Listerdale Mystery - Agatha Christie [31]
‘You trust Martha?’
‘Oh, absolutely. She was with Aunt Lily for–oh! thirty years, I suppose. She’s honest as the day.’
Sir Edward nodded.
‘Another question. Why did your cousin, Mrs Crabtree, take a headache powder?’
‘Well, because she had a headache.’
‘Naturally, but was there any particular reason why she should have a headache?’
‘Well, yes, in a way. There was rather a scene at lunch. Emily is very excitable and highly strung. She and Aunt Lily used to have rows sometimes.’
‘And they had one at lunch?’
‘Yes. Aunt Lily was rather trying about little things. It all started out of nothing–and then they were at it hammer and tongs–with Emily saying all sorts of things she couldn’t possibly have meant–that she’d leave the house and never come back–that she was grudged every mouthful she ate–oh! all sorts of silly things. And Aunt Lily said the sooner she and her husband packed their boxes and went the better. But it all meant nothing, really.’
‘Because Mr and Mrs Crabtree couldn’t afford to pack up and go?’
‘Oh, not only that. William was fond of Aunt Emily. He really was.’
‘It wasn’t a day of quarrels by any chance?’
Magdalen’s colour heightened.
‘You mean me? The fuss about my wanting to be a mannequin?’
‘Your aunt wouldn’t agree?’
‘No.’
‘Why did you want to be a mannequin, Miss Magdalen? Does the life strike you as a very attractive one?’ ‘No, but anything would be better than going on living here.’
‘Yes, then. But now you will have a comfortable income, won’t you?’
‘Oh! yes, it’s quite different now.’
She made the admission with the utmost simplicity.
He smiled but pursued the subject no further. Instead he said: ‘And your brother? Did he have a quarrel too?’
‘Matthew? Oh, no.’
‘Then no one can say he had a motive for wishing his aunt out of the way.’
He was quick to seize on the momentary dismay that showed in her face.
‘I forgot,’ he said casually. ‘He owed a good deal of money, didn’t he?’
‘Yes; poor old Matthew.’
‘Still, that will be all right now.’
‘Yes–’ She sighed. ‘It is a relief.’
And still she saw nothing! He changed the subject hastily.
‘Your cousins and your brother are at home?’
‘Yes; I told them you were coming. They are all so anxious to help. Oh, Sir Edward–I feel, somehow, that you are going to find out that everything is all right–that none of us had anything to do with it–that, after all, it was an outsider.’
‘I can’t do miracles. I may be able to find out the truth, but I can’t make the truth be what you want it to be.’
‘Can’t you? I feel that you could do anything–anything.’
She left the room. He thought, disturbed, ‘What did she mean by that? Does she want me to suggest a line of defence? For whom?’
His meditations were interrupted by the entrance of a man about fifty years of age. He had a naturally powerful frame, but stooped slightly. His clothes were untidy and his hair carelessly brushed. He looked good-natured but vague.
‘Sir Edward Palliser? Oh, how do you do. Magdalen sent me along. It’s very good of you, I’m sure, to wish to help us. Though I don’t think anything will ever be really discovered. I mean, they won’t catch the fellow.’
‘You think it was a burglar then–someone from outside?’
‘Well, it must have been. It couldn’t be one of the family. These fellows are very clever nowadays, they climb like cats and they get in and out as they like.’
‘Where were you, Mr Crabtree, when the tragedy occurred?’
‘I was busy with my stamps–in my little sitting-room upstairs.’
‘You didn’t hear anything?’
‘No–but then I never do hear anything when I’m absorbed. Very foolish of me, but there it is.’
‘Is the sitting-room you refer to over this room?’
‘No, it’s at the back.’
Again the door opened. A small fair woman entered. Her hands were twitching nervously. She looked fretful and excited.
‘William, why didn’t you wait for me? I said “wait”.’
‘Sorry, my dear, I forgot. Sir Edward Palliser–my wife.’
‘How do you do, Mrs Crabtree? I hope you don’t mind my coming here to ask a few questions. I know how anxious