At Bertram's Hotel - Agatha Christie [74]
“I don’t understand—I can’t conceive—” He broke off and stretched out his hand. “Give it me please.”
“I’m afraid we’ll have to keep it for the present, so I’ll write you out a receipt for it.”
He did so and handed it to Malinowski.
The latter went out slamming the door.
“Temperamental chap,” said Father.
“You didn’t press him on the matter of the false number plate and Bedhampton?”
“No. I wanted him rattled. But not too badly rattled. We’ll give him one thing to worry about at a time—And he is worried.”
“The Old Man wanted to see you, sir, as soon as you were through.”
Chief-Inspector Davy nodded and made his way to Sir Ronald’s room.
“Ah! Father. Making progress?”
“Yes. Getting along nicely—quite a lot of fish in the net. Small-fry mostly. But we’re closing in on the big fellows. Everything’s in train—”
“Good show, Fred,” said the AC.
Chapter Twenty-five
I
Miss Marple got out of her train at Paddington and saw the burly figure of Chief-Inspector Davy standing on the platform waiting for her.
He said, “Very good of you, Miss Marple,” put his hand under her elbow and piloted her through the barrier to where a car was waiting. The driver opened the door, Miss Marple got in, Chief-Inspector Davy followed her and the car drove off.
“Where are you taking me, Chief-Inspector Davy?”
“To Bertram’s Hotel.”
“Dear me, Bertram’s Hotel again. Why?”
“The official reply is: because the police think you can assist them in their inquiries.”
“That sounds familiar, but surely rather sinister? So often the prelude to an arrest, is it not?”
“I am not going to arrest you, Miss Marple.” Father smiled. “You have an alibi.”
Miss Marple digested this in silence. Then she said, “I see.”
They drove to Bertram’s Hotel in silence. Miss Gorringe looked up from the desk as they entered, but Chief-Inspector Davy piloted Miss Marple to the lift.
“Second floor.”
The lift ascended, stopped, and Father led the way along the corridor.
As he opened the door of No. 18 Miss Marple said:
“This is the same room I had when I was staying here before.”
“Yes,” said Father.
Miss Marple sat down in the armchair.
“A very comfortable room,” she observed, looking round with a slight sigh.
“They certainly know what comfort is here,” Father agreed.
“You look tired, Chief-Inspector,” said Miss Marple unexpectedly.
“I’ve had to get around a bit. As a matter of fact I’ve just got back from Ireland.”
“Indeed. From Ballygowlan?”
“Now how the devil did you know about Ballygowlan? I’m sorry—I beg your pardon.”
Miss Marple smiled forgiveness.
“I suppose Michael Gorman happened to tell you he came from there—was that it?”
“No, not exactly,” said Miss Marple.
“Then how, if you’ll excuse me asking you, did you know?”
“Oh dear,” said Miss Marple, “it’s really very embarrassing. It was just something I—happened to overhear.”
“Oh, I see.”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping. It was in a public room—at least technically a public room. Quite frankly, I enjoy listening to people talking. One does. Especially when one is old and doesn’t get about very much. I mean, if people are talking near you, you listen.”
“Well, that seems to me quite natural,” said Father.
“Up to a point, yes,” said Miss Marple. “If people do not choose to lower their voices, one must assume that they are prepared to be overheard. But of course matters may develop. The situation sometimes arises when you realize that though it is a public room, other people talking do not realize that there is anyone else in it. And then one has to decide what to do about it. Get up and cough, or just stay quite quiet and hope they won’t realize you’ve been there. Either way is embarrassing.”
Chief-Inspector Davy glanced at his watch.
“Look here,” he said, “I want to hear more about this—but I’ve got Canon Pennyfather arriving at any moment. I must go and collect him. You don’t mind?”
Miss Marple said she didn’t mind. Chief-Inspector Davy left the room.
II
Canon Pennyfather came through the swing doors into the hall of Bertram’s Hotel. He frowned slightly, wondering