马斯特里奥萨法拉茨泰尔斯酒店

TheMysteriousAffairatStylesAgathaChristieTableofContentsTheMysteriousAffairatStyles1AgathaChristie1CHAPTERI.IGOTOSTYLES1CHAPTERII.THE16THAND17THOFJULY10CHAPTERIII.THENIGHTOFTHETRAGEDY16CHAPTERIV.POIROTINVESTIGATES20CHAPTERV."ITISN'TSTRYCHNINE,ISIT?"35CHAPTERVI.THEINQUEST55CHAPTERVII.POIROTPAYSHISDEBTS65CHAPTERVIII.FRESHSUSPICIONS73CHAPTERIX.DR.BAUERSTEIN85CHAPTERX.THEARREST96CHAPTERXI.THECASEFORTHEPROSECUTION108CHAPTERXII.THELASTLINK121CHAPTERXIII.POIROTEXPLAINS127AgathaChristieThispagecopyright.2021BlackmaskOnline.·CHAPTERI.IGOTOSTYLES·CHAPTERII.THE16THAND17THOFJULY·CHAPTERIII.THENIGHTOFTHETRAGEDY·CHAPTERIV.POIROTINVESTIGATES·CHAPTERV."ITISN'TSTRYCHNINE,ISIT?"·CHAPTERVI.THEINQUEST·CHAPTERVII.POIROTPAYSHISDEBTS·CHAPTERVIII.FRESHSUSPICIONS·CHAPTERIX.DR.BAUERSTEIN·CHAPTERX.THEARREST·CHAPTERXI.THECASEFORTHEPROSECUTION·CHAPTERXII.THELASTLINK·CHAPTERXIII.POIROTEXPLAINSScannedbyCharlesKellerwithOmniPageProfessionalOCRsoftwareCHAPTERI.IGOTOSTYLESTheintenseinterestarousedinthepublicbywhatwasknownatthetimeas"TheStylesCase"hasnowsomewhatsubsided.Nevertheless,inviewoftheworld.widenotorietywhichattendedit,Ihavebeenasked,bothbymyfriendPoirotandthefamilythemselves,towriteanaccountofthewholestory.This,wetrust,willeffectuallysilencethesensationalrumourswhichstillpersist.Iwillthereforebrieflysetdownthecircumstanceswhichledtomybeingconnectedwiththeaffair.IhadbeeninvalidedhomefromtheFront;and,afterspendingsomemonthsinaratherdepressingConvalescentHome,wasgivenamonth'ssickleave.Havingnonearrelationsorfriends,Iwastryingtomakeupmymindwhattodo,whenIranacrossJohnCavendish.Ihadseenverylittleofhimforsomeyears.Indeed,Ihadneverknownhimparticularlywell.Hewasagoodfifteenyearsmysenior,foronething,thoughhehardlylookedhisforty.fiveyears.Asaboy,though,IhadoftenstayedatStyles,hismother'splaceinEssex.Wehadagoodyarnaboutoldtimes,anditendedinhisinvitingmedowntoStylestospendmyleavethere."Thematerwillbedelightedtoseeyouagain

afterallthoseyears,"headded."Yourmotherkeepswell?"Iasked."Oh,yes.Isupposeyouknowthatshehasmarriedagain?"IamafraidIshowedmysurpriseratherplainly.Mrs.Cavendish,whohadmarriedJohn'sfatherwhenhewasawidowerwithtwosons,hadbeenahandsomewomanofmiddle.ageasIrememberedher.Shecertainlycouldnotbeadaylessthanseventynow.Irecalledherasanenergetic,autocraticpersonality,somewhatinclinedtocharitableandsocialnotoriety,withafondnessforopeningbazaarsandplayingtheLadyBountiful.Shewasamostgenerouswoman,andpossessedaconsiderablefortuneofherown.Theircountry.place,StylesCourt,hadbeenpurchasedbyMr.Cavendishearlyintheirmarriedlife.Hehadbeencompletelyunderhiswife'sascendancy,somuchsothat,ondying,helefttheplacetoherforherlifetime,aswellasthelargerpartofhisincome;anarrangementthatwasdistinctlyunfairtohistwosons.Theirstep.mother,however,hadalwaysbeenmostgeneroustothem;indeed,theyweresoyoungatthetimeoftheirfather'sremarriagethattheyalwaysthoughtofherastheirownmother.Lawrence,theyounger,hadbeenadelicateyouth.Hehadqualifiedasadoctorbutearlyrelinquishedtheprofessionofmedicine,andlivedathomewhilepursuingliteraryambitions;thoughhisversesneverhadanymarkedsuccess.Johnpracticedforsometimeasabarrister,buthadfinallysettleddowntothemorecongeniallifeofacountrysquire.Hehadmarriedtwoyearsago,andhadtakenhiswifetoliveatStyles,thoughIentertainedashrewdsuspicionthathewouldhavepreferredhismothertoincreasehisallowance,whichwouldhaveenabledhimtohaveahomeofhisown.Mrs.Cavendish,however,wasaladywholikedtomakeherownplans,andexpectedotherpeopletofallinwiththem,andinthiscaseshecertainlyhadthewhiphand,namely:thepursestrings.Johnnoticedmysurpriseatthenewsofhismother'sremarriageandsmiledratherruefully."Rottenlittleboundertoo!"hesaidsavagely."Icantellyou,Hastings,it'smakinglifejollydifficultforus.AsforEvie

yourememberEvie?""No.""Oh,Isupposeshewasafteryourtime.She'sthemater'sfactotum,companion,Jackofalltrades!Agreatsport

oldEvie!Notpreciselyyoungandbeautiful,butasgameastheymakethem.""Youweregoingtosay

?""Oh,thisfellow!Heturnedupfromnowhere,onthepretextofbeingasecondcousinorsomethingofEvie's,thoughshedidn'tseemparticularlykeentoacknowledgetherelationship.Thefellowisanabsoluteoutsider,anyonecanseethat.He'sgotagreatblackbeard,andwearspatentleatherbootsinallweathers!Butthematercottonedtohimatonce,tookhimonassecretary

youknowhowshe'salwaysrunningahundredsocieties?"Inodded."Well,ofcoursethewarhasturnedthehundredsintothousands.Nodoubtthefellowwasveryusefultoher.Butyoucouldhaveknockedusalldownwithafeatherwhen,threemonthsago,shesuddenlyannouncedthatsheandAlfredwereengaged!Thefellowmustbeatleasttwentyyearsyoungerthansheis!It'ssimplybare.facedfortunehunting;butthereyouare

sheisherownmistress,andshe'smarriedhim.""Itmustbeadifficultsituationforyouall.""Difficult!It'sdamnable!"Thusitcameaboutthat,threedayslater,IdescendedfromthetrainatStylesSt.Mary,anabsurdlittlestation,withnoapparentreasonforexistence,perchedupinthemidstofgreenfieldsandcountrylanes.JohnCavendishwaswaitingontheplatform,andpilotedmeouttothecar."Gotadroportwoofpetrolstill,yousee,"heremarked."Mainlyowingtothemater'sactivities."ThevillageofStylesSt.Marywassituatedabouttwomilesfromthelittlestation,andStylesCourtlayamiletheothersideofit.Itwasastill,warmdayinearlyJuly.AsonelookedoutovertheflatEssexcountry,lyingsogreenandpeacefulundertheafternoonsun,itseemedalmostimpossibletobelievethat,notsoveryfaraway,agreatwarwasrunningitsappointedcourse.IfeltIhadsuddenlystrayedintoanotherworld.Asweturnedinatthelodgegates,Johnsaid:"I'mafraidyou'llfinditveryquietdownhere,Hastings.""Mydearfellow,that'sjustwhatIwant.""Oh,it'spleasantenoughifyouwanttoleadtheidlelife.Idrillwiththevolunteerstwiceaweek,andlendahandatthefarms.Mywifeworksregularly'ontheland'.Sheisupatfiveeverymorningtomilk,andkeepsatitsteadilyuntillunchtime.It'sajollygoodlifetakingitallround

ifitweren'tforthatfellowAlfredInglethorp!"Hecheckedthecarsuddenly,andglancedathiswatch."Iwonderifwe'vetimetopickupCynthia.No,she'llhavestartedfromthehospitalbynow.""Cynthia!That'snotyourwife?""No,Cynthiaisaprotegeeofmymother's,thedaughterofanoldschoolfellowofhers,whomarriedarascallysolicitor.Hecameacropper,andthegirlwasleftanorphanandpenniless.Mymothercametotherescue,andCynthiahasbeenwithusnearlytwoyearsnow.SheworksintheRedCrossHospitalatTadminster,sevenmilesaway."Ashespokethelastwords,wedrewupinfrontofthefineoldhouse.Aladyinastouttweedskirt,whowasbendingoveraflowerbed,straightenedherselfatourapproach."Hullo,Evie,here'sourwoundedhero!Mr.Hastings

MissHoward."MissHowardshookhandswithahearty,almostpainful,grip.Ihadanimpressionofveryblueeyesinasunburntface.Shewasapleasant.lookingwomanofaboutforty,withadeepvoice,almostmanlyinitsstentoriantones,andhadalargesensiblesquarebody,withfeettomatch

theselastencasedingoodthickboots.Herconversation,Isoonfound,wascouchedinthetelegraphicstyle."Weedsgrowlikehouseafire.Can'tkeepevenwith'em.Shallpressyouin.Betterbecareful.""I'msureIshallbeonlytoodelightedtomakemyselfuseful,"Iresponded."Don'tsayit.Neverdoes.Wishyouhadn'tlater.""You'reacynic,Evie,"saidJohn,laughing."Where'steato.day

insideorout?""Out.Toofineadaytobecoopedupinthehouse.""Comeonthen,you'vedoneenoughgardeningforto.day.'Thelabourerisworthyofhishire',youknow.Comeandberefreshed.""Well,"saidMissHoward,drawingoffhergardeninggloves,"I'minclinedtoagreewithyou."Sheledthewayroundthehousetowhereteawasspreadundertheshadeofalargesycamore.Afigurerosefromoneofthebasketchairs,andcameafewstepstomeetus."Mywife,Hastings,"saidJohn.IshallneverforgetmyfirstsightofMaryCavendish.Hertall,slenderform,outlinedagainstthebrightlight;thevividsenseofslumberingfirethatseemedtofindexpressiononlyinthosewonderfultawnyeyesofhers,remarkableeyes,differentfromanyotherwoman'sthatIhaveeverknown;theintensepowerofstillnessshepossessed,whichneverthelessconveyedtheimpressionofawilduntamedspiritinanexquisitelycivilisedbody

allthesethingsareburntintomymemory.Ishallneverforgetthem.Shegreetedmewithafewwordsofpleasantwelcomeinalowclearvoice,andIsankintoabasketchairfeelingdistinctlygladthatIhadacceptedJohn'sinvitation.Mrs.Cavendishgavemesometea,andherfewquietremarksheightenedmyfirstimpressionofherasathoroughlyfascinatingwoman.Anappreciativelistenerisalwaysstimulating,andIdescribed,inahumorousmanner,certainincidentsofmyConvalescentHome,inawaywhich,Iflattermyself,greatlyamusedmyhostess.John,ofcourse,goodfellowthoughheis,couldhardlybecalledabrilliantconversationalist.AtthatmomentawellrememberedvoicefloatedthroughtheopenFrenchwindownearathand:"Thenyou'llwritetothePrincessaftertea,Alfred?I'llwritetoLadyTadminsterforthesecondday,myself.OrshallwewaituntilwehearfromthePrincess?Incaseofarefusal,LadyTadminstermightopenitthefirstday,andMrs.Crosbiethesecond.Thenthere'stheDuchess

abouttheschoolfete."Therewasthemurmurofaman'svoice,andthenMrs.Inglethorp'sroseinreply:"Yes,certainly.Afterteawilldoquitewell.Youaresothoughtful,Alfreddear."TheFrenchwindowswungopenalittlewider,andahandsomewhite.hairedoldlady,withasomewhatmasterfulcastoffeatures,steppedoutofitontothelawn.Amanfollowedher,asuggestionofdeferenceinhismanner.Mrs.Inglethorpgreetedmewitheffusion."Why,ifitisn'ttoodelightfultoseeyouagain,Mr.Hastings,afteralltheseyears.Alfred,darling,Mr.Hastings

myhusband."Ilookedwithsomecuriosityat"Alfreddarling".Hecertainlystruckaratheraliennote.IdidnotwonderatJohnobjectingtohisbeard.ItwasoneofthelongestandblackestIhaveeverseen.Heworegold.rimmedpince.nez,andhadacuriousimpassivityoffeature.Itstruckmethathemightlooknaturalonastage,butwasstrangelyoutofplaceinreallife.Hisvoicewasratherdeepandunctuous.Heplacedawoodenhandinmineandsaid:"Thisisapleasure,Mr.Hastings."Then,turningtohiswife:"Emilydearest,Ithinkthatcushionisalittledamp."Shebeamedfondlyonhim,ashesubstitutedanotherwitheverydemonstrationofthetenderestcare.Strangeinfatuationofanotherwisesensiblewoman!WiththepresenceofMr.Inglethorp,asenseofconstraintandveiledhostilityseemedtosettledownuponthecompany.MissHoward,inparticular,tooknopainstoconcealherfeelings.Mrs.Inglethorp,however,seemedtonoticenothingunusual.Hervolubility,whichIrememberedofold,hadlostnothingintheinterveningyears,andshepouredoutasteadyfloodofconversation,mainlyonthesubjectoftheforthcomingbazaarwhichshewasorganizingandwhichwastotakeplaceshortly.Occasionallyshereferredtoherhusbandoveraquestionofdaysordates.Hiswatchfulandattentivemannernevervaried.FromtheveryfirstItookafirmandrooteddisliketohim,andIflattermyselfthatmyfirstjudgmentsareusuallyfairlyshrewd.PresentlyMrs.InglethorpturnedtogivesomeinstructionsaboutletterstoEvelynHoward,andherhusbandaddressedmeinhispainstakingvoice:"Issoldieringyourregularprofession,Mr.Hastings?""No,beforethewarIwasinLloyd's.""Andyouwillreturnthereafteritisover?""Perhaps.Eitherthatorafreshstartaltogether."MaryCavendishleantforward."Whatwouldyoureallychooseasaprofession,ifyoucouldjustconsultyourinclination?""Well,thatdepends.""Nosecrethobby?"sheasked."Tellme

you'redrawntosomething?Everyoneis

usuallysomethingabsurd.""You'lllaughatme."Shesmiled."Perhaps.""Well,I'vealwayshadasecrethankeringtobeadetective!""Therealthing

ScotlandYard?OrSherlockHolmes?""Oh,SherlockHolmesbyallmeans.Butreally,seriously,Iamawfullydrawntoit.IcameacrossamaninBelgiumonce,averyfamousdetective,andhequiteinflamedme.Hewasamarvellouslittlefellow.Heusedtosaythatallgooddetectiveworkwasamerematterofmethod.Mysystemisbasedonhis

thoughofcourseIhaveprogressedratherfurther.Hewasafunnylittleman,agreatdandy,butwonderfullyclever.""Likeagooddetectivestorymyself,"remarkedMissHoward."Lotsofnonsensewritten,though.Criminaldiscoveredinlastchapter.Everyonedumbfounded.Realcrime

you'dknowatonce.""Therehavebeenagreatnumberofundiscoveredcrimes,"Iargued."Don'tmeanthepolice,butthepeoplethatarerightinit.Thefamily.Youcouldn'treallyhoodwinkthem.They'dknow.""Then,"Isaid,muchamused,"youthinkthatifyouweremixedupinacrime,sayamurder,you'dbeabletospotthemurdererrightoff?""OfcourseIshould.Mightn'tbeabletoproveittoapackoflawyers.ButI'mcertainI'dknow.I'dfeelitinmyfingertipsifhecamenearme.""Itmightbea'she,'"Isuggested."Might.Butmurder'saviolentcrime.Associateitmorewithaman.""Notinacaseofpoisoning."Mrs.Cavendish'sclearvoicestartledme."Dr.Bauersteinwassayingyesterdaythat,owingtothegeneralignoranceofthemoreuncommonpoisonsamongthemedicalprofession,therewereprobablycountlesscasesofpoisoningquiteunsuspected.""Why,Mary,whatagruesomeconversation!"criedMrs.Inglethorp."Itmakesmefeelasifagoosewerewalkingovermygrave.Oh,there'sCynthia!"AyounggirlinV.A.D.uniformranlightlyacrossthelawn."Why,Cynthia,youarelateto.day.ThisisMr.Hastings

MissMurdoch."CynthiaMurdochwasafresh.lookingyoungcreature,fulloflifeandvigour.ShetossedoffherlittleV.A.D.cap,andIadmiredthegreatloosewavesofherauburnhair,andthesmallnessandwhitenessofthehandsheheldouttoclaimhertea.Withdarkeyesandeyelashesshewouldhavebeenabeauty.SheflungherselfdownonthegroundbesideJohn,andasIhandedheraplateofsandwichesshesmiledupatme."Sitdownhereonthegrass,do.It'seversomuchnicer."Idroppeddownobediently."YouworkatTadminster,don'tyou,MissMurdoch?"Shenodded."Formysins.""Dotheybullyyou,then?"Iasked,smiling."Ishouldliketoseethem!"criedCynthiawithdignity."Ihavegotacousinwhoisnursing,"Iremarked."Andsheisterrifiedof'Sisters'.""Idon'twonder.Sistersare,youknow,Mr.Hastings.Theysimp

lyare!You'venoidea!ButI'mnotanurse,thankheaven,Iworkinthedispensary.""Howmanypeopledoyoupoison?"Iasked,smiling.Cynthiasmiledtoo."Oh,hundreds!"shesaid."Cynthia,"calledMrs.Inglethorp,"doyouthinkyoucouldwriteafewnotesforme?""Certainly,AuntEmily."Shejumpeduppromptly,andsomethinginhermannerremindedmethatherpositionwasadependentone,andthatMrs.Inglethorp,kindasshemightbeinthemain,didnotallowhertoforgetit.Myhostessturnedtome."Johnwillshowyouyourroom.Supperisathalf.pastseven.Wehavegivenuplatedinnerforsometimenow.LadyTadminster,ourMember'swife

shewasthelateLordAbbotsbury'sdaughter

doesthesame.Sheagreeswithmethatonemustsetanexampleofeconomy.Wearequiteawarhousehold;nothingiswastedhere

everyscrapofwastepaper,even,issavedandsentawayinsacks."Iexpressedmyappreciation,andJohntookmeintothehouseandupthebroadstaircase,whichforkedrightandlefthalf.waytodifferentwingsofthebuilding.Myroomwasintheleftwing,andlookedoutoverthepark.Johnleftme,andafewminuteslaterIsawhimfrommywindowwalkingslowlyacrossthegrassarminarmwithCynthiaMurdoch.IheardMrs.Inglethorpcall"Cynthia"impatiently,andthegirlstartedandranbacktothehouse.Atthesamemoment,amansteppedoutfromtheshadowofatreeandwalkedslowlyinthesamedirection.Helookedaboutforty,verydarkwithamelancholyclean.shavenface.Someviolentemotionseemedtobemasteringhim.Helookedupatmywindowashepassed,andIrecognizedhim,thoughhehadchangedmuchinthefifteenyearsthathadelapsedsincewelastmet.ItwasJohn'syoungerbrother,LawrenceCavendish.Iwonderedwhatitwasthathadbroughtthatsingularexpressiontohisface.ThenIdismissedhimfrommymind,andreturnedtothecontemplationofmyownaffairs.Theeveningpassedpleasantlyenough;andIdreamedthatnightofthatenigmaticalwoman,MaryCavendish.Thenextmorningdawnedbrightandsunny,andIwasfulloftheanticipationofadelightfulvisit.IdidnotseeMrs.Cavendishuntillunch.time,whenshevolunteeredtotakemeforawalk,andwespentacharmingafternoonroaminginthewoods,returningtothehouseaboutfive.Asweenteredthelargehall,Johnbeckonedusbothintothesmoking.room.Isawatoncebyhisfacethatsomethingdisturbinghadoccurred.Wefollowedhimin,andheshutthedoorafterus."Lookhere,Mary,there'sthedeuceofamess.Evie'shadarowwithAlfredInglethorp,andshe'soff.""Evie?Off?"Johnnoddedgloomily."Yes;youseeshewenttothemater,and

Oh,here'sEvieherself."MissHowardentered.Herlipsweresetgrimlytogether,andshecarriedasmallsuit.case.Shelookedexcitedanddetermined,andslightlyonthedefensive."Atanyrate,"sheburstout,"I'vespokenmymind!""MydearEvelyn,"criedMrs.Cavendish,"thiscan'tbetrue!"MissHowardnoddedgrimly."Trueenough!AfraidIsaidsomethingstoEmilyshewon'tforgetorforgiveinahurry.Don'tmindifthey'veonlysunkinabit.Probablywateroffaduck'sback,though.Isaidrightout:'You'reanoldwoman,Emily,andthere'snofoollikeanoldfool.Theman'stwentyyearsyoungerthanyou,anddon'tyoufoolyourselfastowhathemarriedyoufor.Money!Well,don'tlethimhavetoomuchofit.FarmerRaikeshasgotaveryprettyyoungwife.JustaskyourAlfredhowmuchtimehespendsoverthere.'Shewasveryangry.Natural!Iwenton,'I'mgoingtowarnyou,whetheryoulikeitornot.Thatmanwouldassoonmurderyouinyourbedaslookatyou.He'sabadlot.Youcansaywhatyouliketome,butrememberwhatI'vetoldyou.He'sabadlot!'""Whatdidshesay?"MissHowardmadeanextremelyexpressivegrimace."'DarlingAlfred'

'dearestAlfred'

'wickedcalumnies'

'wickedlies'

'wickedwoman'

toaccuseher'dearhusband'!ThesoonerIleftherhousethebetter.SoI'moff.""Butnotnow?""Thisminute!"Foramomentwesatandstaredather.FinallyJohnCavendish,findinghispersuasionsofnoavail,wentofftolookupthetrains.Hiswifefollowedhim,murmuringsomethingaboutpersuadingMrs.Inglethorptothinkbetterofit.Asshelefttheroom,MissHoward'sfacechanged.Sheleanttowardsmeeagerly."Mr.Hastings,you'rehonest.Icantrustyou?"Iwasalittlestartled.Shelaidherhandonmyarm,andsankhervoicetoawhisper."Lookafterher,Mr.Hastings.MypoorEmily.They'realotofsharks

allofthem.Oh,IknowwhatI'mtalkingabout.Thereisn'toneofthemthat'snothardupandtryingtogetmoneyoutofher.I'veprotectedherasmuchasIcould.NowI'moutoftheway,they'llimposeuponher.""Ofcourse,MissHoward,"Isaid,"I'lldoeverythingIcan,butI'msureyou'reexcitedandoverwrought."Sheinterruptedmebyslowlyshakingherforefinger."Youngman,trustme.I'velivedintheworldratherlongerthanyouhave.AllIaskyouistokeepyoureyesopen.You'llseewhatImean."Thethrobofthemotorcamethroughtheopenwindow,andMissHowardroseandmovedtothedoor.John'svoicesoundedoutside.Withherhandonthehandle,sheturnedherheadoverhershoulder,andbeckonedtome."Aboveall,Mr.Hastings,watchthatdevil

herhusband!"Therewasnotimeformore.MissHowardwasswallowedupinaneagerchorusofprotestsandgood.byes.TheInglethorpsdidnotappear.Asthemotordroveaway,Mrs.Cavendishsuddenlydetachedherselffromthegroup,andmovedacrossthedrivetothelawntomeetatallbeardedmanwhohadbeenevidentlymakingforthehouse.Thecolourroseinhercheeksassheheldoutherhandtohim."Whoisthat?"Iaskedsharply,forinstinctivelyIdistrustedtheman."That'sDr.Bauerstein,"saidJohnshortly."AndwhoisDr.Bauerstein?""He'sstayinginthevillagedoingarestcure,afterabadnervousbreakdown.He'saLondonspecialist;averycleverman

oneofthegreatestlivingexpertsonpoisons,Ibelieve.""Andhe'sagreatfriendofMary's,"putinCynthia,theirrepressible.JohnCavendishfrownedandchangedthesubject."Comeforastroll,Hastings.Thishasbeenamostrottenbusiness.Shealwayshadaroughtongue,butthereisnostauncherfriendinEnglandthanEvelynHoward."Hetookthepaththroughtheplantation,andwewalkeddowntothevillagethroughthewoodswhichborderedonesideoftheestate.Aswepassedthroughoneofthegatesonourwayhomeagain,aprettyyoungwomanofgipsytypecomingintheoppositedirectionbowedandsmiled."That'saprettygirl,"Iremarkedappreciatively.John'sfacehardened."ThatisMrs.Raikes.""TheonethatMissHoward

""Exactly,"saidJohn,withratherunnecessaryabruptness.Ithoughtofthewhite.hairedoldladyinthebighouse,andthatvividwickedlittlefacethathadjustsmiledintoours,andavaguechillofforebodingcreptoverme.Ibrusheditaside."Stylesisreallyagloriousoldplace,"IsaidtoJohn.Henoddedrathergloomily."Yes,it'safineproperty.It'llbeminesomeday

shouldbeminenowbyrights,ifmyfatherhadonlymadeadecentwill.AndthenIshouldn'tbesodamnedhardupasIamnow.""Hardup,areyou?""MydearHastings,Idon'tmindtellingyouthatI'matmywit'sendformoney.""Couldn'tyourbrotherhelpyou?""Lawrence?He'sgonethrougheverypennyheeverhad,publishingrottenversesinfancybindings.No,we'reanimpecuniouslot.Mymother'salwaysbeenawfullygoodtous,Imustsay.Thatis,uptonow.Sincehermarriage,ofcourse

"hebrokeoff,frowning.ForthefirsttimeIfeltthat,withEvelynHoward,somethingindefinablehadgonefromtheatmosphere.Herpresencehadspeltsecurity.Nowthatsecuritywasremoved

andtheairseemedrifewithsuspicion.ThesinisterfaceofDr.Bauersteinrecurredtomeunpleasantly.Avaguesuspicionofeveryoneandeverythingfilledmymind.JustforamomentIhadapremonitionofapproachingevil.CHAPTERII.THE16THAND17THOFJULYIhadarrivedatStylesonthe5thofJuly.Icomenowtotheeventsofthe16thand17thofthatmonth.FortheconvenienceofthereaderIwillrecapitulatetheincidentsofthosedaysinasexactamanneraspossible.Theywereelicitedsubsequentlyatthetrialbyaprocessoflongandtediouscross.examinations.IreceivedaletterfromEvelynHowardacoupleofdaysafterherdeparture,tellingmeshewasworkingasanurseatthebighospitalinMiddlingham,amanufacturingtownsomefifteenmilesaway,andbeggingmetoletherknowifMrs.Inglethorpshouldshowanywishtobereconciled.TheonlyflyintheointmentofmypeacefuldayswasMrs.Cavendish'sextraordinary,and,formypart,unaccountablepreferenceforthesocietyofDr.Bauerstein.WhatshesawinthemanIcannotimagine,butshewasalwaysaskinghimuptothehouse,andoftenwentoffforlongexpeditionswithhim.ImustconfessthatIwasquiteunabletoseehisattraction.The16thofJulyfellonaMonday.Itwasadayofturmoil.ThefamousbazaarhadtakenplaceonSaturday,andanentertainment,inconnectionwiththesamecharity,atwhichMrs.InglethorpwastoreciteaWarpoem,wastobeheldthatnight.WewereallbusyduringthemorningarranginganddecoratingtheHallinthevillagewhereitwastotakeplace.Wehadalateluncheonandspenttheafternoonrestinginthegarden.InoticedthatJohn'smannerwassomewhatunusual.Heseemedveryexcitedandrestless.Aftertea,Mrs.InglethorpwenttoliedowntorestbeforehereffortsintheeveningandIchallengedMaryCavendishtoasingleattennis.Aboutaquartertoseven,Mrs.Inglethorpcalledusthatweshouldbelateassupperwasearlythatnight.Wehadratherascrambletogetreadyintime;andbeforethemealwasoverthemotorwaswaitingatthedoor.Theentertainmentwasagreatsuccess,Mrs.Inglethorp'srecitationreceivingtremendousapplause.TherewerealsosometableauxinwhichCynthiatookpart.Shedidnotreturnwithus,havingbeenaskedtoasupperparty,andtoremainthenightwithsomefriendswhohadbeenactingwithherinthetableaux.Thefollowingmorning,Mrs.Inglethorpstayedinbedtobreakfast,asshewasratherovertired;butsheappearedinherbriskestmoodabout12.30,andsweptLawrenceandmyselfofftoaluncheonparty."SuchacharminginvitationfromMrs.Rolleston.LadyTadminster'ssister,youknow.TheRollestonscameoverwiththeConqueror

oneofouroldestfamilies."MaryhadexcusedherselfonthepleaofanengagementwithDr.Bauerstein.Wehadapleasantluncheon,andaswedroveawayLawrencesuggestedthatweshouldreturnbyTadminster,whichwasbarelyamileoutofourway,andpayavisittoCynthiainherdispensary.Mrs.Inglethorprepliedthatthiswasanexcellentidea,butasshehadseveralletterstowriteshewoulddropusthere,andwecouldcomebackwithCynthiainthepony.trap.Weweredetainedundersuspicionbythehospitalporter,untilCynthiaappearedtovouchforus,lookingverycoolandsweetinherlongwhiteoverall.Shetookusuptohersanctum,andintroducedustoherfellowdispenser,aratherawe.inspiringindividual,whomCynthiacheerilyaddressedas"Nibs.""Whatalotofbottles!"Iexclaimed,asmyeyetravelledroundthesmallroom."Doyoureallyknowwhat'sinthemall?""Saysomethingoriginal,"groanedCynthia."Everysinglepersonwhocomesupheresaysthat.Wearer