Part 5 (1/2)

From all accounts they were on quite amicable terhs.” He paused before going on. ”According to you, n.o.body stands

to gain by Mrs. Lansquenet's death ?”

The lawyer s.h.i.+fted uneasily.

”I didn't quite say that.”

Inspector Morton looked up sharply.

”I thought you said that Mrs. Lansquenet's source of income was an allowance made to her by her brother and that as far as you knew she had no property or means of her

own.”

”That is so. Her husband died a bankrupt,and from what I knew of her as a girl and since, I should be surprised if she had ever saved or acc.u.mulated any money.”

”The cottage itself is rented, not her own, and the few

26

sticks of furniture aren't anything to write home about, even in these days. Some spurious ' cottage oak ' and some arty painted stuff. Whoever she's left them to won't am much 2--if she's made a will, that is to say.”

3rff. Entwhistle shook his head.

”I know nothing about her will. I had not seen her for many years, you must understand.”

”Then what exactly did you mean just now ? You had something in mind, I think ?”

”Yes. Yes, I did. I wished to be strictly accurate.” ”Were you referring to the legacy you mentioned ?

The one that her brother left her ? Had she the power to dispose of that by will ?”

”No, not in the sense you mean. She had no power to dispose of the capital. Now that she is dead, it will be divided amongst the five other beneficiaries of Richard Abernethie's will. That is what I meant. All five of them will benefit automatically by her death.”

The Inspector looked disappointed.

”Oh, I thought we were on to something. Well, there certainly seems no motive there for anyone to come and swipe her with a hatchet. Looks as though it's some chap with a screw loose--one of these adolescent criminals, perhaps--a lot of them about. And then he lost his nerve and bushed the trinkets and ran... Yes, it must be that. Unless it's the highly respectable Miss Gilchrist, and I must say that seems unlikely.”

”When did she find the body ?”

”Not until just about five o'clock. She came back from Reading by the 4.50 bus. She arrived back at the cottage, let herself in by the front door, and went into the kitchen and put the kettle on for tea. There was no sound from Mrs.

Lansquenet's room, but Miss Gilchrist a.s.sumed that she was still sleeping. Then Miss Gilchrist noticed the kitchen window; the gla.s.s was all over the floor. Even then, she thought at first it might have been done by a boy with a ball or a catapult.

She went upstairs and peeped very gently into Mrs. Lansquenet's room to see if she were asleep or if she was ready for some tea. Then of course, she let loose, shrieked, and rushed down the lane to the nearest neighbour. Her story seems perfectly consistent and there was no trace of blood in her room or in the bathroom, or on her clothes. No, I don't think Miss Gilchrist had anything to do with it. The doctor got there at half-past five. He puts the time of death not later than four-thirty--and probably much nearer two o'clock, so it looks as 27

though whoever it was, was hanging round waiting for Miss

Gilchrist to lea, ye the cottage.

. face twitched slightly Inspector Morton The la er s .

went on: 'W}tYou'll be going to see Miss Gflchnst, I suppose ?

”I thought of doing so.”

”I should be glad if you would. She's told us, I think,

everything that she can, but you never know. Some,times, in

conversation, some point or other may crop up. She s a trifle

old-maidish--but quite a sensible, practical woman--and she's

really been most helpful and efficient.”