Nemesis - Agatha Christie [83]
‘Yes, but if you make sure, that may be the last thing you do make sure of! We don’t want a third body. Yours.’
‘Oh, I’m not expecting anything like that,’ said Miss Marple.
‘There might be danger, you know, if any of your ideas are right. Have you suspicions of any one particular person?’
‘I think I have certain knowledge as to one person. I have got to find out — I have got to stay here. You asked me once if I felt an atmosphere of evil. Well, that atmosphere is here all right, an atmosphere of evil, of danger if you like — of great unhappiness, of fear…I’ve got to do something about that. The best I can do. But an old woman like me can’t do very much.’
Professor Wanstead counted under his breath. ‘One — two — three — four — ’
‘What are you counting?’ asked Miss Marple.
‘The people who left in the coach. Presumably you’re not interested in them, since you’ve let them go off and you’re staying here.’
‘Why should I be interested in them?’
‘Because you said Mr Rafiel had sent you in the coach for a particular reason and sent you on this tour for a particular reason and sent you to The Old Manor House for a particular reason. Very well then. The death of Elizabeth Temple ties up with someone in the coach. Your remaining here ties up with The Old Manor House.’
‘You’re not quite right,’ said Miss Marple. ‘There are connections between the two. I want someone to tell me things.’
‘Do you think you can make anyone tell you things?’
‘I think I might. You’ll miss your train if you don’t go soon.’
‘Take care of yourself,’ said Professor Wanstead.
‘I mean to take care of myself.’
The door into the lounge opened and two people came out. Miss Cooke and Miss Barrow.
‘Hullo,’ said Professor Wanstead, ‘I thought you’d gone off with the coach.’
‘Well, we changed our minds at the last moment,’ said Miss Cooke cheerfully. ‘You know we’ve just discovered that there are some very agreeable walks near here and there are one or two places I’m very anxious to see. A church with a very unusual Saxon font. Only four or five miles away and quite easily reached by the local bus, I think. You see, it’s not only houses and gardens. I’m very interested in church architecture.’
‘So am I,’ said Miss Barrow. ‘There’s also Finley Park which is a very fine piece of horticultural planting not far from here. We really thought that it would be much pleasanter to stay here for a day or two.’
‘You’re staying here at the Golden Boar?’
‘Yes. We were fortunate enough to be able to get a very nice double room. Really a better one than the one we have had for the last two days.’
‘You will miss your train,’ said Miss Marple again.
‘I wish,’ said Professor Wanstead, ‘that you — ’
‘I shall be quite all right,’ said Miss Marple urgently. ‘Such a kind man,’ she said, as he disappeared round the side of the house, ‘who really takes so much care of me — I might be a great-aunt of his or something like that.’
‘It’s all been a great shock, hasn’t it,’ said Miss Cooke. ‘Perhaps you may like to come with us when we go to visit St Martins in the Grove.’
‘You’re very kind,’ said Miss Marple, ‘but I don’t think today I feel quite strong enough for expeditions. Perhaps tomorrow if there is anything interesting to see.’
‘Well, we must leave you then.’
Miss Marple smiled at them both and went into the hotel.
Chapter 20
Miss Marple Has Ideas
Having had lunch in the dining-room, Miss Marple went out on the terrace to drink her coffee. She was just sipping her second cup when a tall, thin figure came striding up the steps, and approached her, speaking rather breathlessly. She saw that it was Anthea Bradbury-Scott.
‘Oh, Miss Marple, we’ve only just heard, you know, that you didn’t go with the coach, after all. We thought you were going on with the tour. We had no idea you were staying on here. Both Clotilde and Lavinia sent me here to say we do so hope you will come back to The Old Manor House and stay with us. I’m sure it will be nicer for you to be there. There are so many people coming and