e e n a c q u i t t e d ,
h a v e n ’t I ? ’ a n d t h e y w a l k e d b a n g o u t o f t h e f r o n t e n t r a n c e . T h e n
i t h a p p e n e d . I d o n ’t k n o w h o w , t h o u g h I w a s o n l y s i x f e e t a w a y .
T h e c ro w d m o v e d a n d s o m e h o w o n e o f th e tw in s g o t p u s h e d o n
to th e r o a d rig h t in f r o n t o f a b u s.
H e g a v e a s q u e a l l ik e a r a b b i t a n d t h a t w a s a l l ; h e w a s d e a d ,
h i s s k u l l s m a s h e d j u s t a s M r s P a r k e r ’s h a d b e e n . D i v i n e v e n g e a n c e ?
I w is h I k n e w . T h e r e w a s th e o th e r A d a m s g e ttin g o n h is fe e t f r o m
b e s id e th e b o d y a n d lo o k in g s tr a ig h t o v e r a t M r s S a lm o n . H e w a s
c ry in g , b u t w h e th e r h e w a s th e m u r d e r e r o r th e in n o c e n t m a n
n o b o d y w ill e v e r b e a b le to te ll. B u t if y o u w e re M r s S a lm o n ,
c o u l d y o u s le e p a t n i g h t ?
 T h e C a se fo r th e D e fe n c e 39

No t es

P eckham (p 3 5 )
« d i s t r i c t in L o n d o n
ju r y m e n ( p 3 5 )
ri g r o u p o f p e o p l e ( n o w a d a y s b o t h m e n a n d w o m e n ) in a c o u r t o f ju s t ic e ,
w h o m u s t li s te n t o t h e e v id e n c e a n d d e c id e if t h e a c c u s e d is in n o c e n t o r
g u ilt y
D ro w n co u n se l (p3 5)
it b a r r i s t e r ( la w y e r ) a p p o i n t e d b y t h e g o v e r n m e n t t o c o n d u c t t h e c a s e
f o r th e p r o s e c u t i o n
P e k in g e s e (p 3 6 )
it ty p e o f s m a ll d o g w i t h la r g e b u lg in g e y e s

D is c u s s io n

1 D o y o u t h i n k A d a m s ’s a c q u i t t a l w a s r i g h t , le g a lly o r m o r a l ly ?

2 W h a t w o u ld y o u d o if y o u w e re M r s S a lm o n , a fte r th e tr ia l a n d th e
d e a th o f o n e o f th e A d a m s b ro th e rs ?

I D o y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e m a n w h o d ie d w a s d e l ib e r a t e ly p u s h e d in f r o n t
o f t h e b u s ? A n d i f s o , w h o d o y o u t h i n k p u s h e d h im ? W a s i t a
b y s ta n d e r , t h e g u il t y b r o t h e r , o r t h e in n o c e n t b r o t h e r ? W h a t m i g h t
t h e ir m o ti v e s b e ?

La n g u a g e Fo c u s

I L ook th r o u g h th e s to ry and fin d a l l th e w o rd s a s s o c ia te d w ith

l a w c o u r t s a n d ju s t ic e ( e .g . tr ia l, c a s e , c i r c u m s ta n t ia l e v id e n c e , c o u r t,
d o c k , w i tn e s s , v e r d i c t , a n d s o o n ) . C a n a n y o f t h e s e w o r d s h a v e o t h e r
m e a n in g s , o r b e u s e d in c o n t e x t s n o t a s s o c ia te d w i t h t h e la w ?

I F in d th e s e e x p r e s s i o n s in t h e s t o r y a n d t h e n r e p h r a s e t h e m in y o u r
ow n w o rd s.

a n u g ly c u s t o m e r ( p 3 5 )
h is lu c k w a s b a d l y o u t ( p 3 6 )
h a n g in g o n h e r w o r d s ( p 3 6 )
I c o u l d n ’t m a k e o u t w h a t h e w a s a t ( p 3 7 )
th e y w a lk e d b a n g o u t o f th e fr o n t e n tra n c e (p 3 8 )
40 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

Ac t iv it ie s

1 T h e c a s e f o r t h e d e f e n c e r e s ts o n ly o n th e f a c t t h a t b o t h b r o t h e r s c a n ’t
h a v e c o m m i t t e d t h e c r im e ; i t is n o t d i s p u t e d t h a t o n e o f t h e m d i d t h e
m u r d e r . Im a g in e t h a t th e a c c id e n t w ith th e b u s d id n o t h a p p e n a n d
t h a t t h e t w o b r o t h e r s w a l k a w a y a liv e . T h e n e x t d a y t h e p o lic e a r r e s t
b o th o f th e m a n d c h a rg e b o th w ith th e m u rd e r.
N o w w r i t e a n e w e n d i n g f o r t h e s to r y . H o w d o t h e p o lic e t r y t o
b r e a k t h e b r o t h e r s ’ a l ib is , a n d g e t o n e t o c o n f e s s , o r o n e t o a c c u s e t h e
o t h e r ? D o th e y i n t e r r o g a t e t h e m s e p a r a te ly , p u t t h e m t o g e t h e r in a
p ris o n c e ll a n d e a v e sd ro p on t h e i r c o n v e r s a t i o n s , lo o k fo r fre sh
e v i d e n c e ? D o t h e p o li c e w i n , o r t h e A d a m s b r o th e r s ?

2 T h i s s t o r y w a s w r i t t e n w h i l e c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t ( e x e c u ti o n b y t h e
s ta te ) w a s s till l a w in B r it a in . C a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t f o r m u r d e r w a s
a b o l i s h e d in 1 9 6 5 , b u t t h e q u e s t i o n is s till d is c u s s e d f r o m ti m e t o ti m e
b y P a rlia m e n t.
I t is a d if f i c u lt q u e s t i o n - d if f i c u lt in e v e r y s e n s e . F o r t h e m o m e n t ,
t r y t o f o r g e t y o u r p e r s o n a l o p i n i o n , a n d w r i t e d o w n th r e e a r g u m e n t s
f o r c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t , a n d t h r e e a r g u m e n t s a g a in s t .
 A Gl o w in g Fu t ur e

T h e Au t h o r

R u t h R e n d e l l w a s b o r n i n 1 9 3 0 , a n d w o r k e d f o r s o m e t im e
a s a j o u r n a l i s t . H e r t r a d i t i o n a l d e t e c ti v e n o v e l s in c lu d e
F ro m D o o n w ith D e a th , T h e S p e a k e r o f M a n d a r in , W o lf
t o th e S la u g h te r . T h e s e f e a t u r e D e te c t iv e C h i e f I n s p e c t o r
W e x f o r d , a s te a d y , u n s h o c k a b l e p o l i c e m a n , w h o s o lv e s
c r im e s in a n im a g i n a r y S u s s e x v illa g e ; t h e te le v i s i o n s e r ie s
o f I n s p e c t o r W e x f o r d m y s t e r ie s is e x t r e m e l y p o p u l a r . S h e
a l s o w r i t e s c h i ll in g p s y c h o lo g ic a l t h r i l l e r s , g r i m s t o r i e s o f
o b s e s s io n a n d p a r a n o i a , s u c h a s A J u d g e m e n t i n S t o n e a n d
T a l k i n g t o S tr a n g e M e n . A m o n g h e r c o l le c ti o n s o f s h o r t
s to r ie s a r e T h e F e v e r T r e e , T h e F a lle n C u r ta in , a n d T h e
N e w G ir lf r ie n d . S h e h a s w o n s e v e r a l a w a r d s f o r h e r w o r k ,
a n d h e r b o o k s h a v e b e e n t r a n s l a t e d i n t o m a n y la n g u a g e s .

T h e St o r y

S o m e m u r d e r s a r e p l a n n e d b e f o r e h a n d , in c o l d b l o o d , a n d
t h e r e is u s u a ll y l it tl e s y m p a t h y f o r t h a t k i n d o f m u r d e r e r .
B u t so m e m u r d e r s a r e n o t p la n n e d ; th e y h a p p e n o n th e s p u r
o f t h e m o m e n t , in t h e h e a t a n d r a g e a n d d e s p a i r o f s o m e
t e r r i b l e p a s s i o n . S o m e t im e s t h e v ic ti m h a s p r o v o k e d t h a t
p a s s io n , and a p le a o f p ro v o c a tio n is e n te re d in th e
m u r d e r e r ’s d e f e n c e .
M a u ric e h a s a w o n d e rfu l fu tu re in f r o n t o f h im - a
t h r e e - m o n t h t o u r o f E u r o p e , s e e in g t h e s ig h ts a n d t h e g ir ls ,
t h e n b a c k t o A u s t r a l i a t o a j o b , m a r r i a g e , a n d a r e s p o n s i b le
f a m i ly lif e . T h e r e is j u s t o n e t h i n g h e h a s t o d o b e f o r e h e
s e ts o f f f r o m L o n d o n - c o l le c t h is b e l o n g in g s f r o m t h e f l a t
h e u s e d t o s h a r e w i t h B e ts y . . .
 A Gl o w in g Fu t ur e

( £ i x s h o u l d b e e n o u g h , ’ h e s a i d . ‘W e ’ll s a y s i x t e a c h e s t s , t h e n ,
O a n d one tru n k . If y o u ’ll d e liv e r th e m to m o rro w , I ’ll
g e t th e s tu f f a ll p a c k e d a n d m a y b e y o u r p e o p le c o u ld p ic k th e m
u p W e d n e s d a y . ’ H e m a d e a n o t e o n a b i t o f p a p e r . ‘F i n e , ’ h e s a i d .
'R o u n d a b o u t l u n c h t i m e t o m o r r o w . ’
S h e h a d n ’t m o v e d . S h e w a s s t i l l s i t t i n g i n t h e b i g o a k - a r m e d
c h a ir a t th e f a r e n d o f th e r o o m . H e m a d e h im s e lf lo o k a t h e r a n d
h e m a n a g e d a k in d o f g r in , p r e te n d in g a ll w a s w e ll.
‘N o t r o u b l e , ’ h e s a i d . ‘T h e y ’r e v e r y e f f i c i e n t . ’
‘I c o u l d n ’t b e l i e v e , ’ s h e s a i d , ‘t h a t y o u ’d r e a l l y d o i t . N o t u n t i l
1 h e a r d y o u o n t h e p h o n e . I w o u l d n ’t h a v e t h o u g h t i t p o s s i b l e .
Y o u ’ll r e a l l y p a c k u p a l l t h o s e t h i n g s a n d h a v e t h e m s e n t o f f to

h e r .’
T h e y w e r e g o in g t o h a v e t o g o o v e r it a ll a g a in . O f c o u r s e th e y
w e r e . I t w o u l d n ’t s t o p u n t i l h e ’d g o t t h e t h i n g s o u t a n d h i m s e l f
o u t , a w a y f r o m L o n d o n a n d h e r f o r g o o d . A n d h e w a s n ’t g o i n g
to a r g u e o r m a k e lo n g d e fe n s iv e s p e e c h e s . H e lit a c ig a r e tte a n d
w a ite d f o r h e r to b e g in , th in k in g t h a t th e p u b s w o u ld b e o p e n in g
in a n h o u r ’s t i m e a n d h e c o u l d g o o u t t h e n a n d g e t a d r i n k .
‘I d o n ’t u n d e r s t a n d w h y y o u c a m e h e r e a t a l l , ’ s h e s a i d .
H e d i d n ’t a n s w e r . H e w a s s t i l l h o l d i n g t h e c i g a r e t t e b o x , a n d
now h e c lo s e d its lid , fe e lin g th e c o o ln e s s o f th e o n y x o n h is

fin g e rtip s .
S h e h a d g o n e w h i t e . ‘J u s t t o g e t y o u r t h i n g s ? M a u r i c e , d i d y o u
c o m e b a c k ju s t fo r th a t? ’
‘T h e y a r e m y t h i n g s , ’ h e s a i d e v e n l y .
‘Y o u c o u l d h a v e s e n t s o m e o n e e ls e . E v e n i f y o u ’d w r i t t e n t o m e
a n d a s k e d m e to d o it - ’
‘I n e v e r w r i t e l e t t e r s , ’ h e s a i d .
44 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

S h e m o v e d th e n . S h e m a d e a little f lu tte r in g w ith h e r h a n d in

f r o n t o f h e r m o u t h . ‘A s i f I d i d n ’t k n o w ! ’ S h e g a s p e d , a n d m a k i n g
a g r e a t e f f o r t s h e s t e a d i e d h e r v o i c e . ‘Y o u w e r e i n A u s t r a l i a f o r a
y e a r, a w h o le y e a r, a n d y o u n e v e r w r o te to m e o n c e .’
‘I p h o n e d . ’
‘Y e s , t w i c e . T h e f i r s t t i m e t o s a y y o u l o v e d m e a n d m i s s e d m e
a n d w e r e lo n g in g to c o m e b a c k to m e a n d w o u ld I w a it f o r y o u
a n d t h e r e w a s n ’t a n y o n e e ls e w a s t h e r e ? A n d t h e s e c o n d t i m e , a
w e e k a g o , t o s a y y o u ’d b e h e r e b y S a t u r d a y a n d c o u l d I - c o u l d
I p u t y o u u p . M y G o d , I ’d l i v e d w i t h y o u f o r t w o y e a r s , w e w e r e
p r a c tic a lly m a r r ie d , a n d th e n y o u p h o n e a n d a s k if I c o u ld p u t
y o u u p !’
‘W o r d s , ’ h e s a i d . ‘H o w w o u l d y o u h a v e p u t i t ? ’
‘F o r o n e t h i n g , I ’d h a v e m e n t i o n e d P a t r i c i a . O h , y e s , I ’d h a v e
m e n t i o n e d h e r . I ’d h a v e h a d t h e d e c e n c y , t h e c o m m o n h u m a n i t y ,
f o r t h a t . D ’y o u k n o w w h a t I th o u g h t w h e n y o u s a id y o u w e re
c o m i n g ? I o u g h t t o k n o w b y n o w h o w p e c u l i a r h e is , I t h o u g h t ,
how d e ta c h e d , n o t w ritin g o r p h o n i n g o r a n y t h i n g . B u t t h a t ’s
M a u r i c e , t h a t ’s t h e m a n I l o v e , a n d h e ’s c o m i n g b a c k t o m e a n d
w e ’ll g e t m a r r i e d a n d I ’m s o h a p p y ! ’
‘I d i d t e l l y o u a b o u t P a t r i c i a . ’
‘N o t u n t i l a f t e r y o u ’d m a d e lo v e t o m e f i r s t . ’
H e w i n c e d . I t h a d b e e n a m i s t a k e , t h a t . O f c o u r s e h e h a d n ’t
m e a n t t o to u c h h e r b e y o n d th e r e q u is ite g r e e tin g k is s . B u t s h e w a s
v e ry a ttra c tiv e a n d h e w a s u se d to h e r a n d sh e se e m e d to e x p e c t
it - a n d o h , w h a t th e h e ll. W o m e n n e v e r c o u ld u n d e r s ta n d a b o u t
m e n a n d s e x . A n d t h e r e w a s o n l y o n e b e d , w a s n ’t t h e r e ? A h e l l
o f a s c e n e t h e r e ’d have b e e n t h a t f i r s t n i g h t i f h e ’d s u g g e s te d
s le e p in g o n th e s o fa in h e re .
‘Y o u m a d e l o v e t o m e , ’ s h e s a i d . ‘Y o u w e r e s o p a s s i o n a t e , i t
w a s ju s t lik e it u s e d to b e , a n d th e n th e n e x t m o r n in g y o u to ld
m e . Y o u ’d g o t a r e s i d e n t ’s p e r m i t t o s t a y i n A u s t r a l i a , y o u ’d g o t
 A G lo w in g F u tu r e 45

it j o b a ll f i x e d u p , y o u ’d m e t a g i r l y o u w a n t e d t o m a r r y . J u s t l ik e
t h a t y o u t o ld m e , o v e r b r e a k f a s t. H a v e y o u e v e r b e e n s m a s h e d in
th e fa c e , M a u r ic e ? H a v e y o u e v e r h a d y o u r d r e a m s t r o d d e n o n ? ’
‘W o u l d y o u r a t h e r I ’d w a i t e d l o n g e r ? A s f o r b e i n g s m a s h e d i n
tl>e f a c e - ’ h e r u b b e d h i s c h e e k b o n e * - t h a t ’s q u i t e a p u n c h y o u
pack.’
S h e s h u d d e r e d . S h e g o t u p a n d b e g a n s l o w l y a n d s t if f ly t o p a c e
t h e r o o m . ‘I h a r d l y t o u c h e d y o u . I w i s h I ’d k i l l e d y o u ! ’ B y a s m a l l
r u b le s h e s t o p p e d . T h e r e w a s a c h i n a fig u rin e o n it, a b ro n z e
p a p e r k n i f e , a n o n y x p e n j a r t h a t m a t c h e d t h e a s h t r a y . ‘A ll t h o s e
I h i n g s , ’ s h e s a i d . ‘I l o o k e d a f t e r t h e m f o r y o u . I t r e a s u r e d t h e m . A n d
n o w y o u ’r e g o i n g t o h a v e t h e m a l l s h i p p e d o u t t o h e r . T h e t h i n g s w e
liv e d w i t h . I u s e d t o l o o k a t t h e m a n d t h i n k , M a u r i c e b o u g h t t h a t
w h e n w e w e n t t o - o h G o d , I c a n ’t b e li e v e i t . S e n t t o h e r ! ’
H e n o d d e d , s t a r i n g a t h e r . ‘Y o u c a n k e e p t h e b i g s t u f f , ’ h e s a i d .
‘Y o u ’r e s p e c i a l l y w e l c o m e t o t h e s o f a . I ’v e t r i e d s l e e p i n g o n i t f o r
tw o n ig h ts a n d I n e v e r w a n t t o se e th e b lo o d y th in g a g a i n .’
S h e p i c k e d u p t h e c h i n a f i g u r i n e a n d h u r l e d i t a t h i m . I t d i d n ’t
h it h im b e c a u s e h e d u c k e d a n d le t it s m a s h a g a in s t th e w a ll, ju s t
m is s i n g a f r a m e d d r a w i n g . ‘M i n d t h e L o w r y * , ’ h e s a i d l a c o n i c a l l y ,
'I p a i d a l o t o f m o n e y f o r t h a t . ’
S h e flu n g h e r s e lf o n t o th e s o f a a n d b u r s t i n to s o b s . S h e t h r a s h e d
it b o u t , h a m m e r i n g t h e c u s h i o n s w i t h h e r f is ts . H e w a s n ’t g o i n g t o
b e m o v e d b y t h a t - h e w a s n ’t g o i n g t o b e m o v e d a t a ll . O n c e h e ’d
p a c k e d t h o s e t h i n g s , h e ’d b e o f f t o s p e n d t h e n e x t t h r e e m o n t h s
to u r in g E u r o p e . A fre e m a n , fre e f o r th e s ig h ts a n d th e f u n a n d
th e g irls , f o r a la s t flin g o f w ild o a ts * . A f te r t h a t , b a c k t o P a tr ic ia
a n d a h o m e a n d a jo b a n d re s p o n s ib ility . It w a s a g lo w in g f u tu r e
w h i c h t h i s h y s t e r i c a l w o m a n w a s n ’t g o i n g t o m e s s u p .
‘S h u t u p , B e t s y , f o r G o d ’s s a k e , ’ h e s a i d . H e s h o o k h e r r o u g h l y
b y th e s h o u ld e r , a n d th e n h e w e n t o u t b e c a u s e it w a s n o w e le v e n

a n d he c o u ld g e t a d rin k .
46 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

B e ts y m a d e h e r s e lf s o m e c o ffe e a n d w a s h e d h e r s w o lle n e y e s.
S h e w a lk e d a b o u t, lo o k in g a t th e o rn a m e n ts a n d th e b o o k s , th e
g la s s e s and vases and la m p s , w h ic h he w o u ld ta k e fro m her
t o m o r r o w . I t w a s n ’t t h a t s h e m u c h m i n d e d l o s i n g t h e m , t h e t h i n g s
th e m s e lv e s , but th e b a rre n n e ss w h ic h w o u ld be le ft, and th e
k n o w i n g t h a t t h e y w o u l d a l l b e P a t r i c i a ’s.
I n th e n ig h t s h e h a d g o t u p , f o u n d h is w a lle t, ta k e n o u t th e
p h o to g r a p h s o f P a tric ia , a n d to r n th e m u p . B u t sh e re m e m b e re d
th e fa c e , p re tty a n d h a rd a n d g re e d y , a n d sh e th o u g h t o f th o s e
b rig h t ey es w id e n in g a s P a tric ia unpacked th e te a c h e s ts , th e
p r e d a to r y h a n d s s c ra b b lin g fo r m o re tr e a s u r e s in th e tr u n k . D o in g
it a ll p e r h a p s b efo re M a u r ic e h im s e lf g o t th e r e , a r r a n g in g th e
l a m p s a n d t h e g l a s s e s a n d t h e o r n a m e n t s i n t h e i r h o m e f o r h is
d e lig h t w h e n a t la s t h e c a m e .
He w o u ld m a rry h e r, o f c o u rse . I su p p o se she th in k s h e ’s
fa ith fu l to h e r , B e ts y t h o u g h t , t h e w a y I o n c e t h o u g h t h e w a s
f a i t h f u l t o m e . I k n o w b e t t e r n o w . P o o r s t u p i d f o o l , s h e d o e s n ’t
know w h a t h e d id th e firs t m o m e n t h e w a s a lo n e w ith h e r , o r
w h a t h e w o u ld d o in F r a n c e a n d I t a l y . T h a t w o u l d b e a n ic e
w e d d i n g p r e s e n t t o g iv e h e r , w o u l d n ’t i t , a l o n g w i t h a l l t h e p r e t t y
b r ic - a - b r a c in th e tr u n k ?
W e ll, w h y n o t? W h y n o t r o c k th e ir m a r r ia g e b e fo re it h a d e v e n
begun? A le tte r. A le tte r to be c o n c e a le d in , say, th a t
b lu e - a n d - w h ite g in g e r ja r. S h e s a t d o w n to w r ite . D e a r P a tr ic ia -
w h a t a s tu p id w a y to b e g in , th e w a y y o u h a d to b e g in a le tte r
ev en to y o u r en em y .
D e a r P a t r i c i a : I d o n ’t k n o w w h a t M a u r i c e h a s t o l d y o u a b o u t
m e , b u t w e h a v e b e e n liv in g h e r e a s lo v e rs e v e r s in c e h e a r r iv e d .
To be m o re e x p lic it, I m e a n we have m ade lo v e , h a v e s le p t
t o g e t h e r . M a u r i c e is i n c a p a b l e o f b e i n g f a i t h f u l t o a n y o n e . I f y o u
d o n ’t b e l i e v e m e , a s k y o u r s e l f w h y , i f h e d i d n ’t w a n t m e , h e d i d n ’t
s t a y i n a h o t e l . T h a t ’s a ll . Y o u r s - a n d s h e s i g n e d h e r n a m e a n d
 A G lo w in g F u tu r e 47

f e lt a l i t t l e b e t t e r , w e l l e n o u g h a n d s t e a d y e n o u g h t o t a k e a b a t h
a n d g e t h e rs e lf s o m e lu n c h .
S ix te a c h e s ts a n d a t r u n k a r r iv e d o n th e f o llo w in g d a y . T h e
c h e s ts s m e lle d o f te a a n d had d r if ts o f te a le a v e s ly in g in th e
b o tto m o f th e m . T h e tr u n k w a s m a d e o f s ilv e r-c o lo u re d m e ta l a n d
h a d c la s p s o f g o ld - c o lo u r e d m e ta l. I t w a s r a th e r a b e a u tif u l o b je c t,
f iv e f e e t l o n g , t h r e e f e e t h i g h , t w o f e e t w i d e , a n d t h e l i d f i t t e d s o
s e c u re ly it s e e m e d a h e r m e tic s e a lin g .
M a u r i c e b e g a n t o p a c k a t t w o o ’c l o c k . H e u s e d t i s s u e p a p e r
a n d n e w s p a p e r s . H e fille d th e te a c h e s ts w ith k itc h e n e q u ip m e n t
a n d c u p s a n d p la te s a n d c u tle ry , w ith b o o k s , w ith th o s e c lo th e s
o f h is h e h a d l e f t b e h i n d h i m a y e a r b e f o r e . S t u d i o u s l y , a n d w i t h
a c e r ta in g r im p l e a s u r e , h e a v o id e d e v e r y th in g B e ts y m ig h t h a v e
in s i s t e d w a s h e r s - t h e p o o r c h e a p t h i n g s , t h e s t a i n l e s s s t e e l s p o o n s
a n d fo rk s , th e W o o lw o r th p o tte r y , th e a w f u l c o lo u r e d s h e e ts , re d
a n d o r a n g e a n d o liv e , t h a t h e h a d a lw a y s lo a th e d . H e a n d P a tr ic ia
w o u ld s le e p in w h ite lin e n .
B e ts y d i d n ’t h e l p h i m . S h e w a t c h e d , c h a i n - s m o k i n g . H e n a i l e d
t h e li d s o n t h e c h e s t s a n d o n e a c h l i d h e w r o t e i n w h i t e p a i n t h i s
a d d r e s s i n A u s t r a l i a . B u t h e d i d n ’t p a i n t i n t h e l e t t e r s o f h i s o w n
n a m e . H e p a i n t e d P a t r i c i a ’s . T h i s w a s n ’t d o n e t o n e e d l e B e ts y b u t
he w a s g la d to se e it w a s n e e d lin g h e r.
H e h a d n ’t c o m e b a c k t o t h e f l a t t i l l o n e t h a t m o r n i n g , a n d o f
c o u r s e h e d i d n ’t h a v e a k e y . B e t s y h a d r e f u s e d t o l e t h i m i n , h a d
le f t h i m d o w n t h e r e i n t h e s t r e e t , a n d h e h a d t o s i t i n t h e c a r h e ’d
h ire d till s e v e n . S h e lo o k e d a s i f s h e h a d n ’t s l e p t e i t h e r . M i s s
P a tric ia G o r d o n , h e w r o te , p a in tin g f a s t a n d s k ilfu lly .
‘D o n ’t f o r g e t y o u r g i n g e r j a r , ’ s a i d B e ts y . ‘I d o n ’t w a n t i t . ’
‘T h a t ’s f o r t h e t r u n k . ’ M i s s P a t r i c i a G o r d o n , 2 3 B u r w o o d P a r k
A v e n u e , K e w , V i c t o r i a , A u s t r a l i a 3 1 0 1 . ‘A ll t h e p r e t t y t h i n g s a r e
g o in g in th e tr u n k . I in t e n d it a s a s p e c ia l p r e s e n t f o r P a tr ic ia .’
T h e L o w ry c a m e d o w n a n d w a s c a re fu lly p a d d e d a n d w r a p p e d .
48 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

H e w r a p p e d th e o n y x a s h tr a y a n d th e p e n ja r, th e a la b a s te r b o w l,
th e b r o n z e p a p e r k n if e , th e tin y C h in e s e c u p s , th e ta ll h o c k g la s s e s .
T h e c h in a fig u rin e , a la s . . . h e o p e n e d th e lid o f th e tr u n k .
‘I h o p e t h e c u s t o m s o p e n i t ! ’ B e t s y s h o u t e d a t h i m . ‘I h o p e t h e y
c o n f i s c a t e t h i n g s a n d b r e a k t h i n g s ! I ’ll p r a y e v e r y n i g h t f o r i t t o
g o t o th e b o tto m o f th e s e a b e fo re it g e ts th e r e ! ’
‘T h e s e a , ’ h e s a i d , ‘is a r i s k I m u s t t a k e . A s f o r t h e c u s t o m s - ’
H e s m i l e d . ‘P a t r i c i a w o r k s f o r t h e m , s h e ’s a c u s t o m s o f f i c e r -
d i d n ’t I t e l l y o u ? I v e r y m u c h d o u b t i f t h e y ’ll e v e n g l a n c e i n s i d e . ’
H e w r o te a la b e l a n d p a s te d it o n th e s id e o f th e tr u n k . M is s
P a tric ia G o rd o n , 2 3 B u rw o o d P a rk A v e n u e , K e w . . . ‘A n d n o w
I ’ll h a v e t o g o o u t a n d g e t a p a d l o c k . K e y s , p l e a s e . I f y o u t r y t o
k e e p m e o u t t h i s t i m e , I ’ll c a l l t h e p o l i c e . I ’m s ti l l t h e l e g a l t e n a n t
o f th is fla t r e m e m b e r .’
S h e g a v e h im th e k e y s. W h e n h e h a d g o n e sh e p u t h e r le tte r in
th e g in g e r ja r . S h e h o p e d h e w o u ld c lo s e th e t r u n k a t o n c e , b u t h e
d i d n ’t . H e l e f t i t o p e n , t h e l i d t h r o w n b a c k , th e n e w p a d lo c k
d a n g lin g f r o m th e g o ld - c o lo u r e d c la s p .
‘I s t h e r e a n y t h i n g t o e a t ? ’ h e s a i d .
‘G o a n d f i n d y o u r o w n b l o o d y f o o d ! G o a n d f i n d s o m e o t h e r
w o m a n to feed y o u !’
H e lik e d h e r t o b e a n g r y a n d f ie rc e ; i t w a s h e r lo v e h e f e a r e d .
H e c a m e b a c k a t m id n ig h t to fin d th e fla t in d a r k n e s s , a n d h e la y
d o w n o n th e s o fa w ith th e te a c h e s ts s ta n d in g a b o u t h im l ik e
d e f e n c e s , l ik e b a r r i c a d e s , t h e w h i t e p a i n t s h o w i n g f a i n t l y i n t h e
d a r k . M is s P a tric ia G o r d o n . . .
P r e s e n t l y B e t s y c a m e i n . S h e d i d n ’t p u t o n t h e l i g h t . S h e w o u n d
h e r w a y b e tw e e n th e c h e s ts , c a r r y in g a c a n d le in a s a u c e r w h ic h
s h e s e t d o w n o n th e tr u n k . In th e c a n d le lig h t, w e a r in g a lo n g
w h i t e n i g h t g o w n , s h e l o o k e d l i k e a g h o s t , l ik e s o m e w a n d e r i n g
m a d w o m a n , a M r s R o c h e s te r* , a W o m a n in W h ite * .
‘M a u r i c e . ’
 A G lo w in g F u tu r e 49

‘G o a w a y , B e t s y , I ’m t i r e d . ’
‘M a u r i c e , p l e a s e . I ’m s o r r y I s a i d a l l t h o s e t h i n g s . I ’m s o r r y I
lo c k e d y o u o u t.’
‘O K , I ’m s o r r y t o o . I t ’s a m e s s , a n d m a y b e I s h o u l d n ’t h a v e
d o n e i t t h e w a y I d i d . B u t t h e b e s t w a y is f o r m e j u s t t o g o a n d
m y th in g s to g o a n d m a k e a c le a n s p lit. R ig h t? A n d n o w w ill y o u
p le a s e b e a g o o d g irl a n d g o a w a y a n d le t m e g e t s o m e s le e p ? ’
W h a t h a p p e n e d n e x t h e h a d n ’t b a r g a i n e d f o r . I t h a d n ’t c r o s s e d
h i s m i n d . M e n d o n ’t u n d e r s t a n d a b o u t w o m e n a n d s e x . S h e t h r e w
h e rs e lf o n h im , c lu m s ily , h u n g r ily . S h e p u lle d h is s h ir t o p e n a n d
b e g a n k is s in g h is n e c k a n d h is c h e s t, h o ld in g h is h e a d , c r u s h in g
h e r m o u t h t o h is m o u t h , ly in g o n t o p o f h im a n d g r ip p in g h is le g s
w ith h e r k n e e s.
H e g a v e h e r a s a v a g e p u s h . H e k i c k e d h e r a w a y , a n d s h e f e ll
a n d s t r u c k h e r h e a d o n t h e s i d e o f t h e t r u n k . T h e c a n d l e f e ll o f f ,
fla re d and d ie d in a p o o l o f w a x . In th e d a rk n e ss h e c u rse d
flo rid ly . H e p u t o n th e lig h t a n d s h e g o t u p , h o ld in g h e r h e a d
w h e r e th e r e w a s a little b lo o d .
‘O h , g e t o u t , f o r G o d ’s s a k e , ’ h e s a i d , a n d h e m a n h a n d l e d h e r
o u t, s la m m in g th e d o o r a f te r h e r.
In th e m o r n in g , w h e n s h e c a m e in to th e r o o m , a b lu e b ru is e o n
h e r f o r e h e a d , h e w a s a s le e p , fu lly c lo th e d , s p r e a d - e a g le d o n h is
back. She sh u d d e re d at th e s ig h t of h im . She began to get
b r e a k f a s t b u t s h e c o u l d n ’t e a t a n y t h i n g . T h e c o f f e e m a d e h e r g a g
a n d a g r e a t n a u s e o u s s h iv e r w e n t th r o u g h h e r. W h e n s h e w e n t
b a c k to h im h e w a s s ittin g u p o n th e s o fa , lo o k in g a t h is p la n e
tic k e t to P a ris .
‘T h e m e n a r e c o m i n g f o r t h e s t u f f a t t e n , ’ h e s a i d a s i f n o t h i n g
h a d h a p p e n e d , ‘a n d t h e y ’d b e t t e r n o t b e l a t e . I h a v e t o b e a t t h e
a ir p o rt a t n o o n .’
S h e s h ru g g e d . S he h a d b e e n to th e d e p th s a n d sh e th o u g h t h e
c o u l d n ’t h u r t h e r a n y m o r e .
50 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

‘Y o u ’d b e t t e r c l o s e t h e t r u n k , ’ s h e s a i d a b s e n t - m i n d e d l y .
‘A l l i n g o o d t i m e . ’ H i s e y e s g l e a m e d . ‘I ’v e g o t a l e t t e r t o p u t i n
y e t.’
H er head b o w e d , th e p la c e w h e re it w a s b ru is e d so re and
s w o l l e n , s h e l o o k e d l o w e r i n g l y a t h i m . ‘Y o u n e v e r w r i t e l e t t e r s . ’
‘J u s t a n o te . O ne c a n ’t send a p re se n t w ith o u t a n o te to
a c c o m p a n y it, c a n o n e ? ’
H e p u lle d th e g in g e r ja r o u t o f th e tr u n k , s c re w e d u p h e r le tte r
w i t h o u t e v e n g la n c in g a t it, a n d th r e w it o n th e f lo o r . R a p id ly y e t
o s t e n t a t i o u s l y a n d m a k in g s u r e t h a t B e ts y c o u ld s e e , h e s c r a w le d
a c r o s s a s h e e t o f p a p e r : A l l t h i s is f o r y o u , d a r l i n g P a t r i c i a , f o r
e v e r a n d ever.
‘H o w I h a t e y o u , ’ s h e s a i d .
‘Y o u c o u l d h a v e f o o l e d m e . ’ H e t o o k a l a r g e a n g l e l a m p o u t o f
th e tr u n k a n d s e t it o n th e flo o r. H e s lip p e d th e n o te in to th e
g in g e r j a r , r e w r a p p e d it, tu c k e d th e ja r in b e tw e e n th e to w e ls a n d
c u s h i o n s w h i c h p a d d e d t h e f r a g i l e o b j e c t s . ‘H a t r e d i s n ’t t h e w o r d
I ’d u s e t o d e s c r i b e t h e w a y y o u c a m e a f t e r m e l a s t n i g h t . ’
S h e m a d e n o a n s w e r. P e rh a p s h e s h o u ld h a v e p u t a h e a v y o b je c t
lik e t h a t la m p in o n e o f th e c h e s ts , p e r h a p s h e s h o u ld o p e n u p
o n e o f t h e c h e s t s n o w . H e t u r n e d r o u n d f o r t h e l a m p . I t w a s n ’t
th e re . S h e w a s h o ld in g it in b o th h a n d s .
‘I w a n t t h a t , p l e a s e . ’
‘H a v e y o u e v e r b e e n s m a s h e d i n t h e f a c e , M a u r i c e ? ’ s h e s a i d
b r e a th le s s ly , a n d s h e r a is e d th e la m p a n d s tr u c k h im w i t h it fu ll
o n th e f o r e h e a d . H e s ta g g e re d a n d s h e s tr u c k h im a g a in , a n d a g a in
a n d a g a in , r a in in g b lo w s o n h is fa c e a n d h is h e a d . H e s c r e a m e d .
H e s a g g e d , c o v e r in g h is fa c e w ith b lo o d y h a n d s . T h e n w i t h a ll h e r
s tre n g th sh e g a v e h im a g r e a t s w in g in g b lo w a n d h e f e ll t o h i s
k n e e s , r o lle d o v e r a n d a t la s t w a s s tille d a n d s ile n c e d .
T h e re w as q u ite a lo t o f b lo o d , th o u g h it q u ic k ly s to p p e d
flo w in g . S h e s to o d th e r e lo o k in g a t h im a n d s h e w a s s o b b in g . H a d
 A G lo w in g F u tu r e 51

s h e b e e n s o b b in g a ll th e tim e ? S h e w a s c o v e r e d w ith b lo o d . S h e
to r e o ff h e r c lo th e s a n d d r o p p e d th e m in a h e a p a r o u n d h e r. F o r
a m o m e n t she k n e lt b e s id e h im , n a k e d and w e e p in g , ro c k in g
b a c k w a r d s a n d f o r w a r d s , s p e a k in g h is n a m e , b itin g h e r fin g e rs
t h a t w e re s tic k y w ith h is b lo o d .
B u t s e lf - p r e s e r v a tio n is t h e p r i m a l in s tin c t, m o r e p o w e r f u l t h a n
l o v e o r s o r r o w , h a t r e d o r r e g r e t . T h e t i m e w a s n i n e o ’c l o c k , a n d in
a n h o u r t h o s e m e n w o u l d c o m e . B e ts y f e t c h e d w a t e r i n a b u c k e t ,
d e te rg e n t, c lo th s and a sponge. The h a rd w o rk , th e g re a t
c le a n s in g , s to p p e d h e r te a rs , q u ie te d h er h e a rt an d d u lle d her
th o u g h ts . S h e th o u g h t o f n o th in g , w o r k in g fre n z ie d ly , h e r m in d a
b la n k .
W h e n b u c k e t a fte r b u c k e t o f re d d is h w a te r h a d been p o u re d
d o w n th e s in k a n d th e c a r p e t w a s s o a k e d b u t c le a n , th e la m p
w a s h e d a n d d rie d a n d p o lis h e d , sh e th r e w h e r c lo th e s in to th e
b a s k e t in th e b a th r o o m a n d h a d a b a th . S h e d re s s e d c a re fu lly a n d
b r u s h e d h e r h a ir . E ig h t m in u te s to te n . E v e ry th in g w a s c le a n a n d
s h e h a d o p e n e d t h e w i n d o w , b u t t h e d e a d t h i n g s t il l l a y t h e r e o n
a p ile o f re d d e n e d n e w s p a p e r s .
‘I l o v e d h i m , ’ s h e s a i d a l o u d , a n d s h e c l e n c h e d h e r f is t s . ‘I h a t e d
h im .’
T h e m e n w e re p u n c tu a l. T h e y c a m e a t te n s h a rp . T h e y c a rrie d
th e s ix te a c h e s ts and th e s ilv e r-c o lo u re d tru n k w ith th e
g o ld - c o lo u r e d c la s p s d o w n s ta ir s .
W h e n th e y h a d g o n e a n d t h e i r v a n h a d d r iv e n a w a y , B e ts y s a t
d o w n o n th e s o fa . S h e lo o k e d a t th e a n g le la m p , th e o n y x p e n ja r
a n d a s h tr a y , th e g in g e r ja r , th e a la b a s te r b o w ls , th e h o c k g la s s e s ,
th e b r o n z e p a p e r k n if e , th e little C h in e s e c u p s , a n d th e L o w r y t h a t
w a s b a c k o n th e w a ll. S h e w a s q u ite c a lm now a n d s h e d i d n ’t
r e a lly n e e d th e b r a n d y s h e h a d p o u r e d f o r h e rs e lf.
O f t h e p a s t s h e th o u g h t n o t a t a ll a n d th e p r e s e n t s e e m e d to
e x is t o n ly as a p a lp a b le n o th in g n e s s , a th ic k s ile n c e th a t la y
52 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

a r o u n d h e r. S h e th o u g h t o f th e fu tu re , o f th re e m o n th s h e n c e , a n d
in to th e s ile n c e s h e le t f o r t h a s te a d y , r a th e r to n e le s s p e a l o f
la u g h te r . M is s P a tr ic ia G o r d o n , 2 3 B u rw o o d P a r k A v e n u e , K e w ,
V ic to ria , A u s tra lia 3 1 0 1 . T h e p re tty , g re e d y , h a r d fa c e , th e h a n d s
s o e a g e r t o u n d o t h a t p a d lo c k a n d p r is e o p e n th o s e g o ld e n c la s p s
to fin d th e tr e a s u r e w ith in . . .
A nd how in te r e s tin g th a t tr e a s u r e w o u ld b e in th r e e m o n th s ’
t i m e , l i k e n o t h i n g M i s s P a t r i c i a G o r d o n h a d s e e n i n a l l h e r lif e ! I t
w a s a s w e ll, s o t h a t s h e w o u ld re c o g n iz e it, t h a t it c a r r ie d o n to p
o f i t a n o t e i n a f a m i l i a r h a n d : A l l t h i s is f o r y o u , d a r l i n g P a tr ic ia ,
fo r e v e r a n d ever.
 A G lo w in g F u tu r e 53

N o t es

L o w ry (p 4 5 )
L .S . L o w r y ( 1 8 8 7 - 1 9 7 6 ) , a B r i ti s h a r t i s t , w h o s e p a i n t i n g s o f i n d u s t r i a l
la n d s c a p e s n o w f e t c h h ig h p r ic e s
a l a s t f l in g o f w il d o a t s ( p 4 5 )
a f i n a l p e r i o d o f i r r e s p o n s i b l e p l e a s u r e - s e e k in g ( e s p e c ia lly in c a s u a l lo v e
a f f a ir s )
M r s R o c h e s te r (p 4 8 )
t h e m a d w if e o f M r R o c h e s t e r , t h e h e r o o f C h a r l o t t e B r o n t e ’s f a m o u s
n o v e l, J a n e E y re
W o m a n in W h i t e ( p 4 8 )
a c h a r a c t e r , s u p p o s e d l y a l u n a t i c , in t h e n o v e l o f t h a t n a m e b y W il k ie
C o ll in s

D is c u s s io n

1 W h y d o y o u t h i n k M a u r i c e is m o r e a t t r a c t e d t o P a t r i c i a t h a n t o B e ts y ?
D o y o u t h i n k h is o n ly r e a s o n f o r r e t u r n i n g t o L o n d o n w a s t o c o l le c t
h i s p o s s e s s io n s ?

2 B e ts y ’s e m o t i o n s a n d r e a c t i o n s t o M a u r i c e ’s b e h a v i o u r b e c o m e m o r e
a n d m o r e u n c o n t r o l l a b l e a s t h e s t o r y p r o g r e s s e s . M a k e a lis t o f th e
s e q u e n c e o f a c t i o n s a n d r e m a r k s b y M a u r i c e t h a t f in a l ly d r iv e h e r o v e r
th e ed g e.

3 W h a t d o y o u t h i n k B e ts y w ill d o a f t e r t h e e n d o f t h e s to r y ? I n th r e e
m o n t h s ’ ti m e a m u r d e r in v e s t i g a t i o n w ill b e g in a n d a l l t h e e v id e n c e
w il l p o i n t t o h e r . W i ll t h e ‘p r i m a l i n s t i n c t o f s e l f - p r e s e r v a t i o n ’ m a k e
h e r t r y t o h id e o r r u n a w a y , o r w il l s h e j u s t s it a n d w a i t , o b s e s s e d b y
t h e p i c t u r e o f h e r r e v e n g e o n P a tr ic ia ?

4 D o y o u f e e l s y m p a t h y f o r e i t h e r o f t h e t w o m a i n c h a r a c t e r s i n th is
s to r y ? I f s o , w h i c h o n e , a n d w h y ?

La n g u a g e Fo c u s

1 F in d th e s e e x p r e s s io n s in t h e t e x t o f t h e s t o r y a n d t h e n r e p h r a s e t h e m
in y o u r o w n w o r d s .

a w a y (f r o m L o n d o n a n d h e r ) f o r g o o d ( p 4 3 )
54 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

c o u ld I p u t y o u u p (p 4 4 )
t h a t ’s q u ite a p u n c h y o u p a c k ( p 4 5 )
r o c k th e ir m a r r ia g e ( p 4 6 )
c h a in - s m o k in g ( p 4 7 )
m a k e a c le a n s p lit ( p 4 9 )
I t h a d n ’t c r o s s e d h is m i n d ( p 4 9 )
S h e h a d b e e n to th e d e p th s ( p 4 9 )
r a in in g b lo w s o n h is fa c e ( p 5 0 )

2 T h e s t r o n g e m o t i o n s in t h i s s t o r y a r e o f t e n n o t d e s c r ib e d d i r e c tl y , b u t
a r e s u g g e s t e d b y t h e d e s c r i p t i o n s o f p h y s i c a l a c tiv it y . F i n d s o m e o f t h e
w o r d s t h a t d e s c r ib e s u d d e n o r v i o l e n t a c t i o n s , a n d s a y w h a t e m o t i o n s
y o u t h i n k a r e s u g g e s t e d . F o r e x a m p le :

H a v e y o u e v e r b e e n s m a s h e d in th e fa c e ?
S h e flu n g h e r s e lf o n to th e s o fa
c r u s h in g h e r m o u th to h is m o u th
s l a m m in g th e d o o r

Ac t iv it ie s

1 T h e v i e w p o i n t in t h e s t o r y s w in g s f r o m M a u r i c e t o B e ts y a n d b a c k
a g a i n , s h o w i n g t h e g r e a t la c k o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g o r s y m p a t h y b e t w e e n
th e m . W r i t e a s h o r t d e s c r i p t i o n o f e a c h c h a r a c t e r , a s s e e n f r o m th e
o t h e r ’s p o i n t o f v ie w .

2 I m a g i n e y o u a r e B e ts y ’s o l d e r b r o t h e r o r s i s te r . B e ts y p h o n e s y o u o n
M a u r i c e ’s la s t e v e n i n g , w h e n h e h a s p a c k e d a l l h is th i n g s a n d g o n e
o u t t o g e t a m e a l. S h e te lls y o u e v e r y th in g M a u r i c e h a s s a id a n d d o n e ,
a n d a f t e r t h e p h o n e c a ll y o u w r i t e h e r a l e t t e r o f a d v ic e , s u g g e s t in g
th e b e s t w a y f o r h e r to d e a l w ith th e s itu a tio n .

3 W h e n M a u r i c e p u s h e s B e ts y a w a y in t h e m id d l e o f t h e n i g h t , im a g in e
t h a t s h e h i t s h e r h e a d h a r d a n d is k ill e d o u t r i g h t . M a u r i c e is s till
d e t e r m i n e d n o t t o le t h e r s p o il h is f u t u r e . R e w r it e t h e e n d o f t h e s t o r y .
 Ric o c h e t

T h e Au t h o r
A n g e la N o e l w a s b o r n in 1 9 3 1 , a n d n o w liv e s in L a n c a s h i r e ,
w h e r e s h e r u n s a liv e r y s t a b le s . M o s t o f h e r w r i t i n g c o n s is ts
o f s h o r t s to r ie s f o r w o m e n ’s m a g a z in e s in s e v e r a l c o u n t r i e s ,
a n d s h e h a s a l s o p u b l i s h e d f o u r r o m a n t i c n o v e l s , a l l s e t in
t h e E n g lis h c o u n t r y s i d e . H e r m o s t r e c e n t t it le is R e m e m b e r
M e . H e r s t o r y R i c o c h e t w a s f i r s t p u b l i s h e d in M a r c h 1 9 8 0
in L o n d o n M y s t e r y S e l e c ti o n . A l t h o u g h t h e s t o r y is s e t in
W a le s , th e id e a fo r it w as o r ig in a ll y d raw n fro m a
n e w s p a p e r r e p o r t a b o u t a r e a l- li f e i n c i d e n t c o n c e r n i n g t w o
b r o t h e r s in S p a in , o n e o f w h o m w a s a c c u s e d o f m u r d e r i n g
th e o th e r.

Th e St or y

P o s se s siv e n e s s se em s to b e a f u n d a m e n ta l c h a ra c te ris tic o f

h u m a n b e i n g s : t h e u r g e t o p o s s e s s th in g s - a n d p e o p l e . A n d
i f o u r p o s s e s s io n s a r e t a k e n a w a y f r o m u s , o u r f e e lin g s o f
r e s e n t m e n t a t lif e ’s in ju s ti c e c a n b e v e r y s t r o n g in d e e d . I t
is s a id t h a t t h e r e is a p o t e n t i a l m u r d e r e r in a l l o f u s , t h a t
if t h e p r e s s u r e s a r e g r e a t e n o u g h , a n y b o d y c a n b e d r i v e n t o
t h e u l t i m a t e a c t o f v i o l e n c e . I t is n o t a c o m f o r t a b l e t h o u g h t .
I n a b e a u t i f u l W e ls h v a ll e y O w e n P a r r y h a s b r o o d e d o n
li f e ’s in ju s ti c e f o r m a n y y e a r s . H i s r e s e n t m e n t is f o c u s e d o n
h i s b r o t h e r H u w . I t is H u w w h o is m a r r i e d t o R h i a n n o n ,
H u w w h o liv e s in t h e c o m f o r t a b l e f a r m h o u s e , H u w w h o
h a s c a u s e d t h e s l a u g h t e r o f a l l th e i r s h e e p . O n l y H u w s t a n d s
b e t w e e n O w e n a n d h a p p i n e s s , t h e p o s s e s s io n o f a l l th e
t h i n g s t h a t a r e r ig h t f u l l y h is . . .
 Ric o c h e t

w e n h a d p la n n e d t o w e a r g lo v e s . H e h a d a n a n c ie n t p a i r in
b r o w n le a th e r, w h ic h h e w o r e f o r S u n d a y c h a p e l* in w in te r .
B u t h i s f a r m e r ’s h a n d s w e r e c l u m s y i n t h e m a n d t h i s w a s d e l i c a t e
w o rk .
O w en P a rry s to p p e d and lo o k e d about h im w ith a little
r a t- s m ile . W h y b o t h e r w i t h g lo v e s a t a ll? T h is w a s h is o w n c o tta g e ,
w a s n ’t it ? T h e p o l i c e w o u l d e x p e c t t o f i n d h i s f i n g e r p r i n t s a l l o v e r
it. T h e s e w e r e h is tw o w o o d e n c h a ir s , n o w s ta n d in g b a c k t o b a c k
a n d a p a r t b y a c a re fu lly m e a s u r e d d is ta n c e .
T h e s h o t g u n w a s h is , to o . O f c o u r s e it b o r e h is f in g e r p r in ts .
N o w th e g u n la y a c r o s s th e b a c k s o f th e t w o c h a ir s , firm ly h e ld
w ith r o p e a n d w ire . I t p o in te d a t h is o n ly d o o r .
T h e g u n w a s c o c k e d . F r o m th e trig g e r, a s trin g w a s lo o p e d to th e
d o o r h a n d le . W h e n th a t d o o r w a s th r o w n b a c k , th e s trin g w o u ld
je r k tig h t. A n d w h e n d id h is b r o th e r H u w n o t t h r o w d o o r s w id e ?
For a m o m e n t O w e n ’s s t o m a c h w e lle d in h im but he h e ld
h im s e lf ta u t . S w itc h o n a n in v itin g lig h t, h e t o l d h im s e lf , a n d le a v e
th e c o tta g e b y a w in d o w .
H is b r o th e r w o u ld b e h e r e b e fo re e v e n in g c h a p e l.
‘T o t a l k a b o u t r e - s t o c k i n g t h e f a r m , ’ O w e n h a d l i e d n e r v o u s l y
w h ile p e r s u a d in g h im to c o m e .
‘H u h , r e - s t o c k i n g , is i t ? ’ H u w h a d g r u n t e d . ‘L o o k i n g a h e a d ,
a r e n ’t w e ? ’
B o th th e ir fa c e s w e re s till g re y fro m th e n ig h tm a re of
fo o t-a n d -m o u th d is e a s e * th a t had d e v a s ta te d th e ir fa rm . By
c o m p u ls o r y o r d e r , th e ir w h o le flo c k h a d b e e n s la u g h te r e d . T h e ir
d o g s to o h a d to g o , th e ir b e a u tif u l f a ith fu l in te llig e n t d o g s . E v e n
B e th , w h o m th e y a ll lo v e d b e s t.
O w en s ig h e d at th e th o u g h t of B e th but her m e m o ry
58 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

s tr e n g th e n e d h is w ill. H e h a d s u f f e r e d e n o u g h . H e s e t o f f f o r th e
v i l l a g e t o c r e a t e h is a l i b i .
E v e n n o w , s u r r o u n d e d b y th e tr a g e d y o f e m p ty h ills , h e f e lt h is
p a s s i o n s u r g e f o r t h i s p l a c e h e ’d a l w a y s k n o w n , f o r t h e l o v e l y
sw eep of v a lle y , fo r th e c u rl of p o lis h e d -s te e l riv e r, fo r th e
f a r m h o u s e w ith its c lo s e f a m ily o f b u ild in g s .
S o o n it w o u ld a ll b e h is a n d h is a lo n e . H e w o u ld w o r k a n d c a re
a n d liv e a g a i n . T h e h i l l s w o u l d s i n g w i t h t h e b l e a t o f a h e a l t h y
flo c k a n d th e r e w o u ld b e d o g s o n c e m o r e , s tr e a m in g th e m d o w n
to th e riv e r m e a d o w .
T h o u g h t h e r e ’d n e v e r b e a n o t h e r b i t c h q u i t e l i k e B e t h . E v e n
to d a y , h e a d in g f o r th e v illa g e , O w e n im a g in e d h e s till h e a r d h e r
b a r k in g , b a r k in g u p a t th e d e s e r te d s h e e p f o ld o n th e h ill b e h in d
h is c o tta g e .
S o m e p a r t n e r s h i p i t h a d b e e n w i t h h i s b r o t h e r ! I t w a s n ’t e n o u g h
th a t H u w h a d m a r r ie d R h ia n n o n , th e g irl th e y b o th lo v e d , th e
p r e tty , s y m p a th e tic , p lia b le R h ia n n o n . O r t h a t H u w a n d h is w ife
t o o k o v e r th e g o o d s to n e f a r m h o u s e , le a v in g O w e n to m o v e o u t
to th e m u s ty riv e rs id e c o tta g e .
W o r s t o f a ll, a f te r th e f ir s t y e a r o r t w o , H u w w as n o t even
m a k in g R h ia n n o n happy and th e ir m a rria g e , u n b le s s e d by
c h ild re n , h a d b e g u n s lo w ly to w ith e r a t th e e d g e s.
H uw w as a b la c k h a ire d g ia n t, b a s s -v o ic e d , r o c k - s tr o n g . T o
h im , b e in g w ith o u t c h ild w a s tr a u m a tic , d e m e a n in g . H e im a g in e d
th e v illa g e s n ig g e re d b e h in d i t s n e t c u r t a i n s . ‘T h e r e g o e s H u w
P a r r y , o w n s h a l f t h e v a l l e y w i t h h i s b r o t h e r , m a r r i e d t h e s e f iv e
y e a r s a n d c a n ’t g e t h i s w i f e p r e g n a n t . ’
A n d w h o in t h a t lo n e ly v a lle y c o u ld th e s a d R h i a n n o n t u r n to
b u t h e r b r o t h e r - i n - l a w ? D i d n ’t s h e k n o w , a s a n y w o m a n k n o w s ,
t h a t h e ’d a l w a y s l o v e d h e r ?
‘L i k e t h e r i v e r y o u a r e , O w e n P a r r y , ’ s h e t o l d h i m , ‘s l o w a n d

d e e p .’
 R ic o c h e t 59

A s c h ild r e n , b o th b o y s h a d p la y e d a n d d a n c e d a n d k is s e d w ith
h e r . B u t th e y w e r e c h ild r e n n o lo n g e r . O n e d a y O w e n t o o k h is
s is te r - in - la w in h is a r m s a n d th e d r e a m h e h a d n u r t u r e d f o r a ll
th o s e s ile n t y e a rs w o k e to re a lity .
B u t th e b ir th o f M a r g o w r o u g h t a c h a n g e in H u w t h a t s tu n n e d
b o th O w e n a n d R h ia n n o n . O v e r n ig h t, it s e e m e d , H u w s to o d ta ll
a g a in . H e s a n g a t h is w o r k a n d d is p la y e d a te n d e r n e s s th e o th e r
tw o h a d n o t k n o w n h e p o ssessed .
For th e second tim e in h is li f e , O w en had seen R h ia n n o n
s lip p in g f r o m h im to c le a v e to H u w . T h e o ld f ir e s m o u l d e r e d
a n e w , s ile n t a n d m e n a c in g in s id e h im . O n e d a y it m u s t b la z e .
T h e s l a u g h te r o f th e f lo c k it w a s t h a t fin a lly s e t th e fire a lig h t.
N o n e o f i t n e e d h a v e h a p p e n e d , h a d n ’t O w e n s a i d s o a g a i n a n d
a g a i n ? O n e s l o b b e r i n g e w e t h e y ’d f o u n d , j u s t o n e , a n d t h a t t h e y
c o u ld e a s ily h a v e d is p o s e d o f in s e c re t. T h e n w ith g a llo n s of
d is in f e c ta n t th e y c o u ld h a v e tr ie d , a t le a s t th e y c o u ld h a v e tr ie d , to
p r o te c t th e r e s t o f th e flo c k f r o m th e s c o u rg e o f f o o t- a n d - m o u th .
B u t o h n o ! H u w , u p rig h t G o d fe a rin g c h a p e l m a n th a t h e w a s ,
H uw m u s t c a l l t h e a u t h o r i t i e s . Y o u n g e r a n d b i g g e r , h e ’d t o s s e d
O w e n a s id e a n d m a r c h e d f o r th e te le p h o n e . T h e n ig h tm a r e h a d
b e e n s e t in m o tio n . T h e in s p e c to rs c a m e a n d p a s s e d th e d e a th
s e n te n c e o n s h e e p a n d d o g s a lik e .
‘I h o p e y o u ’r e s a t i s f i e d , H u w P a r r y , ’ s a i d O w e n t h a t n i g h t a n d
h e f e l t a l i f e t i m e ’s r e s e n t m e n t o f h i s b r o t h e r s li p o v e r t h e e d g e i n t o
s o m e th in g d e e p e r a n d m u c h h a r d e r to c o n tro l.
O w en had m ade one la s t appeal to R h ia n n o n . H uw w as
o u t s i d e , s t a r i n g m o r o s e l y a t t h e r i v e r . M a r g o t h e y c o u l d h e a r in
t h e y a r d , c a l l i n g t e a r f u l l y f o r t h e v a n i s h e d B e th .
‘H u w c a n ’t b r i n g h i m s e l f t o t e l l h e r a b o u t h a v i n g t o s h o o t B e t h , ’
R h ia n n o n s a id te n d e rly , w a tc h in g h e r h u s b a n d f r o m h e r k itc h e n
w i n d o w . ‘I ’ll n e v e r f o r g e t h o w h e l o o k e d a s h e le d B e t h a w a y a n d
s h e w e n t, w a v in g t h a t p lu m e ta il o f h e r s , o b e d ie n t t o th e la s t. B e th
62 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

‘T e r r i b l e t o b e i d l e , i s n ’t i t ? ’ s h e s a i d , w i t h r e l i s h .
O w en s to p p e d . W h a t b e tte r w itn e s s to h is w h e r e a b o u ts th is
S u n d a y a f te r n o o n , s h e w i t h h e r m in d lik e th e h o a r d o f a s q u ir r e l,
p a c k e d tig h t w ith se e d s o f s u s p ic io n a n d s w e e t n u ts o f s c a n d a l?
W h e n a t la s t M r s P ric e r a n o u t o f c h a tte r , h e c a lle d o n M a
H u g h e s a n d a s k e d p o lite ly a b o u t h e r a r th r itis . M a H u g h e s o ffe re d
h im te a .
O w e n l e f t M a H u g h e s w h e n h e ’d b a r e l y e n o u g h t i m e t o r e a c h
c h a p e l. H e e n te r e d t h a t h u s h e d p la c e , le t th e d o o r fa ll t o w ith a
t h u d a n d b r o k e i n t o a fit o f c o u g h in g .
A f te r w a r d s , h is ir r e v e re n c e a p p a r e n tly fo rg iv e n , th e y a s k e d h im
w h e r e H u w w a s . ‘C a n ’t r e m e m b e r w h e n l a s t H u w P a r r y m i s s e d

c h a p e l,’ th e y a ll s a id .
O w e n s h o o k h is h e a d a n d m u r m u r e d a b o u t d e p re s s io n .
D e s p ite th e c o ld , O w e n w a s s w e a tin g a s h e le ft th e la n e a n d
s lo w ly c r u n c h e d b a c k o v e r th e c ry s ta l g ra s s to h is c o tta g e .
H e r e a c h e d h is d o o r , p u t o u t h is h a n d . . .
N o , w a it. T h e g u n m ig h t s till b e c o c k e d , if f o r a n y r e a s o n H u w
had fa ile d to com e dow n. E ven in d e a th , h e d i d n ’t t r u s t h is
b r o t h e r . H e p e e r e d n e r v o u s ly in t h r o u g h h is lig h te d w in d o w .
O w e n ’s s c r e a m s p l i t t h e n i g h t .
H e b u r s t in to th e c o tta g e , ja w s la c k , e y e s p r o tr u d in g , h a n d s
d r a g g in g a t h is h a ir . H e g a p e d d o w n a t th e t w o s p r a w le d a n d
b lo o d y b o d ie s o n h is flo o r.
M a r g o a n d t h e s h e e p d o g B e th .
H e p r o d d e d t h e b i t c h w i t h h i s s h o e a n d i t w a s r i g i d . H e c o u l d n ’t
to u c h th e c h ild . H is o w n d a u g h te r . H e c o v e re d h is fa c e .
H is m in d w a s a v o rte x o f h o r r o r a n d b e w ild e rm e n t. T h e n th e
t r u t h f l a s h e d a g a i n s t h i s c l o s e d li d s .
H uw had c h e a te d . He had never s la u g h te re d th e b itc h as
o r d e r e d . H e m u s t h a v e h id d e n h e r. S u d d e n ly O w e n re c a lle d th a t
g h o s tly b a rk in g fro m th e s h e e p fo ld . O f c o u rs e ! T h e n to d a y sh e
 R ic o c h e t 63

m u st h av e escap ed , p e rh a p s fo u n d a n d re le a s e d b y a d e lig h te d
M a r g o , a n d t h e y ’d c o m e b o u n d i n g d o w n t h e h i l l s i d e t o t e l l h e r
U n c le O w e n t h e g o o d n e w s . . .
I t to o k o n ly a fe w m in u te s to d is c a r d th e w ire a n d s trin g , r e lo a d
th e g u n a n d b lo w o u t th e s id e o f h is h e a d .
The e x p lo s io n aw oke th e s le e p in g c h ild . M a r g o s ta rte d up,
c r y i n g , a s t h e n o i s e r e n e w e d h e r t e r r o r . S h e l o o k e d o n l y a t B e th ,
w h o h a d n o t m o v e d . S h e r e m e m b e r e d tr y in g t o k e e p u p w ith B e th
a n d h o w th e b itc h b o u n d e d a t th e c o tta g e d o o r a h e a d o f h e r, th e
u n b e a ra b le n o is e and how th e b itc h f e ll w h im p e rin g and
tw itc h in g . S h e h a d flu n g h e r s e lf d o w n , fo n d lin g B e th , tr y in g to
r o u s e h e r , g e t t i n g c o v e r e d i n t h e a n i m a l ’s b l o o d . S h e m u s t h a v e
c r ie d h e r s e lf t o s le e p o n th e flo o r.
N o w s h e t u r n e d a n d f le d s c r e a m i n g f r o m t h e c o t t a g e . H a l f w a y
h o m e , s tu m b lin g th r o u g h th e m o o n lig h t, sh e c a n n o n e d in to H u w .
‘O h M a r g o , m y M a r g o , I ’v e b e e n s e a r c h i n g f o r y o u t h i s p a s t
tw o h o u rs !’ H u w s c o o p e d u p th e c h ild a n d c a r r ie d h e r jo y o u s ly
h o m e , th a n k in g th e L o r d f o r th e s a fe ty o f h is b e lo v e d d a u g h te r .
H e d e c id e d it w a s to o la te n o w to g o a n d se e O w e n .
60 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

w a s a l w a y s M a r g o ’s f a v o u r i t e a n d i t b r o k e h i s h e a r t t o h a v e t o
d o it.’

O w e n ’s a r m t i g h t e n e d a c r o s s R h i a n n o n ’s s h o u l d e r s . ‘W e c a n ’t
g o o n l i k e t h i s , l o v e , ’ h e s a i d . ‘Y o u ’v e g o t t o t e l l H u w t h e t r u t h .
L e t h i m f i n d s o m e o t h e r f a r m . W e ’ll r e - s t o c k a s s o o n a s t h e y ’ll l e t
u s a n d w e ’ll s e t u p h o u s e h e r e l i k e t h e f a m i l y w e r e a l l y a r e . ’
H e g la n c e d c o v e to u s ly a t th e firm d r y w a lls , th e r o o m in e s s a n d
s o lid ity o f th e p la c e , so d if f e r e n t f r o m h is m is e ra b le c o tta g e .
B u t w h e n h is g a z e r e tu r n e d to R h ia n n o n , h e r b la n k lo o k k ille d
h is h o p e .
‘I s i t m a d y o u a r e , O w e n P a r r y ? ’ s h e s a i d . ‘W o u l d I t e l l m y m a n
t o g o , a f t e r a l l h e ’s s u f f e r e d , a f t e r a l l t h i s d e s t r u c t i o n a n d g r ie f ?
W o u ld I r o b h im o f h is la n d a n d h is c h ild - ? ’
‘W h o s e c h i l d ? ’ s a i d O w e n .
R h i a n n o n p a l e d . ‘G o d f o r g i v e m e , h e ’s a s g o o d a s a f a t h e r t o
h e r .’

O w e n s p r e a d h i s h a n d s . ‘I t ’s c h i l d l e s s y o u ’d b e t o t h i s d a y i f
y o u h a d n ’t t u r n e d t o m e . ’
S h e s h o o k h e r h e a d o f l o n g d a r k h a i r . ‘O h I k n o w y o u w e r e
g o o d to m e w h e n m y m a r r ia g e w a s g o in g b a d ly , O w e n . I n e e d e d
y o u th e n . B u t H u w a n d m e , w e ’r e s o m u c h h a p p i e r n o w . Y o u
m u s t s e e t h a t . H e ’s a d i f f e r e n t m a n . H e w o r s h i p s M a r g o - a n d I
w o n ’t l e t y o u t a k e h e r f r o m h i m . I ’ll d e n y e v e r y w o r d y o u s a y a n d
i t ’s m e h e ’ll b e l i e v e . ’

O w e n g r a s p e d h e r s h o u ld e r s , th in u n d e r h is d e m a n d in g h a n d s ,
a n d s h o o k h e r. H e r d a r k h a ir flo p p e d f o r w a r d , th e n sh e th r e w u p
h e r h e a d a n d d e fie d h im .

He w a n te d to r o a r a t h e r , ‘Y o u have u sed m e lik e a p riz e

ra m !’ B ut he q u e lle d th e w o rd s. If o n ce he tu rn e d R h ia n n o n
a g a i n s t h i m s e l f , h i s lif e w o u l d b e w i t h o u t m e a n i n g .
H e ’d w a l k e d a w a y , s i c k e n e d b y t h e k n o w l e d g e o f w h a t h e m u s t
do.
 R ic o c h e t 61

T h a t n ig h t O w e n w e p t, a lo n e in h is m u s ty c o tta g e , a n d h is
d e e p e s t d i s t r e s s w a s f o r M a r g o , h i s b r o w n - e y e d e lf . N o c h o i r e v e r
s a n g lik e t h a t c h ild la u g h in g . . .
W h ile H uw liv e d , R h ia n n o n w o u ld b e h is w ife , M a r g o h is
d a u g h te r . W h a t c h o ic e h a d th e y le ft h im ? A m a n c o u ld o n ly ta k e -
o r lo s e - s o m u c h .
O w e n b r o o d e d f o r a w e e k , a s c h e m e s im m e r in g in h is m in d .
H e m ig h t h a v e p u lle d th e trig g e r h im s e lf - b u t he knew h is
c o u r a g e w o u ld fa il h im . H u w h a d o n ly to lo o k a t h im w ith th o s e
b la z in g b la c k e y e s o f h is a n d O w e n w o u ld fe e l h is s tr e n g th o f
p u r p o s e d r a in a w a y in to th e g r o u n d . A n d h o w to c o n v in c e p e o p le
it w a s a n a c c id e n t? N o , H u w m u s t b e th e o n e to p u ll th e trig g e r.
A n d h a d n ’t t h e s l a u g h t e r o f a n e n t i r e f l o c k , a l i f e t i m e ’s w o r k , b e e n
k n o w n t o d r i v e a m a n t o s u i c i d e ? H a d n ’t H u w b een m o ro se o f
la te , s in c e th e ir lo s s ? W hat b e tte r p la c e to choose th a n h is
b r o t h e r ’s h o m e t o s p a r e h i s w i f e a n d c h i l d f r o m f i n d i n g h i s b o d y ?
T h u s w a s b o rn th e id e a o f th e tr a p .
G r u d g i n g l y , H u w h a d a g r e e d t o c o m e d o w n t o O w e n ’s c o t t a g e
t h i s S u n d a y a f t e r n o o n t o t a l k a b o u t t h e f a r m . H u w w o u l d f l in g
o p e n t h e d o o r a n d i t w o u l d a l l b e o v e r . H e w o u l d n ’t e v e n s u f f e r
o r k n o w a m o m e n t ’s s u s p i c i o n . A s m a l l p r i c e t o p a y f o r a n o t h e r ’s
h a p p in e s s , O w e n th o u g h t.
O w e n w o u l d w a lk b a c k f r o m t h e v illa g e a f te r c h a p e l, c lu tc h in g
h is w a te r tig h t a lib i. It w o u ld ta k e o n ly m in u te s to fa ls ify th e
e v id e n c e , t o r e m o v e a ll s ig n s o f w ir e a n d s tr in g , a n d to p la c e th e g u n
i n t h e d e a d m a n ’s h a n d s . T h e n O w e n w o u l d r u n in i n n o c e n t h o r r o r
to te le p h o n e th e p o lic e . T h e w id o w w o u ld w e e p in h is a rm s .
N o w O w e n ’s h e a r t t h u n d e r e d i n h i s b r e a s t a s h e l e f t h i s c o t t a g e
a n d h is g u n , w a itin g , b e h in d h im .
T h e v illa g e la y f r e e z in g in th e S u n d a y a f t e r n o o n q u ie t. T h o u g h
n o t, a p p a r e n tly , to o c o ld f o r M r s P ric e , G ro c e rie s , f o r e v e r a t h e r

d o o r.
64 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

N o t es

c h a p e l (p 57 )
a b u ild in g u se d fo r C h ris tia n w o rs h ip by m e m b ers of one o f th e
N o n c o n f o r m i s t s e c ts o f t h e P r o t e s t a n t r e li g io n ( e .g . t h e M e t h o d i s t s , w h o
a r e v e r y s t r o n g in W a le s )
f o o t - a n d - m o u t h d is e a s e ( p 5 7 )
a v e r y in f e c ti o u s d is e a s e t h a t a f f e c ts f a r m a n i m a l s ; in B r it a in ( t h o u g h n o t
i n o t h e r c o u n t r i e s ) t h e d is e a s e is c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e o b l i g a t o r y s l a u g h te r
o f in f e c te d a n i m a l s

D is c u s s io n

1 W h i c h d o y o u t h i n k w a s m o r e i m p o r t a n t f o r O w e n , s o le p o s s e s s io n
a n d m a n a g e m e n t o f t h e f a r m , o r liv in g w i t h R h i a n n o n a n d b e i n g a b le
t o c l a i m M a r g o a s h is o w n d a u g h t e r ?

2 W h y d o y o u th in k R h ia n n o n c h o s e to m a rry H u w r a th e r th a n O w e n ?
D e s c r i b e b o t h b r o t h e r s f r o m h e r p o i n t o f v ie w . W h a t is y o u r o p i n i o n
o f h e r o w n c h a r a c t e r ? Is s h e p a r t l y t o b la m e f o r t h e tr a g e d y ? W h y ,
o r w h y n o t?

3 D o y o u th in k th a t tra g e d y w o u ld h a v e b e e n p re v e n te d if R h ia n n o n
a n d M a r g o h a d le f t H u w a n d m o v e d in w i t h O w e n ? W h a t d o y o u
t h i n k H u w w o u l d h a v e d o n e , t h a t ‘u p r i g h t G o d f e a r i n g c h a p e l m a n ’?

La n g u a g e Fo c u s

1 F in d t h e im a g e s w h ic h a r e u s e d in t h e s t o r y t o d e s c r ib e p e o p l e in
r e l a t i o n t o t h e s e a n i m a l s o r n a t u r a l f e a tu r e s :

a r a t, r o c k , a riv e r, fir e , a s q u ir r e l

W h a t a d je c tiv e s c a n y o u t h i n k o f t h a t w o u l d c r e a t e t h e s a m e e f f e c t a s
th e s e im a g e s ? C a n y o u t h i n k o f o t h e r a n i m a l s o r n a t u r a l f e a t u r e s w h i c h
a re o fte n u s e d to su g g e st h u m a n c h a ra c te ris tic s ? F o r e x a m p le , w h a t
d o y o u a s s o c ia te w i t h th e s e th in g s : a s t o r m , a d e e p p o o l , a s n a k e , a
h o r s e , a l io n , a c a t?

2 T h e s e e x p r e s s io n s u s e a w o r d o r d e r t h a t is o f t e n u s e d b y W e ls h p e o p l e
b u t n o t b y p e o p l e in o t h e r r e g io n s . R e p h r a s e t h e m in t h e u s u a l w o r d
o rd er.
 R ic o c h e t 65

• L i k e th e riv e r y o u a re.
• T h e s la u g h t e r o f t h e f l o c k i t w a s t h a t f i n a l ly s e t t h e fir e a lig h t .
• Is it m a d y o u a r e t
• I t ’s c h il d le s s y o u ’d b e t o t h i s d a y i f y o u h a d n ’t t u r n e d to m e .

3 T h e s t o r y is w r i t t e n f r o m O w e n ’s p o i n t o f v ie w a n d t h e a u t h o r o f t e n
p u t s O w e n ’s t h o u g h t s in q u e s t i o n - f o r m , f o r e x a m p le :

W h y b o t h e r w i t h g l o v e s a t a l l ? T h i s w a s h i s o w n c o t ta g e , w a s n ' t
it?

T h is c o u l d b e r e w r i t t e n a s :

H e d e c id e d t h e r e w a s n o n e e d t o b o t h e r w i t h g lo v e s b e c a u s e i t w a s
h is o w n c o t ta g e .

F in d s o m e o t h e r e x a m p l e s a n d r e w r i t e t h e m in t h e s a m e w a y , a s s im p l e
d e s c r i p t i o n o f O w e n ’s t h o u g h t s . T h e n c o m p a r e t h e d i f f e r e n t v e r s i o n s .
W h a t e f f e c t d o t h e q u e s t i o n s h a v e ? D o th e y c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e te n s i o n
o f t h e s t o r y , o r o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f O w e n ’s c h a r a c t e r ?

Ac t iv it ie s

1 W rite a r e p o r t o f th e tra g e d y f o r t h e lo c a l n e w s p a p e r , in c lu d in g
in te r v ie w s w i t h M r s P r ic e a n d M a H u g h e s , w h o b o t h g u e s s ( r i g h t ly
o r w r o n g l y ) a t r e a s o n s f o r O w e n ’s d e a t h .

2 I m a g i n e t h a t w h e n O w e n e n t e r e d h i s c o t t a g e , h e d is c o v e r e d t h a t o n ly
B e th t h e d o g w a s d e a d , a n d n o t M a r g o a s w e ll . W r i t e a n e w e n d i n g
f o r t h e s t o r y . H o w d o e s O w e n e x p l a i n B e th ’s d e a t h t o M a r g o ? D o e s
h e m a k e a n o th e r a tte m p t to m u rd e r H u w ?

3 T h e t i t l e o f t h e s t o r y , R i c o c h e t , s u g g e s t s t h e u n e x p e c t e d e n d i n g , o r th e
m i s c a r r i a g e o f O w e n ’s p l a n ; a s S h a k e s p e a r e p u t i t , ‘p u r p o s e s m i s t o o k
/ F a ll e n o n t h e i n v e n t o r s ’ h e a d s . ’ T h i n k o f s o m e o t h e r ti t l e s f o r t h e
s t o r y , p e r h a p s a s s o c ia te d w i t h O w e n ’s e m o t i o n s , o r t h e a n i m a l s in t h e
s t o r y , o r t h e W e ls h c o u n t r y s i d e .
 Th e Fo u n t a in Pl ays

Th e Au t h o r

D o r o t h y L . S a y e r s w a s b o r n in 1 8 9 3 . S h e r e c e iv e d a c l a s s i c a l
e d u c a tio n a n d w a s o n e o f th e firs t w o m e n to o b ta in a d e g re e
fro m O x fo rd U n iv e r s it y . S h e w o r k e d in an a d v e rtis in g
agency fo r te n y ea rs and le d a fla m b o y a n t and
u n c o n v e n t i o n a l lif e , a c h ie v in g e a r l y f a m e a s a w r i t e r o f
s k il f u ll y p l o t t e d d e t e c ti v e n o v e l s . M a n y o f th e s e f e a t u r e h e r
m o s t p o p u l a r c h a r a c t e r , L o r d P e t e r W im s e y , a c h a r m i n g ,
i n t e ll i g e n t a ris to c ra t and a m a te u r d e t e c ti v e . H er
b e s t-k n o w n s to r ie s in c l u d e H ave H is C a r c a s e , S tr o n g
P o is o n , G a u d y N i g h t, T h e N i n e T a ilo r s ( a n in g e n io u s p l o t
in v o lv in g th e c o m p le x itie s o f ch u rc h b e l l- r i n g i n g ) , a n d
M u r d e r M u s t A d v e r ti s e ( s e t in t h e a d v e r t i s i n g w o r l d ) . S h e
d i e d in 1 9 5 7 .

Th e St or y

S o m e p e o p l e h a v e a s k e l e t o n in t h e c u p b o a r d , a s e c r e t
w h i c h , i f r e v e a le d , w o u l d b e e m b a r r a s s i n g , o r w o r s e . I t
d e p e n d s , o f c o u rs e , o n th e n a tu re o f th e s e c re t as to h o w
f a r s o m e o n e w il l g o t o k e e p i t h i d d e n . A l it tl e h a r m l e s s
d e c e p t i o n , b e i n g ‘e c o n o m i c a l w i t h t h e t r u t h ’, o u t r i g h t lie s ?
B u t w h a t i f a n o t h e r p e r s o n a l r e a d y k n o w s ? W h a t i f th e y
t h r e a t e n t o te ll? B e in g b l a c k m a i l e d is a m o s t u n p l e a s a n t
e x p e r ie n c e , b u t p e r h a p s i t is t h e le s s e r o f t w o e v ils .
M r S p ille r h a s j u s t i n s t a l l e d a n o r n a m e n t a l f o u n t a i n in
h is g a r d e n . H e is r a t h e r p r o u d o f i t, a n d t a k e s h is d i n n e r
g u e s ts o u t to a d m ire it. H is n e ig h b o u r M rs D ig b y is
e n t h u s i a s t i c , h is f u t u r e s o n - i n - l a w m il d ly s a r c a s t i c , a n d M r
G ooch d i s a g r e e a b ly o f f e n s iv e . In fa c t, M r G o o c h ’s
b e h a v i o u r s tr ik e s t h e o n l y j a r r i n g n o t e i n a n o t h e r w i s e
p l e a s a n t e v e n in g . . .
 Th e Fo u n t a in Pl ays

4 e s , ’ s a i d M r S p i l l e r , i n a s a t i s f i e d t o n e , ‘I m u s t s a y I l i k e a
b it o f o r n a m e n ta l w a te r . G iv e s a fin is h t o t h e p la c e .’
‘T h e V e r s a i l l e s * t o u c h , ’ a g r e e d R o n a l d P r o u d f o o t .
M r S p ille r g la n c e d s h a rp ly at h im , as th o u g h s u s p e c tin g
sa rc a sm , b u t h is le a n fa c e ex p re sse d n o th in g w h a ts o e v e r. M r
S p ille r w as never q u ite at h is ease in th e com pany of h is
d a u g h t e r ’s fia n c e , th o u g h he w as p ro u d of th e g i r l ’s
a c h ie v e m e n t. W ith a ll h is (to M r S p il l e r ) u n a m i a b l e q u a litie s ,
R o n a ld P ro u d fo o t w as a p e rfe c t g e n tle m a n , and B e tty w as
c o m p le te ly w r a p p e d u p in h im .
‘T h e o n l y t h i n g i t w a n t s , ’ c o n t i n u e d M r S p i l l e r , ‘t o m y m i n d ,
t h a t i s , is O p e n i n g U p . T o m a k e a V i s t a , s o t o s a y . Y o u d o n ’t g e t
th e E f fe c t w i t h th e s e b u s h e s o n a ll f o u r s id e s .’
‘O h , I d o n ’t k n o w , M r S p i l l e r , ’ o b j e c t e d M r s D i g b y i n h e r m i l d
v o i c e . ‘D o n ’t y o u t h i n k i t m a k e s r a t h e r a f a s c i n a t i n g s u r p r i s e ? Y o u
com e a lo n g th e p a th , n e v e r d re a m in g t h e r e ’s a n y t h i n g b e h in d
th o s e lila c s , a n d th e n y o u t u r n th e c o r n e r a n d c o m e s u d d e n ly u p o n
i t . I ’m s u r e , w h e n y o u b r o u g h t m e d o w n t o s e e i t t h i s a f t e r n o o n ,
it q u ite to o k m y b r e a th a w a y .’
‘T h e r e ’s t h a t , o f c o u r s e , ’ a d m i t t e d M r S p i l l e r . I t o c c u r r e d t o
h im , n o t f o r th e firs t tim e , t h a t th e r e w a s s o m e th in g v e ry a ttr a c tiv e
a b o u t M r s D i g b y ’s s i l v e r y p e r s o n a l i t y . S h e h a d d i s t i n c t i o n , t o o . A
w id o w a n d w i d o w e r o f t h e s e n s i b l e t i m e o f li f e , w i t h a b i t o f
m oney on b o th s id e s , m ig h t do w o rse th a n s e ttle dow n
c o m f o r ta b ly in a p le a s a n t h o u s e w ith h a lf a n a c re o f g a r d e n a n d
a b it o f o rn a m e n ta l w a te r.
‘A n d i t ’s s o p r e t t y a n d s e c l u d e d , ’ w e n t o n M r s D i g b y , ‘w i t h
th e s e g lo rio u s rh o d o d e n d ro n s. Look how p re tty th e y a re , a ll
s p ra y e d w ith th e w a te r - lik e f a ir y je w e ls - a n d th e ru s tic se a t
70 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

a g a in s t th o s e d a r k c y p re s s e s a t th e b a c k . R e a lly I ta lia n . A n d th e
s c e n t o f t h e l i l a c is s o m a r v e l l o u s ! ’
M r S p ille r k n e w t h a t th e c y p re s s e s w e r e , in f a c t, y e w s , b u t h e
d id n o t c o r r e c t h e r. A little ig n o r a n c e w a s b e c o m in g in a w o m a n .
H e g la n c e d fro m th e c o to n e a s te r s a t o n e s id e o f th e f o u n t a i n to
th e rh o d o d e n d ro n s on th e o th e r, th e ir ra in b o w flo w e r-tru s s e s
sp a rk lin g w ith d ia m o n d d ro p s .
‘I w a s n ’t th in k in g of to u c h in g th e rh o d o d e n d ro n s or th e
c o t o n e a s t e r s , ’ h e s a i d . ‘I o n l y t h o u g h t o f c u t t i n g t h r o u g h t h a t g r e a t
h e d g e o f lila c , s o a s to m a k e a v is ta f r o m th e h o u s e . B u t th e la d ie s
m u s t a l w a y s h a v e t h e l a s t w o r d , m u s t n ’t t h e y - e r - R o n a l d ? ’ ( H e
n e v e r c o u l d b r i n g o u t P r o u d f o o t ’s C h r i s t i a n n a m e n a t u r a l l y . ) ‘I f
y o u lik e it a s it is , M r s D ig b y , t h a t s e ttle s it. T h e lila c s s h a ll s ta y .’
‘I t ’s t o o f l a t t e r i n g o f y o u , ’ s a i d M r s D i g b y , ‘b u t y o u m u s t n ’t
t h i n k o f a l t e r i n g y o u r p l a n s f o r m e . I h a v e n ’t a n y r i g h t t o i n t e r f e r e
w ith y o u r b e a u tifu l g a r d e n .’
‘I n d e e d y o u h a v e , ’ s a i d M r S p i l l e r . ‘I d e f e r t o y o u r t a s t e e n t i r e l y .
Y o u h a v e s p o k e n f o r th e lila c s , a n d h e n c e f o r w a r d th e y a re s a c r e d .’
‘I s h a l l b e a f r a i d t o g iv e a n o p i n i o n o n a n y t h i n g , a f t e r t h a t , ’
s a i d M r s D i g b y , s h a k i n g h e r h e a d . ‘B u t w h a t e v e r y o u d e c i d e t o
d o , I ’m s u r e it w ill b e lo v e ly . I t w a s a m a r v e llo u s id e a t o th i n k
o f p u ttin g th e f o u n ta in th e r e . I t m a k e s a ll th e d iffe re n c e to th e
g a r d e n .’
M r S p ille r t h o u g h t s h e w a s q u ite r ig h t. A n d in d e e d , th o u g h th e
f o u n t a i n w a s r a t h e r f l a t t e r e d b y t h e n a m e o f ‘o r n a m e n t a l w a t e r ’,
c o n s is tin g a s it d id o f a m a r b le b a s in s e t in th e c e n tre o f a p o o l
a b o u t f o u r fe e t s q u a r e , it m a d e a b ra v e s h o w , w ith its p lu m e o f
d a n c in g w a te r , fifte e n f e e t h ig h , to w e r in g o v e r th e s m a lle r s h r u b s
a n d a lm o s t o v e r to p p in g th e ta ll lila c s . A n d its c o o lin g s p la s h a n d
tin k le s o o th e d th e e a r o n th is p le a s a n t d a y o f e a rly s u m m e r.
‘C o s t s a b i t t o r u n , d o e s n ’t i t ? ’ d e m a n d e d M r G o o c h . H e h a d
been s ile n t u p till n o w , and M rs D ig b y fe lt th a t h is re m a rk
 T h e F o u n ta in P la y s 71

b e t r a y e d a r a t h e r s o r d i d o u t l o o k o n l if e . I n d e e d , f r o m th e firs t
m om ent of m e e tin g M r G ooch, she had p ro n o u n c e d h im
d e c id e d ly c o m m o n , a n d w o n d ered th a t he s h o u ld be on such
in tim a te te rm s w ith h e r h o s t.
‘N o , n o , ’ r e p l i e d M r S p i l l e r . ‘N o , i t ’s n o t e x p e n s i v e . Y o u s e e , i t
u se s th e s a m e w a te r o v e r a n d o v e r a g a in . M o s t in g e n io u s . T h e
fo u n ta in s in T ra fa lg a r S q u a re * w o rk on th e sam e p rin c ip le , I
b e lie v e . O f c o u r s e , I h a d t o p a y a b it t o h a v e it p u t in , b u t I th in k
i t ’s w o r t h t h e m o n e y . ’
‘Y e s , i n d e e d , ’ s a i d M r s D i g b y
‘I a l w a y s s a i d y o u w e r e a w a r m m a n * , S p i l l e r , ’ s a i d M r G o o c h ,
w i t h h i s v u l g a r l a u g h . ‘W i s h I w a s i n y o u r s h o e s . A s n u g s p o t ,
t h a t ’s w h a t I c a l l t h i s p l a c e . S n u g . ’
‘I ’m n o t a m i l l i o n a i r e , ’ a n s w e r e d M r S p i l l e r , r a t h e r s h o r t l y . ‘B u t
th in g s m ig h t b e w o rs e in th e s e tim e s . O f c o u r s e ,’ h e a d d e d , m o re
c h e e r f u l l y , ‘o n e h a s t o b e c a r e f u l . I t u r n t h e f o u n t a i n o f f a t n i g h t ,
f o r in s ta n c e , to s a v e le a k a g e a n d w a s te .’
‘I ’ll s w e a r y o u do, you dam ned o ld m is e r ,’ s a id M r G ooch
o ffe n s iv e ly .
M r S p ille r w a s s a v e d r e p ly in g b y t h e s o u n d in g o f a g o n g in th e
d is ta n c e .
‘A h ! t h e r e ’s d i n n e r , ’ h e a n n o u n c e d , w i t h a c e r t a i n r e l i e f i n h i s
to n e . T h e p a rty w o u n d th e ir w a y o u t b e tw e e n th e lila c s , a n d
p a c e d g e n tly u p th e lo n g c ra z y p a v e m e n t, p a s t th e h e rb a c e o u s
b o r d e r s a n d th e tw o lo n g b e d s o f r a w little tic k e te d ro s e s , to th e
g l o r i f i e d v i l l a w h i c h M r S p i l l e r h a d c h r i s t e n e d ‘T h e P l e a s a u n c e ’.
It seem ed to M rs D ig b y th a t th e re w as a s lig h tly s tra in e d
a tm o s p h e r e a b o u t d in n e r , th o u g h B e tty , p r e tty a s a p ic tu r e a n d
v e ry m uch in lo v e w ith R o n a ld P ro u d fo o t, m ade a p e rfe c tly
c h a rm in g little h o s te s s . T h e ja rrin g n o te w as so u n d ed by M r
G o o c h . H e a t e t o o n o i s i l y , d r a n k f a r t o o f r e e l y , g o t o n P r o u d f o o t ’s
n e rv e s a n d b e h a v e d t o M r S p ille r w i t h a k in d o f v e ile d in s o le n c e
72 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

w h ic h w as e m b a rra s s in g and d is a g re e a b le to lis te n to . She

w o n d e r e d a g a in w h e r e h e h a d c o m e f r o m , a n d w h y M r S p ille r p u t
u p w ith h im . S h e k n e w little a b o u t h im , e x c e p t th a t fr o m tim e to
t i m e h e t u r n e d u p o n a v i s i t t o ‘T h e P l e a s a u n c e ’, u s u a l l y s t a y i n g
th e re a b o u t a m o n th a n d b e in g , a p p a r e n tly , w e ll s u p p lie d w ith
c a s h . S h e h a d a n id e a t h a t h e w a s s o m e k in d o f c o m m is s io n a g e n t,
th o u g h sh e c o u ld n o t re c a ll a n y d is tin c t s ta te m e n t o n th is p o in t.
M r S p ille r had s e ttle d dow n in th e v illa g e about th re e y e a rs
p r e v io u s ly , a n d s h e h a d a lw a y s lik e d h im . T h o u g h n o t, in a n y
se n se o f th e w o rd , a c u ltiv a te d m a n , h e w a s k in d , g e n e ro u s a n d
u n a s s u m in g , a n d h is d e v o tio n t o B e tty h a d s o m e th in g v e ry lo v a b le
a b o u t it. M r G o o c h h a d s ta r te d c o m in g a b o u t a y e a r la te r . M rs
D ig b y s a id t o h e r s e lf t h a t if e v e r s h e w a s in a p o s itio n t o la y d o w n
t h e l a w a t ‘T h e P l e a s a u n c e ’ - a n d s h e h a d b e g u n t o t h i n k m a t t e r s
w e r e te n d in g t h a t w a y - h e r in flu e n c e w o u ld b e d ir e c te d t o g e ttin g
rid o f M r G o o c h .
‘H o w a b o u t a s p o t o f b r id g e ? ’ s u g g e s te d R o n a ld P r o u d f o o t,
w h e n c o ffe e h a d b e e n s e rv e d . It w a s n ic e , re fle c te d M r s D ig b y , to
h a v e c o ffe e b r o u g h t in b y th e m a n s e r v a n t. M a s te r s w a s r e a lly a
v e ry w e ll- tr a in e d b u tle r , th o u g h h e d id c o m b in e t h e o ffic e w ith
t h a t o f c h a u f f e u r . O n e w o u l d b e c o m f o r t a b l e a t ‘T h e P l e a s a u n c e ’.
F ro m th e d in in g -ro o m w in d o w sh e c o u ld se e th e n e a t g a ra g e
h o u s in g th e W o ls e le y s a lo o n o n th e g r o u n d f lo o r, w ith a r o o m
f o r th e c h a u f f e u r a b o v e it, a n d to p p e d o ff b y a h a n d s o m e g ild e d
w e a th e r - v a n e a - g litte r in th e la s t r a y s o f th e s u n . A g o o d c o o k , a
s m a rt p a rlo u rm a id and e v e ry th in g done e x a c tly as one c o u ld
w is h - if s h e w e re to m a r r y M r S p ille r s h e w o u ld b e a b le , f o r th e
f i r s t t i m e i n h e r li f e , t o a f f o r d a p e r s o n a l m a id a s w e ll. T h e r e
w o u l d b e p l e n t y o f r o o m i n t h e h o u s e , a n d o f c o u r s e , w h e n B e tt y
w a s m a rrie d -
B e tty , sh e th o u g h t, w as not o v e r-p le a s e d th a t R o n a ld had
s u g g e s te d b r i d g e . B r i d g e is n o t a g a m e t h a t l e n d s i t s e l f t o th e
 T h e F o u n ta in P la y s 73

e x p r e s s io n o f te n d e r fe e lin g , a n d it w o u ld p e r h a p s h a v e lo o k e d
b e tte r if R o n a ld h a d e n tic e d B e tty o u t t o s it in th e lila c - s c e n te d
du sk under th e y e w -h e d g e by th e fo u n ta in . M rs D ig b y w as
s o m e tim e s a f r a id t h a t B e tty w a s th e m o r e in lo v e o f th e t w o . B u t
if R o n a ld w a n te d a n y th in g he had to h a v e it, o f c o u r s e , a n d
p e r s o n a lly , M r s D ig b y e n jo y e d n o th in g b e tte r th a n a q u ie t r u b b e r .
B e s id e s , th e a r r a n g e m e n t h a d th e a d v a n ta g e t h a t it g o t r i d o f M r
G o o c h . ‘D o n ’t p l a y b r i d g e , ’ M r G o o c h w a s w o n t t o s a y . ‘N e v e r
h a d t i m e t o l e a r n . W e d i d n ’t p l a y b r i d g e w h e r e I w a s b r o u g h t u p . ’
He re p e a te d th e re m a rk now , and fo llo w e d it up w ith a
c o n t e m p t u o u s s n o r t d i r e c t e d a t M r S p il l e r .
‘N e v e r t o o l a t e t o b e g i n , ’ s a i d t h e l a t t e r p a c i f i c a l l y .
‘N o t m e ! ’ r e t o r t e d M r G o o c h . ‘I ’m g o i n g t o h a v e a t u r n i n t h e
g a r d e n . W h e r e ’s t h a t f e l l o w M a s t e r s ? T e l l h i m t o t a k e t h e w h i s k y
a n d s o d a d o w n t o t h e f o u n t a i n . T h e d e c a n t e r , m i n d - o n e d r i n k ’s
n o g o o d t o y o u r s t r u l y ’*'.’ H e p l u n g e d a t h i c k h a n d i n t o t h e b o x
o f C o r o n a s o n th e s id e -ta b le , to o k o u t a h a n d f u l o f c ig a rs a n d
p a s s e d o u t th r o u g h th e F re n c h w in d o w o f th e lib r a r y o n to th e
te rra c e . M r S p ille r r a n g th e b e ll and gave th e o rd e r w ith o u t
c o m m e n t, a n d p re s e n tly th e y s a w M a s te rs p a d dow n th e lo n g
c ra z y p a th b e tw e e n th e ro s e -b e d s a n d th e h e rb a c e o u s b o rd e rs ,
b e a r in g th e w h is k y a n d s o d a o n a tra y .
T h e o th e r f o u r p la y e d o n till 1 0 .3 0 , w h e n a r u b b e r c o m in g to
a n e n d , M r s D ig b y r o s e a n d s a id it w a s tim e s h e w e n t h o m e . H e r
h o s t g a l l a n t l y o f f e r e d t o a c c o m p a n y h e r . ‘T h e s e t w o y o u n g p e o p l e
can lo o k a fte r th e m s e lv e s fo r a m o m e n t,’ h e added, w ith a
c o n s p i r a t o r i a l s m il e .
‘T h e y o u n g c a n l o o k a f t e r t h e m s e l v e s b e t t e r t h a n t h e o l d , t h e s e
d a y s .’ S h e la u g h e d a little s h y ly , a n d r a is e d n o o b je c tio n w h e n M r
S p ille r d r e w h e r h a n d in to h is a r m a s th e y w a lk e d th e c o u p le o f
h u n d r e d y a rd s to h e r c o tta g e . S h e h e s ita te d a m o m e n t w h e th e r to
a s k h im in , b u t d e c id e d t h a t a s w e e t d e c o r u m s u ite d h e r s ty le b e s t.
74 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

S h e s tr e tc h e d o u t a s o ft, b e rin g e d h a n d to h im o v e r th e to p o f th e
little w h ite g a te . H is p r e s s u r e lin g e re d - h e w o u ld h a v e k is s e d th e
h a n d , s o in s id io u s w a s th e s c e n t o f th e r e d a n d w h ite h a w th o r n s
in h e r trim g a rd e n , b u t b e fo re h e h a d s u m m o n e d u p th e c o u ra g e ,
s h e h a d w ith d r a w n it f r o m h is c la s p a n d w a s g o n e .
M r S p ille r, o p e n in g h is o w n f r o n t d o o r in a n a g r e e a b le d r e a m ,
e n c o u n te re d M a s te rs .
‘W h e r e is e v e r y b o d y , M a s t e r s ? ’
‘M r P r o u d f o o t l e f t f iv e o r t e n m in u te s s in c e , s ir, a n d M is s
E liz a b e th h a s r e tir e d .’
‘O h ! ’ M r S p i l l e r w a s a l i t t l e s t a r t l e d . T h e n e w g e n e r a t i o n , h e
t h o u g h t s a d ly , d id n o t m a k e lo v e lik e th e o ld . H e h o p e d th e r e w a s
n o t h i n g w r o n g . A n o th e r ir r i t a t i n g t h o u g h t p r e s e n te d its e lf.
‘H a s M r G o o c h c o m e i n ? ’
‘I c o u l d n o t s a y , s i r . S h a ll I g o a n d s e e ? ’
‘N o , n e v e r m i n d . ’ I f G o o c h h a d b e e n s o z z l i n g h i m s e l f u p w i t h
w h is k y s in c e d in n e r - tim e , it w a s ju s t a s w e ll M a s te r s s h o u ld k e e p
aw ay fro m h im . Y ou never knew . M a s te rs w a s one o f th e se
s o f t- s p o k e n b e g g a rs , b u t h e m ig h t ta k e a d v a n ta g e . B e tte r n o t to
tr u s t s e rv a n ts , a n y h o w .
‘Y o u c a n c u t a l o n g t o b e d . I ’ll l o c k u p . ’
‘V e r y g o o d , s i r . ’
‘O h , b y t h e w a y , is t h e f o u n t a i n t u r n e d o f f ? ’
‘Y e s , s i r . I t u r n e d i t o f f m y s e l f , s i r , a t h a l f - p a s t t e n , s e e i n g t h a t
y o u w e re e n g a g e d , s ir .’
‘Q u i t e r i g h t . G o o d - n i g h t , M a s t e r s . ’
‘G o o d - n i g h t , s i r . ’
H e h e a rd th e m a n g o o u t b y th e b a c k a n d c ro ss th e p a v e d c o u rt
to th e g a ra g e . T h o u g h tfu lly he b o lte d b o th e n tra n c e s , and
r e tu r n e d t o th e lib r a r y . T h e w h is k y d e c a n te r w a s n o t in its u s u a l
p la c e - n o d o u b t it w a s s till w ith G o o c h in th e g a r d e n - b u t h e
m ix e d h im s e lf a s m a ll b ra n d y and soda, and d ra n k it. He
 T h e F o u n ta in P la y s 75

s u p p o s e d h e m u s t n o w fa c e th e tire s o m e b u s in e s s o f g e ttin g G o o c h
u p to b e d . T h e n , s u d d e n ly , h e re a liz e d th a t th e e n c o u n te r w o u ld
ta k e p la c e h e re a n d n o t in th e g a rd e n . G o o c h w a s c o m in g in
t h r o u g h th e F r e n c h w in d o w . H e w a s d r u n k , b u t n o t , M r S p ille r
o b s e r v e d w ith re lie f, in c a p a b ly s o .
‘W e l l ? ’ s a i d G o o c h .
‘W e l l ? ’ r e t o r t e d M r S p i l l e r .
‘H a d a g o o d t i m e w i t h t h e a c c o m m o d a t i n g w i d o w , e h ? E n j o y e d
y o u r s e l f ? L u c k y o l d h o u n d , a r e n ’t y o u ? F a l l e n s o f t i n y o u r o l d

age, eh?’
‘T h e r e , t h a t ’ll d o , ’ s a i d M r S p i l l e r .
‘O h , w i l l i t ? T h a t ’s g o o d . T h a t ’s r i c h . T h a t ’ll d o , e h ? T h i n k I ’m
M a s te r s , ta lk in g t o m e lik e t h a t ? ’ M r G o o c h g a v e a th ic k c h u c k le .
‘W e l l , I ’m n o t M a s t e r s , I ’m m a s t e r h e r e . G e t t h a t i n t o y o u r h e a d .
I ’m m a s t e r a n d y o u d a m n w e l l k n o w i t . ’
‘A ll r i g h t , ’ r e p l i e d M r S p i l l e r m e e k l y , ‘b u t b u z z o f f t o b e d n o w ,
t h e r e ’s a g o o d f e l l o w . I t ’s g e t t i n g l a t e a n d I ’m t i r e d . ’
‘Y o u ’ll b e t i r e d e r b e f o r e I ’v e d o n e w i t h y o u . ’ M r G o o c h t h r u s t
b o th h a n d s in to h is p o c k e ts a n d s to o d - a b u lk y a n d th r e a te n in g
f i g u r e - s w a y i n g r a t h e r d a n g e r o u s l y . ‘I ’m s h o r t o f c a s h , ’ h e a d d e d .
‘H a d a b a d w e e k - c l e a n e d m e o u t . T i m e y o u s t u m p e d u p a b i t
m o r e .’
‘N o n s e n s e , ’ s a i d M r S p i l l e r , w i t h s o m e s p i r i t . ‘I p a y y o u y o u r
a llo w a n c e a s w e a g re e d , a n d le t y o u c o m e a n d s ta y h e r e w h e n e v e r
y o u l i k e , a n d t h a t ’s a l l y o u g e t f r o m m e . ’
‘O h , is i t? G e t t i n g a b i t a b o v e y o u r s e l f , a r e n ’t y o u , N u m b e r
B le e d in g 4 1 3 2 ? ’
‘H u s h ! ’ s a i d M r S p i l l e r , g l a n c i n g h a s t i l y r o u n d a s t h o u g h t h e
f u r n itu r e h a d e a rs a n d to n g u e s .
‘H u s h ! h u s h ! ’ r e p e a t e d M r G o o c h m o c k i n g l y . ‘Y o u ’r e i n a g o o d
p o s i t i o n t o d i c t a t e t e r m s , a r e n ’t y o u , 4 1 3 2 ? H u s h ! T h e s e r v a n t s
m i g h t h e a r ! B e t t y m i g h t h e a r ! B e t t y ’s y o u n g m a n m i g h t h e a r . H a h !
76 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

B e t t y ’s y o u n g m a n - h e ’d b e p a r t i c u l a r l y p l e a s e d t o know her
fa th e r w as an escap ed ja il-b ird , w o u l d n ’t he? L ia b le at any
m o m e n t t o b e h a u le d b a c k t o w o r k o u t h is te n y e a r s ’ h a r d * fo r
f o r g e r y ? A n d w h e n I t h i n k , ’ a d d e d M r G o o c h , ‘t h a t a m a n l i k e
m e , t h a t w a s o n ly in f o r a s h o r t s tr e tc h a n d w o r k e d it o u t g o o d
a n d p r o p e r , is d e p e n d e n t o n t h e c h a r i t y - h a, ha! - o f m y dear
f r i e n d 4 1 3 2 , w h i l e h e ’s r o l l i n g i n w e a l t h - ’
‘I ’m n o t r o l l i n g i n w e a l t h , S a m , ’ s a i d M r S p i l l e r , ‘a n d y o u k n o w
d a r n w e l l I ’m n o t . B u t I d o n ’t w a n t a n y t r o u b l e . I ’ll d o w h a t I
c a n , i f y o u ’ll p r o m i s e f a i t h f u l l y t h i s t i m e t h a t y o u w o n ’t a s k f o r
a n y m o r e o f t h e s e b i g s u m s , b e c a u s e m y i n c o m e w o n ’t s t a n d i t . ’
‘O h , I ’ll p r o m i s e t h a t a ll r i g h t , ’ a g r e e d M r G o o c h c h e e r f u l l y .
‘Y o u g i v e m e f iv e t h o u s a n d d o w n - ’
M r S p ille r u tte r e d a s tr a n g le d e x c la m a tio n .
‘F i v e t h o u s a n d ? H o w d o y o u s u p p o s e I ’m t o l a y h a n d s o n f iv e
th o u s a n d a ll a t o n c e ? D o n ’t b e a n i d i o t , S a m . I ’ll g i v e y o u a
c h e q u e f o r f iv e h u n d r e d - ’
‘F iv e t h o u s a n d , ’ i n s i s t e d M r G o o c h , ‘o r u p g o e s t h e m o n k e y . ’
‘B u t I h a v e n ’t g o t i t , ’ o b j e c t e d M r S p il le r .
‘T h e n y o u ’d b l o o d y w e l l b e t t e r f i n d i t , ’ r e t u r n e d M r G o o c h .
‘H o w d o y o u e x p e c t m e t o f i n d a l l t h a t ? ’
‘T h a t ’s your lo o k -o u t. Y ou o u g h t n ’t to be so dam ned
e x tr a v a g a n t. S p e n d in g g o o d m o n e y , t h a t y o u o u g h t t o b e g iv in g
m e, on fo u n ta in s and s tu ff. N ow , i t ’s no good k ic k in g , M r
R e s p e c t a b l e 4 1 3 2 - I ’m t h e m a n o n t o p a n d y o u ’r e f o r i t , m y l a d ,
i f y o u d o n ’t l o o k a f t e r m e p r o p e r l y . S e e ? ’
M r S p ille r s a w it o n ly to o c le a rly . H e s a w , a s h e h a d s e e n in d e e d
f o r s o m e tim e , t h a t h is f r ie n d G o o c h h a d h im b y th e s h o r t h a irs .
H e e x p o s tu la te d a g a in fe e b ly , a n d G o o c h r e p lie d w ith a la u g h a n d
a n o ffe n s iv e re fe re n c e t o M r s D ig b y .

M r S p ille r d id n o t r e a liz e t h a t h e h a d s tr u c k v e r y h a r d . H e h a r d ly
 T h e F o u n ta in P la y s 77

re a liz e d t h a t h e h a d s tr u c k a t a ll. H e th o u g h t h e h a d a im e d a
b l o w , a n d t h a t G o o c h h a d d o d g e d i t a n d t r i p p e d o v e r t h e le g o f
th e o c c a s io n a l ta b le . B u t h e w a s n o t v e ry c le a r in h is m in d , e x c e p t
o n o n e p o in t. G o o c h w a s d e a d .
H e h a d n o t fa in te d ; h e w a s n o t s tu n n e d . H e w a s d e a d . H e m u s t
h a v e c a u g h t t h e b r a s s c u r b o f t h e f e n d e r a s h e f e l l. T h e r e w a s n o
b lo o d , but M r S p ille r, e x p lo r in g th e in e rt h e a d w ith a n x io u s
fin g e rs , f o u n d a s p o t a b o v e th e te m p le w h e r e th e b o n e y ie ld e d to
p r e s s u r e lik e a c r a c k e d e g g -s h e ll. T h e n o is e o f th e fa ll h a d b e e n
th u n d e r o u s . K n e e lin g th e r e o n th e lib r a r y f lo o r , M r S p ille r w a ite d
f o r th e in e v ita b le c ry a n d f o o ts te p s f r o m u p s ta irs .
N o th in g h a p p e n e d . H e re m e m b e re d - w ith d i f f i c u l t y , f o r h is
m i n d s e e m e d t o b e w o r k i n g s l o w l y a n d s ti f f ly - th a t a b o v e th e
lib r a r y th e re w a s o n ly th e lo n g d r a w in g - r o o m , a n d o v e r th a t th e
s p a re -ro o m a n d b a th ro o m s . N o in h a b ite d b e d ro o m lo o k e d o u t o n
t h a t s id e o f th e h o u s e .
A s lo w , g r in d in g , g r a tin g n o is e s ta r tle d h im . H e w h is k e d r o u n d
h a s tily . T h e o ld -fa s h io n e d g r a n d f a th e r c lo c k , w h e e z in g as th e
h a m m e r r o s e in to a c tio n , s tr u c k e le v e n . H e w ip e d th e s w e a t f r o m
h is f o r e h e a d , g o t u p a n d p o u r e d h im s e lf o u t a n o th e r , a n d a s tiffe r,
b ra n d y .
T h e d r in k d id h im g o o d . I t s e e m e d t o ta k e th e b r a k e o f f h is
m in d , a n d th e w h e e ls s p a n e n e rg e tic a lly . A n e x tr a o r d in a r y c la rity
to o k th e p la c e o f h is p r e v io u s c o n f u s io n .
H e h a d m u r d e r e d G o o c h . H e h a d n o t e x a c tly in te n d e d to d o
s o , b u t h e h a d d o n e it. I t h a d n o t fe lt t o h im lik e m u r d e r , b u t
th e r e w a s n o t th e s lig h te s t d o u b t w h a t th e p o lic e w o u ld th in k
a b o u t it. A n d o n c e h e w a s in th e h a n d s o f th e p o lic e - M r S p ille r
sh u d d e re d . T hey w o u ld a lm o s t c e rta in ly w ant to ta k e h is
f in g e r-p rin ts , a n d w o u ld b e s u r p r is e d to re c o g n iz e a b u n c h o f o ld
frie n d s .
M a s te r s h a d h e a r d h im sa y t h a t h e w o u ld w a it u p fo r G o o c h .
78 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

M a s te rs knew th a t ev e ry b o d y e ls e had gone to b e d . M a s te rs

w o u l d u n d o u b te d ly g u e s s s o m e th in g . B u t s to p !
C o u ld M a s te r s p ro v e t h a t h e h im s e lf h a d g o n e to b e d ? Y es,
p r o b a b ly h e c o u ld . S o m e b o d y w o u ld h a v e h e a r d h im c ro s s th e
c o u r t a n d se e n th e lig h t g o u p o v e r th e g a ra g e . O n e c o u ld n o t
h o p e to th ro w s u s p ic io n o n M a s te r s - b e s id e s , th e m a n h a r d ly
d e s e r v e d t h a t . B u t t h e m e r e i d e a h a d s t a r t e d M r S p i l l e r ’s b r a i n o n
a n e w a n d a ttr a c tiv e lin e o f th o u g h t.
W h a t h e re a lly w a n te d w a s a n a lib i. If h e c o u ld o n ly c o n fu s e
th e p o lic e a s to th e tim e a t w h ic h G o o c h h a d d ie d . I f G o o c h c o u ld
b e m a d e t o s e e m a liv e a f te r h e w a s d e a d . . . s o m e h o w . . .
H e c a s t h is th o u g h ts b a c k o v e r s to r ie s h e h a d r e a d o n h o lid a y ,
d e a lin g w ith th is v e ry m a tte r . Y o u d re s s e d u p a s th e d e a d m a n a n d
im p e r s o n a te d h im . Y o u te le p h o n e d in h is n a m e . In th e h e a r in g o f
t h e b u t l e r , y o u s p o k e t o t h e d e a d m a n a s t h o u g h h e w e r e a l iv e .
Y o u m a d e a g r a m o p h o n e r e c o r d o f h is v o ic e a n d p la y e d it. Y o u
h id th e b o d y , a n d th e re a fte r s e n t a fo rg e d le tte r f ro m so m e d is ta n t
p la c e -
H e p a u s e d fo r a m o m e n t. F o rg e ry - b u t h e d id n o t w a n t to s ta r t
t h a t o ld g a m e o v e r a g a in . A n d a ll th e s e th in g s w e r e t o o e la b o r a te ,
o r e ls e im p r a c tic a b le a t t h a t tim e o f n ig h t.
A n d th e n it c a m e to h im s u d d e n ly t h a t h e w a s a fo o l. G o o c h
m u s t n o t b e m a d e t o l iv e l a t e r , b u t t o d ie e a r l i e r . H e s h o u l d d i e
b e fo re 1 0 .3 0 , a t th e tim e w h e n M r S p ille r, u n d e r th e e y e s o f th r e e
o b s e rv e rs , h a d b e e n p la y in g b rid g e .
S o fa r, th e id e a w a s sound and e v e n , in its b ro a d o u tlin e ,
o b v io u s . B u t n o w o n e h a d to c o m e d o w n to d e ta il. H o w c o u ld
h e e s ta b lis h th e tim e ? W a s th e r e a n y th in g t h a t h a d h a p p e n e d a t
1 0 .3 0 ?
H e h e lp e d h im s e lf to a n o th e r d r in k , a n d th e n , q u ite s u d d e n ly ,
a s th o u g h lit b y a flo o d lig h t, h e s a w h is w h o le p la n , p ic k e d o u t
v iv id ly , c o m p le te , w ith e v e ry jo in a n d a n g le c le a r-c u t.
 T h e F o u n ta in P la y s 79

H e g la n c e d a t h is w a tc h ; th e h a n d s s to o d a t tw e n ty m in u te s
p a s t e le v e n . H e h a d th e n ig h t b e f o r e h im .
H e fe tc h e d a n e le c tric to r c h f r o m th e h a ll a n d s te p p e d b o ld ly
o u t o f th e F r e n c h w in d o w . C lo s e b e s id e it, a g a in s t th e w a ll o f th e
h o u s e , w e r e tw o ta p s , o n e e n d in g in a n o z z le f o r th e g a r d e n h o s e ,
th e o th e r c o n tr o llin g th e f o u n ta in a t th e b o tto m o f th e g a rd e n .
T h is l a t t e r h e t u r n e d o n , a n d th e n , w i t h o u t tr o u b l i n g t o m u ffle h is
f o o ts te p s , f o llo w e d th e c r a z y - p a v e d p a t h d o w n t o th e lila c h e d g e ,
a n d r o u n d b y th e b e d o f th e c o to n e a s te rs . T h e s k y , d e s p ite th e
b e a u ty o f th e e a rly e v e n in g , h a d n o w tu rn e d v e ry d a rk , a n d h e
c o u ld s c a rc e ly s e e th e ta ll c o lu m n o f p a le w a te r a b o v e th e d a r k
s h r u b b e r y , b u t h e h e a r d its c o m f o r tin g s p la s h a n d r ip p le , a n d as
h e s te p p e d u p o n th e s u r r o u n d in g g r a s s h e fe lt th e b lo w n s p ra y
u p o n h is fa c e . T h e b e a m o f th e to r c h s h o w e d h im th e g a r d e n s e a t
b e n e a th th e y e w s, a n d th e tr a y , a s h e h a d e x p e c te d , s ta n d in g u p o n
it. T h e w h is k y d e c a n te r w a s a b o u t h a l f fu ll. H e e m p tie d th e g r e a te r
p a r t o f its c o n te n ts in to th e b a s in , w ra p p in g th e neck o f th e
d e c a n t e r i n h i s h a n d k e r c h i e f , s o a s t o le a v e n o f i n g e r p r i n t s . T h e n ,
r e tu r n in g to th e o t h e r s id e o f th e lila c s , h e s a tis fie d h im s e lf t h a t
th e s p r a y o f th e f o u n t a i n w a s in v is ib le f r o m h o u s e o r g a r d e n .
T h e n e x t p a r t o f th e p e r f o r m a n c e h e d id n o t c a re a b o u t. I t w a s
ris k y ; it m ig h t b e h e a r d ; in fa c t, h e w a n te d it t o be h e a rd if
n e c e s s a r y - b u t i t w a s a r i s k . H e l i c k e d h i s d r y li p s a n d c a l l e d t h e
d ead m an by nam e:
‘G o o c h ! G o o c h ! ’
N o a n s w e r , e x c e p t th e s p la s h o f th e f o u n ta in , s o u n d in g t o h is
a n x io u s e a r a b n o r m a lly l o u d in th e s tilln e s s . H e g la n c e d r o u n d ,
a lm o s t a s th o u g h h e e x p e c te d th e c o rp s e to s ta lk a w fu lly o u t u p o n
h im fro m th e d a rk n e s s , its h e a d h a n g in g and its d a r k m o u th
d r o p p in g o p e n t o s h o w th e p a le g le a m o f its d e n tu r e s . T h e n , p u llin g
h im s e lf to g e th e r , h e w a lk e d b ris k ly b a c k u p th e p a th a n d , w h e n
h e re a c h e d th e h o u s e a g a in , lis te n e d . T h e re w a s n o m o v e m e n t, n o
80 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

s o u n d b u t th e tic k in g o f th e c lo c k . H e s h u t th e lib r a r y d o o r g e n tly .

F r o m n o w o n th e re m u s t b e n o n o is e .
T h e r e w a s a p a i r o f g a lo s h e s in th e c l o a k - r o o m n e a r th e p a n tr y .
H e p u t th e m o n a n d s lip p e d lik e a s h a d o w th r o u g h th e F re n c h
w in d o w a g a in ; th e n ro u n d th e house in to th e c o u rty a rd . He
g la n c e d u p a t th e g a ra g e ; th e r e w a s n o lig h t in th e u p p e r s to ry
a n d h e b r e a th e d a s ig h o f re lie f, f o r M a s te r s w a s a p t s o m e tim e s
to b e w a k e f u l. G r o p in g h is w a y to a n o u th o u s e , h e s w itc h e d th e
t o r c h o n . H is w ife h a d b e e n a n in v a lid f o r s o m e y e a r s b e f o r e h e r
d e a th , a n d h e h a d b r o u g h t h e r w h e e le d c h a ir w ith h im to ‘T h e
P l e a s a u n c e ’, h a v i n g a d i m , s e n t i m e n t a l r e l u c t a n c e t o s e l l t h e t h i n g .
He w as th a n k fu l fo r th a t, now ; th a n k fu l, to o , th a t he had
p u r c h a s e d it fr o m a g o o d m a k e r a n d t h a t it r a n s o l i g h t l y a n d
s ile n tly o n its p n e u m a tic ty r e s . H e f o u n d th e b ic y c le p u m p a n d
b le w th e ty re s u p h a r d a n d , f o r f u r th e r p r e c a u tio n , a d m in is te r e d
a d r o p o f o il h e r e a n d th e r e . T h e n , w ith in fin ite p r e c a u t i o n , h e
w h e e le d th e c h a ir ro u n d to th e lib ra ry w in d o w . H o w fo rtu n a te
t h a t h e h a d p u t d o w n s to n e fla g s a n d c r a z y p a v in g e v e r y w h e r e ,
so th a t n o w h e e l-tra c k s c o u ld sh o w .
T h e jo b o f g e ttin g th e b o d y th r o u g h th e w in d o w a n d in to th e
c h a ir to o k it o u t o f h im . G o o c h h a d b e e n a h e a v y m a n , a n d h e
h im s e lf w a s n o t in g o o d tr a in in g . B u t it w a s d o n e a t la s t. R e s is tin g
th e im p u ls e t o r u n , h e p u s h e d h is b u r d e n g e n tly a n d s te a d ily a lo n g
th e n a r r o w s tr ip o f p a v in g . H e c o u ld n o t see v e ry w e ll, a n d h e
w a s a f r a id t o fla s h h is t o r c h t o o o f te n . A s lip o f f th e p a t h i n to th e
h e r b a c e o u s b o r d e r w o u l d b e f a ta l; h e s e t h is te e th a n d k e p t h is
g a z e fix e d s te a d ily a h e a d o f h im . H e fe lt a s th o u g h , if h e lo o k e d
b a c k a t th e h o u s e , h e w o u ld se e th e u p p e r w in d o w s th r o n g e d
w ith s ta r in g w h ite fa c e s . T h e im p u ls e to tu r n h is h e a d w a s a lm o s t
i r r e s i s t i b l e , b u t h e d e t e r m i n e d t h a t h e w o u l d n o t t u r n it.
A t le n g th h e w a s r o u n d th e e d g e o f th e lila c s a n d h id d e n f r o m
th e h o u s e . T h e s w e a t w a s r u n n in g d o w n h is fa c e a n d t h e m o s t
 T h e F o u n ta in P la y s 81

t i c k l i s h p a r t o f h i s t a s k w a s s t i l l t o d o . I f h e b r o k e h i s h e a r t in
th e e ffo rt, h e m u s t c a rry th e b o d y o v e r th e p lo t o f la w n . N o
w h e e l- m a r k s o r h e e l- m a r k s o r s ig n s o f d r a g g in g m u s t b e le ft f o r
th e p o lic e to se e. H e b ra c e d h im s e lf f o r th e e ffo rt.
I t w a s d o n e . T h e c o rp s e o f G o o c h la y th e re b y th e f o u n ta in , th e
b ru is e u p o n th e te m p le c a re fu lly a d ju s te d u p o n th e s h a r p s to n e
edge o f th e p o o l, o n e hand d ra g g in g in th e w a te r , th e lim b s
d is p o s e d a s n a tu ra lly a s p o s s ib le , to lo o k a s th o u g h th e m a n h a d
s tu m b le d a n d fa lle n . O v e r it, f r o m h e a d to f o o t, th e w a te r o f th e
fo u n ta in s p ra y e d , s w a y in g a n d b e n d in g in th e n ig h t w in d . M r
S p ille r lo o k e d upon h is w o r k and saw th a t it w a s g o o d . T h e
jo u rn e y b a c k w ith th e lig h te n e d c h a ir w a s e a sy . W h e n he had
r e tu r n e d th e v e h ic le to th e o u th o u s e a n d p a s s e d f o r th e la s t tim e
t h r o u g h th e lib r a r y w in d o w , h e fe lt a s th o u g h th e b u r d e n o f y e a rs
h a d b e e n ro lle d f r o m h is b a c k .
H is b a c k ! H e h a d re m e m b e r e d to ta k e o ff h is d in n e r - ja c k e t w h ile
s to o p in g in th e sp ra y o f th e fo u n ta in , a n d o n ly h is s h ir t w a s
d r e n c h e d . T h a t h e c o u ld d is p o s e o f in th e lin e n - b a s k e t, b u t th e s e a t
o f h is tr o u s e r s g a v e h im s o m e u n e a s in e s s . H e m o p p e d a t h im s e lf a s
b e s t h e c o u ld w ith h is h a n d k e r c h ie f . T h e n h e m a d e h is c a lc u la tio n s .
I f h e le ft th e f o u n ta in to p la y f o r a n h o u r o r s o it w o u ld , h e th o u g h t,
p r o d u c e th e d e s ir e d e ffe c t. C o n tr o llin g h is d e v o u r in g im p a tie n c e ,
h e s a t d o w n a n d m ix e d h im s e lf a fin a l b r a n d y .
A t o n e o ’c l o c k h e r o s e , t u r n e d o f f t h e f o u n t a i n , s h u t t h e l i b r a r y
w i n d o w w i t h n o m o r e a n d n o le s s t h a n t h e u s u a l n o i s e a n d f o r c e ,
a n d w e n t w ith firm f o o ts te p s u p t o b e d .

I n s p e c t o r F r a m p t o n w a s , t o M r S p i l l e r ’s d e l i g h t , a h i g h l y in t e l l i g e n t
o ffic e r. H e p ic k e d u p th e c lu e s t h r o w n t o h im w ith th e e a g e rn e s s
o f a tr a i n e d te r r ie r . T h e d e a d m a n w a s la s t s e e n a liv e b y M a s te r s
a fte r d in n e r - 8 .3 0 - ju s t so . A fte r w h ic h , th e r e s t o f th e p a r ty
h a d p la y e d b rid g e t o g e th e r till 1 0 .3 0 . M r S p ille r h a d th e n g o n e
82 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

o u t w ith M r s D ig b y . J u s t a f te r h e le ft, M a s te r s h a d tu r n e d o f f th e
f o u n ta in . M r P r o u d f o o t h a d le ft a t 1 0 .4 0 a n d M is s S p ille r a n d th e
m a id s h a d th e n r e tir e d . M r S p ille r h a d c o m e in a g a in a t 1 0 .4 5 o r
1 0 .5 0 , a n d in q u ir e d f o r M r G o o c h . A fte r th is , M a s te r s h a d g o n e
a c r o s s t o th e g a r a g e , le a v in g M r S p ille r t o lo c k u p . L a te r o n , M r
S p ille r h a d g o n e d o w n th e g a r d e n t o lo o k f o r M r G o o c h . H e h a d
g o n e n o f a r t h e r t h a n th e lila c h e d g e , a n d th e r e c a llin g to h im a n d
g e ttin g n o a n s w e r , h a d c o n c lu d e d t h a t h is g u e s t h a d a lr e a d y c o m e
in a n d g o n e t o b e d . T h e h o u s e m a i d f a n c i e d s h e h a d h e a r d h i m
c a llin g M r G ooch. S he p la c e d th is e p is o d e a t a b o u t h a lf-p a s t
e le v e n - c e r ta in ly n o t la te r . M r S p ille r h a d s u b s e q u e n tly s a t u p
r e a d i n g i n t h e l i b r a r y t i l l o n e o ’c l o c k , w h e n h e h a d s h u t t h e w i n d o w
a n d g o n e t o b e d a ls o .
The body, w hen fo u n d by th e g a rd e n e r at 6 .3 0 a .m ., w a s
s till w et w ith th e sp ra y fro m th e fo u n ta in , w h ic h had a ls o
s o a k e d t h e g r a s s b e n e a t h i t . S in c e t h e f o u n t a i n h a d b e e n t u r n e d
o ff a t 1 0 .3 0 , th is m e a n t t h a t G o o c h m ust have la in th e re fo r
a n a p p r e c ia b le p e r io d b e fo re th a t. In v ie w o f th e la rg e q u a n tity
o f w h is k y th a t h e h a d d ru n k , it se e m e d p ro b a b le th a t h e h a d
h a d a h e a r t - a t t a c k , o r h a d d r u n k e n ly s tu m b le d , a n d , in fa llin g ,
had s tru c k h is head on th e edge of th e p o o l. A ll th e s e
c o n s id e ra tio n s fix e d th e tim e of d e a th at fro m 9 .3 0 to 10
o ’c l o c k - an o p in io n w ith w h ic h th e d o c to r, th o u g h d e c lin in g
to c o m m it h im s e lf w ith in an hour o r so , co n c u rre d , a n d th e
c o r o n e r e n te re d a v e rd ic t o f a c c id e n ta l d e a th .

O n ly th e m an w ho has been fo r y e a rs th e h e lp le s s v ic tim of

b la c k m a il c o u ld fu lly e n te r in to M r S p i l l e r ’s fe e lin g s .
C o m p u n c tio n p la y e d n o p a r t in th e m - th e re lie f w a s f a r to o g re a t.
To be rid o f th e d a ily irrita tio n o f G o o c h ’s p r e s e n c e , o f h i s
in s a tia b le d e m a n d s f o r m o n e y , o f th e p e r p e tu a l m e n a c e o f h is
d r u n k e n m a lic e - th e s e b o o n s w e r e w e ll w o r t h a m u r d e r . A n d ,
 T h e F o u n ta in P la y s 83

M r S p ille r in s is te d t o h im s e lf a s h e s a t m u s in g o n th e r u s tic s e a t
b y th e fo u n ta in , it h a d n o t re a lly b e e n m u rd e r. H e d e te rm in e d to
c a ll o n M r s D ig b y t h a t a f te r n o o n . H e c o u ld a s k h e r t o m a r r y h im
n o w w i t h o u t h a u n tin g f e a r f o r t h e f u tu r e . T h e s c e n t o f t h e lila c
w a s in to x ic a tin g .

‘E x c u s e m e , s i r , ’ s a i d M a s t e r s .
M r S p ille r, w ith d r a w in g h is m e d ita tiv e g a z e f r o m th e s p o u tin g
w a te r, lo o k e d in q u irin g ly a t th e m a n -s e rv a n t, w h o s to o d in a
r e s p e c tf u l a ttitu d e b e s id e h im .
‘I f i t is c o n v e n i e n t t o you, s ir, I s h o u ld w is h to have my
b e d r o o m c h a n g e d . I s h o u ld w is h t o s le e p in d o o r s .’
‘O h ? ’ s a i d M r S p i l l e r . ‘W h y t h a t , M a s t e r s ? ’
‘I a m s u b j e c t t o b e a l i g h t s l e e p e r , s i r , e v e r s i n c e t h e w a r , a n d I
fin d th e c r e a k in g o f th e w e a th e r - v a n e v e ry d is tu r b in g .’
‘I t c r e a k s , d o e s i t ? ’
‘Y e s , s i r . O n t h e n i g h t t h a t M r G o o c h s u s t a i n e d h i s u n f o r t u n a t e
a c c id e n t, s ir, th e w in d changed at a q u a r t e r p a s t e le v e n . T h e
c r e a k in g w o k e m e o u t o f m y firs t s le e p , s ir, a n d d is tu r b e d m e v e ry
m u c h .’
A c o ld n e s s g r ip p e d M r S p ille r a t th e p i t o f th e s to m a c h . T h e
s e r v a n t ’s e y e s , i n t h a t m o m e n t , r e m i n d e d h i m c u r i o u s l y o f G o o c h .
H e h a d n e v e r n o tic e d a n y re s e m b la n c e b e fo re .
‘I t ’s a c u r i o u s t h i n g , s i r , i f I m a y s a y s o , t h a t , w i t h t h e w i n d
s h i f t i n g a s i t d i d a t 1 1 . 1 5 , M r G o o c h ’s b o d y s h o u l d h a v e b e c o m e
s p r a y e d b y th e f o u n ta in . U p till 1 1 .1 5 th e s p r a y w a s fa llin g o n th e
o t h e r s id e , s ir. T h e a p p e a r a n c e p r e s e n te d w a s a s th o u g h th e b o d y
h a d b e e n p la c e d in p o s itio n s u b s e q u e n tly t o 1 1 .1 5 , s ir, a n d th e
fo u n ta in tu r n e d o n a g a in .’
‘V e r y s t r a n g e , ’ s a i d M r S p i l l e r . O n t h e o t h e r s i d e o f t h e l i l a c
hedge, he h e a rd th e v o ic e s of B e tty and R o n a ld P ro u d fo o t,
c h a tte rin g as th e y paced to and fro b e tw e e n th e h e rb a c e o u s
84 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

b o rd e rs. T h e y seem ed to b e h a p p y to g e th e r. T h e w h o le h o u s e
se e m e d h a p p ie r, n o w th a t G o o c h w a s g o n e .
‘V e r y s t r a n g e i n d e e d , s ir . I m a y add th a t, a fte r h e a rin g th e
i n s p e c t o r ’s o b s e rv a tio n s , I to o k th e p re c a u tio n to d ry your
d r e s s - tr o u s e r s in th e lin e n - c u p b o a r d in th e b a t h r o o m .’
‘O h , y e s , ’ s a i d M r S p il l e r .
‘I s h a l l n o t , o f c o u r s e , m e n t i o n th e change o f w in d to th e
a u t h o r i t i e s , s i r , a n d n o w t h a t t h e i n q u e s t is o v e r , i t is n o t l i k e l y t o
o c c u r t o a n y b o d y , u n le s s th e i r a t t e n t i o n s h o u ld b e d r a w n t o it. I
t h i n k , s i r , a l l t h i n g s b e i n g t a k e n i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n , y o u m i g h t f in d
it w o r t h y o u r w h ile t o r e ta in m e p e r m a n e n tly in y o u r s e rv ic e a t -
s h a ll w e s a y d o u b le m y p r e s e n t w a g e t o b e g in w i t h ? ’
M r S p i l l e r o p e n e d h i s m o u t h t o s a y , ‘G o t o H e l l , ’ b u t h i s v o i c e
fa ile d h im . H e b o w e d h is h e a d .
‘I a m m u c h o b l i g e d t o y o u , s i r , ’ s a i d M a s t e r s , a n d w i t h d r e w o n
s i l e n t f e e t.
M r S p i l l e r l o o k e d a t t h e f o u n t a i n , w i t h i ts t a l l w a t e r w a v e r i n g
a n d b e n d in g in th e w in d .
‘I n g e n i o u s , ’ h e m u tte re d a u to m a tic a lly , ‘a n d it re a lly c o s ts
n o th in g to ru n . It u se s th e s a m e w a te r o v e r a n d o v e r a g a in .’
 T h e F o u n ta in P la y s 85

N o t es

V e r s a i lle s ( p 6 9 )
L o u is X I V ’s p a l a c e a t V e r s a il le s n e a r P a r is , f a m o u s f o r its g a r d e n s a n d
fo u n ta in s
T r a f a lg a r S q u a re (p 7 1 )
a f a m o u s s q u a r e in L o n d o n , w i t h la r g e f o u n t a i n s
a w a r m m a n (p 7 1 )
a m a n w h o is c o m f o r t a b l y s e tt le d ; r ic h , a f f lu e n t ( n o w r a r e l y u s e d )
y o u rs tru ly (p 7 3 )
a f o r m a l p h r a s e u s e d t o s ig n o f f a l e tt e r , a n d ( a s h e r e ) u s e d in a c o l l o q u i a l
w a y t o m e a n ‘m e ’ o r ‘m y s e lf ’
te n y e a rs ’ h a r d (p7 6)
s h o r t f o r t e n y e a r s ’ h a r d l a b o u r : i m p r i s o n m e n t w i t h h e a v y p h y s ic a l w o r k
as a p u n is h m e n t

D is c u s s io n

1 W h y d o y o u t h i n k M r S p ille r a l l o w s h im s e lf t o b e b l a c k m a i l e d , f ir s t
b y G o o c h a n d t h e n b y M a s t e r s ? W h a t w o u l d y o u h a v e d o n e in h is
p o s itio n ?

2 I f G o o c h h a d n o t d ie d , d o y o u t h i n k M r S p ille r c o u l d h a v e m a r r i e d
M r s D ig b y ? I m a g i n e t h a t M r S p ill e r h a s p r o p o s e d t o M r s D ig b y a n d
b e e n a c c e p te d . H o w m i g h t G o o c h r e s p o n d t o th is ?

3 M r S p ille r , M r G o o c h , a n d M r s D ig b y a l l h a v e d i f f e r e n t a t t i t u d e s
t o w a r d s m o n e y . C a n y o u d e s c r ib e t h e d if f e r e n c e s ?

4 C a n y o u e x p l a i n t h e s ig n i f ic a n c e o f t h e l a s t lin e o f t h e s to r y ?

La n g u a g e Fo c u s

1 W h a t d o th e s e e x p r e s s i o n s m e a n , in t h e c o n t e x t in w h i c h th e y a r e u s e d
in t h e s to r y ? R e p h r a s e t h e m in y o u r o w n w o r d s .

it q u i te t o o k m y b r e a th a w a y ( p 6 9 )
Y o u c a n c u t a lo n g to b e d . ( p 7 4 )
T h a t ’s ric h . ( p 7 5 )
H a d a b a d w e e k - c le a n e d m e o u t. ( p 7 5 )
T im e y o u s t u m p e d u p a b i t m o r e . ( p 7 5 )
86 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

G e tt in g a b it a b o v e y o u r s e lf, a r e n ’t y o u f ( p 7 5 )
I ’m n o t r o llin g in w e a lth . ( p 7 6 )
o r u p g o e s th e m o n k e y ( p 7 6 )
T h a t ’s y o u r lo o k - o u t. ( p 7 6 )
I ’m th e m a n o n to p a n d y o u ’r e f o r i t ( p 7 6 )
G o o c h h a d h im b y th e s h o r t h a ir s . ( p 7 6 )

2 F in d t h e p l a c e s in t h e s t o r y w h e r e G o o c h a n d M a s t e r s m a k e t h r e a t s
t o M r S p ille r . I n b o t h c a s e s th e m e s s a g e is q u i t e c l e a r , b u t t h e t w o
b l a c k m a i l e r s u s e v e r y d i f f e r e n t la n g u a g e . G o o c h is c r u d e a n d d ir e c t,
i n f o r m a l t o t h e p o i n t o f r u d e n e s s ; M a s t e r s u s e s p o li t e , f o r m a l l a n g u a g e ,
a p p r o p r i a t e f o r a s e r v a n t s p e a k i n g t o a n e m p lo y e r . R e w r i t e t h e m a i n
m e s s a g e o f e a c h m a n ’s t h r e a t s , in t h e o t h e r ’s s ty le . Y o u m i g h t b e g i n
lik e th is :

G o o c h : M a y I s u g g e s t fiv e th o u s a n d ? O th e r w is e , I fe a r 1 s h a ll h a v e
to . . .
M a s t e r s : I ’ll k e e p m y m o u t h s h u t, S p ille r , a b o u t th e c h a n g e o f w in d ,
a n d n o b o d y ’s g o in g to . . .

Ac t iv it ie s

1 W h a t d o y o u t h i n k m i g h t h a p p e n a f t e r t h e e n d o f t h e s to r y ? W i ll M r
S p ille r b e a b l e t o m a r r y M r s D ig b y ? O r w il l M a s t e r s p r e v e n t h im f r o m
d o i n g s o ? W i ll M r S p ill e r f in d i t n e c e s s a r y t o k il l M a s t e r s ? W r i t e a
fu rth e r fin a l p a ra g ra p h d e s c r ib in g w hat happens to th e s e th re e
c h a ra c te rs .

2 I m a g i n e t h a t M r S p ille r r e f u s e s t o b e b l a c k m a i l e d b y M a s t e r s , w h o
g iv e s h is i n f o r m a t i o n t o t h e p o lic e . M r S p ille r is a r r e s t e d f o r G o o c h ’s
m u r d e r . W r i t e t h e s p e e c h f o r t h e d e f e n c e a t h i s tr i a l .
 Th r ee is a Lu c ky
N umbe r

T h e Au t h o r

M a r g e r y A ll in g h a m w a s b o r n in 1 9 0 4 . S h e c a m e f r o m a
f a m i ly o f w r i t e r s , a n d w a s t r a i n e d t o b e a w r i t e r b y h e r
f a t h e r f r o m t h e a g e o f s e v e n . T h e C r im e a t B l a c k D u d l e y
w a s h e r f ir s t s t o r y a b o u t t h e a m a t e u r d e t e c ti v e w h o w a s
to b e c o m e h e r m o s t f a m o u s c h a r a c te r , A lb e rt C a m p io n , a
m i l d - m a n n e r e d m a n w i t h g la s s e s . S h e w r o t e m o r e t h a n
t w e n t y n o v e l s a n d m a n y s h o r t s to r ie s . A m o n g h e r e a r li e r ,
m o r e l i g h t - h e a r t e d ti t l e s a r e M o r e W o r k f o r t h e U n d e r t a k e r ,
F lo w e r s f o r t h e J u d g e , a n d D e a t h o f a G h o s t . H e r la t e r
n o v e l s , s u c h a s T h e T ig e r in t h e S m o k e a n d H i d e M y E y e s ,
sh o w m o re p s y c h o lo g ic a l a n a ly s i s and d e t a il e d
c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n . S h e d ie d in 1 9 6 6 .

T h e St o r y

I s t h e r e s u c h a t h i n g a s t h e ‘p e r f e c t ’ m u r d e r ? A m u r d e r
t h a t is s o s k i lf u ll y p l a n n e d a n d e x e c u t e d t h a t t h e r e is n o
p o s s i b i l i t y o f t h e m u r d e r e r e v e r b e i n g c a u g h t ? M a n y c r im e
w r i t e r s e x p l o r e t h i s i d e a . S o m e t im e s t h e m u r d e r e r g e t s a w a y
w i t h it; s o m e ti m e s i t is o n ly t h e f l a w s in h is o w n c h a r a c t e r
t h a t le a d t o h is u n d o i n g - h is v a n i t y o r h is w i s h t o b o a s t ,
p e r h a p s , o r h is c o n c e i t.
R o n a ld T o rb a y h a s a r a th e r c u rio u s w a y o f e a rn in g a
li v in g , o r r a t h e r , a c q u i r i n g an in c o m e . H o w e v e r , h e is
t h o r o u g h a n d m e t i c u l o u s i n t h e p u r s u i t o f h is c h o s e n c a r e e r .
H i s w if e , E d y t h , is e s s e n ti a l t o h is p l a n s , b u t s h e , o f c o u r s e ,
is f a r t o o s t u p i d t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e b e a u t i f u l s im p li c it y o f
h is s y s t e m . . .
 Th r ee is a Lu c ky N umbe r

t f iv e o ’c l o c k o n a S e p t e m b e r a f t e r n o o n R o n a l d F r e d e r i c k
A T o r b a y w a s m a k in g p r e p a r a tio n s f o r h is th ir d m u r d e r . H e
w a s b e in g v e ry w a r y , fo rc in g h im s e lf to g o s lo w ly b e c a u s e h e w a s
p e rfe c tly s a n e a n d w a s w e ll a w a r e o f th e d a n g e r s o f c a re le s s n e s s .
A c a r e e r o f h o m ic id e g o t m o re c h a n c y a s o n e w e n t o n . T h a t
p ie c e o f i n f o r m a tio n h a d im p r e s s e d h im a s b e in g t r u e a s s o o n a s
h e h a d re a d it in a m a g a z in e a rtic le w a y b a c k b e f o r e h is firs t
m a r r i a g e . A l s o , h e r e a l i z e d , s u c c e s s w a s l i a b l e t o g o t o a m a n ’s
h e a d , s o h e k e p t a tig h t h o ld o n h im s e lf. H e w a s c e r ta in h e w a s
in fin ite ly m o r e c le v e r th a n m o s t h u m a n b e in g s b u t h e d id n o t d w e ll
o n t h e f a c t a n d a s s o o n a s h e f e l t t h e o l d t h r i l l a t t h e s e n s e o f h is
p o w e r w e l l i n g u p i n s i d e h i m , h e q u e l l e d i t f ir m l y .
F o r a n in s ta n t h e p a u s e d , le a n in g o n th e rim o f th e w a s h -b a s in ,
and re g a rd e d h im s e lf th o u g h tf u lly in th e s h a v in g g la s s o f th e
b a th r o o m in th e n e w v illa h e h a d h ir e d so re c e n tly .
T h e fa c e w h ic h lo o k e d a t h im w a s th in , m id d le -a g e d , a n d p a llid .
S p a rs e d a r k h a ir re c e d e d f r o m its h ig h n a r r o w f o r e h e a d a n d th e
w e ll- s h a p e d ey es w e r e b lu e a n d p r o m in e n t. O n ly th e m o u th w a s
r e a lly u n u s u a l. T h a t n a r r o w s lit, q u ite s tr a ig h t, w a s a lm o s t lip le s s
a n d , u n c o n s c io u s ly , h e p e r s u a d e d it t o r e la x in t o a h a l f s m ile . E v e n
R o n a l d T o r b a y d id n o t lik e h is o w n m o u th .
A s o u n d in th e k itc h e n b e lo w d is tu r b e d h im a n d h e s tr a ig h te n e d
h is b a c k h a s tily . I f E d y th h a d fin is h e d h e r ir o n in g s h e w o u ld b e
c o m in g u p to ta k e h e r lo n g d isc u sse d b u b b le -b a th b e fo re h e h a d
p r e p a r e d it fo r h e r a n d th a t w o u ld n e v e r d o . H e w a ite d , h o ld in g
h is b r e a th , b u t it w a s a ll r ig h t: s h e w a s g o in g o u t o f th e b a c k d o o r .
H e r e a c h e d th e w in d o w ju s t in tim e to se e h e r d is a p p e a r in g r o u n d
th e s id e o f th e h o u s e in to th e s m a ll s q u a r e y a r d w h ic h w a s so
e x a c tly lik e a ll th e o th e r s q u a r e y a r d s in th e lo n g s u b u r b a n s tr e e t.
90 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

H e k n e w t h a t sh e w a s g o in g to h a n g th e n e w ly p re s s e d lin e n o n
th e lin e t o a i r a n d a lth o u g h th e m a n o e u v r e g a v e h im th e tim e h e
n e e d e d , s till it i r r i t a t e d h im .
O f th e th re e h o m e ly m id d le -a g e d w om en w hom so far he
had p e rsu a d e d firs t to m a rry h im and th e n to w ill h im th e ir
m od est p o s s e s s io n s , E d y th w as p ro v in g e a s ily th e m ost
a n n o y in g . If h e h a d to ld h e r o n c e n o t to s p e n d s o m u c h tim e
in th e y a r d h e h a d d o n e it a d o z e n tim e s in th e i r s ix w e e k s o f
m a rria g e . H e h a te d h e r b e in g o u t o f d o o r s a lo n e . S h e w a s sh y
a n d re s e rv e d b u t n o w th a t n e w p e o p le h a d m o v e d in n e x t d o o r
th e re w a s th e d a n g e r o f s o m e o v e r-frie n d ly w o m a n s ta r tin g u p
an a c q u a in ta n c e w ith her and th a t w as th e la s t th in g to be
to le ra te d a t th is ju n c tu re .
E ach o f h is f o r m e r w iv e s h a d been shy. H e had b e e n v e ry
c a re fu l to c h o o s e th e r ig h t ty p e a n d fe lt h e o w e d m u c h o f h is
s u c c e s s t o i t . M a r y , t h e f i r s t o f t h e m , h a d m e t h e r f a t a l ‘a c c i d e n t ’
a l m o s t u n n o t i c e d i n t h e b u n g a l o w o n t h e h o u s i n g e s t a t e v e r y l ik e
th e p re s e n t o n e h e h a d c h o s e n b u t in th e n o r th in s te a d o f th e
s o u th o f E n g la n d . A t th e tim e it h a d b e e n a g r o w in g p la c e , th e
c o r o n e r h a d b e e n h u r r ie d , th e p o lic e s y m p a th e tic b u t b u s y a n d
th e n e ig h b o u r s s c a rc e ly c u r io u s e x c e p t t h a t o n e o f th e m , a ju n io r
r e p o r te r o n a lo c a l p a p e r , h a d w r itte n a flo w e ry p a r a g r a p h a b o u t
th e n e a r n e s s o f tr a g e d y in th e m id s t o f jo y , p u b lis h e d a w e d d in g
d a y s n a p s h o t a n d h a d e n title d th e a rtic le w ith ty p ic a l n o r th e r n
u n d e r s t a t e m e n t ‘H o n e y m o o n M i s h a p ’.
D o r o t h y ’s b r i e f e x c u r s i o n i n t o h i s lif e a n d a b r u p t e x i t f r o m i t
a n d h e r o w n , h a d g iv e n h im a little m o r e b o th e r b u t n o t m u c h .
S h e h a d d e c e iv e d h im w h e n s h e h a d to ld h im s h e w a s q u ite a lo n e
in th e w o r ld a n d th e in te rfe rin g b r o th e r w h o h a d tu r n e d u p a fte r
th e fu n e ra l to ask a w k w a rd q u e s tio n s a b o u t h e r s m a ll f o r tu n e
m ig h t h a v e b e e n a n u is a n c e if R o n a ld h a d n o t b e e n v e ry firm w ith
h im . T h e r e h a d b e e n a b r ie f c o u r t c a s e w h ic h R o n a ld h a d w o n
 T h r e e is a L u c k y N u m b e r 91

h a n d s o m e ly a n d th e in s u ra n c e h a d p a id u p w ith o u t a m u rm u r.
A ll t h a t w a s f o u r y e a r s a g o . N o w , w i t h a n e w n a m e , a n e w l y
in v e n te d b a c k g r o u n d a n d a f r e s h a r e a in w h ic h t o o p e r a te , h e fe lt
r e m a r k a b ly sa fe .
F ro m th e m o m e n t h e h a d firs t s e e n E d y th , s ittin g a lo n e a t a
little ta b le u n d e r th e w in d o w in a s e a s id e h o te l d in in g - r o o m , h e
h a d k n o w n t h a t s h e w a s t o b e h is n e x t s u b je c t. H e a lw a y s th o u g h t
o f h i s w i v e s a s ‘s u b j e c t s ’ . I t l e n t h i s d e s i g n s u p o n t h e m a c e r t a i n
p s e u d o -s c ie n tific a tm o s p h e r e w h ic h h e f o u n d s a tis fy in g .
E d y th h a d s a t th e r e lo o k in g s tif f a n d n e a t a n d a trifle s e v e re
b u t th e r e h a d b e e n a s e c re t tim id ity in h e r fa c e , a n u n s a tis fie d ,
h a lf-frig h te n e d e x p re s s io n in her s h o rt-s ig h te d eyes and once,
w h e n th e w a i t e r s a id s o m e th in g p le a s a n t t o h e r , s h e h a d flu s h e d
n e r v o u s ly a n d h a d b e e n e m b a r r a s s e d b y it. S h e w a s a ls o w e a r in g
a g e n u in e d ia m o n d b r o o c h . R o n a ld h a d o b s e rv e d th a t f r o m r ig h t
a c r o s s th e r o o m . H e h a d a n e y e f o r s to n e s .
T h a t e v e n in g in th e lo u n g e h e h a d s p o k e n t o h e r , h a d w e a th e r e d
th e in itia l s n u b , tr ie d a g a in a n d , fin a lly , h a d g o t h e r to ta lk . A fte r
th a t th e a c q u a in ta n c e h a d p r o g r e s s e d ju s t a s h e h a d e x p e c te d . H is
m e th o d s w e re o ld - f a s h io n e d a n d h e a v ily r o m a n tic a n d w ith in a
w e e k s h e w a s h o p e le s s ly in f a tu a te d .
F r o m R o n a l d ’s p o i n t o f v i e w h e r h i s t o r y w a s e v e n b e t t e r t h a n
h e c o u ld h a v e h o p e d . A fte r te a c h in g in a g irls ’ b o a r d in g s c h o o l
f o r th e w h o le o f h e r tw e n tie s sh e h a d b e e n s u m m o n e d h o m e to lo o k
a f te r h e r re c lu s e o f a f a th e r w h o s e lo n g illn e s s h a d m o n o p o liz e d h e r
l if e . N o w a t f o r t y - t h r e e s h e w a s a l o n e , c o m p a r a t i v e l y w e l l o f f a n d
a s m u c h a t se a a s a s h ip w ith o u t a r u d d e r .
R o n a ld w a s c a r e f u l n o t to le t h e r to e s to u c h th e g r o u n d . H e
d e v o t e d h i s e n t i r e a t t e n t i o n t o h e r a n d e x a c t l y f iv e w e e k s f r o m t h e
d a y o n w h i c h t h e y f i r s t m e t , h e m a r r i e d h e r a t t h e r e g i s t r y o f f ic e
o f th e to w n w h e re th e y w e re b o th s tra n g e rs . T h e s a m e a fte r n o o n
t h e y e a c h m a d e w i l l s i n t h e o t h e r ’s f a v o u r a n d m o v e d i n t o t h e
92 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

v illa w h ic h h e h a d b e e n a b le to h ire c h e a p ly b e c a u s e th e h o lid a y

seaso n w as a t a n end .
It h a d b e e n th e p le a s a n te s t c o n q u e s t h e h a d e v e r m a d e . M a r y
h a d b e e n m o o d y a n d h y s te ric a l, D o r o th y g r u d g in g a n d s u s p ic io u s
b u t E d y th h a d re v e a le d a n u n e x p e c te d s tr e a k o f g a ie ty a n d , b u t
f o r h e r s tu p id ity in n o t r e a liz in g t h a t a m a n w o u ld h a r d ly fa ll
r o m a n tic a lly in lo v e w ith h e r a t firs t s ig h t, w a s a s e n s ib le p e r s o n .
A n y o th e r m a n , R o n a ld re fle c te d s m u g ly , m ig h t h a v e m a d e th e
f a t a l m i s t a k e o f f e e l i n g s o r r y f o r h e r , b u t h e w a s ‘a b o v e ’ a l l t h a t ,
h e to ld h im s e lf, a n d h e b e g a n to m a k e p la n s f o r w h a t h e d e s c rib e d
i n h i s o w n m i n d r a t h e r g r i m l y a s ‘h e r f u t u r e ’.
T w o th in g s s ig n e d h e r d e a th w a r r a n t e a r lie r t h a n h a d b e e n h is
o rig in a l in te n tio n . O ne w as her o b s tin a te re tic e n c e over her
m o n e t a r y a f f a ir s a n d th e o t h e r w a s h e r e m b a r r a s s in g in te r e s t in
h is jo b .
O n th e m a rria g e c e rtific a te R o n a ld h a d d e s c rib e d h im s e lf a s a
s a le s m a n a n d th e s to r y h e w a s te llin g w a s t h a t h e w a s a ju n io r
p a r t n e r in a f irm o f c o s m e tic m a n u f a c tu r e r s w h o w e r e g iv in g h im a
v e r y g e n e r o u s le a v e o f a b s e n c e . E d y th a c c e p te d th e s ta te m e n t
w i t h o u t q u e s tio n , b u t a lm o s t a t o n c e s h e h a d b e g u n t o p la n a v is it
t o th e o ffic e a n d th e f a c to r y , a n d w a s a lw a y s ta lk in g a b o u t th e n e w
c l o t h e s s h e m u s t b u y s o a s n o t t o ‘d i s g r a c e h i m ’ . A t t h e s a m e t i m e
sh e k e p t a ll h e r b u s in e s s p a p e r s lo c k e d in a n o ld w ritin g - c a s e a n d
s te a d f a s tly re fu s e d to d is c u s s th e m h o w e v e r c a u tio u s ly h e ra is e d th e
s u b je c t. R o n a ld h a d g iv e n u p fe e lin g a n g r y w ith h e r a n d d e c id e d to
a c t.
H e tu r n e d f r o m th e w in d o w , c a re fu lly r e m o v e d h is ja c k e t a n d
began to ru n th e b a th . H is h e a rt w as p o u n d in g , he n o tic e d ,
f r o w n in g . H e w is h e d it w o u ld n o t. H e n e e d e d to k e e p v e ry c a lm .
T h e b a th ro o m w a s th e o n e r o o m th e y h a d re p a in te d . R o n a ld
h a d d o n e it h im s e lf s o o n a f te r th e y h a d a rriv e d a n d h a d p u t u p
th e little s h e lf o v e r th e b a th to h o ld a ja r o f b a th s a lts h e h a d
 T h r e e is a L u c k y N u m b e r 93

bought and a s m a ll e le c tric h e a te r of th e o ld -fa s h io n e d

tw o - e le m e n t ty p e , w h ic h w a s c h e a p b u t w h ite lik e th e w a lls a n d
n o t to o n o tic e a b le . H e le a n t f o r w a r d n o w a n d s w itc h e d it o n a n d
s to o d lo o k in g at it u n til th e tw o b a rs of g lo w in g w a rm th
a p p e a re d . T h e n h e tu r n e d a w a y a n d w e n t o u t o n to th e la n d in g ,
le a v in g it a lig h t.
T h e fu s e b o x w h ic h c o n tr o lle d a ll th e e le c tr ic ity in th e h o u s e
w a s c o n c e a le d in th e b o tto m o f th e lin e n c u p b o a r d a t th e to p o f
th e s ta irs . R o n a ld opened th e door c a re fu lly and u s in g h is
h a n d k e r c h ie f s o t h a t h is f in g e r p r in ts s h o u ld le a v e n o t r a c e p u lle d
u p t h e m a i n s w i t c h . B a c k i n t h e b a t h r o o m t h e h e a t e r ’s g l o w d i e d
a w a y ; th e b a rs w e re a lm o s t b la c k a g a in b y th e tim e h e re tu r n e d .
H e e y e d th e s le n d e r c a b in e t a p p r o v in g ly a n d th e n , s till u s in g th e
h a n d k e r c h ie f , h e lifte d it b o d ily f r o m th e s h e lf a n d lo w e re d it
c a re fu lly in to th e w a te r , a r r a n g in g it s o t h a t it la y a t a n a n g le o v e r
th e w a s te p lu g , c lo s e to th e f o o t w h e r e it t o o k u p p r a c tic a lly n o
ro o m a t a l l . T h e w h i t e f le x r a n u p o v e r t h e p o r c e l a i n s i d e o f t h e
b a th , a lo n g th e s k irtin g b o a r d , u n d e r th e d o o r a n d in to th e w a ll
s o c k e t, ju s t o u ts id e o n th e la n d in g .
W h e n h e h a d firs t in s ta lle d th e h e a te r E d y th h a d d e m u r r e d a t
th is s o m e w h a t s lip s h o d a r ra n g e m e n t, b u t w h e n h e h a d e x p la in e d
th a t th e lo c a l C o u n c il* w a s s tu p id a n d fu s s y a b o u t fittin g w a ll
s o c k e ts in b a th r o o m s s in c e w a t e r w a s s a id t o b e a c o n d u c t o r s h e
h a d c o m p r o m is e d b y l e ttin g h im r u n th e fle x u n d e r th e lin o w h e r e
it w a s n o t s o n o tic e a b le .
A t th e m o m e n t th e h e a te r w a s p e r f e c tly v is ib le in th e b a th . It
c e rta in ly lo o k e d as if it had fa lle n in to its odd p o s itio n
a c c id e n ta lly b u t n o o n e in h is se n s e s c o u ld h a v e s te p p e d in to th e
w a t e r w i t h o u t s e e in g it. R o n a l d p a u s e d , h is e y e s d a r k , h is u g ly
m o u th n a r r o w e r th a n e v e r. T h e b e a u tif u l s im p lic ity o f th e m a in
p la n , s o c e r ta in , s o s w iftly f a ta l a n d a b o v e a ll, s o s a fe a s f a r a s h e
h im s e lf w a s c o n c e rn e d g a v e h im a th r ill o f p le a s u re a s it a lw a y s
94 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

d id . H e tu rn e d o ff th e b a th and w a ite d , lis te n in g . E d y th w as

c o m in g back. He c o u ld hear her m o v in g s o m e th in g on th e
c o n c re te w a y o u ts id e th e b a c k d o o r b e lo w a n d h e le a n t o v e r to
w h e r e h is ja c k e t h u n g a n d t o o k a p la s tic s a c h e t f r o m its in s id e
b r e a s t p o c k e t. H e w a s r e - r e a d in g th e d ir e c tio n s o n th e b a c k o f it
w h e n a s l i g h t s o u n d m a d e h i m t u r n h i s h e a d a n d h e s a w , t o h is
h o r r o r , t h e w o m a n h e r s e l f n o t f iv e f e e t a w a y . H e r n e a t h e a d h a d
a p p e a r e d s u d d e n ly ju s t a b o v e th e fla t r o o f o f th e s c u lle ry , o u ts id e
t h e b a t h r o o m w i n d o w . S h e w a s c l e a r i n g t h e d e a d le a v e s f r o m t h e
g u tte r in g a n d m u s t, h e g u e s s e d , b e s ta n d in g o n th e ta ll flig h t o f
s te p s w h ic h w e r e k e p t ju s t in s id e th e b a c k d o o r .
I t w a s t y p i c a l o f t h e m a n t h a t h e d i d n o t p a n i c . S til l h o l d i n g t h e
s a c h e t lig h tly h e s te p p e d b e tw e e n h e r a n d th e b a th a n d spo k e
m ild ly .
‘W h a t o n e a r t h a r e y o u d o i n g t h e r e , d a r l i n g ? ’
E d y th s t a r t e d s o v io le n tly a t th e s o u n d o f h is v o ic e t h a t s h e
a l m o s t fe ll o f f th e s te p s a n d a f lu s h o f a p p r e h e n s io n a p p e a r e d o n
h e r th in c h eek s.
‘O h , h o w y o u s t a r t l e d m e ! I t h o u g h t I ’d j u s t d o t h i s l i t t l e j o b
b e fo re I c a m e u p to c h a n g e . If it r a in s th e g u tte r flo o d s a ll o v e r
th e b a c k s te p .’
‘V e r y t h o u g h t f u l o f y o u , m y d e a r . ’ H e s p o k e w i t h t h a t s l i g h t l y
a c id a m u s e m e n t w ith w h ic h h e h a d f o u n d h e c o u ld b e s t d e s tr o y h e r
s l e n d e r v e i n o f s e l f - a s s u r a n c e . ‘B u t n o t t e r r i b l y c l e v e r w h e n y o u
k n e w I ’d c o m e u p t o p r e p a r e y o u r b e a u t y b a t h f o r y o u . O r w a s i t ? ’
T h e s l i g h t i n t o n a t i o n o n t h e w o r d ‘b e a u t y ’ w a s n o t l o s t o n h e r .
H e s a w h e r s w a llo w .
‘P e r h a p s i t w a s n ’t , ’ s h e s a i d w i t h o u t l o o k i n g a t h i m . ‘I t ’s v e r y
g o o d o f y o u t o ta k e a ll th is t r o u b le , R o n a l d .’
‘N o t a t a l l , ’ h e s a i d w i t h a j u s t a m o u n t o f m a s c u l i n e , o f f h a n d
i n s e n s i t i v i t y . ‘I ’m t a k i n g y o u o u t t o n i g h t a n d I w a n t y o u t o l o o k
a s n i c e a s - e r - p o s s i b l e . H u r r y u p , t h e r e ’s a g o o d g i r l . T h e f o a m
 T h r e e is a L u c k y N u m b e r 95

d o e s n ’t l a s t i n d e f i n i t e l y a n d l i k e a l l t h e s e v e r y h i g h - c l a s s b e a u t y
tr e a tm e n ts th e in g re d ie n ts a re e x p e n s iv e . U n d re s s in th e b e d r o o m ,
p u t o n y o u r g o w n a n d c o m e s tr a ig h t a lo n g .’
‘V e r y w e ll, d e a r .’ S he began to descend at once w h ile he
tu rn e d to th e b a th and shook th e c o n te n ts o f th e s a c h e t in to
th e w a te r . T h e c r y s ta ls , w h ic h w e r e p e a c h c o lo u r e d a n d s m e lle d
s tr o n g ly o f ro s e s , flo a te d o n th e tid e a n d th e n , a s h e s u d d e n ly
tu rn e d th e p re ssu re o f w a te r fu ll on, began to d is s o lv e in to
th o u s a n d s o f irrid e s c e n t b u b b le s . A m o m e n ta ry fe a r th a t th e ir
c a m o u fla g e w o u ld n o t p ro v e to b e s u ffic ie n t a s s a ile d h im , a n d
h e s to o p e d to b e a t th e w a te r w ith h is h a n d , b u t h e n e e d not
h a v e w o r rie d . T h e c lo u d g re w a n d g re w in to a f r a g r a n t fe a th e ry
m a s s w h ic h n o t o n ly o b s c u re d th e b o tto m o f th e b a th a n d a ll
it c o n ta in e d , but m o u n te d th e p o rc e la in s id e , s m o th e rin g th e
w h ite fle x and o v e rflo w in g on to th e w a ll p a n e ls and th e
b a th - m a t. It w a s p e rfe c t.
H e p u lle d o n h is ja c k e t a n d o p e n e d th e d o o r .
‘E d y t h ! H u rry , d e a re s t!’ T h e w o rd s w e re on th e tip o f h is
t o n g u e b u t h e r a r r iv a l f o r e s ta lle d th e m . S h e c a m e s h r in k in g in ,
h e r b lu e d re s s in g -g o w n s tr a in e d r o u n d h e r th in b o d y , h e r h a ir
th r u s t in to a n u n b e c o m in g b a th in g c a p .
‘O h , R o n a l d ! ’ s h e s a i d , s t a r i n g a t t h e d i s p l a y a g h a s t . ‘W o n ’t i t
m a k e a n a w f u l m e s s ? G o o d n e s s ! A ll o v e r t h e f l o o r ! ’
H e r h e s ita tio n in f u r ia te d h im .
‘T h a t w o n ’t m a t t e r , ’ h e s a i d s a v a g e l y . ‘Y o u g e t i n w h i l e t h e
v irtu e o f th e fo a m is s t il l t h e r e . H u r r y . M e a n w h i l e I ’ll g o a n d
c h a n g e , m y s e l f . I ’ll g i v e y o u t e n m i n u t e s . G e t s t r a i g h t i n a n d lie
d o w n . I t ’ll t a k e s o m e o f t h e s a l l o w n e s s o u t o f t h a t s k i n o f y o u r s . ’
H e w e n t o u t a n d p a u s e d , lis te n in g . S h e lo c k e d th e d o o r a s h e
h a d k n o w n s h e w o u ld . T h e h a b i t o f a life tim e d o e s n o t s u d d e n ly
c h a n g e w ith m a r r ia g e . H e h e a r d th e b o lt s lid e h o m e a n d f o r c e d
h im s e lf to w a lk s lo w ly dow n th e passage. He gave her s ix ty
96 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

s e c o n d s . T h ir ty to ta k e o ff h e r th in g s a n d th ir ty to h e s ita te o n th e
b rin k o f th e ro sy m ass.
‘H o w is i t ? ’ h e s h o u t e d f r o m t h e l i n e n c u p b o a r d d o o r w a y .
S h e d i d n o t a n s w e r a t o n c e a n d t h e s w e a t b r o k e o u t o n h is
fo re h e a d . T h e n h e h e a rd h e r.
‘I d o n ’t k n o w y e t . I ’m o n l y j u s t i n . I t s m e l l s l o v e l y . ’
H e d i d n o t w a i t f o r t h e f i n a l w o r d , h i s h a n d w r a p p e d i n h is
h a n d k e r c h ie f h a d f o u n d th e m a in s w itc h a g a in .
‘O n e , t w o . . . th r e e ,’ h e s a id w ith h o rrib le p ro s a ic n e s s and
p u lle d it d o w n .
F r o m th e w a ll s o c k e t b e h in d h im th e r e w a s a s in g le s p lu tte r in g

f l a r e a s t h e f u s e w e n t a n d t h e n s i le n c e .
A ll r o u n d R o n a l d i t w a s s o q u i e t t h a t h e c o u l d h e a r t h e p u l s e s
in h is o w n b o d y , th e f a r a w a y tic k o f a c lo c k a t th e b o t t o m o f th e
s t a i r s , t h e d r e a r y b u z z i n g o f a f ly i m p r i s o n e d a g a i n s t t h e w i n d o w
g la s s a n d , f r o m th e g a r d e n n e x t d o o r , th e d r o n e o f a m o w e r a s
t h e h e a v y , f r e s h - f a c e d m a n w h o h a d m o v e d t h e r e , p e r f o r m e d h is
w e e k ly c h o r e s h a v in g th e little g re e n la w n . B u t f r o m th e b a th r o o m
t h e r e w a s n o s o u n d a t a ll.
A fte r a w h ile h e c r e p t b a c k a lo n g th e p a s s a g e a n d ta p p e d a t th e

d o o r.
‘E d y t h ? ’
N o . T h e re w a s n o re s p o n s e , n o s o u n d , n o th in g .
‘E d y t h ? ’ h e s a i d a g a i n .
T h e s ile n c e w a s c o m p le te a n d , a f t e r a m in u te , h e s tr a ig h te n e d
h is b a c k a n d le t o u t a d e e p s ig h in g b r e a th .
A lm o s t a t o n c e h e w a s k e y e d u p a g a in in p r e p a r in g f o r th e
s e c o n d p h a s e . A s h e k n e w w e ll, th is n e x t w a s th e tr ic k y p e r io d .
T h e d is c o v e ry o f th e b o d y h a d g o t to b e m a d e b u t n o t to o s o o n .
H e h a d m a d e t h a t m i s t a k e a b o u t D o r o t h y ’s ‘a c c i d e n t ’ a n d h a d
a c tu a lly b e e n a s k e d b y th e lo c a l in s p e c to r w h y h e h a d ta k e n a la r m
s o s o o n , b u t h e h a d k e p t h is h e a d a n d th e d a n g e r o u s m o m e n t h a d
 T h r e e is a L u c k y N u m b e r 97

flic k e re d p a s t. T h is tim e h e h a d m a d e u p h is m in d to m a k e it h a lf
a n h o u r b e fo re h e b e g a n to h a m m e r lo u d ly a t th e d o o r , th e n to
sh o u t fo r a n e ig h b o u r and fin a lly to fo rc e th e lo c k . He had
p la n n e d to s tro ll o u t to buy an e v e n in g p a p e r in th e in te rim ,
s h o u tin g h is in te n tio n to d o so t o E d y th f r o m th e f r o n t s te p f o r
a n y p a s s e r-b y to h e a r , b u t a s h e w a lk e d b a c k a lo n g th e la n d in g
h e k n e w t h e r e w a s s o m e t h i n g e ls e h e w a s g o i n g t o d o f ir s t.
E d y t h ’s l e a t h e r w r i t i n g - c a s e i n w h i c h s h e k e p t a l l h e r p r i v a t e
p a p e r s w a s in th e b o tto m o f h e r s o ft-to p p e d c a n v a s h a tb o x . S he
h a d r e a lly b e lie v e d h e h a d n o t k n o w n o f its e x is te n c e , h e re fle c te d
b itte r ly . I t w a s lo c k e d , a s h e h a d d is c o v e re d w h e n h e h a d a t la s t
lo c a te d it, a n d h e h a d n o t p riz e d th e c a tc h f o r fe a r o f p u ttin g h e r
o n h e r g u a r d , b u t n o w th e r e w a s n o th in g to s to p h im .
H e w e n t s o ftly in to th e b e d ro o m and opened th e w a r d r o b e
d o o r . T h e c a s e w a s e x a c tly w h e r e h e h a d la s t s e e n it, p lu m p a n d
p r o m is in g , a n d h is h a n d s c lo s e d o v e r it g ra te fu lly . T h e c a tc h w a s
a little m o r e d iffic u lt t h a n h e h a d e x p e c te d b u t h e g o t it o p e n a t
la s t a n d th e o r d e r ly c o n te n ts o f th e le a th e r b o x c a m e i n t o v ie w .
A t firs t s ig h t it w a s a ll m o s t s a tis f a c to r y , f a r b e tte r t h a n h e h a d
a n tic ip a te d . T h e r e w e re b u n d le s o f s a v in g s c e rtific a te s , o n e o r tw o
th ic k e n v e lo p e s w h o s e r e d s e a ls s u g g e s te d th e o ffic e s o f la w y e r s
a n d , o n to p , r e a d y f o r th e ta k in g , o n e o f th o s e fa m ilia r b lu e b o o k s
w h ic h th e P o s t O ffic e is s u e s t o its s a v in g s b a n k c lie n ts .
H e o p e n e d it w ith s h a k in g fin g e rs a n d f lu tte r e d t h r o u g h th e
p a g e s . T w o th o u s a n d . T h e s u m m a d e h im w h is tle . T w o th o u s a n d
e ig h t h u n d r e d a n d fifty . S h e m u s t h a v e p a id in a d e c e n t d iv id e n d
th e re . T w o th o u s a n d n in e h u n d re d . T h e n a d r o p a s sh e h a d d ra w n
o u t a h u n d re d p o u n d s fo r h e r tro u s s e a u . T w o th o u s a n d e ig h t
h u n d r e d . H e th o u g h t t h a t w a s th e fin a l e n tr y b u t o n tu r n i n g th e
p a g e s a w th a t th e re w a s y e t o n e o th e r re c o rd e d tra n s a c tio n . It w a s
le ss t h a n a w eek o ld . H e re m e m b e re d th e book c o m in g back
t h r o u g h th e m a il a n d h o w c le v e r s h e h a d t h o u g h t s h e h a d b e e n in
98 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

s m u g g lin g th e e n v e lo p e o u t o f s ig h t. H e g la n c e d a t th e w ritte n

w o r d s a n d fig u re s id ly a t firs t b u t th e n a s h is h e a r t jo lte d in s u d d e n

p a n ic s ta r e d a t th e m , h is e y e s p r o m in e n t a n d g la z e d . S h e h a d ta k e n

a lm o s t a ll o f it o u t. T h e r e it w a s in b la c k a n d w h ite : S e p te m b e r 4 th

W ith d r a w a l Two th o u s a n d seven hund red and n in e ty -e ig h t

pounds.
H is firs t th o u g h t w a s t h a t th e m oney m u s t s till b e t h e r e , in

h u n d red -p o u n d n o te s p e r h a p s in o n e o f th e e n v e lo p e s . H e to r e

th r o u g h th e m h a s tily , f o r g e ttin g a ll c a u tio n in h is a n x ie ty . P a p e r s ,

le tte r s , c e r tif ic a te s fe ll o n th e f lo o r in c o n f u s io n .

T h e e n v e lo p e , a d d r e s s e d to h im s e lf, p u lle d h im u p s h o r t. I t w a s

new and fre s h ly b lo tte d , th e nam e in s c rib e d in E d y t h ’s ow n

u n e x p e c te d ly firm h a n d . R o n a ld T o r b a y , E s q re .

H e w re n ch e d it o p e n and s m o o th e d th e s in g le s h e e t o f b o n d

p a p e r w ith in . T h e d a te , h e n o te d in a m a z e m e n t, w a s o n ly tw o

d a y s o ld .

D e a r R o n a ld ,
If y o u e v e r g e t th is I a m a f r a id i t w ill p r o v e a d r e a d f u l s h o c k to
y o u . F o r a lo n g tim e I h a v e b e e n h o p in g t h a t it m ig h t n o t b e n e c e s s a r y
to w rite it b u t n o w y o u r b e h a v io u r h a s fo rc e d m e to fa c e s o m e v e ry
u n p le a s a n t p o s s ib ilitie s .
I a m a fra id , R o n a ld , th a t in so m e w a y s y o u a re v e ry o ld -fa s h io n e d .
H a d it n o t o c c u r re d to y o u t h a t a n y h o m e ly m id d le -a g e d w o m a n w h o
h a s b e e n s w e p t i n t o h a s t y m a r r i a g e t o a s t r a n g e r m u s t , u n l e s s s h e is a
p e r f e c t id io t, b e ju s t a little s u s p ic io u s a n d to u c h y o n th e s u b je c t o f
b a th s ?
Y o u r p red e cesso r Ja m es Jo se p h S m ith and h is B r i d e s ’1' a r e not
e n tire ly f o r g o tte n , y o u k n o w .
F ra n k ly , I d id n o t w a n t t o s u s p e c t y o u . F o r a lo n g tim e I th o u g h t I
w a s in lo v e w i t h y o u , b u t w h e n y o u p e r s u a d e d m e to m a k e m y w ill
o n o u r w e d d in g d a y I c o u ld n o t h e lp w o n d e rin g , a n d th e n a s s o o n as
y o u s ta r te d f u s s in g a b o u t th e b a t h r o o m in th is h o u s e I th o u g h t I h a d
b e tte r d o s o m e th in g a b o u t it r a th e r q u ic k ly . I a m o ld - f a s h io n e d to o ,
s o I w e n t t o th e p o lic e .
 T h r e e is a L u c k y N u m b e r 99

H a v e y o u n o tic e d th a t th e p e o p le w h o h a v e m o v e d in to th e h o u s e
n e x t d o o r h a v e n e v e r trie d to s p e a k to y o u ? W e th o u g h t it b e s t th a t I
s h o u l d m e r e l y t a l k t o t h e w o m a n o v e r t h e g a r d e n w a l l , a n d i t is s h e w h o
h a s s h o w n m e th e tw o c u ttin g s fro m o ld p r o v in c ia l n e w s p a p e rs e a c h
a b o u t w o m e n w h o m e t w ith fa ta l a c c id e n ts in b u b b le - b a th s s o o n a fte r
th e ir m a rria g e s . In e a c h c a se th e re w a s a p re s s s n a p s h o t o f th e h u s b a n d
ta k e n a t th e fu n e ra l. T h e y a re n o t v e ry c le a r b u t a s s o o n a s I s a w th e m I
re a liz e d th a t it w a s m y d u ty to a g re e to th e c o u rs e s u g g e s te d to m e b y
th e in s p e c to r w ho has been lo o k in g fo r a m an a n s w e rin g th a t
d e s c rip tio n f o r th re e y e a r s , e v e r s in c e th e tw o p h o to g ra p h s w ere
b r o u g h t t o h i s n o t i c e b y y o u r p o o r s e c o n d w i f e ’s b r o t h e r .
W h a t I a m t r y i n g t o s a y is t h i s : i f y o u s h o u l d e v e r l o s e m e , R o n a l d ,
o u t o f th e b a t h r o o m I m e a n , y o u w ill fin d t h a t I h a v e g o n e o u t o v e r
th e r o o f a n d a m s ittin g in m y d r e s s in g - g o w n in th e k itc h e n n e x t d o o r .
I w a s a fo o l to m a rry y o u b u t n o t q u ite s u c h a fo o l a s y o u a s s u m e d .
W o m e n m a y b e s i l ly b u t t h e y a r e n o t s o s t u p i d a s t h e y u s e d t o b e .
W e a r e p ic k in g u p th e id e a , R o n a ld .
Y o u rs , E d y th
P .S . O n r e - r e a d i n g t h i s n o t e I s e e t h a t i n m y n e r v o u s n e s s I h a v e
fo rg o tte n to m e n tio n th a t th e n e w p e o p le n e x t d o o r a re n o t a m a rrie d
c o u p le but D e te c tiv e C o n s ta b le B a ts f o rd of th e C ID * and h is
a s s is ta n t, P o lic e w o m a n R ic h a rd s . T h e p o lic e a s su re m e t h a t th e re
c a n n o t b e s u ffic ie n t e v id e n c e to c o n v ic t y o u if y o u a r e n o t p e r m itte d
t o a t t e m p t t h e c r i m e a g a i n . T h a t is w h y I a m f o rc in g m y s e lf t o b e
b ra v e a n d to p la y m y p a r t, fo r I a m v e ry s o r ry f o r th o s e o th e r p o o r
w iv e s o f y o u r s , R o n a ld . T h e y m u s t h a v e f o u n d y o u a s f a s c in a tin g a s
I d id .

W ith h is s lit m o u th tw is te d in to an a b o m in a b le ‘O ’, R o n a l d

T o r b a y ra is e d h a g g a r d ey e s fro m th e le tte r.

T h e h o u s e w a s s till q u ie t a n d e v e n th e w h in e o f th e m o w e r in

th e n e x t d o o r g a rd e n h a d c e a s e d . In th e h u s h h e h e a rd a s u d d e n

c la tte r a s th e back d o o r b u rst o p en and h e a v y fo o ts te p s ra c e d

t h r o u g h th e h a ll a n d u p th e s ta ir s to w a r d s h im .
100 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

N o t e s

C o u n c il (p 9 3 )
t h e l o c a l g o v e r n m e n t o f fic e f o r t h e t o w n o r r e g io n , w h o w o u ld be
r e s p o n s i b l e f o r m a i n t a i n i n g t h e h o u s e s th e y o w n e d
J a m e s J o s e p h S m it h a n d h is B r id e s ( p 9 8 )
a w e l l - k n o w n m u r d e r e r w h o k il l e d h is w iv e s in t h e b a t h
C ED (p 9 9 )
th e C rim in a l In v e s tig a tio n D e p a rtm e n t

D is c u s s io n

1 D o y o u t h i n k t h e ti t l e o f t h e s t o r y is a n a p p r o p r i a t e o n e ? W a s t h r e e ,
in f a c t, a lu c k y n u m b e r ? W h a t o t h e r t it le s c a n y o u t h i n k o f t o s u i t th e
sto ry ?

2 W h a t r e a s o n s c a n y o u g iv e f o r t h e f a il u r e o f R o n a l d ’s p l a n t o k il l
E d y th ? W a s t h e r e a f la w in t h e m e t h o d its e lf ? D i d R o n a l d o m i t t o
ta k e s o m e n e c e s s a ry p r e c a u tio n ? D o y o u th in k h e w a s o u tw itte d b y
E d y t h , o r w a s i t h is o w n c o n c e i t t h a t w a s t h e c a u s e ?

La n g u a g e Fo c u s

1 F i n d t h e s e e x p r e s s i o n s in t h e s t o r y a n d r e p h r a s e t h e m i n y o u r o w n
w o rd s.

s u c c e s s w a s lia b l e t o g o to a m a n ’s h e a d ( p 8 9 )
h e d id n o t d w e ll o n th e fa c t (p 8 9 )
th e in s u r a n c e h a d p a id u p w ith o u t a m u r m u r (p 9 1 )
H e h a d a n e y e fo r s to n e s (p 9 1 )
h e . . . h a d w e a t h e r e d t h e i n i t ia l s n u b (p 9 1 )
s h e w a s . . . a s m u c h a t s e a a s a s h ip w i t h o u t a r u d d e r ( p 9 1 )
n o t t o l e t h e r to e s to u c h t h e g r o u n d ( p 9 1 )
T w o th in g s s ig n e d h e r d e a t h w a r r a n t ( p 9 2 )
h e h a d k e p t h is h e a d ( p 9 6 )
T h e e n v e lo p e . . . p u lle d h im u p s h o r t (p 9 8 )

2 F in d a ll th e d e s c r i p t i o n s in t h e s t o r y o f E d y t h ’s a p p e a r a n c e and
c h a r a c t e r . W h a t a r e t h e c o n t r a s t s b e t w e e n t h e im p r e s s i o n s u g g e s t e d
b y h e r a p p e a r a n c e a n d h e r c h a r a c t e r a s r e v e a le d b y l a t e r e v e n ts ? W h a t
 T h r e e is a L u c k y N u m b e r 10 1

o t h e r w a y s c a n y o u t h i n k o f t o d e s c r ib e h e r c h a r a c t e r ? L o o k a g a i n a t
h e r l e t t e r t o R o n a l d . W h i c h o f th e s e a d je c tiv e s c o u l d d e s c r ib e t h e t o n e
o f t h e le tte r :

v i n d ic ti v e , t r i u m p h a n t , a p o l o g e t i c , r e g r e t f u l , m a t t e r - o f - f a c t , a n g r y ,
b itte r, s e lf - d e p r e c a t in g , sad, c o n te m p tu o u s, n erv o u s, h y s te ric a l,
t h r e a t e n i n g , f r ie n d ly , g e n e r o u s ?

Ac t iv it ie s

1 W r i t e t h e n e w s p a p e r r e p o r t o f t h e d e a t h o f R o n a l d ’s f i r s t w if e , M a r y ,
in c lu d in g t h e f l o w e r y p a r a g r a p h a b o u t ‘t h e n e a r n e s s o f t r a g e d y in t h e
m i d s t o f j o y ’.

2 T h e s t o r y is t o l d f r o m R o n a l d ’s p o i n t o f v ie w . L o o k a g a i n a t t h e l a s t
p a r t o f th e s to ry , f ro m th e m o m e n t w h e n E d y th e n te rs th e b a th r o o m ,
a n d r e w r i t e t h e e n d i n g f r o m h e r p o i n t o f v ie w , d e s c r ib in g w h a t s h e
d o e s a n d th i n k s . Y o u m i g h t b e g i n lik e th is :

E d y th c o u ld se e th a t h e r w o r r y a b o u t th e fo a m m a k in g a m e s s w a s
i n f u r i a t i n g R o n a l d . S a v a g e ly , h e o r d e r e d h e r t o g e t i n t o t h e b a t h .
W h e n h e w e n t o u t, s h e q u ic k ly lo c k e d th e d o o r , a n d lis te n e d to h im
w a lk in g a w a y d o w n th e p a ssa g e . S h e k n e w s h e m u s t w a it f o r a f e w
m i n u t e s in c a s e h e c a ll e d o u t t o h e r , b u t v e r y s l o w l y a n d c a r e fu l ly ,
s h e b e g a n to o p e n th e w in d o w . . .

3 I m a g i n e t h a t R o n a l d d o e s s u c c e e d in m u r d e r i n g E d y t h a n d c o n t i n u e s
w i t h t h e d is c o v e r y o f t h e ‘a c c i d e n t ’, w i t h a n e i g h b o u r p r e s e n t , a s
p la n n e d . W r i t e h i s s t a t e m e n t f o r t h e p o li c e , i n v e n t i n g t h e lie s y o u t h i n k
h e m i g h t te ll. F o r e x a m p l e , i t w a s E d y t h w h o i n s i s te d o n h a v i n g a
h e a te r in th e b a th ro o m , E d y th w h o w a s s o fo n d o f fo a m b u b b le -b a th s .
 Th e Ad v e n t u r e o f
t h e Re t ir e d Co l o u r ma n

Th e Au t h o r

S ir A r t h u r C o n a n D o y le w a s b o r n in 1 8 5 9 . H e w a s s o p o o r
a s a y o u n g d o c t o r t h a t h e s t a r t e d w r i t i n g t o s u p p l e m e n t h is
in c o m e . H i s f i r s t b o o k , A S t u d y in S c a r le t, i n t r o d u c e d th e
m o s t f a m o u s d e t e c ti v e in B r iti s h f i c t io n , S h e r lo c k H o l m e s ,
e x p e r t in d e d u c t i o n a n d d is g u i s e , a n d h is g o o d - n a t u r e d
f r i e n d , D r W a t s o n . T h e A d v e n t u r e s o f S h e r lo c k H o l m e s
w e r e s e r i a li z e d in t h e S t r a n d M a g a z i n e , a n d e v e r y e p i s o d e
w a s e a g e r ly a w a i t e d b y a la r g e r e a d e r s h i p . C o n a n D o y le
h im s e lf p r e f e r r e d t h e h i s t o r i c a l r o m a n c e s t h a t h e w r o t e , b u t
t h e p u b l i c c o u l d n o t h a v e e n o u g h o f h is S h e r lo c k H o lm e s
s t o r ie s . W h e n in o n e s t o r y h e k il l e d S h e r lo c k H o l m e s o f f , h e
w a s o b li g e d b y t h e p u b l i c o u t c r y t o b r i n g h im b a c k f r o m t h e
d e a d a n d c o n t i n u e w r i t i n g a b o u t h im . H i s s to r ie s n o t o n ly
d e s c r ib e m e t h o d s o f d e t e c t i o n in g r e a t d e t a il , b u t a l s o t h e
h o r r o r o f t h e u n k n o w n , a s i n T h e H o u n d o f t h e B a s k e r v ill e s .
H e d ie d in 1 9 3 0 .

Th e St or y

I n a l l c l a s s ic d e t e c ti v e s t o r i e s n o t h i n g is q u i t e a s i t s e e m s .
S o m e t im e s i t is n o t c l e a r w h a t c r im e , i f a n y , h a s b e e n
c o m m itte d . But th e clu es are a lw a y s th e re , c u n n i n g ly
d is g u i s e d o r h i d d e n . O f c o u r s e , i t o f t e n t a k e s t h e s h a r p m in d
o f a g r e a t d e t e c ti v e t o u n r a v e l t h e m y s t e r y .
S h e r lo c k H o l m e s lie s b a c k in h is d e e p a r m c h a i r , h i s e y e s
a p p a r e n t l y c l o s e d . H e m i g h t e v e n b e a s le e p . D r W a t s o n ,
m e a n w h i l e , d u t i f u l l y r e p o r t s o n h i s v is it t o a c l i e n t ’s h o u s e ,
a n d a f t e r a ti m e H o l m e s b e g i n s t o s h o w a g le a m o f i n te r e s t.
H is q u e s tio n s b e c o m e m o re p e n e tra tin g , a n d m o re o b s c u re .
D r W a t s o n is p u z z le d .
‘I t ’s q u ite s i m p le , my dear W a ts o n ,’ say s th e g re a t
d e te c tiv e . . .
 Th e Ad v e n t u r e o f
t h e Re t ir e d Co l o u r ma n

S h e rlo c k H o lm e s w a s in a m e la n c h o ly a n d p h ilo s o p h ic m o o d
th a t m o rn in g . H is a le rt p ra c tic a l n a tu re w as s u b je c t to
su c h re a c tio n s .
‘D i d y o u s e e h i m ? ’ h e a s k e d .
‘Y o u m e a n t h e o l d f e l l o w w h o h a s j u s t g o n e o u t ? ’
‘P r e c i s e l y . ’
‘Y e s , I m e t h i m a t t h e d o o r . ’
‘W h a t d i d y o u t h i n k o f h i m ? ’
‘A p a t h e t i c , f u t i l e , b r o k e n c r e a t u r e . ’
‘E x a c t l y , W a t s o n . P a t h e t i c a n d f u t i l e . B u t is n o t a l l l if e p a t h e t i c
a n d fu tile ? Is n o t h is s to r y a m ic r o c o s m o f th e w h o le ? W e re a c h .
W e g r a s p . A n d w h a t is l e f t i n o u r h a n d s a t t h e e n d ? A s h a d o w .
O r w o r s e t h a n a s h a d o w - m is e r y .’
‘I s h e o n e o f y o u r c l i e n t s ? ’
‘W e l l , I s u p p o s e I m a y c a l l h i m s o . H e h a s b e e n s e n t o n b y t h e
Y a r d * . J u s t a s m e d ic a l m e n o c c a s io n a lly s e n d th e ir in c u r a b le s to
a q u a c k . T h e y a rg u e th a t th e y c a n d o n o th in g m o re , a n d th a t
w h a te v e r h a p p e n s th e p a tie n t c a n b e n o w o rs e th a n h e is .’
‘W h a t is t h e m a t t e r ? ’
H o lm e s to o k a ra th e r s o ile d ca rd fro m th e ta b le . ‘J o s i a h
A m b e rle y . He says he w as ju n io r p a rtn e r of B ric k fa ll and
A m b e rle y , w h o a re m a n u f a c tu r e r s o f a r tis tic m a te r ia ls . Y o u w ill
see th e ir n a m e s u p o n p a in t- b o x e s . H e m a d e h is little p ile , r e tire d
fro m b u s in e s s at th e age of s ix ty -o n e , bought a house at
L e w is h a m , and s e ttle d dow n to re st a fte r a life of c e a s e le s s
g rin d . O n e w o u ld th in k h is f u tu r e w a s to le r a b ly a s s u r e d .’
‘Y e s , i n d e e d . ’
H o lm e s g la n c e d o v e r s o m e n o te s w h ic h h e h a d s c rib b le d u p o n
106 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

th e b a c k o f a n e n v e lo p e .
‘R e t i r e d i n 1 8 9 6 , W a t s o n . E a r l y i n 1 8 9 7 h e m a r r i e d a w o m a n
tw e n ty y e a rs y o u n g e r th a n h im s e lf - a g o o d -lo o k in g w o m a n , to o ,
if th e p h o t o g r a p h d o e s n o t f la tte r . A c o m p e te n c e * , a w ife , le is u r e -
it s e e m e d a s tr a ig h t r o a d w h ic h la y b e fo re h im . A n d y e t w ith in
tw o y e a r s h e is , a s y o u h a v e s e e n , a s b r o k e n a n d m is e ra b le a
c re a tu re a s c ra w ls b e n e a th th e s u n .’
‘B u t w h a t h a s h a p p e n e d ? ’
‘T h e o l d s t o r y , W a t s o n . A t r e a c h e r o u s f r i e n d a n d a f ic k le w i f e .
I t w o u l d a p p e a r t h a t A m b e r l e y h a s o n e h o b b y i n l if e , a n d i t is
c h e s s . N o t f a r f r o m h i m a t L e w i s h a m t h e r e l iv e s a y o u n g d o c t o r
w ho is a l s o a c h e s s -p la y e r. I h a v e n o te d h is n a m e a s D r R a y
E rn e s t. E rn e st w as fre q u e n tly in th e h o use, and an in tim a c y
b e tw e e n h im a n d M r s A m b e rle y w a s a n a tu r a l s e q u e n c e , fo r y o u
m u s t a d m it th a t o u r u n f o r tu n a te c lie n t h a s fe w o u tw a r d g ra c e s ,
w h a te v e r h is in n e r v irtu e s m a y b e . T h e c o u p le w e n t o f f to g e th e r
la s t w e e k - d e s tin a tio n u n tra c e d . W h a t is m o re , th e fa ith le s s
s p o u s e c a r r i e d o f f t h e o l d m a n ’s d e e d b o x a s h e r p e r s o n a l l u g g a g e
w i t h a g o o d p a r t o f h i s l i f e ’s s a v i n g s w i t h i n . C a n w e f i n d t h e l a d y ?
C a n w e sa v e th e m o n e y ? A c o m m o n p la c e p r o b le m so f a r a s it h a s
d e v e lo p e d , a n d y e t a v ita l o n e f o r J o s ia h A m b e r le y .’
‘W h a t w i l l y o u d o a b o u t i t ? ’
‘W e l l , t h e i m m e d i a t e q u e s t i o n , m y d e a r W a t s o n , h a p p e n s t o b e ,
W h a t w ill y o u d o ? - if y o u w ill b e g o o d e n o u g h to u n d e r s tu d y
m e. Y o u k n o w th a t I am p re o c c u p ie d w ith th is c a s e o f th e tw o
C o p tic P a tr ia r c h s , w h ic h s h o u ld c o m e to a h e a d to d a y . I re a lly
h a v e n o t tim e to g o o u t t o L e w is h a m , a n d y e t e v id e n c e ta k e n o n
th e s p o t h a s a s p e c ia l v a lu e . T h e o ld fe llo w w a s q u ite in s is te n t
t h a t I s h o u l d g o , b u t I e x p l a i n e d m y d i f f i c u l t y . H e is p r e p a r e d t o
m e e t a r e p r e s e n ta tiv e .’
‘B y a l l m e a n s , ’ I a n s w e r e d . ‘I c o n f e s s I d o n ’t s e e t h a t I c a n b e
o f m u c h s e rv ic e , b u t I a m w illin g t o d o m y b e s t.’ A n d s o it w a s
 T h e A d v e n tu r e o f th e R e tir e d C o lo u r m a n 107

th a t on a sum m er a fte rn o o n I set fo rth to L e w is h a m , little

d r e a m in g t h a t w i th in a w e e k th e a f f a ir in w h ic h I w a s e n g a g in g
w o u ld b e th e e a g e r d e b a te o f a ll E n g la n d .

It w a s la te t h a t e v e n in g b e fo re I r e tu r n e d to B a k e r S tre e t a n d g a v e
an account of m y m is s io n . H o lm e s la y w ith h is g a u n t fig u re
s tr e tc h e d in h is d e e p c h a ir , h is p ip e c u r lin g f o r t h s lo w w r e a th s o f
a c r id to b a c c o , w h ile h is e y e lid s d r o o p e d o v e r h is e y e s s o la z ily
t h a t h e m ig h t a lm o s t h a v e b e e n a s le e p w e re it n o t t h a t a t a n y h a lt
o r q u e s tio n a b le p a s s a g e o f m y n a r r a tiv e th e y h a lf lifte d , a n d tw o
g re y e y e s, a s b r ig h t a n d k e e n a s r a p ie r s , tra n s fix e d m e w ith th e ir
s e a r c h in g g la n c e .
‘T h e H a v e n is t h e n a m e o f M r J o s ia h A m b e r l e y ’s h o u s e , ’ I
e x p l a i n e d . ‘I t h i n k i t w o u l d i n t e r e s t y o u , H o l m e s . I t is l i k e s o m e
p e n u rio u s p a tric ia n w ho has sunk in to th e com pany of h is
in fe rio rs . Y ou know th a t p a rtic u la r q u a rte r, th e m o n o to n o u s
b ric k s tre e ts , th e w e a r y s u b u r b a n h ig h w a y s . R ig h t in th e m id d le
o f t h e m , a l i t t l e i s l a n d o f a n c i e n t c u l t u r e a n d c o m f o r t , li e s t h i s o l d
h o m e , s u r r o u n d e d b y a h ig h s u n - b a k e d w a ll, m o ttle d w ith lic h e n s
a n d to p p e d w ith m o s s , th e s o r t o f w a ll - ’
‘C u t o u t t h e p o e t r y , W a t s o n , ’ s a i d H o l m e s s e v e r e l y . ‘I n o t e t h a t

it w a s a h ig h b ric k w a ll.’
‘E x a c t l y . I s h o u l d n o t h a v e k n o w n w h i c h w a s T h e H a v e n h a d
I n o t a s k e d a lo u n g e r w h o w a s s m o k in g in th e s tre e t. I h a v e r e a s o n
fo r m e n tio n in g h im . H e w a s a ta ll, d a r k , h e a v ily - m o u s ta c h e d ,
r a th e r m ilita ry -lo o k in g m a n . H e n o d d e d a n a n s w e r to m y in q u iry
a n d g a v e m e a c u rio u s ly q u e s tio n in g g la n c e , w h ic h c a m e b a c k to
m y m e m o r y a little la te r.
‘I h a d h a r d l y e n t e r e d t h e g a t e w a y b e f o r e I s a w M r A m b e r l e y
c o m in g d o w n th e d riv e . I o n ly h a d a g lim p s e o f h im th is m o r n in g ,
a n d h e c e rta in ly g a v e m e th e im p re s s io n o f a s tra n g e c r e a tu r e , b u t
w hen I saw h im in fu ll lig h t h is a p p e a ra n c e w as even m o re
108 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

a b n o r m a l.’
‘I h a v e , o f c o u r s e , s t u d i e d i t , a n d y e t I s h o u l d b e i n t e r e s t e d t o
h a v e y o u r im p r e s s io n ,’ s a id H o lm e s .
‘H e s e e m e d t o m e li k e a m a n w h o w a s l i t e r a l l y b o w e d d o w n b y
c a re . H is b a c k w a s c u rv e d a s th o u g h h e c a rrie d a h e a v y b u rd e n .
Y e t h e w a s n o t th e w e a k lin g t h a t I h a d a t firs t im a g in e d , f o r h is
s h o u ld e r s a n d c h e s t h a v e th e f r a m e w o r k o f a g ia n t, th o u g h h is
f ig u r e t a p e r s a w a y i n t o a p a i r o f s p in d le d le g s .’
‘L e f t s h o e w r i n k l e d , r i g h t o n e s m o o t h . ’
‘I d i d n o t o b s e r v e t h a t . ’
‘N o , y o u w o u l d n ’t . I s p o t t e d h i s a r t i f i c i a l l i m b . B u t p r o c e e d . ’
‘I w a s s t r u c k b y t h e s n a k y l o c k s o f g r i z z l e d h a i r w h i c h c u r l e d
fro m u n d e r h is o ld s tr a w h a t , a n d h is fa c e w ith its fie rc e , e a g e r
e x p re s s io n a n d th e d e e p ly -lin e d f e a tu r e s .’
‘V e r y g o o d , W a t s o n . W h a t d i d h e s a y ? ’
‘H e b e g a n p o u r i n g o u t t h e s t o r y o f h i s g r i e v a n c e s . W e w a l k e d
d o w n th e d riv e to g e th e r , a n d o f c o u rs e I to o k a g o o d lo o k r o u n d .
I h a v e n e v e r s e e n a w o r s e - k e p t p la c e . T h e g a r d e n w a s a ll r u n n in g
to s e e d , g iv in g m e a n im p r e s s io n o f w ild n e g le c t in w h ic h th e
p la n ts h a d b e e n a llo w e d to fin d th e w a y o f n a tu r e r a th e r th a n o f
a r t. H o w a n y d e c e n t w o m a n c o u ld h a v e to le r a te d su c h a s ta te o f
t h i n g s , I d o n ’t k n o w . T h e h o u s e , t o o , w a s s l a t t e r n l y t o t h e l a s t
d e g re e , b u t th e p o o r m a n se e m e d h im s e lf to be a w a r e o f it a n d to
b e tr y in g to re m e d y it, f o r a g r e a t p o t o f g re e n p a in t s to o d in th e
c e n t r e o f t h e h a l l a n d h e w a s c a r r y i n g a t h i c k b r u s h i n h i s le f t
h a n d . H e h a d b e e n w o rk in g o n th e w o o d w o rk .
‘H e t o o k m e i n t o h i s d i n g y s a n c t u m , a n d w e h a d a l o n g c h a t .
O f c o u rs e , h e w a s d is a p p o in te d t h a t y o u h a d n o t c o m e y o u rs e lf.
“ I h a r d ly e x p e c te d ,” h e s a id , “ t h a t s o h u m b le a n in d iv id u a l as
m y s e lf, e s p e c ia lly a f te r m y h e a v y f in a n c ia l lo s s , c o u ld o b t a i n th e
c o m p le te a tte n tio n o f s o f a m o u s a m a n a s M r S h e rlo c k H o lm e s .”
‘I a s s u r e d h i m t h a t t h e f i n a n c i a l q u e s t i o n d i d n o t a r i s e . “ N o , o f
 T h e A d v e n tu r e o f th e R e tir e d C o lo u r m a n 109

c o u r s e , i t is a r t f o r a r t ’s s a k e w i t h h i m , ” s a i d h e ; “ b u t e v e n o n t h e
a r tis tic s id e o f c rim e h e m ig h t h a v e f o u n d s o m e th in g h e r e t o s tu d y .
A n d h u m a n n a t u r e , D r W a t s o n - t h e b l a c k i n g r a t i t u d e o f i t a ll!
W h e n d id I e v e r re fu s e o n e o f h e r re q u e s ts ? W a s e v e r a w o m a n so
p a m p e re d ? A n d th a t y o u n g m a n - h e m ig h t h a v e b e e n m y o w n so n .
H e h a d th e r u n o f m y h o u s e . A n d y e t se e h o w th e y h a v e tr e a te d m e!
O h , D r W a t s o n , i t is a d r e a d f u l , d r e a d f u l w o r l d ! ”
‘T h a t w a s t h e b u r d e n o f h i s s o n g f o r a n h o u r o r m o r e . H e h a d , i t
s e e m s , n o s u s p ic io n o f a n in tr ig u e . T h e y liv e d a lo n e s a v e f o r a
w o m a n w h o c o m e s in b y th e d a y a n d le a v e s e v e r y e v e n in g a t s ix . O n
t h a t p a r t i c u l a r e v e n i n g o l d A m b e r l e y , w i s h i n g t o g iv e h i s w i f e a
tr e a t , h a d ta k e n t w o u p p e r c irc le s e a ts a t th e H a y m a r k e t T h e a tr e .
A t th e la s t m o m e n t sh e h a d c o m p la in e d o f a h e a d a c h e a n d h a d
re fu s e d to g o . H e h a d g o n e a lo n e . T h e re se e m e d to b e n o d o u b t
a b o u t th e fa c t, fo r h e p ro d u c e d th e u n u s e d tic k e t w h ic h h e h a d
ta k e n f o r h is w if e .’
‘T h a t is r e m a r k a b l e - m o s t r e m a r k a b le ,’ s a id H o lm e s , w h o s e
i n t e r e s t i n t h e c a s e s e e m e d t o b e r i s i n g . ‘P r a y c o n t i n u e , W a t s o n . I
fin d y o u r n a r r a tiv e m o s t in te r e s tin g . D id y o u p e r s o n a lly e x a m in e
th is tic k e t? Y o u d id n o t, p e rc h a n c e , ta k e th e n u m b e r ? ’
‘I t s o h a p p e n s t h a t I d i d , ’ I a n s w e r e d w i t h s o m e p r i d e . ‘I t c h a n c e d
t o b e m y o ld s c h o o l n u m b e r , t h ir ty - o n e , a n d s o it s tu c k in m y h e a d .’
‘E x c e l l e n t , W a ts o n ! H is s e a t, th e n , w as e ith e r th irty or
th irty -tw o .’
‘Q u i t e s o , ’ I a n s w e r e d , w i t h s o m e m y s t i f i c a t i o n . ‘A n d o n B r o w . ’
‘T h a t is m o s t s a t i s f a c t o r y . W h a t e l s e d i d h e t e l l y o u ? ’
‘H e s h o w e d m e h i s s t r o n g - r o o m , a s h e c a l l e d i t . I t r e a l l y is a
s tro n g -ro o m - lik e a bank - w ith iro n door and s h u tte r -
b u r g la r - p r o o f , a s h e c la im e d . H o w e v e r, th e w o m a n se e m s to h a v e
h a d a d u p lic a te k e y , a n d b e tw e e n th e m th e y h a d c a r r ie d o ff s o m e
s e v e n t h o u s a n d p o u n d s ’ w o r t h o f c a s h a n d s e c u ritie s .’
‘S e c u r i t i e s ! H o w c o u l d t h e y d i s p o s e o f t h o s e ? ’
110 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

‘H e s a i d t h a t h e h a d g i v e n t h e p o l i c e a l i s t a n d t h a t h e h o p e d t h e y
w o u ld b e u n s a le a b le . H e h a d g o t b a c k fr o m th e th e a tre a b o u t
m id n ig h t, a n d f o u n d th e p la c e p lu n d e r e d , th e d o o r a n d w in d o w
o p e n a n d th e fu g itiv e s g o n e . T h e r e w a s n o le tte r o r m e s s a g e , n o r h a s
h e h e a r d a w o r d s in c e . H e a t o n c e g a v e th e a la r m t o th e p o lic e .’
H o lm e s b ro o d e d f o r s o m e m in u te s .
‘Y o u s a y h e w a s p a i n t i n g . W h a t w a s h e p a i n t i n g ? ’
‘W e l l , h e w a s p a i n t i n g t h e p a s s a g e . B u t h e h a d a l r e a d y p a i n t e d
th e d o o r a n d w o o d w o r k o f th is r o o m I s p o k e o f .’
‘D o e s i t s t r i k e y o u a s a s t r a n g e o c c u p a t i o n i n t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s ? ’
‘ “ O n e m u s t d o s o m e th in g to e a se a n a c h in g h e a r t.” T h a t w a s
h i s o w n e x p l a n a t i o n . I t w a s e c c e n t r i c , n o d o u b t , b u t h e is c l e a r l y
a n e c c e n t r i c m a n . H e t o r e u p o n e o f h i s w i f e ’s p h o t o g r a p h s i n m y
p re s e n c e - to r e it u p f u r io u s ly in a te m p e s t o f p a s s io n . “ I n e v e r
w is h to se e h e r d a m n e d fa c e a g a in ,” h e s h r ie k e d .’
‘A n y t h i n g m o r e , W a t s o n ? ’
‘Y e s , o n e t h i n g w h i c h s t r u c k m e m o r e t h a n a n y t h i n g e ls e . I h a d
d riv e n to th e B la c k h e a th S ta tio n a n d h a d c a u g h t m y tr a in th e re ,
w h e n j u s t a s it w a s s t a r t i n g I s a w a m a n d a r t in t o th e c a r r ia g e n e x t
to m y o w n . Y o u k n o w th a t I h a v e a q u ic k eye fo r fa c e s, H o lm e s . It
w a s u n d o u b te d ly th e ta ll, d a r k m a n w h o m I h a d a d d re s s e d in th e
s tr e e t. I s a w h im o n c e m o r e a t L o n d o n B rid g e , a n d th e n I lo s t h im in
th e c r o w d . B u t I a m c o n v in c e d th a t h e w a s fo llo w in g m e .’
‘N o d o u b t! N o d o u b t!’ s a id H o lm e s . ‘A ta ll, d ark ,
h e a v ily -m o u s ta c h e d m a n , y o u sa y , w ith g re y -tin te d s u n g la s s e s ? ’
‘H o l m e s , y o u a re a w iz a rd . I d id not say so , but he had
g r e y - tin te d s u n - g la s s e s .’
‘A n d a M a s o n i c * t i e - p i n ? ’
‘H o l m e s ! ’

‘ Q u i t e s i m p l e , m y d e a r W a t s o n . B u t l e t u s g e t d o w n t o w h a t is
p ra c tic a l. I m u s t a d m it to y o u th a t th e c a se , w h ic h se e m e d to m e
to b e so a b s u rd ly s im p le a s t o b e h a rd ly w o r th m y n o t i c e , is
 T h e A d v e n tu r e o f th e R e tir e d C o lo u r m a n 111

r a p i d l y a s s u m i n g a v e r y d i f f e r e n t a s p e c t . I t is t r u e t h a t t h o u g h i n
y o u r m is s io n y o u h a v e m is s e d e v e ry th in g o f im p o r ta n c e , y e t e v e n
th o s e th in g s w h ic h h a v e o b tr u d e d th e m s e lv e s u p o n y o u r n o tic e
g iv e r i s e t o s e r i o u s t h o u g h t . ’
‘W h a t h a v e I m i s s e d ? ’
‘D o n ’t b e h u r t , m y d e a r f e l l o w . Y o u k n o w th a t I a m q u ite
i m p e r s o n a l . N o o n e e ls e w o u l d h a v e d o n e b e t t e r . S o m e p o s s i b l y n o t
s o w e l l . B u t c l e a r l y y o u h a v e m i s s e d s o m e v i t a l p o i n t s . W h a t is t h e
o p i n i o n o f th e n e i g h b o u r s a b o u t th is m a n A m b e r le y a n d h is w ife ?
T h a t s u r e l y is o f i m p o r t a n c e . W h a t o f D r E r n e s t ? W a s h e t h e g a y
L o th a rio * one w o u ld e x p e c t? W ith your n a tu ra l a d v a n ta g e s ,
W a t s o n , e v e r y l a d y is y o u r h e l p e r a n d a c c o m p l i c e . W h a t a b o u t t h e
g i r l a t t h e p o s t o f f ic e , o r t h e w i f e o f t h e g r e e n g r o c e r ? I c a n p i c t u r e
y o u w h i s p e r i n g s o f t n o t h i n g s w i t h t h e y o u n g l a d y a t t h e “ B lu e
A n c h o r ” * , a n d r e c e i v i n g h a r d s o m e t h i n g s i n e x c h a n g e . A ll t h i s y o u
h a v e le ft u n d o n e .’
‘I t c a n s t il l b e d o n e . ’
‘I t h a s b e e n d o n e . T h a n k s t o t h e t e l e p h o n e a n d t h e h e l p o f t h e
Y a r d , I c a n u s u a lly g e t m y e s s e n tia ls w ith o u t le a v in g th is r o o m . A s
a m a t t e r o f f a c t , m y i n f o r m a t i o n c o n f i r m s t h e m a n ’s s t o r y . H e h a s
th e lo c a l r e p u te o f b e in g a m is e r a s w e ll a s a h a r s h a n d e x a c tin g
h u s b a n d . T h a t h e h a d a la r g e s u m o f m o n e y in t h a t s tr o n g - r o o m o f
h i s is c e r t a i n . S o a l s o is i t t h a t y o u n g D r E r n e s t , a n u n m a r r i e d m a n ,
p la y e d c h e s s w ith A m b e r le y , a n d p r o b a b l y p la y e d th e f o o l w i t h h is
w i f e . A ll t h i s s e e m s p l a i n s a i l i n g , a n d o n e w o u l d t h i n k t h a t t h e r e w a s
n o m o r e to b e s a id - a n d y e t! - a n d y e t! ’
‘W h e r e li e s t h e d i f f i c u l t y ? ’
‘I n m y i m a g i n a t i o n , p e r h a p s . W e l l , l e a v e i t t h e r e , W a t s o n . L e t
us escape fro m th is w e a r y w o r k a d a y w o r ld b y th e s id e d o o r o f
m u s i c . C a r i n a s in g s t o n i g h t a t t h e A l b e r t H a l l , a n d w e s t i l l h a v e
tim e t o d re s s , d in e a n d e n j o y .’
In th e m o r n in g I w a s u p b e tim e s , b u t s o m e to a s t c ru m b s a n d tw o
112 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

e m p t y e g g - s h e l l s t o l d m e t h a t m y c o m p a n i o n w a s e a r l i e r s ti l l . I
f o u n d a s c r ib b le d n o te o n th e ta b le .

D e a r W a t s o n ,

T h e re a re o n e o r tw o p o in ts o f c o n ta c t w h ic h I s h o u ld w is h to
e s t a b l i s h w i t h M r J o s i a h A m b e r le y . W h e n I h a v e d o n e s o w e c a n
d is m is s t h e c a s e - o r n o t . I w o u l d o n l y a s k y o u t o b e o n h a n d a b o u t
t h r e e o ’c lo c k , a s I c o n c e i v e it p o s s ib l e t h a t I m a y w a n t y o u . S .H .

I saw n o th in g o f H o lm e s a ll d a y , b u t a t th e h o u r n a m e d h e
r e tu r n e d , g ra v e , p r e o c c u p ie d a n d a lo o f. A t s u c h tim e s it w a s e a s ie r
t o le a v e h im to h im s e lf.
‘H a s A m b e r l e y b e e n h e r e y e t ? ’
‘N o . ’
‘A h ! I a m e x p e c t i n g h i m . ’
H e w a s n o t d is a p p o in te d , fo r p re s e n tly th e o ld fe llo w a rriv e d
w ith a v e ry w o r r ie d a n d p u z z le d e x p r e s s io n u p o n h is a u s te r e fa c e .
‘I ’v e h a d a t e l e g r a m , M r H o l m e s . I c a n m a k e n o t h i n g o f i t . ’ H e
h a n d e d it o v e r, a n d H o lm e s re a d it a lo u d .

C o m e a t o n c e w i t h o u t f a i l. C a n g iv e y o u i n f o r m a t i o n a s t o y o u r
r e c e n t lo s s . - E l m a n . T h e V ic a r a g e .

‘D i s p a t c h e d a t t w o - t e n fro m L ittle P u r lin g to n ,’ s a id H o lm e s .

‘L i t t l e P u r l i n g t o n is i n E s s e x , I b e l i e v e , n o t f a r f r o m F r i n t o n . W e l l ,
o f c o u r s e y o u w i l l s t a r t a t o n c e . T h i s is e v i d e n t l y f r o m a r e s p o n s i b l e
p e r s o n , t h e v i c a r o f t h e p l a c e . W h e r e is m y C r o c k f o r d * ? Y e s , h e r e
w e h a v e h im . J .C . E lm a n , M .A ., L iv in g o f M o s s m o o r c u m L ittle
P u rlin g to n . L o o k u p th e tra in s , W a ts o n .’
‘T h e r e is o n e a t f i v e - t w e n t y f r o m L i v e r p o o l S t r e e t . ’
‘E x c e l l e n t . Y o u h a d b e s t g o w i t h h i m , W a t s o n . H e m a y n e e d
h e lp o r a d v ic e . C le a r ly w e h a v e c o m e t o a c ris is in th is a f f a ir .’
B u t o u r c lie n t s e e m e d b y n o m e a n s e a g e r to s ta rt.
 T h e A d v e n tu r e o f th e R e tir e d C o lo u r m a n 113

‘I t ’s p e r f e c t l y a b s u r d , M r H o l m e s , ’ h e s a i d . ‘W h a t c a n t h i s m a n
p o s s i b l y k n o w o f w h a t h a s o c c u r r e d ? I t is w a s t e o f t i m e a n d m o n e y . ’
‘H e w o u l d n o t h a v e t e l e g r a p h e d t o y o u if h e d id not know
s o m e th in g . W ire a t o n c e th a t y o u a re c o m in g .’
‘I d o n ’t t h i n k I s h a l l g o . ’
H o lm e s a s s u m e d h is s te r n e s t a s p e c t.
‘I t w o u l d m a k e t h e w o r s t p o s s i b l e i m p r e s s i o n b o t h o n t h e p o l i c e
a n d u p o n m y s e lf, M r A m b e r le y , if w h e n s o o b v io u s a c lu e a r o s e
y o u s h o u ld re fu s e to f o llo w it u p . W e s h o u ld feel th a t y o u w e re
n o t re a lly in e a r n e s t in th is i n v e s tig a tio n .’
O u r c lie n t s e e m e d h o r r if ie d a t th e s u g g e s tio n .
‘W h y , o f c o u r s e I s h a l l g o i f y o u l o o k a t i t i n t h a t w a y , ’ s a i d h e .
‘O n t h e f a c e o f i t , i t s e e m s a b s u r d t o s u p p o s e t h a t t h i s p a r s o n
k n o w s a n y t h i n g , b u t if y o u t h i n k - ’
‘I d o th in k ,’ s a id H o lm e s , w ith e m p h a s is , a n d so we w e re
l a u n c h e d u p o n o u r j o u r n e y . H o l m e s t o o k m e a s i d e b e f o r e w e le f t
th e ro o m a n d g a v e m e o n e w o r d o f c o u n s e l w h ic h s h o w e d th a t h e
c o n s i d e r e d t h e m a t t e r t o b e o f i m p o r t a n c e . ‘W h a t e v e r y o u d o , s e e
t h a t h e r e a l l y d o e s g o , ’ s a i d h e . ‘S h o u l d h e b r e a k a w a y o r r e t u r n ,
g e t to th e n e a r e s t te le p h o n e e x c h a n g e a n d s e n d th e s in g le w o r d
“ B o lte d ” . I w ill a r r a n g e h e re t h a t it s h a ll re a c h m e w h e r e v e r I a m .’
L i t t l e P u r l i n g t o n is n o t a n e a s y p l a c e t o r e a c h , f o r i t is o n a
b r a n c h l i n e . M y r e m e m b r a n c e o f t h e j o u r n e y is n o t a p l e a s a n t
one, fo r th e w e a th e r w as h o t, th e tra in s lo w , and my
c o m p a n io n s u lle n a n d s ile n t, h a r d ly ta lk in g a t a ll, s a v e t o m a k e
an o c c a s io n a l s a rd o n ic re m a rk as to th e fu tility of our
p ro c e e d in g s . W h e n we a t la s t re a c h e d th e little s ta tio n it w a s
a tw o - m ile d r iv e b e f o r e w e c a m e t o th e V ic a r a g e , w h e r e a b ig ,
s o le m n , ra th e r pom pous c le rg y m a n re c e iv e d us in h is s tu d y .
O u r te le g ra m la y b e fo re h im .
‘W e l l , g e n t l e m e n , ’ h e a s k e d , ‘w h a t c a n I d o f o r y o u ? ’
‘W e c a m e , ’ I e x p l a i n e d , ‘i n a n s w e r t o y o u r w i r e . ’
114 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

‘M y w i r e ! I s e n t n o w i r e . ’
‘I m e a n t h e w i r e w h i c h y o u s e n t t o M r J o s i a h A m b e r l e y a b o u t
h is w ife a n d h is m o n e y .’
‘I f t h i s -is a j o k e , s i r , i t is a v e r y q u e s t i o n a b l e o n e , ’ s a i d t h e v i c a r
a n g r i l y . ‘I h a v e n e v e r h e a r d o f t h e g e n t l e m a n y o u n a m e , a n d I
h a v e n o t s e n t a w ire to a n y o n e .’
O u r c lie n t a n d I lo o k e d a t e a c h o th e r in a m a z e m e n t.
‘P e r h a p s t h e r e is s o m e m i s t a k e , ’ s a i d I; ‘a r e t h e r e p e r h a p s t w o
v i c a r a g e s ? H e r e is t h e w i r e i t s e l f , s i g n e d E l m a n , a n d d a t e d f r o m
th e V ic a r a g e .’
‘T h e r e is o n l y o n e v i c a r a g e , s i r , a n d o n l y o n e v i c a r , a n d t h i s
w i r e is a s c a n d a l o u s f o r g e r y , t h e o r i g i n o f w h i c h s h a l l c e r t a i n l y b e
in v e s tig a te d b y th e p o lic e . M e a n w h ile , I c a n se e n o p o s s ib le o b je c t
in p ro lo n g in g th is in te r v ie w .’
S o M r A m b e r le y a n d I f o u n d o u rs e lv e s o n th e r o a d - s id e in w h a t
seem ed to m e to b e th e m o s t p r im itiv e v illa g e in E n g la n d . W e
m a d e f o r t h e t e l e g r a p h o f f ic e , b u t i t w a s a l r e a d y c l o s e d . T h e r e w a s
a t e l e p h o n e , h o w e v e r , a t t h e l i t t l e ‘R a i l w a y A r m s ’, a n d b y i t I g o t
in to to u c h w ith H o lm e s , w h o s h a re d in o u r a m a z e m e n t a t th e
r e s u lt o f o u r jo u rn e y .
‘M o s t s i n g u l a r ! ’ s a i d th e d is ta n t v o ic e . ‘M o s t r e m a r k a b l e ! I
m u c h f e a r , m y d e a r W a t s o n , t h a t t h e r e is n o r e t u r n t r a i n t o n i g h t .
I h a v e u n w ittin g ly c o n d e m n e d y o u t o th e h o r r o r s o f a c o u n tr y in n .
H o w e v e r , t h e r e is a l w a y s N a t u r e , W a t s o n - N a tu r e a n d J o s ia h
A m b e r l e y - y o u c a n b e i n c l o s e c o m m u n e w i t h b o t h . ’ I h e a r d h is
d r y c h u c k le a s h e tu r n e d a w a y .
I t w a s s o o n a p p a r e n t t o m e t h a t m y c o m p a n i o n ’s r e p u t a t i o n a s
a m is e r w a s n o t u n d e s e rv e d . H e h a d g ru m b le d a t th e e x p e n s e o f
th e jo u rn e y , h a d in s is te d u p o n tra v e llin g th ird -c la s s , a n d w a s n o w
c l a m o r o u s i n h i s o b j e c t i o n s t o t h e h o t e l b il l . N e x t m o r n i n g , w h e n
w e d id a t la s t a r r iv e in L o n d o n , it w a s h a r d t o s a y w h ic h o f u s
w a s in th e w o rs e h u m o u r .
 T h e A d v e n tu r e o f th e R e tir e d C o lo u r m a n 115

‘Y o u h a d b e s t t a k e B a k e r S t r e e t a s w e p a s s , ’ s a i d I . ‘M r H o l m e s
m a y h a v e so m e fre sh in s tr u c tio n s .’
‘I f t h e y a r e n o t w o r t h m o r e t h a n t h e l a s t o n e s t h e y a r e n o t o f
m u c h u s e ,’ s a id A m b e r le y , w i t h a m a le v o le n t s c o w l. N o n e th e le s s ,
h e k e p t m e c o m p a n y . I h a d a lre a d y w a r n e d H o lm e s b y te le g ra m
o f th e h o u r o f o u r a rriv a l, b u t w e fo u n d a m e ssa g e w a itin g th a t
h e w a s a t L e w is h a m , a n d w o u ld e x p e c t u s th e re . T h a t w a s a
s u r p r is e , b u t a n e v e n g r e a te r o n e w a s t o fin d t h a t h e w a s n o t a lo n e
in t h e s i t t i n g - r o o m o f o u r c l i e n t . A s t e r n - l o o k i n g , i m p a s s i v e m a n
s a t b e s id e h im , a d a r k m a n w ith g r e y - tin te d g la s s e s a n d a la r g e
M a s o n ic p in p r o je c tin g f r o m h is tie .
‘T h i s is m y frie n d M r B a r k e r ,’ s a id H o lm e s . ‘H e has been
in te re s tin g h im s e lf a ls o in y o u r b u s i n e s s , M r J o s i a h A m b e rle y ,
th o u g h w e h a v e b e e n w o r k in g in d e p e n d e n tly . B u t w e h a v e b o th
th e sa m e q u e s tio n to a s k y o u !’
M r A m b e rle y s a t d o w n h e a v ily . H e s e n s e d im p e n d in g d a n g e r . I
r e a d it in h is s tr a in in g ey e s a n d h is tw itc h in g fe a tu re s .
‘W h a t is t h e q u e s t i o n , M r H o l m e s ? ’
‘O n l y t h i s : W h a t d i d y o u d o w i t h t h e b o d i e s ? ’
T h e m a n s p r a n g t o h is fe e t w i t h a h o a r s e s c r e a m . H e c la w e d
in to th e a ir w ith h is b o n y h a n d s . H is m o u th w a s o p e n a n d f o r th e
i n s t a n t h e lo o k e d lik e s o m e h o r r ib le b ir d o f p r e y . In a fla s h w e
g o t a g lim p s e o f th e re a l J o s ia h A m b e rle y , a m is s h a p e n d e m o n
w i t h a s o u l a s d i s t o r t e d a s h i s b o d y . A s h e f e ll b a c k i n t o h i s c h a i r
h e c la p p e d h is h a n d to h is lip s a s if t o s tif le a c o u g h . H o l m e s
s p r a n g a t h is t h r o a t lik e a tig e r , a n d tw is te d h is fa c e t o w a r d s th e
g r o u n d . A w h i t e p e l l e t f e ll f r o m b e t w e e n h i s g a s p i n g li p s .
‘N o s h o r t c u t s , J o s i a h A m b e r l e y . T h i n g s m u s t b e d o n e d e c e n t l y
a n d in o r d e r . W h a t a b o u t it, B a r k e r ? ’
‘I h a v e a c a b a t t h e d o o r , ’ s a i d o u r t a c i t u r n c o m p a n i o n .
‘I t is o n l y a f e w h u n d r e d y a r d s t o t h e s t a t i o n . W e w i l l g o t o g e t h e r .
Y o u c a n s ta y h e re , W a ts o n . I s h a ll b e b a c k w ith in h a lf a n h o u r .’
116 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

T h e o ld c o lo u r m a n h a d th e s tr e n g th o f a lio n in t h a t g r e a t t r u n k
o f h is , b u t h e w a s h e lp le s s in th e h a n d s o f th e tw o e x p e rie n c e d
m a n -h a n d le rs . W rig g lin g and tw is tin g he w as d ra g g e d to th e
w a i t i n g c a b a n d I w a s l e f t t o m y s o l i t a r y v i g il i n t h e i l l - o m e n e d
h o u s e . I n le s s tim e t h a n h e h a d n a m e d , h o w e v e r , H o lm e s w a s
b a c k , in c o m p a n y w ith a s m a r t y o u n g p o lic e in s p e c to r.
‘I ’v e l e f t B a r k e r t o l o o k a f t e r t h e f o r m a l i t i e s , ’ s a i d H o l m e s . ‘Y o u
h a d n o t m e t B a r k e r , W a t s o n . H e is m y h a t e d r i v a l u p o n t h e S u r r e y
s h o re . W h e n y o u s a id a ta ll d a r k m a n it w a s n o t d iffic u lt f o r m e
to c o m p le te th e p ic tu r e . H e h a s s e v e ra l g o o d c a s e s to h is c re d it,
h a s h e n o t, In s p e c to r? ’
‘H e has c e rta in ly in te rfe re d se v e ra l tim e s ,’ th e In s p e c to r
a n s w e re d w ith re se rv e .
‘H i s m e th o d s a re irre g u la r, no d o u b t, l ik e my ow n. The
ir r e g u la r s a re u s e fu l s o m e tim e s , y o u k n o w . Y o u , f o r e x a m p le , w ith
your c o m p u ls o ry w a rn in g a b o u t w h a te v e r h e s a id b e in g u sed
a g a in s t h im , c o u ld n e v e r h a v e b lu ffe d th is ra s c a l in to w h a t is
v irtu a lly a c o n f e s s io n .’
‘P e r h a p s n o t . B u t w e g e t t h e r e a l l t h e s a m e , M r H o l m e s . D o n ’t
im a g in e t h a t w e h a d n o t f o r m e d o u r o w n v ie w s o f th is c a s e , a n d
t h a t w e w o u ld n o t h a v e la id o u r h a n d s o n o u r m a n . Y o u w ill
e x c u s e u s f o r fe e lin g s o r e w h e n y o u ju m p in w ith m e th o d s w h ic h
w e c a n n o t u se , a n d so r o b u s o f th e c r e d it.’
‘T h e r e s h a l l b e n o s u c h r o b b e r y , M a c K i n n o n . I a s s u r e y o u t h a t
I e ffa c e m y s e lf f r o m n o w o n w a r d s , a n d a s to B a rk e r, h e h a s d o n e
n o th in g sa v e w h a t I to ld h im .’
T h e I n s p e c to r s e e m e d c o n s id e r a b ly re lie v e d .
‘T h a t is v e r y h a n d s o m e o f y o u , M r H o l m e s . P r a i s e o r b l a m e
c a n m a t t e r l i t t l e t o y o u , b u t i t is v e r y d i f f e r e n t t o u s w h e n t h e
n e w s p a p e r s b e g in to a s k q u e s tio n s .’
‘Q u i t e s o . B u t t h e y a r e p r e t t y s u r e t o a s k q u e s t i o n s a n y h o w , s o
it w o u ld b e a s w e ll to have a n s w e rs . W h a t w ill y o u say , fo r
 T h e A d v e n tu r e o f th e R e tir e d C o lo u r m a n 117

e x a m p le , w h e n th e in te llig e n t a n d e n te r p r is in g r e p o r te r a s k s y o u
w h a t th e e x a c t p o in ts w e re w h ic h a r o u s e d y o u r s u s p ic io n , a n d
fin a lly g a v e y o u a c e r ta in c o n v ic tio n a s t o th e r e a l f a c ts ? ’
T h e I n s p e c to r lo o k e d p u z z le d .
‘W e d o n ’t s e e m t o h a v e g o t a n y r e a l f a c t s y e t , M r H o l m e s . Y o u
s a y t h a t t h e p r i s o n e r , in t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h r e e w i t n e s s e s , p r a c t i c a l l y
c o n f e s s e d , b y tr y in g to c o m m it s u ic id e , t h a t h e h a d m u r d e r e d h is
w ife a n d h e r lo v e r. W h a t o t h e r fa c ts h a v e y o u ? ’
‘H a v e y o u a r r a n g e d f o r a s e a r c h ? ’
‘T h e r e a r e t h r e e c o n s t a b l e s o n t h e i r w a y . ’
‘T h e n y o u w i l l s o o n g e t t h e c l e a r e s t f a c t o f a l l . T h e b o d i e s c a n n o t
b e f a r a w a y . T r y th e c e lla rs a n d th e g a r d e n . I t s h o u ld n o t ta k e lo n g
t o d i g u p t h e l i k e l y p l a c e s . T h i s h o u s e is o l d e r t h a n t h e w a t e r - p i p e s .
T h e r e m u s t b e a d is u s e d w e ll s o m e w h e r e . T r y y o u r lu c k t h e r e .’
‘B u t h o w d i d y o u k n o w o f i t , a n d h o w w a s i t d o n e ? ’
‘I ’ll s h o w y o u f i r s t h o w i t w a s d o n e , a n d t h e n I w i l l g i v e t h e
e x p la n a tio n w h ic h is due to you, and even m o re to my
lo n g -s u ffe rin g f rie n d h e re , w h o h a s b e e n in v a lu a b le th r o u g h o u t.
B u t , f i r s t , I w o u l d g iv e y o u a n i n s i g h t i n t o t h i s m a n ’s m e n t a l i t y . I t is
a v e r y u n u s u a l o n e - s o m u c h s o t h a t I t h i n k h is d e s t i n a t i o n is m o r e
lik e ly to b e B r o a d m o o r * th a n th e s c a ffo ld . H e h a s , to a h ig h d e g re e ,
th e s o r t o f m in d w h ic h o n e a s s o c ia te s w ith th e m e d ie v a l I ta lia n
n a tu r e r a th e r th a n w ith th e m o d e r n B rito n . H e w a s a m is e ra b le
m is e r w h o m a d e h is w ife s o w r e tc h e d b y h is n ig g a r d ly w a y s th a t s h e
w a s a r e a d y p r e y f o r a n y a d v e n tu r e r . S u c h a o n e c a m e u p o n th e
s c e n e in th e p e r s o n o f th is c h e s s -p la y in g d o c to r . A m b e rle y e x c e lle d
a t c h e s s - o n e m a r k , W a ts o n , o f a s c h e m in g m in d . L ik e a ll m is e rs ,
h e w a s a je a lo u s m a n , a n d h is je a lo u s y b e c a m e a f r a n tic m a n ia .
R ig h tly o r w r o n g ly , h e s u s p e c te d a n in trig u e . H e d e te r m in e d to h a v e
h is re v e n g e , a n d h e p la n n e d it w ith d ia b o lic a l c le v e rn e s s . C o m e
h e re !’
H o lm e s le d u s a lo n g th e p a s s a g e w ith a s m u c h c e r ta in ty a s if h e
118 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

had liv e d in th e h ouse, and h a lte d a t th e open door o f th e

s tro n g -ro o m .
‘P o o h ! W h a t a n a w f u l s m e l l o f p a i n t ! ’ c r i e d t h e I n s p e c t o r .
‘T h a t w a s o u r firs t c lu e ,’ s a id H o lm e s . ‘Y o u can th a n k Dr
W a t s o n ’s o b s e r v a t i o n fo r th a t, th o u g h he fa ile d to d ra w th e
in f e r e n c e . I t s e t m y f o o t u p o n th e tr a il. W h y s h o u ld th is m a n a t s u c h
a t i m e b e f i l li n g h i s h o u s e w i t h s t r o n g o d o u r s ? O b v i o u s l y , t o c o v e r
s o m e o t h e r s m e l l w h i c h h e w i s h e d t o c o n c e a l - s o m e g u i l t y s m e ll
w h ic h w o u ld su g g e s t s u s p ic io n s . T h e n c a m e th e id e a o f a r o o m s u c h
a s y o u se e h e r e w ith th e ir o n d o o r a n d s h u tte r - a h e r m e tic a lly s e a le d
r o o m . P u t th o s e t w o f a c ts to g e th e r , a n d w h i t h e r d o th e y le a d ? I
c o u ld o n ly d e te r m in e t h a t b y e x a m in in g th e h o u s e m y s e lf. I w a s
a lre a d y c e r ta in th a t th e c a s e w a s s e rio u s , f o r I h a d e x a m in e d th e
b o x -o ffic e c h a rt at th e H a y m a rk e t T h e a tre - a n o th e r of Dr
W a t s o n ’s b u l l ’s - e y e s - a n d a s c e rta in e d th a t n e ith e r B th ir ty n o r
th irty - tw o o f th e upper c irc le had been o c c u p ie d th a t n ig h t.
T h e r e f o r e , A m b e r l e y h a d n o t b e e n t o t h e t h e a t r e , a n d h i s a l i b i f e ll
to th e g r o u n d . H e m a d e a b a d s lip w h e n h e a llo w e d m y a s tu te fr ie n d
to n o tic e th e n u m b e r o f th e s e a t t a k e n f o r h is w ife . T h e q u e s tio n
n o w a ro s e h o w I m ig h t b e a b le to e x a m in e th e h o u s e . I s e n t a n a g e n t
t o th e m o s t im p o s s ib le v illa g e I c o u ld t h i n k o f , a n d s u m m o n e d m y
m a n to it a t s u c h a n h o u r t h a t h e c o u ld n o t p o s s ib ly g e t b a c k . T o
p r e v e n t a n y m is c a rria g e , D r W a ts o n a c c o m p a n ie d h im . T h e g o o d
v i c a r ’s n a m e I t o o k , o f c o u r s e , o u t o f m y C r o c k f o r d . D o I m a k e i t
a ll c le a r to y o u ? ’
‘I t is m a s t e r l y , ’ s a i d t h e I n s p e c t o r , i n a n a w e d v o i c e .
‘T h e r e b e i n g n o f e a r o f i n t e r r u p t i o n I p r o c e e d e d t o b u r g l e t h e
h o u s e . B u rg la ry h a s a lw a y s b e e n a n a lte r n a tiv e p ro fe s s io n , h a d I
c a r e d to a d o p t it, a n d I h a v e little d o u b t th a t I s h o u ld h a v e c o m e
to th e f r o n t. O b s e rv e w h a t I f o u n d . Y o u se e th e g a s -p ip e a lo n g
th e s k ir tin g h e re . V e ry g o o d . I t ris e s in th e a n g le o f th e w a ll, a n d
th e r e is a t a p h e re in th e c o rn e r. T h e p ip e r u n s o u t in to th e
 T h e A d v e n tu r e o f th e R e tir e d C o lo u r m a n 119

s tr o n g - r o o m , a s y o u c a n s e e , a n d e n d s in t h a t p la s te r e d r o s e in
th e c e n tre of th e c e ilin g , w h e re it is c o n c e a le d by th e
o r n a m e n t a t i o n . T h e e n d is w i d e o p e n . A t a n y m o m e n t b y t u r n i n g
th e o u ts id e ta p th e ro o m c o u ld b e flo o d e d w ith g a s. W ith d o o r
and s h u tte r c lo s e d and th e ta p fu ll o n I w o u ld n o t g iv e t w o
m in u te s o f c o n s c io u s s e n s a tio n to a n y o n e s h u t u p in t h a t little
c h a m b e r . B y w h a t d e v ilis h d e v ic e h e d e c o y e d th e m th e r e I d o n o t
k n o w , b u t o n c e in s id e th e d o o r th e y w e r e a t h is m e r c y .’
The In s p e c to r e x a m in e d th e p ip e w ith i n t e r e s t . ‘O n e of our
o ffic e rs m e n tio n e d th e s m e ll o f g a s ,’ s a id h e , ‘b u t, o f c o u r s e , th e
w in d o w a n d d o o r w e re o p e n th e n , a n d th e p a in t - o r s o m e o f it -
w a s a lre a d y a b o u t. H e h a d b e g u n th e w o r k o f p a in tin g th e d a y
b e f o r e , a c c o r d in g to h is s to ry . B u t w h a t n e x t, M r H o lm e s ? ’
‘W e l l , t h e n c a m e a n i n c i d e n t w h i c h w a s r a t h e r u n e x p e c t e d t o
m y s e lf. I w a s s lip p in g th r o u g h th e p a n t r y w in d o w in th e e a r ly d a w n
w h e n I fe lt a h a n d in s id e m y c o lla r , a n d a v o ic e s a id : “ N o w , y o u
ra s c a l, w h a t a re y o u d o in g in th e r e ? ” W h e n I c o u ld tw is t m y h e a d
r o u n d I lo o k e d in to th e tin te d s p e c ta c le s o f m y frie n d a n d riv a l, M r
B a rk e r. I t w a s a c u r io u s f o r e g a th e r in g , a n d s e t u s b o th s m ilin g . It
s e e m s t h a t h e h a d b e e n e n g a g e d b y D r R a y E r n e s t ’s f a m i l y t o m a k e
s o m e in v e s tig a tio n s , a n d h a d c o m e to th e s a m e c o n c lu s io n a s to fo u l
p la y . H e h a d w a tc h e d th e h o u s e f o r s o m e d a y s , a n d h a d s p o tte d D r
W a ts o n a s o n e o f th e o b v io u s ly s u s p ic io u s c h a r a c te r s w h o h a d
c a lle d th e re . H e c o u ld h a r d ly a r r e s t W a ts o n , b u t w h e n h e s a w a m a n
a c tu a lly c lim b in g o u t o f th e p a n t r y w in d o w th e r e c a m e a lim it t o h is
re s tra in t. O f c o u rs e , I to ld h im h o w m a tte rs s to o d a n d w e c o n tin u e d
th e c a se to g e th e r .’
‘W h y h i m ? W h y n o t u s ? ’
‘B e c a u s e i t w a s i n m y m i n d t o p u t t h a t l i t t l e t e s t w h i c h a n s w e r e d
so a d m ira b ly . I fe a r y o u w o u ld n o t h a v e g o n e so f a r .’
T h e I n s p e c to r s m ile d .
‘W e l l , m a y b e n o t. I u n d e rs ta n d th a t I h av e y o u r w o rd , M r
12 0 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

H o lm e s , t h a t y o u s te p r ig h t o u t o f th e c a s e n o w a n d t h a t y o u tu r n
a ll y o u r r e s u lts o v e r t o u s .’
‘C e r t a i n l y , t h a t is a l w a y s m y c u s t o m . ’
‘W e l l , i n t h e n a m e o f t h e F o r c e I t h a n k y o u . I t s e e m s a c l e a r c a s e ,
a s y o u p u t i t , a n d t h e r e c a n ’t b e m u c h d i f f i c u l t y o v e r t h e b o d i e s . ’
‘I ’ll s h o w y o u a g r i m l i t t l e b i t o f e v i d e n c e , ’ s a i d H o l m e s , ‘a n d I
am s u r e A m b e r l e y h i m s e l f n e v e r o b s e r v e d i t . Y o u ’ll g e t r e s u l t s ,
I n s p e c t o r , b y a l w a y s p u t t i n g y o u r s e l f i n t h e o t h e r f e l l o w ’s p l a c e ,
and th in k in g w hat you w o u ld do y o u rs e lf. It ta k e s so m e
im a g in a tio n , b u t it p a y s . N o w , w e w ill s u p p o s e t h a t y o u w e r e s h u t
u p i n t h i s l i t t l e r o o m , h a d n o t t w o m i n u t e s t o li v e , b u t w a n t e d t o
g e t e v e n w ith th e fie n d w h o w a s p r o b a b l y m o c k in g a t y o u f r o m
th e o t h e r s id e o f th e d o o r . W h a t w o u l d y o u d o ? ’
‘W r i t e a m e s s a g e . ’
‘E x a c t l y . Y o u w o u l d l i k e t o t e l l p e o p l e h o w y o u d i e d . N o u s e
w ritin g o n p a p e r . T h a t w o u ld b e se e n . If y o u w ro te o n th e w a ll so m e
e y e m i g h t r e s t u p o n i t . N o w , l o o k h e r e ! J u s t a b o v e t h e s k i r t i n g is
s c r i b b l e d w i t h a p u r p l e i n d e l i b l e p e n c i l : “ W e w e - ” T h a t ’s a l l . ’
‘W h a t d o y o u m a k e o f t h a t ? ’
‘W e l l , i t ’s o n l y a f o o t a b o v e t h e g r o u n d . T h e p o o r d e v i l w a s o n
th e flo o r a n d d y in g w h e n h e w r o t e it. H e lo s t h is s e n s e s b e f o r e h e
c o u ld fin is h .’
‘H e w a s w r i t i n g , “ W e w e r e m u r d e r e d . ” ’
‘T h a t ’s h o w I r e a d it. If y o u fin d a n in d e lib le p e n c il o n th e
body - ’
‘W e ’ll l o o k o u t f o r i t , y o u m a y b e s u r e . B u t t h o s e s e c u r i t i e s ?
C le a r ly th e r e w a s n o r o b b e r y a t a ll. A n d y e t h e d i d p o s s e s s th o s e
b o n d s . W e v e rifie d t h a t . ’
‘Y o u m a y b e s u r e h e h a s t h e m h id d e n in a s a fe p la c e . W h e n
th e w h o le e lo p e m e n t h a d p a s s e d in to h is to r y h e w o u ld s u d d e n ly
d is c o v e r th e m , a n d a n n o u n c e t h a t th e g u ilty c o u p le h a d re le n te d
a n d s e n t b a c k th e p lu n d e r o r h a d d r o p p e d it o n th e w a y .’
 T h e A d v e n tu r e o f th e R e tir e d C o lo u r m a n 12 1

‘Y o u c e rta in ly seem to have m et e v e ry d if f ic u lty ,’ s a id th e

I n s p e c t o r . ‘O f c o u r s e , h e w a s b o u n d t o c a l l u s i n , b u t w h y h e
s h o u l d h a v e g o n e t o y o u I c a n ’t u n d e r s t a n d . ’
‘P u r e s w a n k ! ’ H o l m e s a n s w e r e d . ‘H e f e l t s o c l e v e r a n d s o s u r e
o f h im s e lf th a t h e im a g in e d n o o n e c o u ld to u c h h im . H e c o u ld sa y
t o a n y s u s p ic io u s n e ig h b o u r , “ L o o k a t th e s te p s I h a v e ta k e n . I
h a v e c o n s u lte d n o t o n ly th e p o lic e , b u t e v e n S h e rlo c k H o lm e s .” ’
T h e I n s p e c to r la u g h e d .
‘W e m u s t f o r g i v e y o u y o u r “ e v e n ” , M r H o l m e s , ’ s a i d h e ; ‘i t ’s
a s w o r k m a n lik e a jo b a s I c a n re m e m b e r .’

A c o u p le o f d a y s la te r m y frie n d to s s e d a c ro s s to m e a c o p y o f
th e b i-w e e k ly N o r t h S u r r e y O b s e r v e r . U n d e r a s e rie s o f f la m in g
h e a d l i n e s , w h i c h b e g a n w i t h ‘T h e H a v e n H o r r o r ’ a n d e n d e d w i t h
‘B r i l l i a n t P o l i c e I n v e s t i g a t i o n ’, t h e r e w a s a p a c k e d c o l u m n o f p r i n t
w h ic h gave th e firs t c o n s e c u tiv e account of th e a ffa ir. The
c o n c l u d i n g p a r a g r a p h is t y p i c a l o f t h e w h o l e . I t r a n t h u s :

T h e r e m a r k a b le a c u m e n b y w h ic h In s p e c to r M a c K in n o n d e d u c e d
f r o m th e s m e ll o f p a i n t t h a t s o m e o t h e r s m e ll, t h a t o f g a s , f o r e x a m p le ,
m i g h t b e c o n c e a l e d ; t h e b o l d d e d u c t i o n t h a t t h e s t r o n g - r o o m m i g h t a ls o
b e t h e d e a t h - c h a m b e r , a n d t h e s u b s e q u e n t i n q u i r y w h i c h le d t o th e
d is c o v e r y o f t h e b o d ie s i n a d is u s e d w e ll , c le v e r ly c o n c e a l e d b y a
d o g - k e n n e l , s h o u l d liv e in t h e h i s t o r y o f c r im e a s a s t a n d i n g e x a m p l e o f
t h e in te lli g e n c e o f o u r p r o f e s s i o n a l d e te c tiv e s .

‘W e l l , w e l l , M a c K i n n o n is a g o o d f e l l o w , ’ s a i d H o l m e s , w i t h a
t o l e r a n t s m i l e . ‘Y o u c a n f ile i t i n o u r a r c h i v e s , W a t s o n . S o m e d a y
th e tru e s to ry m a y b e to ld .’
12 2 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

N o t es

th e Y a r d ( p l0 5 )
S c o t l a n d Y a r d , t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s o f t h e L o n d o n p o lic e f o r c e a n d t h e
C rim in a l In v e s tig a tio n D e p a rtm e n t
a c o m p e te n c e ( p l0 6 )
a n in c o m e , u s u a l l y u n e a r n e d , la r g e e n o u g h t o liv e o n ( n o w s e ld o m u s e d
w i t h th i s m e a n in g )
M a s o n ic ( p i 10)
o f t h e F r e e m a s o n s , a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l s e c r e t s o c ie ty w h i c h a im s t o o f f e r
m u t u a l h e l p a n d f r i e n d s h i p a m o n g i ts m e m b e r s
th e g a y L o th a rio (p ill)
a h e a r t l e s s s e d u c e r o f w o m e n ( L o t h a r i o w a s a c h a r a c t e r in a n e i g h te e n th -
c e n t u r y p la y )
th e B lu e A n c h o r ( p i l l )
a lik e l y n a m e f o r a lo c a l p u b o r i n n
C ro c k fo rd ( p i 12)
t h e p u b l i s h e r o f a d i r e c t o r y w h i c h lis ts n a m e s a n d d e t a il s o f c l e r g y m e n
in B r it a in
B ro a d m o o r ( p i 17)
a s p e c ia l h o s p i t a l w h e r e c r i m i n a l s w h o a r e j u d g e d t o b e i n s a n e a r e k e p t
( i n s te a d o f in a p r is o n )

D is c u s s io n

1 H o l m e s b o t h p r a i s e d a n d c r it ic iz e d W a t s o n ’s a t t e m p t s a t d e t e c t i o n .
C a n y o u d e s c r ib e H o l m e s ’s a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s W a t s o n , g iv in g a s m a n y
e x a m p l e s a s p o s s i b le ?

2 D e s c r i b e t h e d e t e c t i o n s k i ll s u s e d b y H o l m e s in th i s s t o r y . H o w a r e
h i s m e t h o d s ‘i r r e g u l a r ’; t h a t is , w h a t d i d h e d o t h a t t h e p o li c e w o u l d
b e u n a b le to d o ?

3 D i d y o u f i n d t h e s o l u t i o n o f t h e m y s t e r y p r e d ic ta b l e ? I f s o , d i d t h a t
le s s e n y o u r a p p r e c i a t i o n o f t h e s to r y ?

La n g u a g e Fo c u s

1 C o n a n D o y le o f t e n u s e s r a t h e r f o r m a l , e v e n e l a b o r a t e , l a n g u a g e . F in d
t h e s e s e n te n c e s a n d p h r a s e s in t h e s t o r y , a n d t h e n t r y t o r e p h r a s e t h e m
 T h e A d v e n tu r e o f th e R e tir e d C o lo u r m a n 123

in a s s i m p le a w a y a s p o s s i b le . F o r e x a m p le :
• I w o u l d a s k y o u t o b e o n h a n d a b o u t t h r e e o ’c l o c k , a s I c o n c e i v e
i t p o s s i b le t h a t I m a y w a n t y o u . ( p i 1 2 )
P le a s e b e h e r e a b o u t t h r e e o ’c l o c k , a s I m a y w a n t y o u .
• . . . Y o u m u s t a d m i t t h a t o u r u n f o r t u n a t e c l ie n t h a s f e w o u t w a r d
g r a c e s , w h a t e v e r h is in n e r v i r tu e s m a y b e . ( p l 0 6 )
• I h a r d ly e x p e c te d th a t so h u m b le an in d iv id u a l a s m y s e lf,
e s p e c ia lly a f t e r m y h e a v y f i n a n c ia l lo s s , c o u l d o b t a i n t h e c o m p l e t e
a t t e n t i o n o f s o f a m o u s a m a n a s M r S h e r lo c k H o l m e s . ( p l 0 8 )
• . . . t h e c a s e , w h i c h s e e m e d t o m e to b e s o a b s u r d l y s i m p l e a s to
b e h a r d ly w o r t h m y n o ti c e , is r a p id l y a s s u m i n g a v e r y d i f f e r e n t
a s p e c t , ( p i 1 0 /1 1 1 )
• W i t h y o u r n a t u r a l a d v a n t a g e s , W a t s o n , e v e r y l a d y is y o u r h e l p e r
a n d a c c o m p li c e , ( p i l l )
• I t w o u l d m a k e t h e w o r s t p o s s i b le i m p r e s s io n b o t h o n t h e p o li c e
a n d u p o n m y s e lf, M r A m b e r le y , i f w h e n s o o b v io u s a c lu e a ro se
y o u s h o u l d r e fu s e t o f o l l o w i t u p . ( p i 1 3 )
• I t w a s s o o n a p p a r e n t t o m e t h a t m y c o m p a n i o n ’s r e p u t a t i o n a s
a m is e r w a s n o t u n d e s e r v e d , ( p i 14)
• S u c h a o n e c a m e u p o n t h e s c e n e i n t h e p e r s o n o f th i s c h e s s - p la y in g
d o c to r , ( p i 17)
• T h e r e b e i n g n o f e a r o f i n t e r r u p t i o n I p r o c e e d e d t o b u r g le th e
h o u se , ( p i 18)

2 T h e c o n v e r s a t i o n s b e t w e e n D r W a t s o n a n d M r A m b e r le y o n t h e i r
j o u r n e y s t o a n d f r o m L it t le P u r l i n g t o n a r e d e s c r ib e d in a f e w e x p r e s s iv e
p h rase s:
• ... an o c c a s io n a l s a r d o n i c rem ark as to th e fu tility o f our
p r o c e e d in g s
• . . . g r u m b le d a t th e e x p e n s e
• . . . i n s i s t e d u p o n tr a v e l li n g th ir d - c la s s
• . . . c l a m o r o u s in h is o b j e c t i o n s

T h i n k o f o n e o r t w o a c t u a l r e m a r k s t h a t A m b e r le y m i g h t h a v e m a d e ,
w h i c h w o u l d f i t e a c h o f t h e s e d e s c r ip ti o n s .
124 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

Ac t iv it ie s

1 I m a g i n e y o u a r e M r B a r k e r , a n d a r e f u r i o u s t h a t t h e p o lic e s h o u l d
t a k e t h e c r e d i t d u e t o a p r i v a t e d e t e c tiv e . W r i t e a n o t h e r s h o r t a r ti c le
f o r t h e N o r t h S u r r e y O b s e r v e r , e x p o s i n g t h e p o lic e c l a im t o t a k e th e
c re d it a s f ra u d u le n t, and d e s c r ib in g how your a s tu te frie n d and
c o l le a g u e , S h e r lo c k H o l m e s , w a s t h e m a n w h o u n r a v e l l e d t h e m y s t e r y
o f th e h o r r i b l e A m b e r le y m u r d e r s . I n v e n t a s u i t a b ly e y e - c a t c h in g
h e a d li n e f o r y o u r a r ti c le .

2 T h is s t o r y c o n t a i n s d e t a i l e d d e s c r i p t i o n s o f t h e a p p e a r a n c e a n d n a t u r e
o f s o m e o f t h e c h a r a c t e r s , b u t n o n e , o f c o u r s e , o f t h e n a r r a t o r h im s e lf .
W h a t d o y o u th in k D r W a ts o n lo o k s lik e , a n d w h a t c l u e s t o h is
p e rs o n a lity d o y o u g e t fro m t h e s to r y ? W r i t e a d e s c r i p t i o n o f h is
a p p e a r a n c e a n d c h a r a c t e r , a n d t h e n c o m p a r e y o u r id e a s w i t h t h o s e o f
o t h e r s t u d e n t s . A r e y o u r i m p r e s s io n s s i m ila r ?
 Sa uc e f o r t h e Go o se

Th e Au t h o r

P a t r i c i a H i g h s m i t h w a s b o r n i n 1 9 2 1 in T e x a s , a n d g r e w
u p in N e w Y o r k . S h e d e c id e d t o b e c o m e a w r i t e r a t th e
a g e o f s i x t e e n . H e r f ir s t b o o k , S tr a n g e r s o n a T r a in , w a s
f ilm e d b y A lf r e d H i t c h c o c k , a n d s in c e t h e n s h e h a s w r i t t e n
m a n y w id e l y p r a i s e d n o v e l s a n d c o l le c ti o n s o f s h o r t s t o r ie s .
H e r b o o k s a r e p s y c h o lo g ic a l t h r i l l e r s , w h i c h s h o w u s , in a
h o r r i b l y c o n v i n c in g w a y , t h e d a r k e r s id e o f h u m a n n a t u r e .
H e r s e r ie s o f n o v e l s a b o u t t h e c h a r m i n g b u t p s y c h o p a t h i c
Tom R i p le y are p a rtic u la rly fam o u s. A m ong her
b e s t - k n o w n t it le s a r e T h e T a l e n t e d M r R i p l e y , R i p l e y ’s
G a m e , T h e T w o F a c e s o f J a n u a r y , a n d T h e G la s s C e ll.

Th e St or y

J e a lo u s y , g re e d , re v e n g e . In th e r e la tio n s h ip o f m a rr ia g e a n y
o f t h e s e e m o t i o n s c a n b e a m o ti v e f o r m u r d e r . W h e n y o u
a ls o h a v e a r ic h o ld e r m a n w ith a n a ttr a c tiv e , a n d m u c h
y o u n g e r , w if e , t h e n t h e s c e n e is a p p a r e n t l y s e t. B u t a l t h o u g h
t h e in g r e d i e n t s m a y b e s i m i l a r t o t h o s e in t h e p r e v i o u s s t o r y
b y C o n a n D o y le , t h e m i x t u r e h e r e m i g h t t u r n o u t t o b e
r a t h e r d if f e r e n t.
L o re n A m o ry is ric h , b a ld in g , and f o r ty - f iv e . H is
c h a r m i n g w if e O li v ia is e l e v e n y e a r s y o u n g e r , a n d L o r e n
k n o w s o n ly t o o w e ll t h e r e a s o n f o r h e r c u r r e n t d e p r e s s io n
a n d te a r f u l n e s s . H e is a s e n s ib le m a n , b u t n a t u r a l l y h e
b e c o m e s a n x i o u s w h e n h i s w if e h a s s e v e r a l n e a r - a c c i d e n t s
a r o u n d th e h o u s e . . .
 Sa uc e f o r t h e Go o se *

h e in c id e n t in th e g a r a g e w a s th e t h i r d n e a r - c a ta s tr o p h e in

T th e A m o ry h o u s e h o ld , a n d it p u t a h o rrib le th o u g h t in to
L o r e n A m o r y ’s h e a d : h i s d a r l i n g w i f e O l i v i a w a s t r y i n g t o k ill
h e rs e lf.
L o re n h a d p u lle d a t a p la s tic c lo th e s lin e d a n g lin g f r o m a h ig h
s h e lf in th e g a ra g e - h is id e a h a d b e e n to tid y u p , to c o il th e
c lo th e s lin e p r o p e r ly - a n d a t t h a t firs t tu g a n a v a la n c h e o f s u itc a s e s ,
an o ld la w n m o w e r, and a s e w in g m a c h in e w e ig h in g
G o d - k n o w s - h o w - m u c h c r a s h e d d o w n o n th e s p o t th a t h e b a re ly
h a d tim e to le a p fro m .
L o r e n w a lk e d s lo w ly b a c k t o th e h o u s e , h is h e a r t p o u n d i n g a t
h is a w f u l d is c o v e ry . H e e n te r e d th e k itc h e n a n d m a d e h is w a y to
th e s ta ir s . O liv ia w a s in b e d , p r o p p e d a g a in s t p illo w s , a m a g a z in e
i n h e r l a p . ‘W h a t w a s t h a t t e r r i b l e n o i s e , d e a r ? ’
L o r e n c l e a r e d h is t h r o a t a n d s e t t l e d h i s b l a c k - r i m m e d g l a s s e s
m o r e f i r m l y o n h i s n o s e . ‘A l o t o f s t u f f i n t h e g a r a g e . I p u l l e d j u s t
a little b it o n a c lo th e s lin e - ’ H e e x p la in e d w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d .
S h e b l i n k e d c a l m l y a s i f t o s a y , ‘W e l l , s o w h a t ? T h i n g s l i k e t h a t
d o h a p p e n .’
‘H a v e y o u b e e n u p t o t h a t s h e l f f o r a n y t h i n g l a t e l y ? ’
‘W h y , n o . W h y ? ’
‘B e c a u s e - w e l l , e v e r y t h i n g w a s j u s t p o i s e d t o f a l l , d a r l i n g . ’
‘A r e y o u b l a m i n g m e ? ’ s h e a s k e d i n a s m a l l v o i c e .
‘B l a m i n g y o u r c a r e l e s s n e s s , y e s . 1 a r r a n g e d t h o s e s u i t c a s e s u p
t h e r e a n d I ’d n e v e r h a v e p u t t h e m s o t h e y ’d f a l l a t a m e r e t o u c h .
A n d I d i d n ’t p u t t h e s e w i n g m a c h i n e o n t o p o f t h e h e a p . N o w ,
I ’m n o t s a y i n g - ’
‘B l a m i n g m y c a r e l e s s n e s s , ’ s h e r e p e a t e d , a f f r o n t e d .
H e k n e l t q u i c k l y b e s i d e t h e b e d . ‘D a r l i n g , l e t ’ n o t h id e th in g s
 S a u c e fo r th e G o o s e 127

a n y m o re . L a s t w e e k th e r e w a s th e c a r p e t s w e e p e r o n th e c e lla r
s ta irs . A n d th a t la d d e r! Y o u w e re g o in g to c lim b it to k n o c k d o w n
t h a t w a s p s ’ n e s t ! W h a t I ’m g e t t i n g a t , d a r l i n g , is t h a t y o u w a n t
s o m e t h i n g t o h a p p e n t o y o u , w h e t h e r y o u r e a l i z e i t o r n o t . Y o u ’v e
g o t t o b e m o r e c a r e f u l , O l i v i a - O h , d a r l i n g , p l e a s e d o n ’t c r y . I ’m
t r y i n g t o h e l p y o u . I ’m n o t c r i t i c i z i n g . ’
‘I k n o w , L o r e n . Y o u ’r e g o o d . B u t m y li f e - i t d o e s n ’t s e e m w o r t h
li v i n g a n y m o r e , I s u p p o s e . I d o n ’t m e a n I ’m t r y i n g t o e n d m y li f e ,

but - ’
‘Y o u ’r e s t i l l t h i n k i n g - o f S t e p h e n ? ’ L o r e n h a t e d t h e n a m e a n d
h a t e d s a y i n g it.
S h e t o o k h e r h a n d s d o w n f r o m h e r p i n k e n e d e y e s . ‘Y o u m a d e
m e p r o m i s e y o u n o t t o t h i n k o f h i m , s o I h a v e n ’t . I s w e a r i t , L o r e n . ’
‘G o o d , d a r l i n g . T h a t ’s m y l i t t l e g i r l . ’ H e t o o k h e r h a n d s i n h i s .
‘W h a t d o y o u s a y t o a c r u i s e s o o n ? M a y b e i n F e b r u a r y ? M y e r s
is c o m i n g b a c k f r o m t h e c o a s t a n d h e c a n t a k e o v e r f o r m e f o r a
c o u p le o f w e e k s . W h a t a b o u t H a iti o r B e rm u d a ? ’
S h e se e m e d to th in k a b o u t it fo r a m o m e n t, b u t a t la s t s h o o k
her head and s a id sh e k n e w h e w a s o n ly d o in g it f o r h e r, n o t
b e c a u s e h e re a lly w a n te d to g o . L o r e n r e m o n s tr a te d b rie fly , th e n
g a v e i t u p . I f O l i v i a d i d n ’t t a k e t o a n i d e a a t o n c e , s h e n e v e r t o o k
to it. T h e r e h a d b e e n o n e tr iu m p h - h is c o n v in c in g h e r t h a t it
m a d e se n se n o t to se e S te p h e n C a s tle fo r a p e r io d o f th re e m o n th s .
O liv ia had m et S te p h e n C a s tle at a p a rty g iv e n by one of
L o r e n ’s c o lle a g u e s on th e S to c k E xchange*. S te p h e n w as
th irty -fiv e , w as te n y e a rs younger th a n L o re n and one year
o ld e r th a n O liv ia , and S te p h e n w as an a c to r. L o re n had no
id e a how T oohey, th e ir host th a t e v e n in g , had m et h im , or
w hy he had in v ite d h im to a p a rty a t w h ic h e v e ry o th e r m a n
w a s e i t h e r i n b a n k i n g o r o n t h e E x c h a n g e ; b u t t h e r e h e ’d b e e n ,
lik e an e v il a l i e n s p irit, a n d h e ’d c o n c e n tra te d on O liv ia th e
e n tire e v e n in g , a n d s h e ’d resp o n d ed w ith h e r c h a rm in g s m i le s
128 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

t h a t h a d c a p t u r e d L o r e n i n a s i n g le e v e n i n g e i g h t y e a r s a g o .
A f te r w a r d s , w h e n th e y w e re d riv in g b a c k to O ld G re e n w ic h ,
O l i v i a h a d s a i d , ‘I t ’s s u c h f u n t o t a l k t o s o m e b o d y w h o ’s n o t in
t h e s t o c k - m a r k e t f o r a c h a n g e ! H e t o l d m e h e ’s r e h e a r s i n g i n a
p l a y n o w - T h e F r e q u e n t G u e s t . W e ’v e g o t t o s e e i t , L o r e n . ’
T h e y s a w i t . S t e p h e n C a s t l e w a s o n f o r p e r h a p s f iv e m i n u t e s i n
A c t O n e . T h e y v is ite d S te p h e n b a c k s ta g e , a n d O liv ia in v ite d h im
t o a c o c k ta il p a r t y th e y w e r e g iv in g th e fo llo w in g w e e k e n d . H e
c a m e , a n d s p e n t th a t n ig h t in th e ir g u e s t ro o m . In th e n e x t w e e k s
O liv ia d ro v e h e r c a r in to N e w Y o rk a t le a s t tw ic e a w e e k o n
s h o p p in g e x p e d itio n s , b u t sh e m a d e n o se c re t o f th e fa c t sh e sa w
S te p h e n fo r lu n c h o n th o s e d a y s a n d s o m e tim e s f o r c o c k ta ils to o .
A t la s t s h e to l d L o r e n s h e w a s in lo v e w i t h S te p h e n a n d w a n t e d a
d iv o rc e .
L o r e n w a s s p e e c h le s s a t f irs t, e v e n in c lin e d to g r a n t h e r a d iv o r c e
b y w a y o f b e in g s p o r ts m a n lik e ; b u t fo rty -e ig h t h o u r s a fte r h e r
a n n o u n c e m e n t h e c a m e to w h a t h e c o n s id e r e d h is s e n s e s . B y t h a t
tim e he had m e a su re d h im s e lf a g a in s t h is riv a l - n o t m e re ly
p h y s ic a lly (L o re n d id n o t c o m e o f f s o w e ll th e r e , b e in g n o ta lle r th a n
O liv ia , w ith a re c e d in g h a ir lin e a n d a s m a ll p a u n c h ) b u t m o r a lly a n d
f in a n c ia lly a s w e ll. In th e la s t t w o c a te g o r ie s h e h a d it a ll o v e r
S te p h e n C a s tle , a n d m o d e s tly h e p o in te d th is o u t to O liv ia .
‘I ’d n e v e r m a r r y a m a n f o r h i s m o n e y , ’ s h e r e t o r t e d .
‘I d i d n ’t m e a n you m a rrie d m e f o r m y m o n e y , d e a r. I ju s t
happened to h a v e i t . B u t w h a t ’s S t e p h e n C a s tle e v e r g o in g to
h a v e ? N o t h i n g m u c h , f r o m w h a t I c a n s e e o f h is a c t i n g . Y o u ’r e
u s e d t o m o r e t h a n h e c a n g i v e y o u . A n d y o u ’v e k n o w n h i m o n l y
s i x w e e k s . H o w c a n y o u b e s u r e h i s l o v e f o r y o u is g o i n g t o l a s t ? ’
T h a t la s t th o u g h t m a d e O liv ia p a u s e . S h e s a id sh e w o u ld se e
S t e p h e n j u s t o n c e m o r e - ‘t o t a l k i t o v e r ’ . S h e d r o v e t o N e w Y o r k
o n e m o r n in g a n d d id n o t r e tu r n u n til m id n ig h t. I t w a s a S u n d a y ,
w h e n S te p h e n h a d n o p e r f o r m a n c e . L o re n s a t u p w a itin g fo r h e r.
 S a u c e fo r th e G o o s e 129

In te a r s O liv ia to ld h im t h a t sh e a n d S te p h e n h a d c o m e to an
u n d e rs ta n d in g . T h e y w o u ld n o t see e a c h o th e r f o r a m o n th , a n d
if a t th e e n d o f th a t tim e th e y d id n o t feel th e s a m e w a y a b o u t
e a c h o th e r , th e y w o u ld a g re e to f o rg e t th e w h o le th in g .
‘B u t o f c o u r s e y o u ’ll f e e l t h e s a m e , ’ L o r e n s a i d . ‘W h a t ’s a m o n t h
i n t h e lif e o f a n a d u l t ? I f y o u ’d t r y i t f o r t h r e e m o n t h s - ’
S h e l o o k e d a t h i m t h r o u g h t e a r s . ‘T h r e e m o n t h s ? ’
‘A g a i n s t t h e e i g h t y e a r s w e ’v e b e e n m a r r i e d ? I s t h a t u n f a i r ? O u r
m a r r i a g e d e s e r v e s a t l e a s t a t h r e e - m o n t h c h a n c e , t o o , d o e s n ’t i t ? ’
‘A ll rig h t, i t ’s a b a rg a in . T h re e m o n th s . I ’ll c a ll S te p h e n
t o m o r r o w a n d t e l l h i m . W e w o n ’t s e e e a c h o t h e r o r t e l e p h o n e f o r
th re e m o n th s .’
F r o m t h a t d a y O liv ia h a d g o n e in to a d e c lin e . S h e lo s t in te r e s t
i n g a r d e n i n g , i n h e r b r i d g e c l u b , e v e n i n c l o t h e s . H e r a p p e t i t e f e ll
o ff, th o u g h sh e d id n o t lo s e m u c h w e ig h t, p e r h a p s b e c a u s e sh e
w as p ro p o rtio n a te ly in a c tiv e . T hey had never had a s e rv a n t.
O liv ia to o k p r id e in th e fa c t th a t s h e h a d b e e n a w o r k in g g irl, a
s a le s w o m a n in th e g if t d e p a r t m e n t o f a la r g e s to r e in M a n h a t t a n ,
w h e n L o re n m e t h e r. S h e lik e d to s a y th a t sh e k n e w h o w to d o
th in g s fo r h e rs e lf. T h e b ig h o u s e in O ld G r e e n w ic h w a s e n o u g h
to keep any w om an busy, th o u g h L o re n had bought e v e ry
c o n c e iv a b le la b o u r - s a v in g d e v ic e . T h e y a ls o h a d a w a lk - in d e e p
f r e e z e , t h e s iz e o f a l a r g e c l o s e t , i n t h e b a s e m e n t , s o t h a t t h e i r
m a rk e tin g w as done le s s o fte n th a n u s u a l, and a ll f o o d w as
d e liv e re d , a n y w a y . N o w t h a t O liv ia s e e m e d lo w in e n e rg y , L o r e n
s u g g e s te d g e ttin g a m a id , b u t O liv ia re fu s e d .
Seven w eek s w e n t by, a n d O liv ia k e p t h er w o rd about not
s e e in g S te p h e n . B u t s h e w a s o b v io u s ly so d e p re sse d , so re a d y
to b u r s t in to te a r s , t h a t L o r e n liv e d c o n s ta n tly o n th e b r in k o f
w e a k e n in g a n d te llin g h e r th a t if sh e lo v e d S te p h e n th a t m u c h ,
sh e had a rig h t to see h im . P e rh a p s , L o re n th o u g h t, S te p h e n
C a s tle w a s fe e lin g th e s a m e w a y , a ls o c o u n tin g o ff th e w e e k s
130 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

u n til h e c o u ld see O liv ia a g a in . If s o , L o r e n h a d a lr e a d y lo s t.

B u t it w a s h a rd fo r L o re n to g iv e S t e p h e n c r e d i t f o r f e e l i n g
a n y th in g . H e w a s a la n k y , r a th e r s tu p id c h a p w ith o a t-c o lo u re d
h a ir , a n d L o r e n h a d n e v e r s e e n h im w i t h o u t a s ic k ly s m ile o n h is
m o u th - a s if h e w e re a h u m a n b illb o a r d , p e r p e tu a lly d is p la y in g
w h a t h e m u s t h a v e th o u g h t w a s h is m o s t fla tte r in g e x p re s s io n .
L o re n , a b a c h e lo r u n til a t th irty -s e v e n h e m a r r ie d O liv ia , o fte n
s i g h e d i n d i s m a y a t t h e w a y s o f w o m e n . F o r i n s t a n c e , O l i v i a : if
h e h a d fe lt so s tr o n g ly a b o u t a n o th e r w o m a n , h e w o u ld h a v e s e t
a b o u t p r o m p tly to e x tr ic a te h im s e lf f r o m h is m a r r ia g e . B u t h e r e
w a s O liv ia h a n g in g o n , in a w a y . W h a t d id sh e e x p e c t to g a in
fr o m it, h e w o n d e r e d . D id sh e th in k , o r h o p e , th a t h e r in f a tu a tio n
fo r S te p h e n m ig h t d is a p p e a r? O r d id s h e k n o w u n c o n s c io u s ly th a t
h e r l o v e f o r S t e p h e n C a s t l e w a s a ll f a n t a s y , a n d t h a t h e r p r e s e n t
d e p re s s io n re p re s e n te d to her and to L o re n a fittin g p e r io d o f
m o u r n i n g f o r a l o v e s h e d i d n ’t h a v e t h e c o u r a g e t o g o o u t a n d
ta k e ?
B u t th e S a tu r d a y o f th e g a ra g e in c id e n t m a d e L o re n d o u b t th a t
O liv ia w a s in d u lg in g in f a n ta s y . H e d id n o t w a n t to a d m it t h a t
O l i v i a w a s a t t e m p t i n g t o t a k e h e r o w n li f e , b u t l o g i c c o m p e l l e d
h im to . H e h a d r e a d a b o u t s u c h p e o p le . T h e y w e re d iffe re n t fr o m
th e a c c id e n t-p ro n e , w ho m ig h t li v e to d ie a n a tu ra l d e a th ,
w h a te v e r th a t w a s . T h e o th e r s w e re th e s u ic id e -p ro n e , a n d in to
t h i s c a t e g o r y h e w a s s u r e O l i v i a f e ll.
A p e rfe c t e x a m p le w a s th e la d d e r e p is o d e . O liv ia h a d b e e n o n
th e f o u r t h o r fifth r u n g w h e n L o r e n n o tic e d th e c r a c k in th e le ft
s id e o f th e la d d e r , a n d s h e h a d b e e n q u ite u n c o n c e r n e d , e v e n w h e n
h e p o in te d it o u t to h e r . I f i t h a d n ’t b e e n f o r h e r s a y in g sh e
s u d d e n ly fe lt a little d iz z y lo o k in g u p a t th e w a s p s ’ n e s t, h e n e v e r
w o u ld have s ta rte d to do th e c h o re h im s e lf, and th e re fo re
w o u l d n ’t h a v e s e e n t h e c r a c k .
L o r e n n o t i c e d i n t h e n e w s p a p e r t h a t S t e p h e n ’s p l a y w a s c l o s i n g ,
 S a u c e fo r th e G o o s e 131

a n d it se e m e d to h im t h a t O l i v i a ’s g l o o m d e e p e n e d . N o w th e re
w e r e d a r k c irc le s u n d e r h e r e y e s . S h e c la im e d s h e c o u ld n o t fa ll
a s le e p b e fo re d a w n .
‘C a l l h i m i f y o u w a n t t o , d a r l i n g , ’ L o r e n f i n a l l y s a i d . ‘S e e h i m
o n c e a g a in a n d fin d o u t if y o u b o th
‘N o , I m a d e a p r o m i s e t o y o u . T h r e e m o n t h s , L o r e n . I ’ll k e e p
m y p r o m i s e , ’ s h e s a i d w i t h a t r e m b l i n g li p .
L o re n tu r n e d a w a y f r o m h e r , w r e tc h e d a n d h a tin g h im s e lf.
O liv ia g re w p h y s ic a lly w e a k e r. O nce sh e s tu m b le d c o m in g
d o w n th e s ta irs a n d b a re ly c a u g h t h e rs e lf o n th e b a n is te r. L o re n
s u g g e s te d , n o t f o r th e firs t tim e , t h a t s h e se e a d o c to r , b u t sh e
re fu s e d to .
‘T h e t h r e e m o n t h s a r e n e a r l y u p , d e a r . I ’ll s u r v i v e t h e m , ’ s h e
s a id , s m ilin g s a d ly .
It w a s tru e . O n ly tw o m o re w e e k s re m a in e d u n til 1 5 M a rc h ,
th e th r e e m o n th s ’ d e a d lin e . T h e Id e s o f M a r c h * , L o re n re a liz e d
f o r th e firs t tim e . A m o s t o m in o u s c o in c id e n c e .
O n Sunday a fte rn o o n L o re n w as lo o k in g over so m e o f f ic e
r e p o r ts in h is s tu d y w h e n h e h e a r d a lo n g s c re a m , fo llo w e d b y a
c l a t t e r i n g c r a s h . I n a n i n s t a n t h e w a s o n h is f e e t a n d r u n n i n g . I t
h a d co m e fro m th e c e lla r, h e th o u g h t, a n d if so , h e k n e w w h a t
h a d h a p p e n e d . T h a t d a m n e d c a r p e t s w e e p e r a g a in !
‘O l i v i a ? ’
F ro m th e d a r k c e lla r h e h e a r d a g r o a n . L o re n p lu n g e d d o w n
t h e s te p s . T h e r e w a s a little w h i r r o f w h e e ls , h is fe e t fle w u p in
f r o n t o f h im , a n d in th e fe w s e c o n d s b e fo re h is h e a d s m a s h e d
a g a in s t th e c e m e n t flo o r h e u n d e r s to o d e v e ry th in g : O liv ia h a d n o t
fa lle n d o w n th e c e lla r s te p s , s h e h a d o n ly lu r e d h im h e re ; a ll th is
tim e s h e h a d b e e n tr y in g to k ill h im , L o re n A m o r y - a n d a ll fo r
S te p h e n C a s tle .
‘I w a s u p s t a i r s i n b e d r e a d i n g , ’ O l i v i a t o l d t h e p o l i c e , h e r h a n d s
s h a k i n g a s s h e c l u t c h e d h e r d r e s s i n g g o w n a r o u n d h e r . ‘I h e a r d a
132 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

te rrib le c ra s h a n d th e n - I c a m e d o w n S h e g e s tu re d h e lp le s s ly
t o w a r d L o r e n ’s d e a d b o d y .
T h e p o lic e to o k d o w n w h a t sh e to ld th e m a n d c o m m is e ra te d
w ith h e r. P e o p le o u g h t to b e m o r e c a r e f u l, th e y s a id , a b o u t th in g s
lik e c a r p e t s w e e p e r s o n d a r k s ta ir w a y s . T h e r e w e r e f a ta litie s lik e
th is e v e ry d a y in th e U n ite d S ta te s . T h e n th e b o d y w a s ta k e n
a w a y , a n d o n T u e s d a y L o re n A m o ry w a s b u rie d .
O liv ia r a n g S te p h e n o n W e d n e s d a y . S h e h a d b e e n te le p h o n in g
h im e v e ry d a y e x c e p t S a tu rd a y s a n d S u n d ay s, b u t she h a d n o t
ru n g h im s in c e t h e p r e v i o u s F r i d a y . T h e y h a d a g re e d th a t an y
w e e k d a y s h e d id n o t c a ll h im a t h is a p a r t m e n t a t 1 1 a .m . w o u ld
b e a s ig n a l t h a t th e ir m is s io n h a d b e e n a c c o m p lis h e d . A ls o , L o re n
A m o ry h a d g o t q u ite a lo t o f s p a c e o n th e o b itu a r y p a g e M o n d a y .
H e h a d l e f t n e a r l y a m i l l i o n d o l l a r s t o h i s w i d o w , a n d h o u s e s in
F lo rid a , C o n n e c tic u t a n d M a in e .
‘D e a r e s t ! Y o u l o o k s o t i r e d ! ’ w e r e S t e p h e n ’s f i r s t w o r d s t o h e r
w hen th e y m et in an o u t-o f-th e -w a y bar in N ew Y o rk on

W ednesday.
‘N o n s e n s e ! I t ’s a l l m a k e - u p , ’ O l i v i a s a i d g a i l y . ‘A n d y o u an
a c to r!’ S he la u g h e d . ‘I h a v e to lo o k p ro p e rly g lo o m y fo r m y
n e ig h b o u rs , y o u k n o w . A n d I ’m n e v e r s u r e w h e n I ’ll r u n in to
s o m e o n e I k n o w in N e w Y o r k .’
S te p h e n lo o k e d a ro u n d h im n e rv o u s ly , th e n s a id w ith h is
h a b i t u a l s m i l e , ‘D a r l i n g O l i v i a , h o w s o o n c a n w e b e t o g e t h e r ? ’
‘V e r y s o o n , ’ s h e s a i d p r o m p t l y . ‘N o t u p a t t h e h o u s e , o f c o u r s e ,
b u t r e m e m b e r w e t a l k e d a b o u t a c r u i s e ? M a y b e T r i n i d a d ? I ’v e g o t
th e m o n e y w ith m e . I w a n t y o u to b u y th e tic k e ts .’
T hey to o k s e p a ra te s ta te ro o m s , and th e lo c a l C o n n e c tic u t
p a p e r , w i t h o u t a h i n t o f s u s p i c i o n , r e p o r t e d t h a t M r s A m o r y ’s
v o y a g e w a s fo r re a s o n s o f h e a lth .
B a c k in th e U n ite d S ta te s in A p r il, s u n ta n n e d a n d lo o k in g m u c h
im p r o v e d O liv ia co n fe sse d to her frie n d s th a t sh e had m et
 S a u c e fo r th e G o o se 133

s o m e o n e s h e w a s ‘i n t e r e s t e d i n ’. H e r f r i e n d s a s s u r e d h e r t h a t w a s
n o r m a l , a n d t h a t s h e s h o u l d n ’t b e a l o n e f o r t h e r e s t o f h e r li f e .
The c u rio u s th in g w as th a t w h en O liv ia in v ite d S te p h e n to a
d in n e r p a r ty a t h e r h o u s e , n o n e o f h e r frie n d s re m e m b e re d h im ,
th o u g h se v e ra l h a d m e t h im a t th a t c o c k ta il p a rty a fe w m o n th s
b e fo re . S te p h e n w a s m u c h m o re s u re o f h im s e lf n o w , a n d he
b e h a v e d lik e a n a n g e l, O liv ia th o u g h t.
In A u g u s t th e y w e re m a r r ie d . S te p h e n h a d b e e n g e ttin g n ib b le s
in th e w a y o f w o r k , b u t n o th in g m a te r ia liz e d . O liv ia t o l d h im n o t
to w o rr y , th a t th in g s w o u ld s u re ly p ic k u p a fte r th e s u m m e r.
S te p h e n d id n o t se e m to w o rry v e ry m u c h , th o u g h h e p ro te s te d
h e o u g h t to w o r k , a n d s a id if n e c e s s a ry h e w o u ld tr y f o r s o m e
te le v is io n p a r ts . H e d e v e lo p e d a n in te r e s t in g a r d e n in g , p la n te d
s o m e y o u n g b lu e s p r u c e s , a n d g e n e r a lly m a d e th e p la c e lo o k a liv e
a g a in .
O liv ia w a s d e lig h te d th a t S te p h e n lik e d th e h o u s e , b e c a u s e sh e
d id . N e ith e r o f th e m e v e r r e f e r r e d t o th e c e lla r s ta ir s , b u t th e y h a d
a lig h t s w itc h p u t a t th e to p la n d in g , s o th a t a s im ila r th in g c o u ld
n o t o c c u r a g a in . A ls o , th e c a r p e t s w e e p e r w a s k e p t in its p r o p e r
p la c e , in th e b r o o m c lo s e t in th e k itc h e n .
T h e y e n te r ta in e d m o r e o fte n th a n O liv ia a n d L o re n h a d d o n e .
S te p h e n h a d m a n y frie n d s in N e w Y o rk , a n d O liv ia fo u n d th e m
a m u s in g . B u t S te p h e n , O liv ia th o u g h t , w a s d r in k in g ju s t a little
t o o m u c h . A t o n e p a r t y , w h e n th e y w e r e a ll o u t o n th e te r r a c e ,
S t e p h e n n e a r l y f e ll o v e r t h e p a r a p e t . T w o o f t h e g u e s t s h a d t o
g r a b h im .
‘B e t t e r w a t c h o u t f o r y o u r s e l f i n t h i s h o u s e , S t e v e , ’ s a i d P a r k e r
B a r n e s , a n a c t o r f r i e n d o f S t e p h e n ’s . ‘I t j u s t m i g h t b e j i n x e d . ’
‘W h a t d ’y a m e a n ? ’ S t e p h e n a s k e d . ‘I d o n ’t b e l i e v e t h a t f o r a
m i n u t e . I m a y b e a n a c t o r , b u t I h a v e n ’t g o t a s i n g l e s u p e r s t i t i o n . ’
‘O h , s o y o u ’r e a n a c t o r , M r C a s t l e ! ’ a w o m a n ’s v o i c e s a i d o u t
o f th e d a rk n e s s .
134 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

A f te r th e g u e s ts h a d g o n e , S te p h e n a s k e d O liv ia t o c o m e o u t
a g a in o n th e te rra c e .
‘M a y b e t h e a i r ’ll c l e a r m y h e a d , ’ S t e p h e n s a i d , s m i l i n g . ‘S o r r y I
w a s t i p s y t o n i g h t . T h e r e ’s o l d O r i o n . S e e h i m ? ’ H e p u t h i s a r m
a r o u n d O l i v i a a n d d r e w h e r c l o s e . ‘B r i g h t e s t c o n s t e l l a t i o n i n t h e
h e a v e n s .’
‘Y o u ’r e h u r t i n g m e , S t e p h e n ! N o t s o - ’ T h e n s h e s c r e a m e d a n d
s q u i r m e d , f i g h t i n g f o r h e r lif e .
‘D a m n y o u ! ’ S t e p h e n g a s p e d , a s t o u n d e d a t h e r s t r e n g t h .
S h e tw is te d a w a y fro m h im a n d w a s s ta n d in g n e a r th e b e d ro o m
d o o r , f a c i n g h i m n o w . ‘Y o u w e r e g o i n g t o p u s h m e o v e r . ’
‘N o ! G o o d G o d , O l i v i a ! - 1 l o s t m y b a l a n c e , t h a t ’s a l l . I t h o u g h t
I w a s g o in g o v e r m y s e lf!’
‘T h a t ’s a f in e t h i n g t o d o , t h e n , h o l d o n t o a w o m a n a n d p u l l
h e r o v e r to o .’
‘I d i d n ’t r e a l i z e . I ’m d r u n k , d a r l i n g . A n d I ’m s o r r y . ’
T h e y la y a s u s u a l in th e s a m e b e d th a t n ig h t, b u t b o th o f th e m
w e r e o n ly p r e te n d in g t o s le e p . U n til, f o r O liv ia a t le a s t, j u s t a s s h e
h a d u s e d t o te ll L o r e n , s le e p c a m e a r o u n d d a w n .
T h e n e x t d a y , c a s u a lly a n d s u r r e p titio u s ly , e a c h o f th e m lo o k e d
o v e r th e ho u se fro m a ttic to c e lla r - O liv ia w ith a v ie w to
p r o te c tin g h e rs e lf f r o m p o s s ib le d e a th tr a p s , S te p h e n w ith a v ie w
to s e ttin g th e m . H e had a lre a d y d e c id e d th a t th e c e lla r s te p s
o f f e r e d th e b e s t p o s s ib ility , in s p ite o f th e d u p lic a tio n , b e c a u s e h e
t h o u g h t n o o n e w o u ld b e lie v e a n y o n e w o u ld d a r e to u s e th e s a m e
m e a n s t w i c e - if t h e i n t e n t i o n w a s m u r d e r .
O liv ia h a p p e n e d to b e th in k in g th e s a m e th in g .
T h e c e lla r s te p s h a d n e v e r b e fo re b e e n s o fre e o f im p e d im e n ts
o r s o w e ll lig h te d . N e ith e r o f th e m to o k th e in itia tiv e to t u r n th e
lig h t o u t a t n ig h t. O u tw a r d ly e a c h p r o f e s s e d lo v e a n d f a ith in th e
o th e r.
‘I ’m so rry I ever s a id su ch a th in g to you, S te p h e n ,’ sh e
 S a u c e fo r th e G o o s e 135

w h i s p e r e d i n h i s e a r a s s h e e m b r a c e d h i m . ‘I w a s a f r a i d o n t h e
t e r r a c e t h a t n i g h t , t h a t ’s a l l . W h e n y o u s a i d “ D a m n y o u ” - ’
‘I k n o w , a n g e l . Y o u c o u l d n ’t h a v e t h o u g h t I m e a n t t o h u r t y o u .
I s a id “ D a m n y o u ” ju s t b e c a u s e y o u w e re th e re , a n d I th o u g h t I
m ig h t b e p u llin g y o u o v e r .’
T h e y ta lk e d a b o u t a n o th e r c ru is e . T h e y w a n te d to g o t o E u r o p e
n e x t s p rin g . B u t a t m e a ls th e y c a u tio u s ly ta s te d e v e ry ite m o f fo o d
b e fo re b e g in n in g to e a t.
H o w c o u ld I h a v e d o n e a n y th in g to th e fo o d , S te p h e n th o u g h t
t o h i m s e l f , s i n c e y o u n e v e r l e a v e t h e k i t c h e n w h i l e y o u ’r e c o o k i n g
it.
A nd O l i v i a : I d o n ’t p u t a n y t h i n g p a s t y o u . T h e r e ’s o n l y o n e
d ir e c tio n y o u s e e m t o b e b r ig h t in , S te p h e n .
H e r h u m ilia tio n in h a v in g lo s t a lo v e r w a s h id d e n b y a d a r k
r e s e n tm e n t. S h e re a liz e d s h e h a d b e e n v ic tim iz e d . T h e la s t b it o f
S t e p h e n ’s c h a r m h a d v a n i s h e d . Y e t n o w , O l i v i a t h o u g h t , h e w a s
d o in g th e b est jo b of a c tin g in h is lif e - and a tw e n ty -
f o u r - h o u r - a - d a y a c tin g jo b a t th a t. S h e c o n g r a tu la te d h e rs e lf th a t
it d id n o t fo o l h e r, a n d sh e w e ig h e d o n e p la n a g a in s t a n o th e r ,
k n o w i n g t h a t t h i s ‘a c c i d e n t ’ h a d t o b e e v e n m o r e c o n v i n c i n g t h a n
th e o n e th a t h a d fre e d h e r f ro m L o re n .
S te p h e n r e a liz e d h e w a s n o t in q u ite s o a w k w a r d a p o s itio n .
E v ery o n e w h o k n e w h im and O liv ia , e v e n s lig h tly , th o u g h t h e
a d o r e d h e r. A n a c c id e n t w o u ld b e a s s u m e d to b e ju s t th a t, a n
a c c id e n t, if h e s a id so . H e w a s n o w to y in g w ith th e id e a o f th e
c lo s e t-s iz e d d e e p fre e z e in th e c e lla r. T h e r e w a s n o in s id e h a n d le
o n th e d o o r , a n d o n c e in a w h ile O liv ia w e n t in to th e f a r th e s t
c o r n e r o f th e d e e p fre e z e to g e t s te a k s o r fro z e n a s p a r a g u s . B u t
w o u ld she d a re to go in to it, now th a t her s u s p ic io n s w e re
a r o u s e d , if h e h a p p e n e d to b e in th e c e lla r a t th e s a m e tim e ? H e
d o u b t e d it.
W h ile O liv ia w a s b r e a k f a s tin g in b e d o n e m o r n in g - she h a d
136 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

ta k e n to her ow n b e d ro o m a g a in , and S te p h e n b ro u g h t her

b reak fast as L o re n had a lw a y s done - S te p h e n e x p e rim e n te d
w ith th e d o o r o f th e deep fre e z e . If it so m u c h a s to u c h e d a
s o lid o b je c t in s w in g in g open, he d is c o v e re d , it w o u ld s lo w ly
b u t s u r e ly s w in g s h u t o n its r e b o u n d . T h e r e /w a s n o s o lid o b je c t
n e a r th e d o o r n o w , a n d o n th e c o n tra r y th e d o o r w a s in te n d e d
to b e s w u n g fu lly o p e n , s o t h a t a c a tc h o n th e o u ts id e o f th e
d o o r w o u ld lo c k in a g rip s e t in th e w a ll fo r ju s t th a t p u rp o s e ,
and th u s k e e p th e d o o r o p e n . O liv ia , h e h a d n o tic e d , a lw a y s
s w u n g th e d o o r w id e w h e n s h e w e n t in , a n d it la tc h e d o n to
th e w a ll a u to m a tic a lly . B u t if h e p u t s o m e th in g in its w a y , e v e n
th e c o r n e r o f th e b o x o f k in d lin g w o o d , th e d o o r w o u ld s trik e
it a n d s w in g s h u t a g a in , b e fo re O liv ia h a d tim e t o re a liz e w h a t
had happened.
H o w e v e r , th a t p a r tic u la r m o m e n t d id n o t se e m th e r ig h t o n e to
p u t th e k in d lin g b o x in p o s itio n , s o S te p h e n d id n o t s e t h is tr a p .
O liv ia h a d s a id s o m e th in g a b o u t th e ir g o in g o u t to a r e s ta u r a n t
to n ig h t. S he w o u ld n o t b e ta k in g a n y th in g o u t to th a w to d a y .
T h e y to o k a little w a lk a t th r e e in th e a f te r n o o n - th r o u g h th e
w o o d s b e h in d th e h o u s e , th e n b a c k h o m e a g a in - a n d th e y a lm o s t
s ta rte d h o ld in g h a n d s , in a m u tu a lly d is ta s te fu l a n d in s u ltin g
p r e te n c e o f a f f e c tio n ; b u t t h e ir fin g e rs o n ly b r u s h e d a n d s e p a r a te d .
‘A cup o f te a w o u ld ta s te g o o d , w o u l d n ’t i t , d a r l i n g ? ’ s a i d

O liv ia .
‘U m - m . ’ H e s m i l e d . P o i s o n i n t h e t e a ? P o i s o n i n t h e c o o k i e s ?
S h e ’d m a d e t h e m h e r s e l f t h a t m o r n i n g .
H e r e m e m b e r e d h o w t h e y h a d p l o t t e d L o r e n ’s s a d d e m i s e - h e r
te n d e r w h is p e rs o f m u rd e r over th e ir lu n c h e o n s , her in fin ite
p a tie n c e a s th e w e e k s w e n t b y a n d p la n a f te r p la n fa ile d . I t w a s
h e w h o h a d s u g g e s te d th e c a r p e t s w e e p e r o n th e c e lla r s te p s a n d
th e lu re o f a s c re a m fro m h e r. W h a t c o u ld h e r b ird -b ra in e v er
p la n ?
 S a u c e fo r th e G o o s e 137

S h o rtly a fte r th e ir te a - e v e r y t h i n g h a d t a s t e d f in e - S te p h e n
s tr o lle d o u t o f th e liv in g r o o m a s if w ith n o s p e c ia l p u r p o s e . H e
fe lt c o m p e lle d to tr y o u t th e k in d lin g b o x a g a in t o se e if it c o u ld
re a lly b e d e p e n d e d o n . H e fe lt in s p ir e d , to o , to s e t th e t r a p n o w
a n d le a v e it. T h e lig h t a t th e h e a d o f th e c e lla r s ta ir s w a s o n . H e
w e n t c a r e f u lly d o w n th e s te p s .
H e lis te n e d f o r a m o m e n t t o se e if O liv ia w a s p o s s ib ly f o llo w in g
h im . T h e n h e p u lle d th e k in d lin g b o x in to p o s itio n , n o t p a ra lle l
to th e f r o n t o f th e d e e p fre e z e , o f c o u r s e , b u t a little to o n e s id e ,
a s if s o m e o n e h a d d ra g g e d it o u t o f th e s h a d o w to se e in to it b e tte r
a n d le ft it th e r e . H e o p e n e d th e d e e p - fre e z e d o o r w i t h e x a c tly th e
s p e e d a n d f o rc e O liv ia m ig h t u s e , flin g in g th e d o o r f r o m h im a s
h e s te p p e d in w ith o n e f o o t, h is r ig h t h a n d o u ts tr e tc h e d to c a tc h
th e d o o r o n th e r e b o u n d . B u t th e f o o t t h a t b o r e h is w e ig h t s lid
se v e ra l in c h e s fo rw a rd ju s t as th e door bum ped a g a in s t th e
k in d lin g b o x .

S t e p h e n w a s d o w n o n h i s r i g h t k n e e , h i s l e f t le g s t r a i g h t o u t i n
f r o n t o f h im , a n d b e h in d h im th e d o o r s h u t. H e g o t to h is fe e t
in s ta n tly a n d fa c e d th e c lo s e d d o o r w id e -e y e d . It w a s d a r k , a n d
h e g r o p e d f o r th e a u x ilia r y s w itc h to th e le ft o f th e d o o r , w h ic h
p u t a lig h t o n a t th e b a c k o f th e d e e p fre e z e.
H o w h a d it h a p p e n e d ? T h e d a m n e d g la z e o f f r o s t o n th e flo o r!
B u t i t w a s n ’t o n l y t h e f r o s t , h e s a w . W h a t h e h a d s l i p p e d o n w a s
a little p ie c e o f s u e t t h a t h e n o w s a w in th e m id d le o f th e flo o r, a t
th e e n d o f th e g re a s y s tr e a k h is s lid e h a d m a d e .
S te p h e n s ta r e d a t th e s u e t n e u tr a lly , b la n k ly , f o r a n in s ta n t, th e n
fa c e d th e d o o r a g a in , p u s h e d it, fe lt a lo n g its firm r u b b e r - s e a le d
c r a c k . H e c o u l d c a l l O l i v i a , o f c o u r s e . E v e n t u a l l y s h e ’d h e a r h i m ,
o r a t l e a s t m i s s h i m , b e f o r e h e h a d t i m e t o f r e e z e . S h e ’d c o m e
d o w n t o t h e c e l l a r , a n d s h e ’d b e a b l e t o h e a r h i m t h e r e e v e n i f s h e
c o u l d n ’t h e a r h i m i n t h e l i v i n g r o o m . T h e n s h e ’d o p e n t h e d o o r ,
o f c o u rse .
138 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

H e s m ile d w e a k ly , a n d trie d to c o n v in c e h im s e lf s h e w o u ld
o p e n th e d o o r.
‘O l i v i a ? - O l i v i a ! I ’m d o w n i n t h e c e l l a r !’
I t w a s n e a r ly a h a lf h o u r la te r w h e n O liv ia c a lle d to S te p h e n to
ask h im w h ic h re s ta u ra n t he p re fe rre d , a m a tte r th a t w o u ld
i n f l u e n c e w h a t s h e w o r e . S h e l o o k e d f o r h i m i n h i s b e d r o o m , in
th e lib r a r y , o n th e te r r a c e , a n d fin a lly c a lle d o u t th e f r o n t d o o r ,
th in k in g h e m ig h t b e s o m e w h e re o n th e la w n .
A t la s t s h e tr ie d th e c e lla r.
B y th is tim e , h u n c h e d in h is tw e e d ja c k e t, h is a r m s c ro s s e d ,
S te p h e n w a s w a lk in g u p a n d d o w n in th e d e e p fre e z e , g iv in g o u t
d is tre s s s ig n a ls a t in te rv a ls o f th ir ty s e c o n d s a n d u s in g th e r e s t o f
h is b r e a th to b lo w i n to h is s h ir t in a n e f f o r t t o w a r m h im s e lf.
O liv ia w a s ju s t a b o u t t o le a v e th e c e lla r w h e n s h e h e a r d h e r n a m e
c a lle d fa in tly .
‘S t e p h e n ? - S t e p h e n , w h e r e a r e y o u ? ’
‘I n t h e d e e p f r e e z e ! ’ h e c a l l e d a s l o u d l y a s h e c o u l d .
O liv ia l o o k e d a t th e d e e p fre e z e w i t h a n in c r e d u lo u s s m ile .
‘O p e n i t , c a n ’t y o u ? I ’m i n t h e d e e p f r e e z e V c a m e h i s m u f f l e d

v o ic e .
O liv ia th r e w her head back and l a u g h e d , n o t e v e n c a r i n g if
S t e p h e n h e a r d h e r . T h e n s ti l l l a u g h i n g s o h a r d t h a t s h e h a d t o
b e n d o v e r, sh e c lim b e d th e c e lla r s ta irs .
W h a t a m u s e d h e r w a s th a t sh e h a d th o u g h t o f th e d e e p fre e z e
a s a f in e p l a c e t o d i s p o s e o f S t e p h e n , b u t s h e h a d n ’t w o r k e d o u t
how to g e t h im in to it. H is b e in g th e re n o w , sh e re a liz e d , w a s
o w i n g t o s o m e f u n n y a c c i d e n t - m a y b e h e ’d b e e n t r y i n g t o s e t a
t r a p f o r h e r . I t w a s a l l t o o c o m i c a l . A n d lu c k y !
O r , m a y b e , s h e th o u g h t c a g ily , h is in te n tio n e v e n n o w w a s to
t r ic k h e r i n to o p e n in g th e d e e p -fre e z e d o o r , th e n to y a n k h e r in s id e
a n d c lo s e th e d o o r o n h e r. S h e w a s c e r ta in ly n o t g o in g t o le t th a t

happen!
 S a u c e fo r th e G o o s e 139

O liv ia t o o k h e r c a r a n d d r o v e n e a r ly tw e n ty m ile s n o r t h w a r d ,
h a d a s a n d w ic h a t a r o a d s id e c a fe , th e n w e n t to a m o v ie . W h e n
sh e g o t h o m e a t m id n ig h t sh e fo u n d sh e h a d n o t th e c o u ra g e to
c a l l ‘S t e p h e n ’ t o t h e d e e p f r e e z e , o r e v e n t o g o d o w n t o t h e c e l l a r .
S h e w a s n ’t s u r e h e ’d b e d e a d b y n o w , a n d e v e n i f h e w e r e s i l e n t
it m ig h t m e a n h e w a s o n ly p r e te n d in g to b e d e a d o r u n c o n s c io u s .
B u t t o m o r r o w , s h e t h o u g h t , t h e r e w o u l d n ’t b e a n y d o u b t h e ’d
b e d e a d . T h e v e ry la c k o f a ir , f o r o n e th in g , o u g h t to fin is h h im
b y t h a t tim e .
S h e w e n t t o b e d a n d a s s u r e d h e r s e l f a n i g h t ’s s l e e p w i t h a l i g h t
s e d a tiv e . S h e w o u ld h a v e a s tr e n u o u s d a y to m o r r o w . H e r s to r y o f
t h e m i l d q u a r r e l w i t h S t e p h e n - o v e r w h i c h r e s t a u r a n t t h e y ’d g o
t o , n o t h i n g m o r e - a n d h is s t o r m i n g o u t o f t h e l i v i n g r o o m t o t a k e
a w a lk , s h e th o u g h t, w o u ld h a v e to b e v e ry c o n v in c in g .
A t te n th e n e x t m o r n in g , a f te r o r a n g e ju ic e a n d c o ffe e , O liv ia
fe lt r e a d y f o r h e r r o le o f th e h o r r if ie d , g r ie f-s tric k e n w id o w . A fte r
a ll, s h e to ld h e rs e lf, s h e h a d p r a c tis e d th e r o le - it w o u ld b e th e
s e c o n d tim e s h e h a d p la y e d t h e p a r t . S h e d e c id e d t o fa c e th e p o lic e
in h e r d re s s in g g o w n , a s b e fo re .
T o b e q u ite n a tu r a l a b o u t th e w h o le th in g sh e w e n t d o w n to
t h e c e l l a r t o m a k e t h e ‘d i s c o v e r y ’ b e f o r e s h e c a l l e d t h e p o l i c e .
‘S t e p h e n ? S t e p h e n ? ’ s h e c a l l e d o u t w i t h c o n f i d e n c e .
N o a n sw e r.
S h e o p e n e d th e d e e p fre e z e w ith a p p re h e n s io n , g a s p e d a t th e
c u r le d - u p , f r o s t- c o v e r e d fig u re o n th e f lo o r , th e n w a lk e d th e fe w
fe e t to w a r d h im - a w a r e t h a t h e r f o o tp r in ts o n th e flo o r w o u ld
b e v is ib le to c o r r o b o r a te h e r s to r y t h a t s h e h a d c o m e in t o tr y to
r e v iv e S te p h e n .

K a -b lo o m w e n t th e d o o r - a s if s o m e o n e s ta n d in g o u ts id e h a d
g iv e n it a g o o d h a r d p u s h .

N o w O l i v i a g a s p e d i n e a r n e s t , a n d h e r m o u t h s t a y e d o p e n . S h e ’d
flu n g t h e d o o r w id e . I t s h o u ld h a v e la tc h e d o n to th e o u ts id e w a ll.
140 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

‘H e l l o ! I s a n y b o d y o u t t h e r e ? O p e n t h i s d o o r , p l e a s e ! A t o n c e ! ’
B u t she k n ew th e re w a s n o o n e o u t th e re . It w a s ju s t so m e
d a m n a b le a c c id e n t. M a y b e a n a c c id e n t th a t S te p h e n h a d a rra n g e d .
S h e lo o k e d a t h is fa c e . H is e y e s w e re o p e n , a n d o n h is w h ite
lip s w a s h is f a m ilia r little s m ile , t r i u m p h a n t n o w , a n d u t t e r l y n a s ty .
O liv ia d id n o t lo o k a t h im a g a in . S h e d re w h e r flim s y d re s s in g
g o w n a s c l o s e l y a b o u t h e r a s s h e c o u l d a n d b e g a n t o y e ll.
‘H e l p ! S o m e o n e ! - p o l i c e V
S h e k e p t i t u p f o r w h a t s e e m e d l ik e h o u r s , u n t i l s h e g r e w h o a r s e
a n d u n til s h e d id n o t re a lly fe e l v e ry c o ld a n y m o r e , o n ly a little

s le e p y .
 S a u c e fo r th e G o o s e 141

N o t e s

s a u c e f o r t h e g o o s e ( title )
p a r t o f t h e s a y in g ‘w h a t ’s s a u c e f o r t h e g o o s e is s a u c e f o r t h e g a n d e r ’:
w h a t is s u i t a b l e f o r o n e p e r s o n (e .g . a w if e ) m u s t a l s o b e s u i t a b l e f o r
a n o t h e r (e .g . a h u s b a n d )
t h e S to c k E x c h a n g e ( p l 2 7 )
a f in a n c ia l c e n tr e w h e r e s t o c k s a n d s h a r e s a r e b o u g h t a n d s o ld
th e Id e s o f M a r c h (p l3 1 )
1 5 t h M a r c h , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e a n c i e n t R o m a n c a l e n d a r , w h i c h w a s th e
d a y J u li u s C a e s a r w a s m u r d e r e d ( f a m o u s f r o m t h e w a r n i n g g iv e n in
S h a k e s p e a r e ’s p l a y J u l iu s C a e s a r )

D is c u s s io n

1 W h y d o y o u t h i n k t h e a u t h o r c h o s e th i s t it le f o r t h e s to r y ? T h i n k o f
s o m e o t h e r t it le s a n d d e c id e i f t h e y a r e le s s , o r m o r e , a p p r o p r i a t e t h a n
t h e o r ig in a l o n e .

2 T h e r e a r e v a r i o u s m o ti v e s f o r m u r d e r in t h i s s t o r y . C a n y o u e x p l a i n
w h y O li v ia a r r a n g e d t o k il l L o r e n , w h y S te p h e n p l a n n e d t o k il l O li v ia ,
a n d w h y O l iv ia w a n t e d t o k il l S te p h e n ?

3 H o w a n d w h y d i d S te p h e n a n d O li v ia d i e in t h e e n d ? D i d t h e e n d i n g
s u r p r i s e y o u ? D i d y o u f i n d i t s h o c k i n g , o r s a tis f y in g ?

4 D o y o u f e e l s y m p a t h y f o r a n y o n e in t h e s t o r y ? W h y , o r w h y n o t?

La n g u a g e Fo c u s

1 L o o k t h r o u g h t h e s t o r y a n d f i n d t h e s e e x p r e s s io n s , t h e n r e p h r a s e t h e m
in y o u r o w n w o r d s , k e e p in g t h e s e n s e o f t h e o r i g in a l s e n te n c e .

w h a t I ’m g e t t i n g a t ( p l 2 7 )
h e ca n ta k e o v e r fo r m e ( p l2 7 )
th e n g a v e i t u p ( p l 2 7 )
d i d n ’t t a k e t o a n id e a ( p l 2 7 )
L o r e n d id n o t c o m e o f f s o w e ll th e r e ( p l2 8 )
ta lk it o v e r ( p l2 8 )
h e r a p p e tite fe ll o f f ( p l2 9 )
142 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

h e w o u ld h a v e se t a b o u t p r o m p tly ( p i 30)
h e r e w a s O liv ia h a n g in g o n ( p l3 0 )
I ’ll r u n i n t o s o m e o n e ( p l 3 2 )
w a tc h o u t fo r y o u r s e lf ( p l3 3 )
I d o n ’t p u t a n y t h i n g p a s t y o u (p l3 5 )
s h e h a d t a k e n t o h e r o w n b e d r o o m a g a in ( p l 3 6 )
g i v i n g o u t d is tr e s s s i g n a ls ( p l 3 8 )
s h e k e p t it u p (p l4 0 )

2 T h e s t o r y is t o l d in a s im p le , m a t t e r - o f - f a c t s ty le . F o r e x a m p l e , l o o k
a t t h e m o m e n t s o f c r is is f o r e a c h o f t h e th r e e m a i n c h a r a c t e r s :

• . . . a l l th is t i m e s h e h a d b e e n t r y i n g t o k i l l h im , L o r e n A m o r y -
a n d a ll f o r S t e p h e n C a s tle .
• [ S te p h e n ] s m i l e d w e a k l y , a n d t r i e d to c o n v in c e h i m s e l f s h e w o u l d
o p e n th e d o o r.
• B u t she kn e w th e r e w a s n o o n e o u t th e r e . I t w a s j u s t s o m e
d a m n a b le a c c i d e n t . . .

W h a t e f f e c t d o e s th i s d e l i b e r a t e u n d e r s t a t e m e n t h a v e ? T r y r e w r i t i n g
e a c h o f t h e i n c id e n t s , u s in g a d je c tiv e s a n d im a g e r y t o d e s c r ib e t h e
e m o t i o n s (e .g . in t h o s e f e w s e c o n d s t h e te r r i b le t r u t h b u r s t u p o n h is
m i n d l i k e a b o m b e x p l o d i n g . . . ) . T h e n c o m p a r e y o u r v e r s io n s w i t h
th e o r i g i n a l . D o e s e i t h e r v e r s i o n m a k e y o u f e e l m o r e s y m p a t h e t i c
to w a r d s th e c h a ra c te rs ?

Ac t iv it ie s

1 W h e n t h e t w o f r o z e n b o d ie s a r e e v e n tu a ll y d is c o v e r e d in th e d e e p
f r e e z e , t h e p o lic e a r e c o m p le t e ly m y s t if i e d . W e r e th e y b o t h a c c i d e n t a l
d e a t h s ? W a s i t o n e m u r d e r a n d o n e a c c i d e n t? A d o u b l e m u r d e r ? A
s u ic id e a t t e m p t ? W a s L o r e n A m o r y ’s d e a t h p e r h a p s n o t j u s t a s im p l e
a c c i d e n t? W r i t e th r e e s h o r t r e p o r t s f o r d i f f e r e n t n e w s p a p e r s , e a c h
r e p o r t g iv in g a c o m p le t e ly d i f f e r e n t t h e o r y a s t o t h e e x p l a n a t i o n o f
t h e tr a g e d y .

2 I m a g i n e t h a t O li v ia d i d n o t lo c k h e r s e lf in t h e d e e p f r e e z e , a n d w r i t e a
n e w e n d i n g f o r t h e s t o r y . D o t h e p o li c e b e lie v e h e r a c c o u n t o f S te p h e n ’s
d e a t h ? D o h e r f r ie n d s g e t s u s p i c io u s ? H o w d o e s h e r lif e c o n t i n u e ?
D o e s s h e m a r r y a g a i n , a n d m u r d e r a g a in ? D o e s s h e e v e r f e e l r e m o r s e ?
 143

Q u e s t io n s f o r D is c u s s io n o r W r it in g

1 W h i c h o f th e s e e i g h t s to r ie s d id y o u lik e , o r d is li k e , m o s t ? W h y ?

2 L o o k a g a i n a t th e s e s t o r i e s a n d lis t t h e r e a s o n s w h y t h e m u r d e r s w e r e
c o m m i t t e d . D o a n y o f t h e m u r d e r e r s h a v e s im il a r m o ti v e s ? D o y o u
s y m p a th iz e w i t h a n y o f th e m ?

3 I f y o u w e r e a d e f e n c e l a w y e r , w h i c h o f t h e m u r d e r e r s i n t h e s e s t o r ie s
w o u l d y o u c h o o s e t o d e f e n d a t t h e i r tr ia l? T h e a c t u a l m u r d e r is n o t
d i s p u t e d , b u t y o u w a n t t o g e t t h e m i n i m u m s e n te n c e f o r y o u r c li e n t .
P r e p a r e a s p e e c h f o r y o u r c h o s e n m u r d e r e r ’s d e f e n c e , a n d t h i n k o f
w it n e s s e s y o u m i g h t c a ll t o s u p p o r t y o u r c a s e .

4 ‘T h e r e is n o s u c h t h i n g a s a m o r a l o r a n i m m o r a l b o o k . B o o k s a r e
w e ll w r i t t e n , o r b a d l y w r i t t e n . T h a t is a l l . ’ ( O s c a r W i ld e , T h e P ic tu r e
o f D o r i a n G r a y ) D o y o u a g r e e w i t h th i s s t a t e m e n t ? D o y o u t h i n k t h a t
c r im e s t o r ie s a b o u t m u r d e r e r s w h o e s c a p e p u n i s h m e n t a r e im m o r a l?
S h o u ld c r im in a ls in f ic t io n a lw a y s be p u n is h e d ? W h ic h of th e
m u r d e r e r s in th e s e s to r ie s a r e n o t b r o u g h t t o ju s t ic e ? A r e o t h e r k in d s
o f p u n i s h m e n t in f lic te d o n th e m ?

5 C r im e a n d m u r d e r s t o r i e s , w h e t h e r t o l d in n o v e l s a n d s h o r t s t o r ie s ,
o r i n t e le v i s i o n p la y s a n d f ilm s , a r e a l w a y s p o p u l a r . W h y d o y o u t h i n k
th i s is s o ? P .D . J a m e s , a v e r y f a m o u s m o d e m w r i t e r o f c r im e n o v e ls ,
h a s o f f e r e d a n e x p l a n a t i o n f o r t h is . D e t e c t iv e s to r ie s c o n t i n u e t o b e
p o p u l a r , s h e s a y s , b e c a u s e ‘in a n a g e w h e n m u r d e r is s o o f t e n r a n d o m ,
t h e c r im e n o v e l is a c o m f o r t i n g f o r m - i t r e a s s u r e s u s o f t h e s a n c ti ty
o f lif e ( if y o u g e t v i o le n tl y k il le d , s o m e o n e w il l c a r e ) a n d o f t h e f a c t
t h a t w e liv e in a c o m p r e h e n s i b le , r a t i o n a l w o r l d , a w o r l d in w h ic h
h u m a n a u t h o r i t y , a n d h u m a n s k il l a n d i n t e g r i t y ( th e d e t e c ti v e , t h e
p o l ic e ) , c a n p u t th in g s t o r i g h t s ’.
D o y o u a g r e e w i t h th i s e x p l a n a t i o n ? W h a t is y o u r o w n o p in io n ?
A r e c r im e n o v e l s e s c a p i s t f a n t a s i e s , a l o n g w a y f r o m ‘r e a l ’ life ? A r e
th e y t o l d j u s t f o r e n t e r t a i n m e n t , o r d o th e y te ll u s s o m e t h i n g a b o u t
h u m a n n a tu re ?
W h a t o t h e r k i n d s , o r g e n r e s , o f s to r ie s c a n y o u t h i n k o f? M a k e a
lis t, e .g . lo v e , w a r , g h o s t , s c ie n c e f ic ti o n , a d v e n t u r e , a n d s o o n . D o
y o u f i n d o n e g e n r e m o r e in t e r e s t i n g o r m o r e e n j o y a b le t h a n o th e r s ?
If so , w h ic h o n e , a n d w h y ?
144 C r im e N e v e r P a y s

6 M a k e a p l a n f o r a s t o r y a b o u t t h e ‘p e r f e c t ’ m u r d e r . I n v e n t a g r o u p o f
c h a r a c t e r s , in c l u d i n g a m u r d e r e r a n d a v ic ti m , a n d d e v is e a m u r d e r p l a n
t h a t w o u l d b a f f le t h e s h a r p m i n d o f e v e n a M i s s M a r p l e o r a S h e r lo c k
H o lm e s . R e m e m b e r th a t th e m u r d e r e r m u s t h a v e

a ) m o ti v e
b) m e a n s
c) o p p o r tu n ity .

M a k e s u r e t h a t y o u r m u r d e r e r h a s a c a s t - i r o n a l ib i, a n d t h a t p l e n t y o f
s u s p i c i o n w il l f a ll o n t h e o t h e r c h a r a c t e r s .
 M urder: the unlawful, intentional killing of a human
CRjME being - a terrible crim e. But murder stories are
always fascinating. Who did it? And how? Or why?
NEVER And was it murder, or just an unfortunate accident?
Who will trium ph, the murderer or the detective?
This collection contains a wide range of murder
stories, from the astute detection of the famous
Sherlock Holmes, to the chilling psychology of Ruth
Rendell.

■ The OXFORD BOOKWORMS COLLECTION offers a variet y of

I COLLECTI ON fiction from the English-speaking world by well- known
SERIES ADVISERS: authors, both classic and m odern. The texts have not been
H. G. Widdowson
abridged or sim plified in any way, but each volum e
Jennifer Bassett
contains notes and questions designed to make reading
more meaningful and stim ulating.

Cover illust rat io n: Luba Lukova

O X FO RD E N G L IS H

IS B N 9 7 8 - 0 - 1 9 - 4 2 2 6 9 3 - 6