Shades of Darkness by Gladys Mitchell

Author:Gladys Mitchell [Mitchell, Gladys]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2014-04-08T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Solitary Purlieu

“Such men are dangerous.”

William Shakespeare—Julius Caesar

* * *

Not altogether surprised by Ryanston’s scruples, for he had realized long since that he was dealing with a fastidious man with whose reactions he found himself in sympathy, Timothy returned to his wife and acquainted her with the turn which events (or, in this case, their lack) had taken.

“They’ve just simply walked out on Mr. Ryanston?” she asked. “Does that mean we’ve to begin all over again?”

“Well, pretty nearly. He’s quite happy to carry on with those parts of his film which involve the barn, the bridge, and the folly, but he rather boggles at the church, as Miss Waltruda seems to feel so strongly about it. They don’t want to leave the house, either, so that’s gone for a burton too, I’m afraid. I’m wondering what else we can find him. I feel I’m committed and must do what I can to help him out.”

“I should think he’s livid, isn’t he?”

“Well, it is a bit of a stinker. I mean, he was convinced the thing was in the bag and that only the fee remained to be settled. I’m wondering whether we can at least find him another manor house. It shouldn’t be too difficult. It’s the church which bothers me a bit. Netherton Fivefields would have been ideal, especially as it was right on the spot. Oh, well, my next job is pure Phisbe.”

“You mean the repairs to Castell Foel. Of course I realize that you must be right about the skeleton. It could be nothing but an anatomical specimen. All the same it gives me the creeps to think about it, and I still can’t get over the feeling that the Purlieus themselves broke into the tower. If so, well—why so?”

“I’ve no idea, but I’ve got to go and see them again, anyway, so maybe I’ll be given a little more information about it all.”

“It might be as well not to ask for any. There’s some mystery there, and that, coupled with Jennifer’s disappearance and this new development . . .”

“You mean the Netherton Fivefields lot and their walking out on Ryanston like that?”

“Yes. Annabel was so keen on making a little money, besides getting herself a small part in the film, that this sudden exodus doesn’t make sense, and I have a rooted objection to things which don’t make sense.”

“Objection sustained.”

“You see, I have a very tidy mind.”

“Have you now? I must take more notice.”

“Anyway, although I can’t stop your going to see the Purlieus again, I’m not at all happy about it.”

“I assure you there’s nothing to worry about, and there’s nothing I’d like better than to solve the small mystery of the skeleton on the kitchen floor. Even if we’re right, and it’s only a prop of some sort, it does seem a bit odd to have left it sprawled out like that. One explanation does occur to me, though. Do you think they always leave it on view when the house

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