Genealogical Table I Overheard The death was certainly sudden, unexpected, and to me mysterious. Letter from Dr. Paterson to the Registrar in the case of Reg. v. Pritchard But if he thought the woman was being murdered My dear Charles, said the young man with the monocle, it doesnt do for people, especially doctors, to go about thinking things. They may get into frightful trouble. In Pritchards case, I consider Dr. Paterson did all he reasonably could by refusing a certificate for Mrs. Taylor and sending that uncommonly disquieting letter to the Registrar. He couldnt help the mans being a fool. If there had only been an inquest on Mrs. Taylor, Pritchard would probably have been frightened off and left his wife alone. After all, Paterson hadnt a spark of real evidence. And suppose hed been quite wrongwhat a dustup thered have been! All the same, urged the nondescript young man, dubiously extracting a bubblinghot Helix Pomatia from its shell, and eyeing it nervously before putting it in his mouth, surely its a clear case of public duty to voice ones suspicions. Of your dutyyes, said the other. By the way, its not a public duty to eat snails if you dont like em. No, I thought you didnt. Why wrestle with a harsh fate any longer? Waiter, take the gentlemans snails away and bring oysters instead  Noas I was saying, it may be part of your duty to have suspicions and invite investigation and generally raise hell for everybody, and if youre mistaken nobody says much, beyond that youre a smart, painstaking officer though a little overzealous. But doctors, poor devils! are everlastingly walking a kind of social tightrope. People dont fancy calling in a man whos liable to bring out accusations of murder on the smallest provocation. Excuse me. The thinfaced young man sitting alone at the next table had turned round eagerly. Its frightfully rude of me to break in, but every word you say is absolutely true, and mine is a case in point. A doctoryou cant have any idea how dependent he is on the fancies and prejudices of his patients. They resent the most elementary precautions. If you dare to suggest a postmortem, theyre up in arms at the idea of cutting poor dear Soandso up, and even if you only ask permission to investigate an obscure disease in the interests of research, they imagine youre hinting at something unpleasant. Of course, if you let things go, and it turns out afterwards theres been any jiggerypokery, the coroner jumps down your throat and the newspapers make a butt of you, and, whichever way it is, you wish youd never been born. You speak with personal feeling, said the man with the monocle, with an agreeable air of interest. I do, said the thinfaced man, emphatically. If I had behaved like a man of the world instead of a zealous citizen, I shouldnt be hunting about for a new job today. The man with the monocle glanced round the little Soho restaurant with a faint smile. The fat man on their right was unctuously entertaining two ladies of the chorus; beyond him, two elderly habitus were showing their acquaintance with the fare at the Au Bon Bourgeois by consuming a Tripes  la Mode de Caen (which they do very excellently there) and a bottle of Chablis Moutonne 1916; on the other side of the room a provincial and his wife were stupidly clamouring for a cut off the joint with lemonade for the lady and whisky and soda for the gentleman, while at the adjoining table, the handsome silverhaired proprietor, absorbed in fatiguing a salad for a family party, had for the moment no thoughts beyond the nice adjustment of the chopped herbs and garlic. The head waiter, presenting for inspection a plate of Blue River Trout, helped the monocled man and his companion and retired, leaving them in the privacy which unsophisticated people always seek in genteel teashops and never, never find there. I feel, said the monocled man, exactly like Prince Florizel of Bohemia. I am confident that you, sir, have an interesting story to relate, and shall be greatly obliged if you will favour us with the recital. I perceive that you have finished your dinner, and it will therefore perhaps not be disagreeable to you to remove to this table and entertain us with your story while we eat. Pardon my Stevensonian mannermy sympathy is none the less sincere on that account. Dont be an ass, Peter, said the nondescript man. My friend is a much more rational person than you might suppose to hear him talk, he added, turning to the stranger, and if theres anything youd like to get off your chest, you may be perfectly certain it wont go any farther. The other smiled a little grimly. Ill tell you about it with pleasure if it wont bore you. It just happens to be a case in point, thats all. On my side of the argument, said the man called Peter, with triumph. Do carry on. Have something to drink. Its a poor heart that never rejoices. And begin right at the beginning, if you will, please. I have a very trivial mind. Detail delights me. Ramifications enchant me. Distance no object. No reasonable offer refused. Charles here will say the same. Well, said the stranger, to begin from the very beginning, I am a medical man, particularly interested in the subject of Cancer. I had hoped, as so many people do, to specialise on the subject, but there wasnt money enough, when Id done my exams, to allow me to settle down to research work. I had to take a country practice, but I kept in touch with the important men up here, hoping to be able to come back to it some day. I may say I have quite decent expectations from an uncle, and in the meanwhile they agreed it would be quite good for me to get some allround experience as a G.P. Keeps one from getting narrow and all that. Consequently, when I bought a nice little practice at  Id better not mention any names, lets call it X, down Hampshire way, a little country town of about 5,000 peopleI was greatly pleased to find a cancer case on my list of patients. The old lady How long ago was this? interrupted Peter. Three years ago. There wasnt much to be done with the case. The old lady was seventytwo, and had already had one operation. She was a game old girl, though, and was making a good fight of it, with a very tough constitution to back her up. She was not, I should say, and had never been, a woman of very powerful intellect or strong character as far as her dealings with other people went, but she was extremely obstinate in certain ways and was possessed by a positive determination not to die. At this time she lived alone with her niece, a young woman of twentyfive or so. Previously to that, she had been living with another old lady, the girls aunt on the other side of the family, who had been her devoted friend since their school days. When this other old aunt died, the girl, who was their only living relative, threw up her job as a nurse at the Royal Free Hospital to look after the survivormy patientand they had come and settled down at X about a year before I took over the practice. I hope I am making myself clear. Perfectly. Was there another nurse? Not at that time. The patient was able to get about, visit acquaintances, do light work about the house, flowers and knitting and reading and so on, and to drive about the placein fact, most of the things that old ladies do occupy their time with. Of course, she had her bad days of pain from time to time, but the nieces training was quite sufficient to enable her to do all that was necessary. What was the niece like? Oh, a very nice, welleducated, capable girl, with a great deal more brain than her aunt. Selfreliant, cool, all that sort of thing. Quite the modern type. The sort of woman one can trust to keep her head and not forget things. Of course, after a time, the wretched growth made its appearance again, as it always does if it isnt tackled at the very beginning, and another operation became necessary. That was when I had been in X about eight months. I took her up to London, to my own old chief, Sir Warburton Giles, and it was performed very successfully as far as the operation itself went, though it was then only too evident that a vital organ was being encroached upon, and that the end could only be a matter of time. I neednt go into details. Everything was done that could be done. I wanted the old lady to stay in town under Sir Warburtons eye, but she was vigorously opposed to this. She was accustomed to a country life and could not be happy except in her own home. So she went back to X, and I was able to keep her going with visits for treatment at the nearest large town, where there is an excellent hospital. She rallied amazingly after the operation and eventually was able to dismiss her nurse and go on in the old way under the care of the niece. One moment, doctor, put in the man called Charles, you say you took her to Sir Warburton Giles and so on. I gather she was pretty well off. Oh, yes, she was quite a wealthy woman. Do you happen to know whether she made a will? No. I think I mentioned her extreme aversion to the idea of death. She had always refused to make any kind of will because it upset her to think about such things. I did once venture to speak of the subject in the most casual way I could, shortly before she underwent her operation, but the effect was to excite her very undesirably. Also she said, which was quite true, that it was quite unnecessary. You, my dear, she said to the niece, are the only kith and kin Ive got in the world, and all Ive got will be yours some day, whatever happens. I know I can trust you to remember my servants and my little charities. So, of course, I didnt insist. I remember, by the waybut that was a good deal later on and has nothing to do with the story Please, said Peter, all the details. Well, I remember going there one day and finding my patient not so well as I could have wished and very much agitated. The niece told me that the trouble was caused by a visit from her solicitora family lawyer from her home town, not our local man. He had insisted on a private interview with the old lady, at the close of which she had appeared terribly excited and angry, declaring that everyone was in a conspiracy to kill her before her time. The solicitor, before leaving, had given no explanation to the niece, but had impressed upon her that if at any time her aunt expressed a wish to see him, she was to send for him at any hour of the day or night and he would come at once. And was he ever sent for? No. The old lady was deeply offended with him, and almost the last bit of business she did for herself was to take her affairs out of his hands and transfer them to the local solicitor. Shortly afterwards, a third operation became necessary, and after this she gradually became more and more of an invalid. Her head began to get weak, too, and she grew incapable of understanding anything complicated, and indeed she was in too much pain to be bothered about business. The niece had a power of attorney, and took over the management of her aunts money entirely. When was this? In April, 1925. Mind you, though she was getting a bit gagaafter all, she was getting on in yearsher bodily strength was quite remarkable. I was investigating a new method of treatment and the results were extraordinarily interesting. That made it all the more annoying to me when the surprising thing happened. I should mention that by this time we were obliged to have an outside nurse for her, as the niece could not do both the day and night duty. The first nurse came in April. She was a most charming and capable young womanthe ideal nurse. I placed absolute dependence on her. She had been specially recommended to me by Sir Warburton Giles, and though she was not then more than twentyeight, she had the discretion and judgment of a woman twice her age. I may as well tell you at once that I became deeply attached to this lady and she to me. We are engaged, and had hoped to be married this yearif it hadnt been for my damned conscientiousness and public spirit. The doctor grimaced wryly at Charles, who murmured rather lamely that it was very bad luck. My fiance, like myself, took a keen interest in the casepartly because it was my case and partly because she was herself greatly interested in the disease. She looks forward to being of great assistance to me in my life work if I ever get the chance to do anything at it. But thats by the way. Things went on like this till September. Then, for some reason, the patient began to take one of those unaccountable dislikes that feebleminded patients do take sometimes. She got it into her head that the nurse wanted to kill herthe same idea shed had about the lawyer, you seeand earnestly assured her niece that she was being poisoned. No doubt she attributed her attacks of pain to this cause. Reasoning was uselessshe cried out and refused to let the nurse come near her. When that happens, naturally, theres nothing for it but to get rid of the nurse, as she can do the patient no possible good. I sent my fiance back to town and wired to Sir Warburtons Clinic to send me down another nurse. The new nurse arrived the next day. Naturally, after the other, she was a secondbest as far as I was concerned, but she seemed quite up to her work and the patient made no objection. However, now I began to have trouble with the niece. Poor girl, all this longdrawnout business was getting on her nerves, I suppose. She took it into her head that her aunt was very much worse. I said that of course she must gradually get worse, but that she was putting up a wonderful fight and there was no cause for alarm. The girl wasnt satisfied, however, and on one occasion early in November sent for me hurriedly in the middle of the night because her aunt was dying. When I arrived, I found the patient in great pain, certainly, but in no immediate danger. I told the nurse to give her a morphia injection, and administered a dose of bromide to the girl, telling her to go to bed and not to do any nursing for the next few days. The following day I overhauled the patient very carefully and found that she was doing even better than I supposed. Her heart was exceptionally strong and steady, she was taking nourishment remarkably well and the progress of the disease was temporarily arrested. The niece apologised for her agitation, and said she really thought her aunt was going. I said that, on the contrary, I could now affirm positively that she would live for another five or six months. As you know, in cases like hers, one can speak with very fair certainty.  In any case, I said, I shouldnt distress yourself too much. Death, when it does come, will be a release from suffering.   Yes, she said, poor Auntie. Im afraid Im selfish, but shes the only relative I have left in the world. Three days later, I was just sitting down to dinner when a telephone message came. Would I go over at once? The patient was dead. Good gracious! cried Charles, its perfectly obvious Shut up, Sherlock, said his friend, the doctors story is not going to be obvious. Far from it, as the private said when he aimed at the bullseye and hit the gunnery instructor. But I observe the waiter hovering uneasily about us while his colleagues pile up chairs and carry away the cruets. Will you not come and finish the story in my flat? I can give you a glass of very decent port. You will? Good. Waiter, call a taxi  110A, Piccadilly. II Miching Mallecho By the pricking of my thumbs Something evil this way comes. Macbeth The April night was clear and chilly, and a brisk wood fire burned in a welcoming manner on the hearth. The bookcases which lined the walls were filled with rich old calf bindings, mellow and glowing in the lamplight. There was a grand piano, open, a huge chesterfield piled deep with cushions and two armchairs of the build that invites one to wallow. The port was brought in by an impressive manservant and placed on a very beautiful little Chippendale table. Some big bowls of scarlet and yellow parrot tulips beckoned, bannerlike, from dark corners. The doctor had just written his new acquaintance down as an aesthete with a literary turn, looking for the ingredients of a human drama, when the manservant reentered. Inspector Sugg rang up, my lord, and left this message, and said would you be good enough to give him a call as soon as you came in. Oh, did he?well, just get him for me, would you? This is the Worplesham business, Charles. Suggs mucked it up as usual. The baker has an alibinaturallyhe would have. Oh, thanks  Hullo! that you, Inspector? What did I tell you?Oh, routine be hanged. Now, look here. You get hold of that gamekeeper fellow, and find out from him what he saw in the sandpit  No, I know, but I fancy if you ask him impressively enough he will come across with it. No, of course notif you ask if he was there, hell say no. Say you know he was there and what did he seeand, look here! if he hums and haws about it, say youre sending a gang down to have the stream diverted  All right. Not at all. Let me know if anything comes of it. He put the receiver down. Excuse me, Doctor. A little matter of business. Now go on with your story. The old lady was dead, eh? Died in her sleep, I suppose. Passed away in the most innocent manner possible. Everything all shipshape and Bristolfashion. No struggle, no wounds, haemorrhages, or obvious symptoms, naturally, what? Exactly. She had taken some nourishment at 6 oclocka little broth and some milk pudding. At eight, the nurse gave her a morphine injection and then went straight out to put some bowls of flowers on the little table on the landing for the night. The maid came to speak to her about some arrangements for the next day, and while they were talking, Miss  that is, the niececame up and went into her aunts room. She had only been there a moment or two when she cried out, Nurse! Nurse! The nurse rushed in, and found the patient dead. Of course, my first idea was that by some accident a double dose of morphine had been administered Surely that wouldnt have acted so promptly. Nobut I thought that a deep coma might have been mistaken for death. However, the nurse assured me that this was not the case, and, as a matter of fact, the possibility was completely disproved, as we were able to count the ampullae of morphine and found them all satisfactorily accounted for. There were no signs of the patient having tried to move or strain herself, or of her having knocked against anything. The little nighttable was pushed aside, but that had been done by the niece when she came in and was struck by her aunts alarmingly lifeless appearance. How about the broth and the milkpudding? That occurred to me alsonot in any sinister way, but to wonder whether shed been having too muchdistended stomachpressure on the heart, and that sort of thing. However, when I came to look into it, it seemed very unlikely. The quantity was so small, and on the face of it, two hours were sufficient for digestionif it had been that, death would have taken place earlier. I was completely puzzled, and so was the nurse. Indeed, she was very much upset. And the niece? The niece could say nothing but I told you so, I told you soI knew she was worse than you thought. Well, to cut a long story short, I was so bothered with my pet patient going off like that, that next morning, after I had thought the matter over, I asked for a postmortem. Any difficulty? Not the slightest. A little natural distaste, of course, but no sort of opposition. I explained that I felt sure there must be some obscure morbid condition which I had failed to diagnose and that I should feel more satisfied if I might make an investigation. The only thing which seemed to trouble the niece was the thought of an inquest. I saidrather unwisely, I suppose, according to general rulesthat I didnt think an inquest would be necessary. You mean you offered to perform the postmortem yourself. YesI made no doubt that I should find a sufficient cause of death to enable me to give a certificate. I had one bit of luck, and that was that the old lady had at some time or the other expressed in a general way an opinion in favour of cremation, and the niece wished this to be carried out. This meant getting a man with special qualifications to sign the certificate with me, so I persuaded this other doctor to come and help me to do the autopsy. And did you find anything? Not a thing. The other man, of course, said I was a fool to kick up a fuss. He thought that as the old lady was certainly dying in any case, it would be quite enough to put in, Cause of death, Cancer; immediate cause, Heart Failure, and leave it at that. But I was a damned conscientious ass, and said I wasnt satisfied. There was absolutely nothing about the body to explain the death naturally, and I insisted on an analysis. Did you actually suspect? Well, no, not exactly. Butwell, I wasnt satisfied. By the way, it was very clear at the autopsy that the morphine had nothing to do with it. Death had occurred so soon after the injection that the drug had only partially dispersed from the arm. Now I think it over, I suppose it must have been shock, somehow. Was the analysis privately made? Yes; but of course the funeral was held up and things got round. The coroner heard about it and started to make inquiries, and the nurse, who got it into her head that I was accusing her of neglect or something, behaved in a very unprofessional way and created a lot of talk and trouble. And nothing came of it? Nothing. There was no trace of poison or anything of that sort, and the analysis left us exactly where we were. Naturally, I began to think I had made a ghastly exhibition of myself. Rather against my own professional judgment, I signed the certificateheart failure following on shock, and my patient was finally got into her grave after a week of worry, without an inquest. Grave? Oh, yes. That was another scandal. The crematorium authorities, who are pretty particular, heard about the fuss and refused to act in the matter, so the body is filed in the churchyard for reference if necessary. There was a huge attendance at the funeral and a great deal of sympathy for the niece. The next day I got a note from one of my most influential patients, saying that my professional services would no longer be required. The day after that, I was avoided in the street by the Mayors wife. Presently I found my practice dropping away from me, and discovered I was getting known as the man who practically accused that charming Miss Soandso of murder. Sometimes it was the niece I was supposed to be accusing. Sometimes it was that nice Nursenot the flighty one who was dismissed, the other one, you know. Another version was, that I had tried to get the nurse into trouble because I resented the dismissal of my fiance. Finally, I heard a rumour that the patient had discovered me canoodlingthat was the beastly wordwith my fiance, instead of doing my job, and had done away with the old lady myself out of revengethough why, in that case, I should have refused a certificate, my scandalmongers didnt trouble to explain. I stuck it out for a year, but my position became intolerable. The practice dwindled to practically nothing, so I sold it, took a holiday to get the taste out of my mouthand here I am, looking for another opening. So thats thatand the moral is, Dont be officious about public duties. The doctor gave an irritated laugh, and flung himself back in his chair. I dont care, he added, combatantly, the cats! Confusion to em! and he drained his glass. Hear, hear! agreed his host. He sat for a few moments looking thoughtfully into the fire. Do you know, he said, suddenly, Im feeling rather interested by this case. I have a sensation of internal gloating which assures me that there is something to be investigated. That feeling has never failed me yetI trust it never will. It warned me the other day to look into my Incometax assessment, and I discovered that I had been paying about 900 too much for the last three years. It urged me only last week to ask a bloke who was preparing to drive me over the Horseshoe Pass whether he had any petrol in the tank, and he discovered he had just about a pintenough to get us nicely halfway round. Its a very lonely spot. Of course, I knew the man, so it wasnt all intuition. Still, I always make it a rule to investigate anything I feel like investigating. I believe, he added, in a reminiscent tone, I was a terror in my nursery days. Anyhow, curious cases are rather a hobby of mine. In fact, Im not just being the perfect listener. I have deceived you. I have an ulterior motive, said he, throwing off his sidewhiskers and disclosing the wellknown hollow jaws of Mr. Sherlock Holmes. I was beginning to have my suspicions, said the doctor, after a short pause. I think you must be Lord Peter Wimsey. I wondered why your face was so familiar, but of course it was in all the papers a few years ago when you disentangled the Riddlesdale Mystery. Quite right. Its a silly kind of face, of course, but rather disarming, dont you think? I dont know that Id have chosen it, but I do my best with it. I do hope it isnt contracting a sleuthlike expression, or anything unpleasant. This is the real sleuthmy friend DetectiveInspector Parker of Scotland Yard. Hes the one who really does the work. I make imbecile suggestions and he does the work of elaborately disproving them. Then, by a process of elimination, we find the right explanation, and the world says, My god, what intuition that young man has! Well, look hereif you dont mind, Id like to have a go at this. If youll entrust me with your name and address and the names of the parties concerned, Id like very much to have a shot at looking into it. The doctor considered a moment, then shook his head. Its very good of you, but I think Id rather not. Ive got into enough bothers already. Anyway, it isnt professional to talk, and if I stirred up any more fuss, I should probably have to chuck this country altogether and end up as one of those drunken ships doctors in the South Seas or somewhere, who are always telling their lifehistory to people and delivering awful warnings. Better to let sleeping dogs lie. Thanks very much, all the same. As you like, said Wimsey. But Ill think it over, and if any useful suggestion occurs to me, Ill let you know. Its very good of you, replied the visitor, absently, taking his hat and stick from the manservant, who had answered Wimseys ring. Well, good night, and many thanks for hearing me so patiently. By the way, though, he added, turning suddenly at the door, how do you propose to let me know when you havent got my name and address? Lord Peter laughed. Im Hawkshaw, the detective, he answered, and you shall hear from me anyhow before the end of the week. III A Use for Spinsters There are two million more females than males in England and Wales! And this is an aweinspiring circumstance. Gilbert Frankau What do you really think of that story? inquired Parker. He had dropped in to breakfast with Wimsey the next morning, before departing in the Notting Dale direction, in quest of an elusive anonymous letterwriter. I thought it sounded rather as though our friend had been a bit too cocksure about his grand medical specialising. After all, the old girl might so easily have had some sort of heart attack. She was very old and ill. So she might, though I believe as a matter of fact cancer patients very seldom pop off in that unexpected way. As a rule, they surprise everybody by the way they cling to life. Still, I wouldnt think much of that if it wasnt for the niece. She prepared the way for the death, you see, by describing her aunt as so much worse than she was. I thought the same when the doctor was telling his tale. But what did the niece do? She cant have poisoned her aunt or even smothered her, I suppose, or theyd have found signs of it on the body. And the aunt did dieso perhaps the niece was right and the opinionated young medico wrong. Just so. And of course, weve only got his version of the niece and the nurseand he obviously has what the Scotch call taen a scunner at the nurse. We mustnt lose sight of her, by the way. She was the last person to be with the old lady before her death, and it was she who administered that injection. Yes, yesbut the injection had nothing to do with it. If anythings clear, that is. I say, do you think the nurse can have said anything that agitated the old lady and gave her a shock that way. The patient was a bit gaga, but she may have had sense enough to understand something really startling. Possibly the nurse just said something stupid about dyingthe old lady appears to have been very sensitive on the point. Ah! said Lord Peter, I was waiting for you to get on to that. Have you realised that there really is one rather sinister figure in the story, and thats the family lawyer. The one who came down to say something about the will, you mean, and was so abruptly sent packing. Yes. Suppose hed wanted the patient to make a will in favour of somebody quite differentsomebody outside the story as we know it. And when he found he couldnt get any attention paid to him, he sent the new nurse down as a sort of substitute. It would be rather an elaborate plot, said Parker, dubiously. He couldnt know that the doctors fiance was going to be sent away. Unless he was in league with the niece, of course, and induced her to engineer the change of nurses. That cock wont fight, Charles. The niece wouldnt be in league with the lawyer to get herself disinherited. No, I suppose not. Still, I think theres something in the idea that the old girl was either accidentally or deliberately startled to death. Yesand whichever way it was, it probably wasnt legal murder in that case. However, I think its worth looking into. That reminds me. He rang the bell. Bunter, just take a note to the post for me, would you? Certainly, my lord. Lord Peter drew a writing pad towards him. What are you going to write? asked Parker, looking over his shoulder with some amusement. Lord Peter wrote Isnt civilisation wonderful? He signed this simple message and slipped it into an envelope. If you want to be immune from silly letters, Charles, he said, dont carry your monomark in your hat. And what do you propose to do next? asked Parker. Not, I hope, to send me round to Monomark House to get the name of a client. I couldnt do that without official authority, and they would probably kick up an awful shindy. No, replied his friend, I dont propose violating the secrets of the confessional. Not in that quarter at any rate. I think, if you can spare a moment from your mysterious correspondent, who probably does not intend to be found, I will ask you to come and pay a visit to a friend of mine. It wont take long. I think youll be interested. Iin fact, youll be the first person Ive ever taken to see her. She will be very much touched and pleased. He laughed a little selfconsciously. Oh, said Parker, embarrassed. Although the men were great friends, Wimsey had always preserved a reticence about his personal affairsnot so much by concealing as by ignoring them. This revelation seemed to mark a new stage of intimacy, and Parker was not sure that he liked it. He conducted his own life with an earnest middleclass morality which he owed to his birth and upbringing, and, while theoretically recognising that Lord Peters world acknowledged different standards, he had never contemplated being personally faced with any result of their application in practice. rather an experiment, Wimsey was saying a trifle shyly; anyway, shes quite comfortably fixed in a little flat in Pimlico. You can come, cant you, Charles? I really should like you two to meet. Oh, yes, rather, said Parker, hastily, I should like to very much.


Erhow longI mean Oh, the arrangements only been going a few months, said Wimsey, leading the way to the lift, but it really seems to be working out quite satisfactorily. Of course, it makes things much easier for me. Just so, said Parker. Of course, as youll understandI wont go into it all till we get there, and then youll see for yourself, Wimsey chattered on, slamming the gates of the lift with unnecessary violencebut, as I was saying, youll observe its quite a new departure. I dont suppose theres ever been anything exactly like it before. Of course, theres nothing new under the sun, as Solomon said, but after all, I daresay all those wives and porcupines, as the child said, must have soured his disposition a little, dont you know. Quite, said Parker. Poor fish, he added to himself, they always seem to think its different. Outlet, said Wimsey, energetically, hi! taxi!  outleteverybody needs an outlet97A, St. Georges Squareand after all, one cant really blame people if its just that they need an outlet. I mean, why be bitter? They cant help it. I think its much kinder to give them an outlet than to make fun of them in booksand, after all, it isnt really difficult to write books. Especially if you either write a rotten story in good English or a good story in rotten English, which is as far as most people seem to get nowadays. Dont you agree? Mr. Parker agreed, and Lord Peter wandered away along the paths of literature, till the cab stopped before one of those tall, awkward mansions which, originally designed for a Victorian family with fatigueproof servants, have lately been dissected each into half a dozen inconvenient bandboxes and let off in flats. Lord Peter rang the top bell, which was marked Climpson, and relaxed negligently against the porch. Six flights of stairs, he explained; it takes her some time to answer the bell, because theres no lift, you see. She wouldnt have a more expensive flat, though. She thought it wouldnt be suitable. Mr. Parker was greatly relieved, if somewhat surprised, by the modesty of the ladys demands, and, placing his foot on the doorscraper in an easy attitude, prepared to wait with patience. Before many minutes, however, the door was opened by a thin, middleaged woman, with a sharp, sallow face and very vivacious manner. She wore a neat, dark coat and skirt, a highnecked blouse and a long gold neckchain with a variety of small ornaments dangling from it at intervals, and her irongrey hair was dressed under a net, in the style fashionable in the reign of the late King Edward. Oh, Lord Peter! How very nice to see you. Rather an early visit, but Im sure you will excuse the sittingroom being a trifle in disorder. Do come in. The lists are quite ready for you. I finished them last night. In fact, I was just about to put on my hat and bring them round to you. I do hope you dont think I have taken an unconscionable time, but there was a quite surprising number of entries. It is too good of you to trouble to call. Not at all, Miss Climpson. This is my friend, DetectiveInspector Parker, whom I have mentioned to you. How do you do, Mr. Parkeror ought I to say Inspector? Excuse me if I make mistakesthis is really the first time I have been in the hands of the police. I hope its not rude of me to say that. Please come up. A great many stairs, I am afraid, but I hope you do not mind. I do so like to be high up. The air is so much better, and you know, Mr. Parker, thanks to Lord Peters great kindness, I have such a beautiful, airy view, right over the houses. I think one can work so much better when one doesnt feel cribbed, cabined and confined, as Hamlet says. Dear me! Mrs. Winbottle will leave the pail on the stairs, and always in that very dark corner. I am continually telling her about it. If you keep close to the banisters you will avoid it nicely. Only one more flight. Here we are. Please overlook the untidiness. I always think breakfast things look so ugly when one has finished with themalmost sordid, to use a nasty word for a nasty subject. What a pity that some of these clever people cant invent selfcleaning and self clearing plates, is it not? But please do sit down; I wont keep you a moment. And I know, Lord Peter, that you will not hesitate to smoke. I do so enjoy the smell of your cigarettesquite deliciousand you are so very good about extinguishing the ends. The little room was, as a matter of fact, most exquisitely neat, in spite of the crowded array of knickknacks and photographs that adorned every available inch of space. The sole evidences of dissipation were an empty eggshell, a used cup and a crumby plate on a breakfast tray. Miss Climpson promptly subdued this riot by carrying the tray bodily on to the landing. Mr. Parker, a little bewildered, lowered himself cautiously into a small armchair, embellished with a hard, fat little cushion which made it impossible to lean back. Lord Peter wriggled into the windowseat, lit a Sobranie and clasped his hands about his knees. Miss Climpson, seated upright at the table, gazed at him with a gratified air which was positively touching. I have gone very carefully into all these cases, she began, taking up a thick wad of typescript. Im afraid, indeed, my notes are rather copious, but I trust the typists bill will not be considered too heavy. My handwriting is very clear, so I dont think there can be any errors. Dear me! such sad stories some of these poor women had to tell me! But I have investigated most fully, with the kind assistance of the clergymana very nice man and so helpfuland I feel sure that in the majority of the cases your assistance will be well bestowed. If you would like to go through Not at the moment, Miss Climpson, interrupted Lord Peter, hurriedly. Its all right, Charlesnothing whatever to do with Our Dumb Friends or supplying Flannel to Unmarried Mothers. Ill tell you about it later. Just now, Miss Climpson, we want your help on something quite different. Miss Climpson produced a businesslike notebook and sat at attention. The inquiry divides itself into two parts, said Lord Peter. The first part, Im afraid, is rather dull. I want you (if you will be so good) to go down to Somerset House and search, or get them to search, through all the deathcertificates for Hampshire in the month of November, 1925. I dont know the town and I dont know the name of the deceased. What you are looking for is the deathcertificate of an old lady of 73; cause of death, cancer; immediate cause, heartfailure; and the certificate will have been signed by two doctors, one of whom will be either a Medical Officer of Health, Police Surgeon, Certifying Surgeon under the Factory and Workshops Act, Medical Referee under the Workmens Compensation Act, Physician or Surgeon in a big General Hospital, or a man specially appointed by the Cremation authorities. If you want to give any excuse for the search, you can say that you are compiling statistics about cancer; but what you really want is the names of the people concerned and the name of the town. Suppose there are more than one answering to the requirements? Ah! thats where the second part comes in, and where your remarkable tact and shrewdness are going to be so helpful to us. When you have collected all the possibles, I shall ask you to go down to each of the towns concerned and make very, very skilful inquiries, to find out which is the case we want to get on to. Of course, you mustnt appear to be inquiring. You must find some good gossipy lady living in the neighbourhood and just get her to talk in a natural way. You must pretend to be gossipy yourselfits not in your nature, I know, but Im sure you can make a little pretence about itand find out all you can. I fancy youll find it pretty easy if you once strike the right town, because I know for a certainty that there was a terrible lot of illnatured talk about this particular death, and it wont have been forgotten yet by a long chalk. How shall I know when its the right one? Well, if you can spare the time, I want you to listen to a little story. Mind you, Miss Climpson, when you get to wherever it is, you are not supposed ever to have heard a word of this tale before. But I neednt tell you that. Now, Charles, youve got an official kind of way of puttin these things clearly. Will you just weigh in and give Miss Climpson the gist of that rigmarole our friend served out to us last night? Pulling his wits into order, Mr. Parker accordingly obliged with a digest of the doctors story. Miss Climpson listened with great attention, making notes of the dates and details. Parker observed that she showed great acumen in seizing on the salient points; she asked a number of very shrewd questions, and her grey eyes were intelligent. When he had finished, she repeated the story, and he was able to congratulate her on a clear head and retentive memory. A dear old friend of mine used to say that I should have made a very good lawyer, said Miss Climpson, complacently, but of course, when I was young, girls didnt have the education or the opportunities they get nowadays, Mr. Parker. I should have liked a good education, but my dear father didnt believe in it for women. Very oldfashioned, you young people would think him. Never mind, Miss Climpson, said Wimsey, youve got just exactly the qualifications we want, and theyre rather rare, so were in luck. Now we want this matter pushed forward as fast as possible. Ill go down to Somerset House at once, replied the lady, with great energy, and let you know the minute Im ready to start for Hampshire. Thats right, said his lordship, rising. And now well just make a noise like a hoop and roll away. Oh! and while I think of it, Id better give you something in hand for travelling expenses and so on. I think you had better be just a retired lady in easy circumstances looking for a nice little place to settle down in. I dont think youd better be wealthywealthy people dont inspire confidence. Perhaps you would oblige me by living at the rate of about 800 a yearyour own excellent taste and experience will suggest the correct accessories and so on for creating that impression. If you will allow me, I will give you a cheque for 50 now, and when you start on your wanderings you will let me know what you require. Dear me, said Miss Climpson, I dont This is a pure matter of business, of course, said Wimsey, rather rapidly, and you will let me have a note of the expenses in your usual businesslike way. Of course. Miss Climpson was dignified. And I will give you a proper receipt immediately. Dear, dear, she added, hunting through her purse, I do not appear to have any penny stamps. How extremely remiss of me. It is most unusual for me not to have my little book of stampsso handy I always think they arebut only last night Mrs. Williams borrowed my last stamps to send a very urgent letter to her son in Japan. If you will excuse me a moment I think I have some, interposed Parker. Oh, thank you very much, Mr. Parker. Here is the twopence. I never allow myself to be without pennieson account of the bathroom geyser, you know. Such a very sensible invention, most convenient, and prevents all dispute about hot water among the tenants. Thank you so much. And now I sign my name across the stamps. Thats right, isnt it? My dear father would be surprised to find his daughter so businesslike. He always said a woman should never need to know anything about money matters, but times have changed so greatly, have they not? Miss Climpson ushered them down all six flights of stairs, volubly protesting at their protests, and the door closed behind them. May I ask? began Parker. It is not what you think, said his lordship, earnestly. Of course not, agreed Parker. There, I knew you had a nasty mind. Even the closest of ones friends turn out to be secret thinkers. They think in private thoughts which they publicly repudiate. Dont be a fool. Who is Miss Climpson? Miss Climpson, said Lord Peter, is a manifestation of the wasteful way in which this country is run. Look at electricity. Look at waterpower. Look at the tides. Look at the sun. Millions of power units being given off into space every minute. Thousands of old maids, simply bursting with useful energy, forced by our stupid social system into hydros and hotels and communities and hostels and posts as companions, where their magnificent gossippowers and units of inquisitiveness are allowed to dissipate themselves or even become harmful to the community, while the ratepayers money is spent on getting work for which these women are providentially fitted, inefficiently carried out by illequipped policemen like you. My god! its enough to make a man write to John Bull. And then bright young men write nasty little patronising books called Elderly Women, and On the Edge of the Explosionand the drunkards make songs upon em, poor things. Quite, quite, said Parker. You mean that Miss Climpson is a kind of inquiry agent for you. She is my ears and tongue, said Lord Peter, dramatically, and especially my nose. She asks questions which a young man could not put without a blush. She is the angel that rushes in where fools get a clump on the head. She can smell a rat in the dark. In fact, she is the cats whiskers. Thats not a bad idea, said Parker. Naturallyit is mine, therefore brilliant. Just think. People want questions asked. Whom do they send? A man with large flat feet and a notebookthe sort of man whose private life is conducted in a series of inarticulate grunts. I send a lady with a long, woolly jumper on knittingneedles and jingly things round her neck. Of course she asks questionseveryone expects it. Nobody is surprised. Nobody is alarmed. And socalled superfluity is agreeably and usefully disposed of. One of these days they will put up a statue to me, with an inscription  To the Man who Made Thousands of Superfluous Women Happy Without Injury to their Modesty or Exertion to Himself.  I wish you wouldnt talk so much, complained his friend. And how about all those typewritten reports? Are you turning philanthropist in your old age? Nono, said Wimsey, rather hurriedly hailing a taxi. Tell you about that later. Little private pogrom of my ownInsurance against the Socialist Revolutionwhen it comes. What did you do with your great wealth, comrade? I bought First Editions. Aristocrat!  la lanterne! Stay, spare me! I took proceedings against 500 moneylenders who oppressed the workers. Citizen, you have done well. We will spare your life. You shall be promoted to cleaning out the sewers. Voila! We must move with the times. Citizen taxidriver, take me to the British Museum. Can I drop you anywhere? No? So long. I am going to collate a 12th century manuscript of Tristan, while the old order lasts. Mr. Parker thoughtfully boarded a westwardbound bus and was rolled away to do some routine questioning, on his own account, among the female population of Notting Dale. It did not appear to him to be a milieu in which the talents of Miss Climpson could be usefully employed. IV A Bit Mental A babbled of green fields. King Henry V Letter from Miss Alexandra Katherine Climpson to Lord Peter Wimsey. co Mrs. Hamilton Budge, Fairview, Nelson Avenue, Leahampton, Hants. April 29th, 1927. My dear Lord Peter, You will be happy to hear, after my two previous bad shots (!), that I have found the right place at last. The Agatha Dawson certificate is the correct one, and the dreadful scandal about Dr. Carr is still very much alive, I am sorry to say for the sake of human nature. I have been fortunate enough to secure rooms in the very next street to Wellington Avenue, where Miss Dawson used to live. My landlady seems a very nice woman, though a terrible gossip!which is all to the good!! Her charge for a very pleasant bedroom and sittingroom with full board is 3 guineas weekly. I trust you will not think this too extravagant, as the situation is just what you wished me to look for. I enclose a careful statement of my expenses uptodate. You will excuse the mention of underwear, which is, I fear, a somewhat large item! but wool is so expensive nowadays, and it is necessary that every detail of my equipment should be suitable to my (supposed!) position in life. I have been careful to wash the garments through, so that they do not look too new, as this might have a suspicious appearance!! But you will be anxious for me to (if I may use a vulgar expression) cut the cackle, and come to the horses (!!). On the day after my arrival, I informed Mrs. Budge that I was a great sufferer from rheumatism (which is quite true, as I have a sad legacy of that kind left me by, alas! my portdrinking ancestors!)and inquired what doctors there were in the neighbourhood. This at once brought forth a long catalogue, together with a grand panegyric of the sandy soil and healthy situation of the town. I said I should prefer an elderly doctor, as the young men, in my opinion, were not to be depended on. Mrs. Budge heartily agreed with me, and a little discreet questioning brought out the whole story of Miss Dawsons illness and the carryingson (as she termed them) of Dr. Carr and the nurse! I never did trust that first nurse, said Mrs. Budge, for all she had her training at Guys and ought to have been trustworthy. A sly, redheaded baggage, and its my belief that all Dr. Carrs fussing over Miss Dawson and his visits all day and every day were just to get lovemaking with Nurse Philliter. No wonder poor Miss Whittaker couldnt stand it any longer and gave the girl the sacknone too soon, in my opinion. Not quite so attentive after that, Dr. Carr wasntwhy, up to the last minute, he was pretending the old lady was quite all right, when Miss Whittaker had only said the day before that she felt sure she was going to be taken from us. I asked if Mrs. Budge knew Miss Whittaker personally. Miss Whittaker is the niece, you know. Not personally, she said, though she had met her in a social way at the Vicarage workingparties. But she knew all about it, because her maid was own sister to the maid at Miss Dawsons. Now is not that a fortunate coincidence, for you know how these girls talk! I also made careful inquiries about the Vicar, Mr. Tredgold, and was much gratified to find that he teaches sound Catholic doctrine, so that I shall be able to attend the Church (S. Onesimus) without doing violence to my religious beliefsa thing I could not undertake to do, even in your interests. I am sure you will understand this. As it happens, all is well, and I have written to my very good friend, the Vicar of St. Edfriths, Holborn, to ask for an introduction to Mr. Tredgold. By this means, I feel sure of meeting Miss Whittaker before long, as I hear she is quite a pillar of the Church! I do hope it is not wrong to make use of the Church of God to a worldly end; but after all, you are only seeking to establish Truth and Justice!and in so good a cause, we may perhaps permit ourselves to be a little bit Jesuitical!!! This is all I have been able to do as yet, but I shall not be idle, and will write to you again as soon as I have anything to report. By the way, the pillarbox is most conveniently placed just at the corner of Wellington Avenue, so that I can easily run out and post my letters to you myself (away from prying eyes!!)and just take a little peep at Miss Dawsonsnow Miss Whittakershouse, The Grove, at the same time. Believe me, Sincerely yours, Alexandra Katherine Climpson. The little redheaded nurse gave her visitor a quick, slightly hostile lookover. Its quite all right, he said apologetically, I havent come to sell you soap or gramophones, or to borrow money or enrol you in the Ancient Frothblowers or anything charitable. I really am Lord Peter WimseyI mean, that really is my title, dont you know, not a Christian name like Sangers Circus or Earl Derr Biggers. Ive come to ask you some questions, and Ive no real excuse, Im afraid, for butting in on youdo you ever read the News of the World? Nurse Philliter decided that she was to be asked to go to a mental case, and that the patient had come to fetch her in person. Sometimes, she said, guardedly. Ohwell, you may have noticed my name croppin up in a few murders and things lately. I sleuth, you know. For a hobby. Harmless outlet for natural inquisitiveness, dont you see, which might otherwise strike inward and produce introspection an suicide. Very natural, healthy pursuitnot too strenuous, not too sedentary; trains and invigorates the mind. I know who you are now, said Nurse Philliter, slowly. Youyou gave evidence against Sir Julian Freke. In fact, you traced the murder to him, didnt you? I didit was rather unpleasant, said Lord Peter, simply, and Ive got another little job of the same kind in hand now, and I want your help. Wont you sit down? said Nurse Philliter, setting the example. How am I concerned in the matter? You know Dr. Edward Carr, I thinklate of Leahamptonconscientious but a little lackin in worldly wisdomnot serpentine at all, as the Bible advises, but far otherwise. What! she cried, do you believe it was murder, then? Lord Peter looked at her for a few seconds. Her face was eager, her eyes gleaming curiously under her thick, level brows. She had expressive hands, rather large and with strong, flat joints. He noticed how they gripped the arms of her chair. Havent the faintest, he replied, nonchalantly, but I wanted your opinion. Mine?she checked herself. You know, I am not supposed to give opinions about my cases. You have given it me already, said his lordship, grinning. Though possibly I ought to allow for a little prejudice in favour of Dr. Carrs diagnosis. Well, yesbut its not merely personal. I mean, my being engaged to Dr. Carr wouldnt affect my judgment of a cancer case. I have worked with him on a great many of them, and I know that his opinion is really trustworthyjust as I know that, as a motorist, hes exactly the opposite. Right. I take it that if he says the death was inexplicable, it really was so. Thats one point gained. Now about the old lady herself. I gather she was a little queer towards the enda bit mental, I think you people call it? I dont know that Id say that either. Of course, when she was under morphia, she would be unconscious, or only semiconscious, for hours together. But up to the time when I left, I should say she was quitewell, quite all there. She was obstinate, you know, and what they call a character, at the best of times. But Dr. Carr told me she got odd fanciesabout people poisoning her? The redhaired nurse rubbed her fingers slowly along the arm of the chair, and hesitated. If it will make you feel any less unprofessional, said Lord Peter, guessing what was in her mind, I may say that my friend DetectiveInspector Parker is looking into this matter with me, which gives me a sort of right to ask questions. In that caseyesin that case I think I can speak freely. I never understood about that poisoning idea. I never saw anything of itno aversion, I mean, or fear of me. As a rule, a patient will show it, if shes got any queer ideas about the nurse. Poor Miss Dawson was always most kind and affectionate. She kissed me when I went away and gave me a little present, and said she was sorry to lose me. She didnt show any sort of nervousness about taking food from you? Well, I wasnt allowed to give her any food that last week. Miss Whittaker said her aunt had taken this funny notion, and gave her all her meals herself. Oh! thats very interestin. Was it Miss Whittaker, then, who first mentioned this little eccentricity to you? Yes. And she begged me not to say anything about it to Miss Dawson, for fear of agitating her. And did you? I did not. I wouldnt mention it in any case to a patient. It does no good. Did Miss Dawson ever speak about it to anyone else? Dr. Carr, for instance? No. According to Miss Whittaker, her aunt was frightened of the doctor too, because she imagined he was in league with me. Of course, that story rather lent colour to the unkind things that were said afterwards. I suppose its just possible that she saw us glancing at one another or speaking aside, and got the idea that we were plotting something. How about the maids? There were new maids about that time. She probably wouldnt talk about it to them, and anyhow, I wouldnt be discussing my patient with her servants. Of course not. Why did the other maids leave? How many were there? Did they all go at once? Two of them went. They were sisters. One was a terrible crockerysmasher, and Miss Whittaker gave her notice, so the other left with her. Ah, well! one can have too much of seeing the Crown Derby rollin round the floor. Quite. Then it had nothing to do withit wasnt on account of any little It wasnt because they couldnt get along with the nurse, if you mean that, said Nurse Philliter, with a smile. They were very obliging girls, but not very bright. Quite. Well, now, is there any little odd, outoftheway incident you can think of that might throw light on the thing. There was a visit from a lawyer, I believe, that agitated your patient quite a lot. Was that in your time? No. I only heard about it from Dr. Carr. And he never heard the name of the lawyer, what he came about, or anything. A pity, said his lordship. I have been hoping great things of the lawyer. Theres such a sinister charm, dont you think, about lawyers who appear unexpectedly with little bags, and alarm people with mysterious conferences, and then go away leaving urgent messages that if anything happens they are to be sent for. If it hadnt been for the lawyer, I probably shouldnt have treated Dr. Carrs medical problem with the respect it deserves. He never came again, or wrote, I suppose? I dont know. Wait a minute. I do remember one thing. I remember Miss Dawson having another hysterical attack of the same sort, and saying just what she said thenthat they were trying to kill her before her time.  When was that? Oh, a couple of weeks before I left. Miss Whittaker had been up to her with the post, I think, and there were some papers of some kind to sign, and it seems to have upset her. I came in from my walk and found her in a dreadful state. The maids could have told you more about it than I could, really, for they were doing some dusting on the landing at the time and heard her going on, and they ran down and fetched me up to her. I didnt ask them about what happened myself, naturallyit doesnt do for nurses to gossip with the maids behind their employers backs. Miss Whittaker said that her aunt had had an annoying communication from a solicitor. Yes, it sounds as though there might be something there. Do you remember what the maids were called? What was the name now? A funny one, or I shouldnt remember itGotobed, that was itBertha and Evelyn Gotobed. I dont know where they went, but I daresay you could find out. Now one last question, and I want you to forget all about Christian kindliness and the law of slander when you answer it. What is Miss Whittaker like? An indefinable expression crossed the nurses face. Tall, handsome, very decided in manner, she said, with an air of doing strict justice against her will, an extremely competent nurseshe was at the Royal Free, you know, till she went to live with her aunt. I think she would have made a perfectly wonderful theatre nurse. She did not like me, nor I her, you know, Lord Peterand its better I should be telling you so at once, that way you can take everything I say about her with a grain of charity addedbut we both knew good hospital work when we saw it, and respected one another. Why in the world didnt she like you, Miss Philliter? I really dont know when Ive seen a more likeable kind of person, if youll scuse my mentionin it. I dont know. The nurse seemed a little embarrassed. The dislike seemed to grow on her. Youperhaps you heard the kind of things people said in the town? when I left?that Dr. Carr and IOh! it really was damnable, and I had the most dreadful interview with Matron when I got back here. She must have spread those stories. Who else could have done it? Wellyou did become engaged to Dr. Carr, didnt you? said his lordship, gently. Mind you, Im not sayin it wasnt a very agreeable occurrence and all that, but But she said I neglected the patient. I never did. I wouldnt think of such a thing. Of course not. No. But, do you suppose that possibly getting engaged was an offence in itself? Is Miss Whittaker engaged to anyone, by the way? No. You mean, was she jealous? Im sure Dr. Carr never gave the slightest, not the slightest Oh, please, cried Lord Peter, please dont be ruffled. Such a nice word, ruffledlike a kitten, I always thinkso furry and nice. But even without the least whatdyecallit on Dr. Carrs side, hes a very prepossessin person and all that. Dont you think there might be something in it? I did think so once, admitted Miss Philliter, but afterwards, when she got him into such awful trouble over the postmortem, I gave up the idea. But she didnt object to the postmortem? She did not. But theres such a thing as putting yourself in the right in the eyes of your neighbours, Lord Peter, and then going off to tell people all about it at Vicarage teaparties. I wasnt there, but you ask someone who was. I know those teaparties. Well, its not impossible. People can be very spiteful if they think theyve been slighted. Perhaps youre right, said Nurse Philliter, thoughtfully. But, she added suddenly, thats no motive for murdering a perfectly innocent old lady. Thats the second time youve used that word, said Wimsey, gravely. Theres no proof yet that it was murder. I know that. But you think it was? I do. And you think she did it? Yes. Lord Peter walked across to the aspidistra in the bowwindow and stroked its leaves thoughtfully. The silence was broken by a buxom nurse who, entering precipitately first and knocking afterwards, announced with a giggle Excuse me, Im sure, but youre in request this afternoon, Philliter. Heres Dr. Carr come for you. Dr. Carr followed hard upon his name. The sight of Wimsey struck him speechless. I told you Id be turnin up again before long, said Lord Peter, cheerfully. Sherlock is my name and Holmes is my nature. Im delighted to see you, Dr. Carr. Your little matter is well in hand, and seein Im not required any longer Ill make a noise like a bee and buzz off. How did he get here? demanded Dr. Carr, not altogether pleased. Didnt you send him? I think hes very nice, said Nurse Philliter. Hes mad, said Dr. Carr. Hes clever, said the redhaired nurse. V Gossip With vollies of eternal babble. Butler Hudibras So you are thinking of coming to live in Leahampton, said Miss Murgatroyd. How very nice. I do hope you will be settling down in the parish. We are not too well off for weekday congregationsthere is so much indifference and so much Protestantism about. There! I have dropped a stitch. Provoking! Perhaps it was meant as a little reminder to me not to think uncharitably about Protestants. All is wellI have retrieved it. Were you thinking of taking a house, Miss Climpson? I am not quite sure, replied Miss Climpson. Rents are so very high nowadays, and I fear that to buy a house would be almost beyond my means. I must look round very carefully, and view the question from all sides. I should certainly prefer to be in this parishand close to the Church, if possible. Perhaps the Vicar would know whether there is likely to be anything suitable. Oh, yes, he would doubtless be able to suggest something. It is such a very nice, residential neighbourhood. I am sure you would like it. Let me seeyou are staying in Nelson Avenue, I think Mrs. Tredgold said? Yeswith Mrs. Budge at Fairview. I am sure she makes you comfortable. Such a nice woman, though Im afraid she never stops talking. Hasnt she got any ideas on the subject? Im sure if theres any news going about, Mrs. Budge never fails to get hold of it.


Well, said Miss Climpson, seizing the opening with a swiftness which would have done credit to Napoleon, she did say something about a house in Wellington Avenue which she thought might be to let before long. Wellington Avenue? You surprise me! I thought I knew almost everybody there. Could it be the Parfittsreally moving at last! They have been talking about it for at least seven years, and I really had begun to think it was all talk. Mrs. Peasgood, do you hear that? Miss Climpson says the Parfitts are really leaving that house at last! Bless me, cried Mrs. Peasgood, raising her rather prominent eyes from a piece of plain needlework and focusing them on Miss Climpson like a pair of operaglasses. Well, that is news. It must be that brother of hers who was staying with them last week. Possibly he is going to live with them permanently, and that would clinch the matter, of course, for they couldnt get on without another bedroom when the girls come home from school. A very sensible arrangement, I should think. I believe he is quite well off, you know, and it will be a very good thing for those children. I wonder where they will go. I expect it will be one of the new houses out on the Winchester Road, though of course that would mean keeping a car. Still, I expect he would want them to do that in any case. Most likely he will have it himself, and let them have the use of it. I dont think Parfitt was the name, broke in Miss Climpson hurriedly, Im sure it wasnt. It was a Miss somebodya Miss Whittaker, I think, Mrs. Budge mentioned. Miss Whittaker? cried both the ladies in chorus. Oh, no! surely not? Im sure Miss Whittaker would have told me if she thought of giving up her house, pursued Miss Murgatroyd. We are such great friends. I think Mrs. Budge must have run away with a wrong idea. People do build up such amazing stories out of nothing at all. I wouldnt go so far as that, put in Mrs. Peasgood, rebukingly. There may be something in it. I know dear Miss Whittaker has sometimes spoken to me about wishing to take up chickenfarming. I daresay she has not mentioned the matter generally, but then she always confides in me. Depend upon it, that is what she intends to do. Mrs. Budge didnt actually say Miss Whittaker was moving, interposed Miss Climpson. She said, I think, that Miss Whittaker had been left alone by some relations death, and she wouldnt be surprised if she found the house lonely. Ah! thats Mrs. Budge all over! said Mrs. Peasgood, nodding ominously. A most excellent woman, but she sometimes gets hold of the wrong end of the stick. Not but what Ive often thought the same thing myself. I said to poor Mary Whittaker only the other day, Dont you find it very lonely in that house, my dear, now that your poor dear Aunt is no more? Im sure it would be a very good thing if she did move, or got someone to live with her. Its not a natural life for a young woman, all alone like that, and so I told her. Im one of those that believe in speaking their mind, you know, Miss Climpson. Well, now, so am I, Mrs. Peasgood, rejoined Miss Climpson promptly, and that is what I said to Mrs. Budge at the time. I said, Do I understand that there was anything odd about the old ladys death?because she had spoken of the peculiar circumstances of the case, and you know, I should not at all like to live in a house which could be called in any way notorious. I should really feel quite uncomfortable about it. In saying which, Miss Climpson no doubt spoke with perfect sincerity. But not at allnot at all, cried Miss Murgatroyd, so eagerly that Mrs. Peasgood, who had paused to purse up her face and assume an expression of portentous secrecy before replying, was completely crowded out and left at the post. There never was a more wicked story. The death was naturalperfectly natural, and a most happy release, poor soul, Im sure, for her sufferings at the last were truly terrible. It was all a scandalous story put about by that young Dr. Carr (whom Im sure I never liked) simply to aggrandise himself. As though any doctor would pronounce so definitely upon what exact date it would please God to call a poor sufferer to Himself! Human pride and vanity make a most shocking exhibition, Miss Climpson, when they lead us to cast suspicion on innocent people, simply because we are wedded to our own presumptuous opinions. Poor Miss Whittaker! She went through a most terrible time. But it was provedabsolutely proved, that there was nothing in the story at all, and I hope that young man was properly ashamed of himself. There may be two opinions about that, Miss Murgatroyd, said Mrs. Peasgood. I say what I think, Miss Climpson, and in my opinion there should have been an inquest. I try to be uptodate, and I believe Dr. Carr to have been a very able young man, though of course, he was not the kind of oldfashioned family doctor that appeals to elderly people. It was a great pity that nice Nurse Philliter was sent awaythat woman Forbes was no more use than a headacheto use my brothers rather vigorous expression. I dont think she knew her job, and thats a fact. Nurse Forbes was a charming person, snapped Miss Murgatroyd, pink with indignation at being called elderly. That may be, retorted Mrs. Peasgood, but you cant get over the fact that she nearly killed herself one day by taking nine grains of calomel by mistake for three. She told me that herself, and what she did in one case she might do in another. But Miss Dawson wasnt given anything, said Miss Murgatroyd, and at any rate, Nurse Forbes mind was on her patient, and not on flirting with the doctor. Ive always thought that Dr. Carr felt a spite against her for taking his young womans place, and nothing would have pleased him better than to get her into trouble. You dont mean, said Miss Climpson, that he would refuse a certificate and cause all that trouble, just to annoy the nurse. Surely no doctor would dare to do that. Of course not, said Mrs. Peasgood, and nobody with a grain of sense would suppose it for a moment. Thank you very much, Mrs. Peasgood, cried Miss Murgatroyd, thank you very much, Im sure I say what I think, said Mrs. Peasgood. Then Im glad I havent such uncharitable thoughts, said Miss Murgatroyd. I dont think your own observations are so remarkable for their charity, retorted Mrs. Peasgood. Fortunately, at this moment Miss Murgatroyd, in her agitation, gave a vicious tweak to the wrong needle and dropped twentynine stitches at once. The Vicars wife, scenting battle from afar, hurried over with a plate of scones, and helped to bring about a diversion. To her, Miss Climpson, doggedly sticking to her mission in life, broached the subject of the house in Wellington Avenue. Well, I dont know, Im sure, replied Mrs. Tredgold, but theres Miss Whittaker just arrived. Come over to my corner and Ill introduce her to you, and you can have a nice chat about it. You will like each other so much, she is such a keen worker. Oh! and Mrs. Peasgood, my husband is so anxious to have a word with you about the choirboys social. He is discussing it now with Mrs. Findlater. I wonder if youd be so very good as to come and give him your opinion? He values it so much. Thus tactfully the good lady parted the disputants and, having deposited Mrs. Peasgood safely under the clerical wing, towed Miss Climpson away to an armchair near the teatable. Dear Miss Whittaker, I so want you to know Miss Climpson. She is a near neighbour of yoursin Nelson Avenue, and I hope we shall persuade her to make her home among us. That will be delightful, said Miss Whittaker. The first impression which Miss Climpson got of Mary Whittaker was that she was totally out of place among the teatables of St. Onesimus. With her handsome, stronglymarked features and quiet air of authority, she was of the type that does well in City offices. She had a pleasant and selfpossessed manner, and was beautifully tailorednot mannishly, and yet with a severe fineness of outline that negatived the appeal of a beautiful figure. With her long and melancholy experience of frustrated womanhood, observed in a dreary succession of cheap boardinghouses, Miss Climpson was able to dismiss one theory which had vaguely formed itself in her mind. This was no passionate nature, cramped by association with an old woman and eager to be free to mate before youth should depart. That look she knew wellshe could diagnose it with dreadful accuracy at the first glance, in the tone of a voice saying, How do you do? But meeting Mary Whittakers clear, light eyes under their wellshaped brows, she was struck by a sudden sense of familiarity. She had seen that look before, though the where and the when escaped her. Chatting volubly about her arrival in Leahampton, her introduction to the Vicar and her approval of the Hampshire air and sandy soil, Miss Climpson racked her shrewd brain for a clue. But the memory remained obstinately somewhere at the back of her head. It will come to me in the night, thought Miss Climpson, confidently, and meanwhile I wont say anything about the house; it would seem so pushing on a first acquaintance. Whereupon, fate instantly intervened to overthrow this prudent resolve, and very nearly ruined the whole effect of Miss Climpsons diplomacy at one fell swoop. The form which the avenging Erinyes assumed was that of the youngest Miss Findlaterthe gushing onewho came romping over to them, her hands filled with babylinen, and plumped down on the end of the sofa beside Miss Whittaker. Mary my dear! Why didnt you tell me? You really are going to start your chickenfarming scheme at once. Id no idea youd got on so far with your plans. How could you let me hear it first from somebody else? You promised to tell me before anybody. But I didnt know it myself, replied Miss Whittaker, coolly. Who told you this wonderful story? Why, Mrs. Peasgood said that she heard it from  Here Miss Findlater was in a difficulty. She had not yet been introduced to Miss Climpson and hardly knew how to refer to her before her face. This lady was what a shopgirl would say; Miss Climpson would hardly do, as she had, so to speak, no official cognisance of the name; Mrs. Budges new lodger was obviously impossible in the circumstances. She hesitatedthen beamed a bright appeal at Miss Climpson, and said Our new helpermay I introduce myself? I do so detest formality, dont you, and to belong to the Vicarage workparty is a sort of introduction in itself, dont you think? Miss Climpson, I believe? How do you do? It is true, isnt it, Mary?that you are letting your house to Miss Climpson, and starting a poultryfarm at Alford. Certainly not that I know of. Miss Climpson and I have only just met one another. The tone of Miss Whittakers voice suggested that the first meeting might very willingly be the last so far as she was concerned. Oh dear! cried the youngest Miss Findlater, who was fair and bobbed and rather coltish, I believe Ive dropped a brick. Im sure Mrs. Peasgood understood that it was all settled. She appealed to Miss Climpson again. Quite a mistake! said that lady, energetically, what must you be thinking of me, Miss Whittaker? Of course, I could not possibly have said such a thing. I only happened to mentionin the most casual way, that I was lookingthat is, thinking of looking aboutfor a house in the neighbourhood of the Churchso convenient you know, for Early Services and Saints Daysand it was suggestedjust suggested, I really forget by whom, that you might, just possibly, at some time, consider letting your house. I assure you, that was all. In saying which, Miss Climpson was not wholly accurate or disingenuous, but excused herself to her conscience on the rather Jesuitical grounds that where so much responsibility was floating about, it was best to pin it down in the quarter which made for peace. Miss Murgatroyd, she added, put me right at once, for she said you were certainly not thinking of any such thing, or you would have told her before anybody else. Miss Whittaker laughed. But I shouldnt, she said, I should have told my houseagent. Its quite true, I did have it in mind, but I certainly havent taken any steps. You really are thinking of doing it, then? cried Miss Findlater. I do hope sobecause, if you do, I mean to apply for a job on the farm! Im simply longing to get away from all these silly tennisparties and things, and live close to the Earth and the fundamental crudities. Do you read Sheila KayeSmith? Miss Climpson said no, but she was very fond of Thomas Hardy. It really is terrible, living in a little town like this, went on Miss Findlater, so full of aspidistras, you know, and small gossip. Youve no idea what a dreadfully gossipy place Leahampton is, Miss Climpson. Im sure, Mary dear, you must have had more than enough of it, with that tiresome Dr. Carr and the things people said. I dont wonder youre thinking of getting rid of that house. I shouldnt think you could ever feel comfortable in it again. Why on earth not? said Miss Whittaker, lightly. Too lightly? Miss Climpson was startled to recognise in eye and voice the curious quick defensiveness of the neglected spinster who cries out that she has no use for men. Oh well, said Miss Findlater, I always think its a little sad, living where people have died, you know. Dear Miss Dawsonthough of course it really was merciful that she should be releasedall the same Evidently, thought Miss Climpson, she was turning the matter off. The atmosphere of suspicion surrounding the death had been in her mind, but she shied at referring to it. There are very few houses in which somebody hasnt died sometime or other, said Miss Whittaker. I really cant see why people should worry about it. I suppose its just a question of not realising. We are not sensitive to the past lives of people we dont know. Just as we are much less upset about epidemics and accidents that happen a long way off. Do you really suppose, by the way, Miss Climpson, that this Chinese business is coming to anything? Everybody seems to take it very casually. If all this rioting and Bolshevism was happening in Hyde Park, thered be a lot more fuss made about it. Miss Climpson made a suitable reply. That night she wrote to Lord Peter Miss Whittaker has asked me to tea. She tells me that, much as she would enjoy an active, country life, with something definite to do, she has a deep affection for the house in Wellington Avenue, and cannot tear herself away. She seems very anxious to give this impression. Would it be fair for me to say The lady doth protest too much, methinks? The Prince of Denmark might even add Let the galled jade winceif one can use that expression of a lady. How wonderful Shakespeare is! One can always find a phrase in his works for any situation! VI Found Dead Blood, though it sleep a time, yet never dies. Chapman The Widows Tears You know, Wimsey, I think youve found a mares nest, objected Mr. Parker. I dont believe theres the slightest reason for supposing that there was anything odd about the Dawson womans death. Youve nothing to go on but a conceited young doctors opinion and a lot of silly gossip. Youve got an official mind, Charles, replied his friend. Your official passion for evidence is gradually sapping your brilliant intellect and smothering your instincts. Youre overcivilised, thats your trouble. Compared with you, I am a child of nature. I dwell among the untrodden ways beside the springs of Dove, a maid whom there are (I am shocked to say) few to praise, likewise very few to love, which is perhaps just as well. I know there is something wrong about this case. How? How?well, just as I know there is something wrong about that case of reputed Lafite 76 which that infernal fellow PettigrewRobinson had the nerve to try out on me the other night. It has a nasty flavour. Flavour be damned. Theres no indication of violence or poison. Theres no motive for doing away with the old girl. And theres no possibility of proving anything against anybody. Lord Peter selected a Villar y Villar from his case, and lighted it with artistic care. Look here, he said, will you take a bet about it? Ill lay you ten to one that Agatha Dawson was murdered, twenty to one that Mary Whittaker did it, and fifty to one that I bring it home to her within the year. Are you on? Parker laughed. Im a poor man, your Majesty, he temporised. There you are, said Lord Peter, triumphantly, youre not comfortable about it yourself. If you were, youd have said, Its taking your money, old chap, and closed like a shot, in the happy assurance of a certainty. Ive seen enough to know that nothing is a certainty, retorted the detective, but Ill take youinhalfcrowns, he added, cautiously. Had you said ponies, replied Lord Peter, I would have taken your alleged poverty into consideration and spared you, but sevenandsixpence will neither make nor break you. Consequently, I shall proceed to make my statements good. And what step do you propose taking? inquired Parker, sarcastically. Shall you apply for an exhumation order and search for poison, regardless of the analysts report? Or kidnap Miss Whittaker and apply the thirddegree in the Gallic manner? Not at all. I am more modern. I shall use uptodate psychological methods. Like the people in the Psalms, I lay traps; I catch men. I shall let the alleged criminal convict herself. Go on! You are a one, arent you? said Parker, jeeringly. I am indeed. It is a wellestablished psychological fact that criminals cannot let well alone. They Revisit the place of the crime? Dont interrupt, blast you. They take unnecessary steps to cover the traces which they havent left, and so invite, seriatim, Suspicion, Inquiry, Proof, Conviction and the Gallows. Eminent legal writersno, pax! dont chuck that St. Augustine about, its valuable. Anyhow, not to cast the jewels of my eloquence into the pigbucket, I propose to insert this advertisement in all the morning papers. Miss Whittaker must read some product of our brilliant journalistic age, I suppose. By this means, we shall kill two birds with one stone. Start two hares at once, you mean, grumbled Parker. Hand it over. Bertha and Evelyn Gotobed, formerly in the service of Miss Agatha Dawson, of The Grove, Wellington Avenue, Leahampton, are requested to communicate with J. Murbles, solicitor, of Staple Inn, when they will hear of something to their advantage. Rather good, I think, dont you? said Wimsey. Calculated to rouse suspicion in the most innocent mind. I bet you Mary Whittaker will fall for that. In what way? I dont know. Thats whats so interesting. I hope nothing unpleasant will happen to dear old Murbles. I should hate to lose him. Hes such a perfect type of the family solicitor. Still, a man in his profession must be prepared to take risks. Oh, bosh! said Parker. But I agree that it might be as well to get hold of the girls, if you really want to find out about the Dawson household. Servants always know everything. It isnt only that. Dont you remember that Nurse Philliter said the girls were sacked shortly before she left herself? Now, passing over the odd circumstances of the Nurses own dismissalthe story about Miss Dawsons refusing to take food from her hands, which wasnt at all borne out by the old ladys own attitude to her nurseisnt it worth considerin that these girls should have been pushed off on some excuse just about three weeks after one of those hysterical attacks of Miss Dawsons? Doesnt it rather look as though everybody who was likely to remember anything about that particular episode had been got out of the way? Well, there was a good reason for getting rid of the girls. Crockery?well, nowadays its not so easy to get good servants. Mistresses put up with a deal more carelessness than they did in the dear dead days beyond recall. Then, about that attack. Why did Miss Whittaker choose just the very moment when the highlyintelligent Nurse Philliter had gone for her walk, to bother Miss Dawson about signin some tiresome old lease or other? If business was liable to upset the old girl, why not have a capable person at hand to calm her down? Oh, but Miss Whittaker is a trained nurse. She was surely capable enough to see to her aunt herself. Im perfectly sure she was a very capable woman indeed, said Wimsey, with emphasis. Oh, all right. Youre prejudiced. But stick the ad in by all means. It cant do any harm. Lord Peter paused, in the very act of ringing the bell. His jaw slackened, giving his long, narrow face a faintly foolish and hesitant look, reminiscent of the heroes of Mr. P. G. Wodehouse. You dont think he began. Oh! rats! He pressed the button. It cant do any harm, as you say. Bunter, see that this advertisement appears in the personal columns of all this list of papers, every day until further notice. The advertisement made its first appearance on the Tuesday morning. Nothing of any note happened during the week, except that Miss Climpson wrote in some distress to say that the youngest Miss Findlater had at length succeeded in persuading Miss Whittaker to take definite steps about the poultry farm. They had gone away together to look at a business which they had seen advertised in the Poultry News, and proposed to be away for some weeks. Miss Climpson feared that under the circumstances she would not be able to carry on any investigations of sufficient importance to justify her far too generous salary. She had, however, become friendly with Miss Findlater, who had promised to tell her all about their doings. Lord Peter replied in reassuring terms. On the Tuesday following, Mr. Parker was just wrestling in prayer with his charlady, who had a tiresome habit of boiling his breakfast kippers till they resembled heavily pickled loofahs, when the telephone whirred aggressively. Is that you, Charles? asked Lord Peters voice. I say, Murbles has had a letter about that girl, Bertha Gotobed. She disappeared from her lodgings last Thursday, and her landlady, getting anxious, and having seen the advertisement, is coming to tell us all she knows. Can you come round to Staple Inn at eleven? Dunno, said Parker, a little irritably. Ive got a job to see to. Surely you can tackle it by yourself. Oh, yes! The voice was peevish. But I thought youd like to have some of the fun. What an ungrateful devil you are. You arent taking the faintest interest in this case. WellI dont believe in it, you know. All rightdont use language like thatyoull frighten the girl at the Exchange. Ill see what I can do. Eleven?right!Oh, I say! Cluck! said the telephone. Rung off, said Parker, bitterly. Bertha Gotobed. Hm! I could have sworn He reached across to the breakfasttable for the Daily Yell which was propped against the marmalade jar, and read with pursed lips a paragraph whose heavily leaded headlines had caught his eye, just before the interruption of the kipper episode. Nippy Found Dead in Epping Forest 5 Note in Handbag He took up the receiver again and asked for Wimseys number. The manservant answered him. His lordship is in his bath, sir. Shall I put you through? Please, said Parker. The telephone clucked again. Presently Lord Peters voice came faintly, Hullo! Did the landlady mention where Bertha Gotobed was employed? Yesshe was a waitress at the Corner House. Why this interest all of a sudden? You snub me in my bed, but you woo me in my bath. It sounds like a musichall song of the less refined sort. Why, oh why? Havent you seen the papers? No. I leave those follies till breakfasttime. Whats up? Are we ordered to Shanghai? or have they taken sixpence off the incometax? Shut up, you fool, its serious. Youre too late. What for? Bertha Gotobed was found dead in Epping Forest this morning. Good God! Dead? How? What of? No idea. Poison or something. Or heart failure. No violence. No robbery. No clue. Im going down to the Yard about it now. God forgive me, Charles. Dyou know, I had a sort of awful feeling when you said that ad could do no harm. Dead. Poor girl! Charles, I feel like a murderer. Oh, damn! and Im all wet. It does make one feel so helpless. Look here, you spin down to the Yard and tell em what you know and Ill join you there in half a tick. Anyway, theres no doubt about it now. Oh, but, look here. It may be something quite different. Nothing to do with your ad. Pigs may fly. Use your common sense. Oh! and Charles, does it mention the sister? Yes. There was a letter from her on the body, by which they identified it. She got married last month and went to Canada. Thats saved her life. Shell be in absolutely horrible danger, if she comes back. We must get hold of her and warn her. And find out what she knows. Goodbye. I must get some clothes on. Oh, hell! Cluck! the line went dead again, and Mr. Parker, abandoning the kippers without regret, ran feverishly out of the house and down Lambs Conduit Street to catch a diver tram to Westminster. The Chief of Scotland Yard, Sir Andrew Mackenzie, was a very old friend of Lord Peters. He received that agitated young man kindly and listened with attention to his slightly involved story of cancer, wills, mysterious solicitors and advertisements in the agony column. Its a curious coincidence, he said, indulgently, and I can understand your feeling upset about it. But you may set your mind at rest. I have the policesurgeons report, and he is quite convinced that the death was perfectly natural. No signs whatever of any assault. They will make an examination, of course, but I dont think there is the slightest reason to suspect foul play. But what was she doing in Epping Forest? Sir Andrew shrugged gently. That must be inquired into, of course. Stillyoung people do wander about, you know. Theres a fianc somewhere. Something to do with the railway, I believe. Collins has gone down to interview him. Or she may have been with some other friend. But if the death was natural, no one would leave a sick or dying girl like that? You wouldnt. But say there had been some running aboutsome horseplayand the girl fell dead, as these heart cases sometimes do. The companion may well have taken fright and cleared out. Its not unheard of. Lord Peter looked unconvinced. How long has she been dead? About five or six days, our man thinks. It was quite by accident that she was found then at all; its quite an unfrequented part of the Forest. A party of young people were exploring with a couple of terriers, and one of the dogs nosed out the body. Was it out in the open? Not exactly. It lay among some bushesthe sort of place where a frolicsome young couple might go to play hideandseek. Or where a murderer might go to play hide and let the police seek, said Wimsey. Well, well. Have it your own way, said Sir Andrew, smiling. If it was murder, it must have been a poisoning job, for, as I say, there was not the slightest sign of a wound or a struggle. Ill let you have the report of the autopsy. In the meanwhile, if youd like to run down there with Inspector Parker, you can of course have any facilities you want. And if you discover anything, let me know. Wimsey thanked him, and collecting Parker from an adjacent office, rushed him briskly down the corridor. I dont like it, he said, that is, of course, its very gratifying to know that our first steps in psychology have led to action, so to speak, but I wish to God it hadnt been quite such decisive action. Wed better trot down to Epping straight away, and see the landlady later. Ive got a new car, by the way, which youll like. Mr. Parker took one look at the slim black monster, with its long rakish body and polishedcopper twin exhausts, and decided there and then that the only hope of getting down to Epping without interference was to look as official as possible and wave his police authority under the eyes of every man in blue along the route. He shoehorned himself into his seat without protest, and was more unnerved than relieved to find himself shoot suddenly ahead of the trafficnot with the bellowing roar of the ordinary racing engine, but in a smooth, uncanny silence. The new Daimler TwinSix, said Lord Peter, skimming dexterously round a lorry without appearing to look at it. With a racing body. Specially built  useful  gadgets  no rowhate row  like Edmund Sparkler  very anxious there should be no row  Little Dorrit  remember  call her Mrs. Merdle  for that reason  presently well see what she can do. The promise was fulfilled before their arrival at the spot where the body had been found. Their arrival made a considerable sensation among the little crowd which business or curiosity had drawn to the spot. Lord Peter was instantly pounced upon by four reporters and a synod of Press photographers, whom his presence encouraged in the hope that the mystery might turn out to be a threecolumn splash after all. Parker, to his annoyance, was photographed in the undignified act of extricating himself from Mrs. Merdle. Superintendent Walmisley came politely to his assistance, rebuked the onlookers, and led him to the scene of action. The body had been already removed to the mortuary, but a depression in the moist ground showed clearly enough where it had lain. Lord Peter groaned faintly as he saw it. Damn this nasty warm spring weather, he said, with feeling. April showerssun and watercouldnt be worse. Body much altered, Superintendent? Well, yes, rather, my lord, especially in the exposed parts. But theres no doubt about the identity. I didnt suppose there was. How was it lying? On the back, quite quiet and naturallike. No disarrangement of clothing, or anything. She must just have sat down when she felt herself bad and fallen back. Mm. The rain has spoilt any footprints or signs on the ground. And its grassy. Beastly stuff, grass, eh, Charles? Yes. These twigs dont seem to have been broken at all, Superintendent. Oh, no, said the officer, no signs of a struggle, as I pointed out in my report. Nobut if shed sat down here and fallen back as you suggest, dont you think her weight would have snapped some of these young shoots? The Superintendent glanced sharply at the Scotland Yard man. You dont suppose she was brought and put here, do you, sir? I dont suppose anything, retorted Parker, I merely drew attention to a point which I think you should consider. What are these wheelmarks? Thats our car, sir. We backed it up here and took her up that way. And all this trampling is your men too, I suppose? Partly that, sir, and partly the party as found her. You noticed no other persons tracks, I suppose? No, sir. But its rained considerably this last week. Besides, the rabbits have been all over the place, as you can see, and other creatures too, I fancy. Weasels, or something of that sort. Oh! Well, I think youd better take a look round. There might be traces of some kind a bit further away. Make a circle, and report anything you see. And you oughtnt to have let all that bunch of people get so near. Put a cordon round and tell em to move on. Have you seen all you want, Peter? Wimsey had been poking his stick aimlessly into the bole of an oaktree at a few yards distance. Now he stooped and lifted out a package which had been stuffed into a cleft. The two policemen hurried forward with eager interest, which evaporated somewhat at sight of the finda ham sandwich and an empty Bass bottle, roughly wrapped up in a greasy newspaper. Picnickers, said Walmisley, with a snort. Nothing to do with the body, I daresay. I think youre mistaken, said Wimsey, placidly. When did the girl disappear, exactly? Well, she went off duty at the Corner House at five a week ago tomorrow, thats Wednesday, 27th, said Parker. And this is the Evening Views of Wednesday, 27th, said Wimsey. Late Final edition. Now that edition isnt on the streets till about 6 oclock. So unless somebody brought it down and had supper here, it was probably brought by the girl herself or her companion. Its hardly likely anyone would come and picnic here afterwards, not with the body there.