“THE SHOT IN THE DELL"

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 54, 6 March 1935, Page 9

“THE SHOT IN THE DELL"

There was no signature. “ Tfcank you,”'said Clegg, handing ij back. “He often goes away, you say?” “Never like this here! I tell ’ee, sir, I went as cold as a quilken when I refad that there paper.” “ Where does he usually go when he leaves Trescobeas?” asked Clegg; hut Mrs Drew couldn’t eyen tell us as much about this as, the doctor had done." Du TiHeul had gone, away about dozen times during the two years She’d jj.eep working for him; but he’d always told her when he was going and" When to expect him back, which was generally in a week’s time, though ,h.O had ones gone away for a fortnight ‘“What do you do with his letters?” asked Clegg. “Post ’en to the office In Polstow, sir.”

"And does he always return on the day be says?” “He always .have—” , “And he will this time,”; said Clegg reassuringly. “ But as we returned to the inn he remarked, “ The first sample of suspicious behaviour we’ve had —” "What about Dan?” I suggested. “ *Qh, Dan’s a young fool that lets his temper get the better of his judgment” "And Mrs Andrewe?" “Ah, I’d forgotten her. And she’s the next person we must see. She may know something of her husband’s business affairs. But in any case we must call om. Messrs Cuthbertson and Crlddle when Ingram takes us into Penarrow, and we must see if there's any one at Du Tilleul’s office who can tell ps how to get into touch with him.”

Hie bungalow, with blinds down ov.er its large windows, presented a dreary appearance. Mrs Williams told us that Dr. Sanders was with her mistreat, who was suffering frori the collapse that had threatened eyer since aha bad had the news of her husband’s death. It had been precipitated, it appeared, by Inspector Tonkin's recent visit. "And now, Mrs Williams,” remarked Clegg, “ I’m going to trespass on your time and good nature and put your memory to something of a test.” “J. dbn’t know that I' can tell you h»ythb?g,' s|r,”, , was : Mrs ' William's frigid ibaswef: “ Iji’S pot -very mucb that we. want •fa know. "I suppose 1 Mr and Mrs Andrewe had breakfast, together on Monday at the usual time?” “Yes, sir.” “Any letters come for them? About half a dozen? Can you tell me .who they were from, by any chance?” “No, sir, that I can’t.’-’ “ And how did" your master and mis'Ureas spend the morning?” “ Mrs Andrewe went up to the itoke; the master worked.” Ctegg glanced at the bureau.’ “In bore?” -'T"-:." i(■ ■ "Yes; sir, there’s only this one sit-Ung-room in the bungalow.” “ Were there any callers during the doming ?" “No, sir.” "What? No callers at all? Any id Sunday?” Mrs Williams frowned and fingered bar apron. “ Well, sir, Mr Cecil called, but Mr Andrewe wouldn’t see him. JR), sir, I don’t know what he called about. ‘ He was upset like—angry, you might say, at being sent away. Mr Cecil was always one to feel a thing like that. But Mi* Andrewe was particular that, he wouldn’t see him, and told me to say he was very busy that doming, or so I understood.” "Was that all the reason he gave?” '“Yes, sir.” And did Mr and Mrs SJjadrewe lunch together on Monday, tod spend the afternoon together?” "Yes, sir.” “Amicably?" “ Out with it," Clegg added, smiling, as she hesitated. “I don’t like to tell you, sir,” she protested. “Quite. I understand your relucfemoe. But if they quarrelled we had better know what it was about, if you jjto tell us.” ■ Mrs Williams gave in. “ Well, to tell you the truth, sir, they were having words when I came in to lay the tea. I didn’t hear the master say anything, but I could see he was angry; tod the mistress, she said, ‘ You can believe what you nice, it won’t make toy difference. Whatever I did or didn’t do, you’d "be jealous.’ Mr Andrewe didn’t make any answer to that with me being there, and I left toe room as soon as I could.” "And after tea?” Clegg continued. “Had they made up their quarrel?” " Well, sir, after tea Mr Andrewe Went out in the car—about half-past live, I suppose it . was —and an hour or so later I came in here to lay the dloth for dinner. It yvas a bit early, but we were expecting Major Furze, and I wanted to get the cloth laid so as to get on with my cooking. And that whs how I heard the mistress calling. Would you believe it, sir, he’d looked her into the little bedroom I But the mistress wasn’t a bit upset. She was actually laughing. She says to mo, ‘it’s the master’s joke, Mrs Williams, i wanted to telephone to some one, and he didn’t want me to; so to make quite sure I shouldn’t he locked me jn. Never marry a jealous man, Mrs Williams. But I’ve got the best of the joke,’ she says, ‘he’s gone Off on such a wild goose chase. I only hope it rains and ho gets the car and himself wet, but I’m afraid it won’t.’ But I couldn’t have took it like that. * I hope he catches his death,’ I says, for I didn’t think he. ought-to have locked her in like that, not however tantalising she’d been.” " Quite so,”, agreed Clegg. “ But, of course, we dotyt.know just how tantalising she had been." . \ . “Well, sir, she couldn’t be worse than him. It was six to one and half * dozen Of the other, if y OU ask me.” "And she didn’t tell you where he’d gone?” “She told me no more than I’ve told you.” ; . "And; the rest of the evening. Was' that -the last of your excitements?” “No, sir, it wasn’t—except that I SbOHldSt call, it ah excitement. The mistress went off to dress, for we ware expecting Major Furze at seven o'Qlpck. But. she was all in a hurry, tod maybe a bit more upset than Sbo’d own, and, bless me, if she didn’t nocao running out to me ten minutes

By H.L Deakin

Instalment 14.

later with a spill on her beautiful new dress—some stuff she’d used for her hair, it was. I told her to try peffol on it, and I would have gone and got some from the garage myself, hut she wouldn’t let me, and the dinner might have spoilt if I’d left It, It’s true. So she went out herself. But she was gone such a long time that I was just thinking of going after her when in she came. And the petrol hadn’t done the stain no good, and she was near crying she yvas so uppet. ‘ I can't see him, Mrs Williams,’ she exolaimed, ‘I can’t see Major Furze. Oh, dear! Oh, dear!’ and she was In quite a way. 1 You go and put on your black dress, ma’am,’ I says. * You know how well that suits you, ma’am. And I’ll get the stain off that one In the morning.’ “ Well, off she went to her room, but In five minutes she was calling for me again, and there she was, sitting

on her bed and crying that she couldn’t possibly see the major, and holding her head, and sayjng that she fe'els dreadfully sick. And I could see she did too. She was white as my apron here, and shaking all over. There was nothing to do with her but put her to bed, which I did. And I wanted to send for the doctor, but she said no, she’d lie there a bit and perhaps she’d feel better. 4 You’re upset, ma’am,’ I says. 4 Yes,’ she says. 4 1 thought it was a Joke, being locked !n like that, but it wasn’t no joke. I’m not used to having the master angry with me, and it’s upset me.’ I 44 And then the major came, and I had to go and leave her. And he was very upset, too, at hearing the mistress was so bad. Of course, I didn’t tell him what had happened, and I served dinner for him, the mistress being most particular he was to have

i it. And in about an hour’s time, as i she said, I went to see how she was, 1 but she was as poorly as ever. So . then the major went up to Dr. Sanders, i but, of course, he wasn’t- in. No one » ever knew him to be In when he was . wanted.” "He didn’t come, then?” “ He did not, sir, and Mrs Andrews getting more nervous for herself 1 every minute. She made me leave my r room and come and sleep In the little - one next hers, she was that nervous of fainting in the night.” , 44 But she didn’t, I hope?” Clegg's i tone was very solioltous. "No, sir, she didn’t disturb me once.” ; "You slept well?” i “ I never had a better night's rest in my life; never woke up until it was light. I felt quite ashamed of It when I took the mistress a cup of tea early, and she told me she hadn’t had a wink of sleep' all night." I glanced at Clegg, but he refused to meet my eye. Just then we heard the sound of a door being opened and shut. “The doctor I” exclaimed Mrs Williams. 44 Excuse me, sir,” As she hurried out, Clegg was close behind her. “Ah, Dr. Sanders, and how is Mrs Andrews?” he began. But the doctor seemed less pleased than ever to see us. 14 Now, look here,” he began, 44 if you’ve come to see Mrs Andrewe, you can’t. That’s all. I absolutely forbid it. She’s to see no one.” There was something open-hearted about his bluster that robbed it of offence. “Ah, well,” said Clegg placidly, “ our business with her can wait for a few hours. We have plenty to do. But I’m sorry to hear she’s so ill.” “ She’s in a pitiable condition—• pitiable. If she’s worried any more by you or the police I won’t answer for the consequenoes. I understand now that you think Andrewe was murdered. And that inspector fellow has been here already this morning after her finger-prints. Finger-prints 1 Why, her heart’s in such a state I wonder he didn’t kill her. Another such ordeal as she was put through this morning, and we might lose her. So understand that I forbid any visitors for two or three days at least.” 44 Two or three days?” Clegg raised his eyebrows at this. 44 That needs consideration. You realise that such a delay in interviewing her may defeat the ends of justice?” I expected the dootor to surrender to this, but he did nothing of the sort. 44 1 don’t care about the ends of justice—not my responsibility. But my patient’s health is. And I will not allow her to be interviewed again until she’s strong .enough to stand It.” 44 What exactly is the matter with her?” asked Clegg. “Heart, man, heartl” exploded Sanders. Clegg raised his shoulders in a gesture of resignation. 44 1 bow to your orders,” he said gravely. The doctor, having got his own way rather more easily, I suspect, than he’d hoped, was anxious now to be affable, and also to satisfy his cariosity. He mumbled something about the necessity of taking a firm stand sometimes In the interests of a patient’s welfare . . . And having thus cleared the ground he put out a feeler. 44 What on earth makes you think that it wasn’t suicide?” If he’d tried to probe me in this fashion he would have met with short shrift; but I was already learning that Clegg’s patience with rudeness, stubbornness, or stupidity could be limitless when he'deemed it to his advantage, “Mr Andrewe was murdered,” he answered. “And, as it happens by a curious chance, I am in charge of the Investigation into his death, I’m sorry Inspector Tonkin upset your patient so much this morning. We policemen are always in a hurry, I’m afraid.” “I daresay you have to be,” Sanders conceded graciously, and went on to say that any help he could give us “You came across nothing out of the usual on Monday night' I suppose?” Clegg Inquired, “I understand you were called out?” The doctor stopped short in his stride. “Now how the deqee did And that out?” “Village gossip.” The doctor frowned. “Yes, J was out from about midngiht to three in the morning," he admitted. “Does that Interest you?” he added suddenly. “Not particularly," said Clegg, “unless you came across anything out of the way, Andrewe’s car, for Instance, on the beach?” The dootor smiled.' I never