Agatha Christie - Murder is Easy

"And then, suddenly, I saw that that was the easiest of the lot! It was the old shove from behind — easily done in a crowd. The car didn't stop, and she saw a fresh opportunity and told another woman she had seen the number of the car, and gave the number of Lord Easterfield's Rolls.

"Of course, all this only came very confusedly through my head. But if Gordon definitely hadn't done the murders — and I knew, yes, knew that he hadn't — well, who did? And the answer seemed quite clear. Someone who hates Gordon! Who hates Gordon? Honoria Waynflete of course.

"And then I remembered that Miss Fullerton had definitely spoken of a man as the killer. That knocked out all my beautiful theory, because, unless Miss Fullerton was right, she wouldn't have been killed. So I got you to repeat exactly Miss Fullerton's words, and I soon discovered that she hadn't actually said 'Man' once. Then I felt that I was definitely on the right track! I decided to accept Miss Waynflete's invitation to stay with her, and I resolved to try to ferret out the truth."

"Without saying a word to me?" said Luke angrily.

"But, my sweet, you were so sure — and I wasn't sure a bit! It was all vague and doubtful. But I never dreamed that I was in any danger. I thought I'd have plenty of time."

She shivered. "Oh, Luke, it was horrible! Her eyes — and that dreadful polite, inhuman laugh!"

Luke said, with a slight shiver, "I shan't forget how I only got there just in time." He turned to Battle . "What's she like now?"

"Gone right over the edge," said Battle . "They do, you know. They can't face the shock of not having been so clever as they thought they were."

Luke said ruefully, "Well, I'm not much of a policeman! I never suspected Honoria Waynflete once. You'd have done better, Battle ."

"Maybe, sir, maybe not. You'll remember my saying that nothing's impossible in crime. I mentioned a maiden lady, I believe."

"You also mentioned an archbishop and a schoolgirl! Am I to understand that you consider all these people as potential criminals?"

Battle 's smile broadened to a grin. "Anyone may be a criminal, sir; that's what I meant."

"Except Gordon," said Bridget. "Luke, let's go and find him."

They found Lord Easterfield in his study, busily making notes. "Gordon," said Bridget in a small meek voice. "Please, now that you know everything, will you forgive us?"

Lord Easterfield looked at her graciously.

"Certainly, my dear, certainly. I realize the truth. I was a busy man. I neglected you. The truth of the matter is, as Kipling so wisely puts it, 'He travels the fastest who travels alone.' My path in life is a lonely one." He squared his shoulders. "I carry a big responsibility. I must carry it alone. For me there can be no companionship, no easing of the burden. I must go through life alone, till I drop by the wayside."

Bridget said, "Dear Gordon! You really are sweet!"

Lord Easterfield frowned. "It is not a question of being sweet. Let us forget all this nonsense. I am a busy man."

"I know you are."

"I am arranging for a series of articles to start at once. Crimes committed by women through the ages."

Bridget gazed at him with admiration.

"Gordon, I think that's a wonderful idea."

Lord Easterfield puffed out his chest. "So please leave me now. I must not be disturbed. I have a lot of work to get through."

Luke and Bridget tiptoed from the room.

"But he really is sweet," said Bridget.

"Bridget, I believe you were really fond of that man."

"Do you know, Luke, I believe I was."

Luke looked out of the window. "I'll be glad to get away from Wychwood. I don't like this place. There's a lot of wickedness here, as Mrs. Humbleby would say. I don't like the way Ashe Ridge broods over the village."

"Talking of Ashe Ridge, what about Ellsworthy?"

Luke laughed a little shamefacedly. "That blood on his hands?"

"Yes."

"They'd sacrificed a white cock, apparently."

"How perfectly disgusting!"

"I think something unpleasant is going to happen to our Mr. Ellsworthy. Battle is planning a little surprise."

Bridget said, "And poor Major Horton never even attempted to kill his wife, and Mr. Abbot, I suppose, just had a compromising letter from a lady, and Doctor Thomas is just a nice unassuming young doctor."

"He's a superior ass."

"You say that because you're jealous of his marrying Rose Humbleby."

"She's much too good for him."

"I always have felt you liked that girl better then me."

"Darling, aren't you being rather absurd?"

"No, not really." She was silent a minute, and then said, "Luke, do you like me now?"

He made a movement toward her, but she warded him off. "I said 'like,' Luke; not 'love.'"

"Oh, I see. Yes, I do. I like you, Bridget, as well as loving you."

Bridget said, "I like you, Luke." They smiled at each other a little timidly, like children who have made friends at a party.

Bridget said, "Liking is more important than loving. It lasts. I want what is between us to last, Luke. I don't want us just to love each other and marry and get tired of each other, and then want to marry someone else."

"Oh, my dear love, I know. You want reality. So do I. What's between us will last forever, because it's founded on reality."

"Is that true, Luke?"

"It's true, my sweet. That's why, I think, I was afraid of loving you."

"I was afraid of loving you too."

"Are you afraid now?"

"No."

He said, "We've been close to death for a long time. Now that's over! Now we'll begin to live."