a mixture of reasons prevented him -- the itch of curiosity , an inbuilt dislike of cold murder , the feeling that this was not the predestined moment , the likelihood that he would have to murder the chauffeur also -- these , combined with the softness of the night and the fact that the sound system was now playing a good recording of one of his favourites , `` after you 've gone , '' and that cicadas were singing from the lignum vitae tree , said no .