Pageant of Murder (Mrs. Bradley) by Mitchell Gladys

Author:Mitchell, Gladys [Mitchell, Gladys]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2014-03-17T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Head Tucked Underneath His Arm

“From that stately mansion and the beautifully wooded and verdant surroundings…we will now pass once more to the extreme…boundary which we shall make the starting place for a ramble to some of the most interesting scenes in the old County town.”

Dame Beatrice gazed at her secretary with mild interest, Kitty with deep concern.

“Do you feel all right, Dog?” she enquired.

“Very much all right,” replied her friend. “Something that’s been nagging at me for hours has suddenly fallen into place. Let’s forget it. It will keep. Stick some Bach on, and let Mrs. Croc. enjoy herself. We’ve had a tiring although fascinating day.”

“Well,” said Dame Beatrice, when they reached the Stone House in mid-afternoon of the following day, “you have said nothing so far of your satisfying discovery. Am I to share in your raptures? I noticed that you did nothing to allay the obvious curiosity of Mrs. Trevelyan-Twigg.”

“Old Kitty babbles. She probably doesn’t intend to, but what goes in at the shell-like ears is apt to come out through the ruby lips.”

“Dear me! You are most expressive; impressive, too. What can you have discovered?”

“Nothing, as yet. Just a hunch, and I must do something about it before I hand it over to the police. In other words, we’ve got to go back to Brayne; at least, I must. No need for you to come. In fact, I’d much rather you didn’t. If I’m on the wrong tack, I’d rather feel a fool on my own.”

“I quite understand. What is more, I think that your theory is reasonable, considering all the circumstances which, so far, have come to our knowledge.”

“You must be clairvoyante,” said Laura. “How did you guess what I’ve been thinking?”

“I know the way your mind works.”

“That’s the worst of living with a psychiatrist. I can’t keep any secrets. What makes you think my hunch is reasonable? I didn’t tell you what it was because I thought you’d hoot with ill-considered mirth, and that would have discouraged me.

“These murders have followed a bizarre pattern, therefore no theory about them, however seemingly far-fetched, can be laughed out of court or disregarded. As for discouraging you, I would not dream of it.”

“Many thanks. So you don’t mind if I go out prospecting on my own?”

“So far as I am concerned, you have a free hand. When do you propose to return to Brayne?”

“Tomorrow, starting more or less at the crack of dawn, if you don’t mind. I may need all day for the search, you see. I’ll go in my own car and take sandwiches and a thermos. That way I won’t have to waste time getting a lunch somewhere. Good thing the weather keeps fine.”

She set off on the following morning not quite at the crack of dawn but by nine o’clock. In the boot of the car were a garden rake, a light spade, a piece of clean sacking, a trowel, and a tin of carbolic powder. Laura was not at all certain

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