agatha christie - adventure of the christmas pudding and other stories

8/12/2019 Agatha Christie - Adventure of the Christmas Pudding and Other Stories

1/98

AGATHA CHRISTIE

THE ADVENTURE OFTHE CHRISTMASPUDDING

First published in Great ritain in !"#$ b% &illia' C(llins S(ns ) C(* +td*,+(nd(n

F(re-(rd b% A.athaChristie

THIS b((/ (0 Christ'as 0are 'a% be des1ribed as 2The Che03s Sele1ti(n*33I a' the Che04There are t-( 'ain 1(urses5 TheAd6enture (0 the Christ'as Puddin. andThe M%ster% (0 the Spanish Chest7 a sele1ti(n(0 Entr#es5 Greensha-3s F(ll%, TheDrea', and The Under D(., and aS(rbet5 F(ur8and8t-ent% la1/birds*The M%ster% (0 the Spanish Chest 'a% be des1ribed as a Her1ule P(ir(t Spe1ial*It is a 1ase in -hi1h he 1(nsiders he -as

at his best4 Miss Marple, in her turn, hasal-a%s been pleased -ith her perspi1uit%in Greensha-3s F(ll%*The Ad6enture (0 the Christ'as Puddin. is an indul.en1e (0 '% (-n, sin1eit re1alls t( 'e, 6er% pleasurabl%, the Christ'ases (0 '% %(uth* A0ter '% 0ather3s death, '% '(ther and I al-a%s spentChrist'as -ith '% br(ther8in8la-3s0a'il% in the n(rth (0 En.land88and -hatsuperb Christ'ases the% -ere 0(r a 1hildt( re'e'ber4 Abne% Hall had e6er%thin.4The .arden b(asted a -ater0all, a strea',

and a tunnel under Christ'as 0are -aspr(p(rti(ns* I -asappearin. deli1ate, but

the dri6e4 The(0 .ar.antuan a s/inn% 1hild,a1tuall% (0 r(bust

health and perpetuall% hun.r%4 The b(%s (0 the 0a'il% and I used t( 6ie -ith ea1h(ther as t( -h( 1(uld eat '(st (nChrist'as Da%* O%ster S(up and Turb(t-ent d(-n -ith(ut undue 9est, but then1a'e R(ast Tur/e%, (iled Tur/e% and anen(r'(us Sirl(in (0 ee0* The b(%s and Ihad t-( helpin.s (0 all three4 &e then hadPlu' Puddin., Min1e8pies, Tri0le ande6er% /ind (0 dessert* Durin. the a0tern((n-e ate 1h(1(lates s(lidl%* &e neither0elt, n(r -ere, si1/4 H(- l(6el% t( beele6en %ears (ld and .reed%4&hat a da% (0 deli.ht 0r(' 2St(1/in.s2 in bed in the '(rnin., Chur1h and all theChrist'as h%'ns, Christ'as dinner,


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Presents, and the 0inal +i.htin. (0 the Christ'as Tree4And h(- deep '% .ratitude t( the /ind and h(spitable h(stess -h( 'ust ha6e-(r/ed s( hard t( 'a/e Christ'as Da% a-(nder0ul 'e'(r% t( 'e still in '% (lda.e*S( let 'e dedi1ate this b((/ t( the 'e'(r% (0 Abne% Hall its /indness andits h(spitalit%*

And a happ% Christ'as t( all -h( read this b((/*

AGATHA CHRISTIE


3/98

The Ad6enture (0 theChrist'as Puddin.


4/98

22I3 REGRET e:1eedin.l% 2said M* Her1ule P(ir(t*He -as interrupted* N(t rudel%interrupted* The interrupti(n -as sua6e,de:ter(us, persuasi6e rather than 1(ntradi1t(r%*2Please d(n3t re0use (00hand, M* P(ir(t*There are .ra6e issues (0 State* ;(ur 1((perati(n-ill be appre1iated in the hi.hest


5/98

2Me I a' n(t an En.lish'an,2 saidHer1ule P(ir(t* 2In '% 1(untr%,Christ'as, it is 0(r the 1hildren* The Ne-;ear, that is -hat -e 1elebrate*22Ah,2 said Mr* =es'(nd, 2butChrist'as in En.land is a .reat instituti(nand I assure %(u at >in.s +a1e% %(u-(uld see it at its best* It3s a -(nder0ul

(ld h(use, %(u /n(-* &h%, (ne -in. (0 itdates 0r(' the 0(urteenth 1entur%*2A.ain P(ir(t shi6ered* The th(u.ht (0a 0(urteenth81entur% En.lish 'an(r h(use0illed hi' -ith apprehensi(n* He hadsu00ered t(( (0ten in the hist(ri1 1(untr%h(uses (0 En.land* He l((/ed r(undappre1iati6el% at his 1('0(rtable '(dern 0lat -ith its radiat(rs and the latest patentde6i1es 0(r e:1ludin. an% /ind (0 drau.ht*2In the -inter,2 he said 0ir'l%, 2I d(n(t lea6e +(nd(n*22I d(n3t thin/ %(u


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ut'(st de@e1ti(n (n his 1(00ee81(l(ured0a1e* He -as a %(un. 'an, n(t '(re thant-ent%8three, and he -as 1learl% in a state(0 1('plete 'iser%*2;es, %es,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t* 2O0 1(urse the 'atter is seri(us* I d(appre1iate that* His Hi.hness has '%heart0elt s%'path%*22The p(siti(n is (ne (0 the ut'(st deli1a1%,33 said Mr* =es'(nd*

P(ir(t trans0erred his .a9e 0r(' the %(un. 'an t( his (lder 1('pani(n* I0 (ne-anted t( su' up Mr* =es'(nd in a -(rd,the -(rd -(uld ha6e been dis1reti(n*E6er%thin. ab(ut Mr* =es'(nd -asdis1reet* His -ell81ut but in1(nspi1u(us1l(thes, his pleasant, -ell8bred 6(i1e-hi1h rarel% s(ared (ut (0 an a.reeable'(n(t(ne, his li.ht8br(-n hair @ust thinnin.a little at the te'ples, his pale seri(us0a1e* It see'ed t( Her1ule P(ir(t that hehad /n(-n n(t (ne Mr* =es'(nd but ad(9en Mr* =es'(nds in his ti'e, all usin.s((ner (r later the sa'e phrase 2a

p(siti(n (0 the ut'(st deli1a1%*2

2The p(li1e,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t, 21an be 6er% dis1reet, %(u /n(-*2Mr* =es'(nd sh((/ his head 0ir'l%*


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2N(t the p(li1e,2 he said* 2T( re1(6er the88er88-hat -e -ant t( re1(6er -illal'(st ine6itabl% in6(l6e ta/in. pr(1eedin.sin the la- 1(urts and -e /n(- s(little* &e suspe1t, but -e d( n(t /n(-*22;(u ha6e '% s%'path%,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t a.ain*I0 he i'a.ined that his s%'path% -as .(in. t( 'ean an%thin. t( his t-( 6isit(rs,he -as -r(n.* The% did n(t -ants%'path%, the% -anted pra1ti1al help* Mr*

=es'(nd be.an (n1e '(re t( tal/ ab(utthe deli.hts (0 an En.lish Christ'as*2It3s d%in. (ut, %(u /n(-,2 he said, 2the real (ld80ashi(ned t%pe (0 Christ'as*Pe(ple spend it at h(tels n(-ada%s* utan En.lish Christ'as -ith all the 0a'il%.athered r(und, the 1hildren and theirst(1/in.s, the Christ'as tree, the tur/e%and plu' puddin., the 1ra1/ers* Thesn(-8'an (utside the -ind(-'2In the interests (0 e:a1titude, Her1ule P(ir(t inter6ened*2T( 'a/e a sn(-8'an (ne has t( ha6e the sn(-,2 he re'ar/ed se6erel%* 2And(ne 1ann(t ha6e sn(- t( (rder, e6en 0(ran En.lish Christ'as*22I -as tal/in. t( a 0riend (0 'ine in

#


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the 'ete(r(l(.i1al (00i1e (nl% t(8da%,2 said Mr, =es'(nd, 2and he tells8'e that it ishi.hl% pr(bable there -ill be sn(- thisChrist'as*2It -as the -r(n. thin. t( ha6e said* Her1ule P(ir(t shuddered '(re 0(r1e0ull%than e6er*2Sn(- in the 1(untr%42 he said* 2That -(uld be still '(re ab('inable* A lar.e,1(ld, st(ne 'an(r h(use*22N(t at all,2 said Mr* =es'(nd* 2Thin.s ha6e 1han.ed 6er% 'u1h in the

last ten %ears (r s(* Oil80ired 1entralheatin.*22The% ha6e (il80ired 1entral heatin. at >in.s +a1e%B2 as/ed P(ir(t* F(r the 0irstti'e he see'ed t( -a6er*Mr* =es'(nd sei9ed his (pp(rtunit%* 2;es, indeed,2 he said, 2and a splendidh(t -ater s%ste'* Radiat(rs in e6er%

bedr(('* I assure %(u, '% dear M* P(ir(t,>in.s +a1e% is 1('0(rt itsel0 in the -interti'e* ;(u 'i.ht e6en 0ind the h(use t(( -ar'*2That is '(st unli/el%,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t*&ith pra1tised de:terit% Mr* =es'(nd shi0ted his .r(und a little*


9/98

2;(u 1an appre1iate the terrible dile''a -e are in,2 he said, in a 1(n0idential'anner*Her1ule P(ir(t n(dded* The pr(ble' -as, indeed, n(t a happ% (ne* A %(un.

p(tentate8t(8be, the (nl% s(n (0 the ruler(0 a ri1h and i'p(rtant nati6e State hadarri6ed in +(nd(n a 0e- -ee/s a.(* His1(untr% had been passin. thr(u.h a peri(d(0 restlessness and dis1(ntent* Th(u.h

l(%al t( the 0ather -h(se -a% (0 li0e hadre'ained persistentl% Eastern, p(pular(pini(n -as s('e-hat dubi(us (0 the%(un.er .enerati(n* His 0(llies had been&estern (nes and as su1h l((/ed up(n-ith disappr(6al*Re1entl%, h(-e6er, his betr(thal had been ann(un1ed* He -as t( 'arr% a 1(usin(0 the sa'e bl((d, a %(un. -('an -h(,th(u.h edu1ated at Ca'brid.e, -as1are0ul t( displa% n( &estern in0luen1es inher (-n 1(untr%* The -eddin. da% -asann(un1ed and the %(un. prin1e had 'adea @(urne% t( En.land, brin.in. -ith hi's('e (0 the 0a'(us @e-els (0 his h(use t(

be reset in appr(priate '(dern settin.s b%Cartier* These had in1luded a 6er% 0a'(usrub% -hi1h had been re'(6ed 0r(' its


10/98

1u'bers('e (ld80ashi(ned ne1/la1e and had been .i6en a ne- l((/ b% the 0a'(us@e-ellers* S( 0ar s( .((d, but a0ter this1a'e the sna.* It -as n(t t( be supp(sedthat a %(un. 'an p(ssessed (0 'u1h-ealth and 1(n6i6ial tastes, sh(uld n(t1(''it a 0e- 0(llies (0 the pleasanter t%pe*As t( that there -(uld ha6e been n(1ensure* ;(un. prin1es -ere supp(sed t(

a'use the'sel6es in this 0ashi(n* F(r theprin1e t( ta/e the .irl 0riend (0 the'('ent 0(r a -al/ d(-n (nd Street and

best(- up(n her an e'erald bra1elet (r adia'(nd 1lip as a re-ard 0(r the pleasureshe had a00(rded hi' -(uld ha6e been re.arded as


11/98

p(-der her n(se* Ti'e passed* She did n(t return* She had le0t the establish'ent b%an(ther d((r and sin1e then had disappearedint( spa1e* The i'p(rtant anddistressin. thin.3-as that the rub% in itsne- settin. had disappeared -ith her*These -ere the 0a1ts that 1(uld n(t p(ssibl% be 'ade publi1 -ith(ut the '(st dire1(nse


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13/98

it is hard'arria.e882

indeed* ;(ur appr(a1hin.

2That is it* That is it e:a1tl%*2 F(r the 0irst ti'e -(rds p(ured 0r(' the %(un.'an* 2;(u see she is 6er%, 6er% seri(us*She ta/es li0e 6er% seri(usl%* She has

a1


14/98

P(ir(t* 2&h(e6er has the rub% n(-, there 'a% be (thers -h( -ant t( .ain p(ssessi(n(0 it, and -h( -ill n(t sti1/ at a tri0le, '%0riend*22I reall% d(n3t thin/,2 said Mr* =es'(nd, s(undin. '(re pri' than e6er,2that -e need enter int( spe1ulati(ns (0that /ind* uite unpr(0itable*22Me,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t, suddenl% be1('in. 6er% 0(rei.n, 2'e, I e:pl(re allthe a6enues, li/e the p(liti1ians*2

Mr* =es'(nd l((/ed at hi' d(ubt0ull%* Pullin. hi'sel0 t(.ether, he said, 2&ell, I1an ta/e it that is settled, M* P(ir(tB ;(u-ill .( t( >in.s +a1e%B22And h(- d( I e:plain '%sel0 thereB2 as/ed Her1ule P(ir(t*Mr* =es'(nd s'iled -ith 1(n0iden1e* 2That, I thin/, 1an be arran.ed 6er%easil%,2 he said* 2I 1an assure %(u that it-ill all see'


15/98

2T(ut 1(n0(rt '(derne,2 'ur'ured P(ir(t t( hi'sel0, re'inis1entl%* 2Ehbien,2 he said, 2I a11ept*2

!?


16/98

THE te'perature in the l(n. dra-8in.8r((' at >in.s +a1e% -as a1('0(rtable si:t%8ei.ht as Her1uleP(ir(t sat tal/in. t( Mrs* +a1e% b% (ne (0the bi. 'ulli(ned -ind(-s* Mrs* +a1e%-as en.a.ed in needle-(r/* She -as n(t

d(in. petit p(int (r e'br(iderin. 0l(-ersup(n sil/* Instead, she appeared t( been.a.ed in the pr(sai1 tas/ (0 he''in.dish1l(thes* As she se-ed she tal/ed in as(0t re0le1ti6e 6(i1e that P(ir(t 0(und 6er%1har'in.*2I h(pe %(u -ill en@(% (ur Christ'as part% here, M* P(ir(t* It3s (nl% the 0a'il%,%(u /n(-* M% .randdau.hter and a.rands(n and a 0riend (0 his and rid.et-h(3s '% .reat8nie1e, and Diana -h(3s a1(usin and Da6id &el-%n -h( is a 6er%(ld 0riend* =ust a 0a'il% part%* ut Ed-inaM(re1('be said that that3s -hat %(u reall%-anted t( see* An (ld80ashi(ned

Christ'as* N(thin. 1(uld be '(re (ld80ashi(nedthan -e are4 M% husband, %(u

!


17/98


18/98

supp(se* I36e al-a%s been s( a0raid, %(u /n(-, that these %(un. pe(ple -(uld beb(red b% (ur Christ'as here* ut n(t atall, it3s @ust the (pp(site* N(- '% (-n s(nand dau.hter and their 0riends, the% usedt( be rather s(phisti1ated ab(ut Christ'as*Sa% it -as all n(nsense and t(( 'u1h 0ussand it -(uld be 0ar better t( .( (ut t( ah(tel s('e-here and dan1e* ut the

%(un.er .enerati(n see' t( 0ind all thisterribl% attra1ti6e* esides,2 added Mrs*+a1e% pra1ti1all%, 2s1h((lb(%s and s1h((l.irlsare al-a%s hun.r%, aren3t the%B Ithin/ the% 'ust star6e the' at theses1h((ls* A0ter all, (ne d(es /n(- 1hildren(0 that a.e ea1h eat ab(ut as 'u1h as threestr(n. 'en*2P(ir(t lau.hed and said, 2It is '(st /ind (0 %(u and %(ur husband, Mada'e,t( in1lude 'e in this -a% in %(ur 0a'il%

part%*22Oh, -e3re b(th deli.hted, I3' sure,2 said Mrs* +a1e%* 2And i0 %(u 0ind H(ra1ea little .ru00,2 she 1(ntinued, 2pa% n(attenti(n* It3s @ust his 'anner, %(u /n(-*2

&hat her husband, C(l(nel +a1e%, had a1tuall% said -as5 2Can3t thin/ -h% %(u-ant (ne (0 these da'ned 0(rei.ners here

!


19/98

1lutterin. up Christ'asB &h% 1an3t -e ha6e hi' s('e (ther ti'eB Can3t sti1/0(rei.ners4 All ri.ht, all ri.ht, s( Ed-inaM(re1('be -ished hi' (n us* &hat3s it.(t t( d( -ith her, I sh(uld li/e t( /n(-B&h% d(esn3t she ha6e hi' 0(r Christ'asB22e1ause %(u /n(- 6er% -ell,2 Mrs* +a1e% had said, 2that Ed-ina al-a%s .(est( Clarid.e3s*2Her husband had l((/ed at her pier1in.l% and said, 2N(t up t( s('ethin., are

%(u, E'B22Up t( s('ethin.B2 said E', (penin. 6er% blue e%es* 2O0 1(urse n(t* &h%sh(uld I beB2Old C(l(nel +a1e% lau.hed, a deep, ru'blin. lau.h* 2I -(uldn3t put it past%(u, E',2 he said* 2&hen %(u l((/ %(ur'(st inn(1ent is -hen %(u are up t(s('ethin.*2Re6(l6in. these thin.s in her 'ind, Mrs* +a1e% -ent (n5 2Ed-ina said sheth(u.ht perhaps %(u 'i.ht help us ****I3' sure I d(n3t /n(-


20/98


21/98

2N(, indeed, he hasn3t4 A 6er% b,3reputati(n4 ut that3s n( help s( 0arSarah is 1(n1erned* It3s ne6er an% .((d,it, tellin. %(un. .irls that 'en ha6e areputati(nB It88it @ust spurs the' (n422;(u are s( 6er% ri.ht,2 said P(ir(t* 2In '% %(un. da%,2 -ent (n+a1e%* 2Oh dear, that3s a 6er% l(n.a.(4 &e used t( be -arned, %(u

a.ainst 1ertain %(un. 'en, and (0it did hei.hten (ne3s interest in the',i0 (ne 1(uld p(ssibl% 'ana.e t( dan1e -ilthe', (r t( be al(ne -ith the' in a d51(nser6at(r%882 she lau.hed* 2That3sI -(uldn3t let H(ra1e d( an% (0 the thin, he -anted t( d(*22Tell 'e,2 said P(ir(t, 2e:a1tl% -hat is that tr(ubles %(uB22Our s(n -as /illed in the -ar,2 Mrs* +a1e%* 2M% dau.hter8in8la--hen Sarah -as b(rn s( that sheal-a%s been -ith us, and -e36e br(uher up* Perhaps -e36e br(u.ht herun-isel%88I d(n3t /n(-* ut -e th(u-e (u.ht al-a%s t( lea6e her as 0ree

p(ssible*2

2That is desirable, I thin/,2 said P(irt

$


22/98

2One 1ann(t .( a.ainst the spirit (0 the ti'es*22N(,2 said Mrs* +a1e%, 2that3s @ust -hat I 0elt ab(ut it* And, (0 1(urse, .irlsn(-ada%s d( d( these s(rt (0 thin.s*2 P(ir(t l((/ed at her in


23/98

'arried the H(pe .irl, but her pe(ple .(t her 'ade a -ard (0 1(urt (r s('ethin.*And (0 1(urse that3s -hat H(ra1e -ants t(d(* He sa%s he 'ust d( it 0(r her pr(te1ti(n*ut I d(n3t thin/ it3s reall% a .((didea, M* P(ir(t* I 'ean, the%3ll lust runa-a% t(.ether and .( t( S1(tland (rIreland (r the Ar.entine (r s('e-here andeither .et 'arried (r else li6e t(.ether

-ith(ut .ettin. 'arried* And alth(u.h it'a% be 1(nte'pt (0 1(urt and all that-ell, it isn3t reall% an ans-er, is it, in the endB Espe1iall% i0 a bab%3s 1('in.* Onehas t( .i6e in then, and let the' .et'arried* And then, nearl% al-a%s, it see'st( 'e, a0ter a %ear (r t-( there3s a di6(r1e*And then the .irl 1('es h('e and usuall%a0ter a %ear (r t-( she 'arries s('e(ne s(ni1e he3s al'(st dull and settles d(-n* utit3s parti1ularl% sad, it see's t( 'e, i0there is a 1hild, be1ause it3s n(t the sa'ethin., bein. br(u.ht up b% a step0ather,h(-e6er ni1e* N(, I thin/ it3s 'u1h betteri0 -e did as -e did in '% %(un. da%s* I

'ean the 0irst %(un. 'an (ne 0ell in l(6e-ith -as al-a%s s('e(ne undesirable* Ire'e'ber I had a h(rrible passi(n 0(r a%(un. 'an 1alled n(- -hat -as his


24/98

na'e n(-B h(- stran.e it is, I 1an3t re'e'ber his Christian na'e at all4Tibbitt, that -as his surna'e* ;(un.Tibbitt* O0 1(urse, '% 0ather '(re (r less0(rbade hi' the h(use, but he used t( .etas/ed t( the sa'e dan1es, and -e used t(dan1e t(.ether* And s('eti'es -e3des1ape and sit (ut t(.ether and (11asi(nall%0riends -(uld arran.e pi1ni1s t( -hi1h

-e b(th -ent* O0 1(urse, it -as all 6er%e:1itin. and 0(rbidden and (ne en@(%ed iten(r'(usl%* ut (ne didn3t .( t( the-ell, t( the len.ths that .irls .( n(-ada%s* And s(, a0ter a -hile, the Mr* Tibbitts0aded (ut* And d( %(u /n(-, -hen I sa-hi' 0(ur %ears later I -as surprised -hatI 1(uld e6er ha6e seen in hi'4 He see'edt( be su1h a dull %(un. 'an* Flash%, %(u/n(-* N( interestin. 1(n6ersati(n*22One al-a%s thin/s the da%s (0 (ne3s (-n %(uth are best,2 said P(ir(t, s('e-hatsententi(usl%*2I /n(-,2 said Mrs* +a1e%* 2It3s tires('e, isn3t itB I 'ustn3t be tires('e* utall the sa'e I d(n3t -ant Sarah, -h(3s adear .irl reall%, t( 'arr% Des'(nd +ee8&(rtle%*

She and Da6id &el-%n, -h( issta%in. here, -ere al-a%s su1h 0riends and


25/98

s( 0(nd (0 ea1h (ther, and -e did h(pe, H(ra1e and I, that the% -(uld .r(- upand 'arr%* ut (0 1(urse she @ust 0indshi' dull n(-, and she3s abs(lutel% in0atuated-ith Des'(nd*22I d( n(t


26/98

thin/ %(ur p(int (0 6ie- is 6er% -ise* &iser than %(ur husband3s*22&ell, I h(pe it is,2 said Mrs* +a1e% d(ubt0ull%* 2It d(esn3t see' t( be -(r/in.'u1h %et* ut (0 1(urse he3s (nl% beenhere a 1(uple (0 da%s*2 A sudden di'plesh(-ed in her -rin/led 1hee/* 2I3ll1(n0ess s('ethin. t( %(u, M* P(ir(t* I'%sel0 1an3t help li/in. hi'* I d(n3t 'ean I reall% li/e hi', -ith '% 'ind, but I 1an0eel the 1har' all ri.ht* Oh %es, I 1an see

-hat Sarah sees in hi'* ut I3' an (lden(u.h -('an and ha6e en(u.h e:perien1et( /n(- that he3s abs(lutel% n( .((d*E6en i0 I d( en@(% his 1('pan%* Th(u.hI d( thin/,2 added Mrs* +a1e%, rather-ist0ull%, 2he has s('e .((d p(ints* Heas/ed i0 he 'i.ht brin. his sister here, %(u/n(-* She3s had an (perati(n and -as inh(spital* He said it -as s( sad 0(r her

bein. in a nursin. h('e (6er Christ'asand he -(ndered i0 it -(uld be t(( 'u1htr(uble i0 he 1(uld brin. her -ith hi'* Hesaid he3d ta/e all her 'eals up t( her andall that* &ell n(-, I d( thin/ that -as

rather ni1e (0 hi', d(n3t %(u, M* P(ir(tB22It sh(-s a 1(nsiderati(n,2 said P(ir(t,


27/98

th(u.ht0ull%, 2-hi1h see's al'(st (ut (0 1hara1ter*22Oh, I d(n3t /n(-*3;(u 1an ha6e 0a'il%a00e1ti(ns at the sa'e ti'e as -ishin. t(

pre% (n a ri1h %(un. .irl* Sarah -ill be6er% ri1h, %(u /n(-, n(t (nl% -ith -hat -e lea6e her'and (0 1(urse that -(n3t be6er% 'u1h be1ause '(st (0 the '(ne% .(es-ith the pla1e t( C(lin, '% .rands(n* uther '(ther -as a 6er% ri1h -('an and

Sarah -ill inherit all her '(ne% -hen she3st-ent%8(ne* She3s (nl% t-ent% n(-* N(, Id( thin/ it -as ni1e (0 Des'(nd t( 'indab(ut his sister* And he didn3t pretend she-as an%thin. 6er% -(nder0ul (r that* She3sa sh(rthand t%pist, I .ather88d(esse1retarial -(r/ in +(nd(n* And he3s beenas .((d as his -(rd and d(es 1arr% uptra%s t( her* N(t all the ti'e, (0 1(urse,

but


28/98

%(u t( help us in an% -a%B2 as/ed Mrs*+a1e%*2I thin/ it is p(ssible, %es,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t, 2but I d( n(t -ish t(

pr('ise t(( 'u1h* F(r the Mr* Des'(nd+ee8&(rtle%s (0 this -(rld are 1le6er,Mada'e* ut d( n(t despair* One 1an,

perhaps, d( a little s('ethin.* I shall atan% rate, put 0(rth '% best endea6(urs, i0

(nl% in .ratitude 0(r %(ur /indness inas/in. 'e here 0(r this Christ'as0esti6it%*2 He l((/ed r(und hi'* 2And it1ann(t be s( eas% these da%s t( ha6eChrist'as 0esti6ities*22N(, indeed,2 Mrs* +a1e% si.hed* She leaned 0(r-ard* 2D( %(u /n(-, M*

P(ir(t, -hat I reall% drea' (0 -hat I-(uld

l(6e t( ha6eB22ut

tell 'e, Mada'e*22Isi'pl% l(n. t( ha6e a s'all, '(dern bun.al(-*

N(, perhaps n(t a bun.al(- e:a1tl%,

but a s'all, '(dern, eas% t( run h(usebuilt s('e-here in the par/ here, andli6e in it -ith an abs(lutel% up8t(8date /it1henand n( l(n. passa.es* E6er%thin. eas%and si'ple*22Itis a 6er% pra1ti1al idea, Mada'e*2 2It3sn(t pra1ti1al 0(r 'e,2 said Mrs*


29/98

+a1e%* 2M% husband ad(res this pla1e* He l(6es li6in. here* He d(esn3t 'ind bein.sli.htl% un1('0(rtable, he d(esn3t 'indthe in1(n6enien1es and he -(uld hate,si'pl% hate, t( li6e in a s'all '(dernh(use in the par/422S( %(u sa1ri0i1e %(ursel0 t( his -ishesB2Mrs* +a1e% dre- hersel0 up* 2I d( n(t 1(nsider it a sa1ri0i1e, M* P(ir(t,2 shesaid* 2I 'arried '% husband -ith the -ish

t( 'a/e hi' happ%* He has been a .((dhusband t( 'e and 'ade 'e 6er% happ%all these %ears, and I -ish t( .i6e happinesst( hi'*22S( %(u -ill 1(ntinue t( li6e here,2 said P(ir(t*2It3s n(t reall% t(( un1('0(rtable,2 said Mrs* +a1e%*2N(, n(,2 said P(ir(t, hastil%* 2On the 1(ntrar%, it is '(st 1('0(rtable* ;(ur1entral heatin. and %(ur bath -ater are

per0e1ti(n*22&e spend a l(t (0 '(ne% in 'a/in. the h(use 1('0(rtable t( li6e in,2 saidMrs* +a1e%* 2&e -ere able t( sell s('eland* Ripe 0(r de6el(p'ent, I thin/ the%1all it* F(rtunatel% ri.ht (ut (0 si.ht (0 the


30/98

h(use (n the (ther side (0 the par/* Reall% rather an u.l% bit (0 .r(und -ith n( ni1e6ie-, but -e .(t a 6er%* .((d pri1e 0(r it*S( that -e ha6e been able t( ha6e as 'an%i'pr(6e'ents as p(ssible*22ut the ser6i1e, Mada'eB22Oh, -ell, that presents less di00i1ult% than %(u *'i.ht thin/* O0 1(urse, (ne1ann(t e:pe1t t( be l((/ed a0ter and-aited up(n as (ne used t( be* Di00erent

pe(ple 1('e in 0r(' the 6illa.e* T-(-('en in the '(rnin., an(ther t-, ( t(1((/ lun1h and -ash it up, and di00erent(nes a.ain in the e6enin.* There are plent%(0 pe(ple &h( -ant t( 1('e and -(r/ 0(ra 0e- h(urs a da%* O0 1(urse 0(r Christ'as-e are 6er% lu1/%* M% dear Mrs* R(ssal-a%s 1('es in e6er% Christ'as* She is a-(nder0ul 1((/, reall% 0irst81lass* Sheretired ab(ut ten %ears a.(, but she 1('esin t( help us in an% e'er.en1%* Then thereis dear Pe6erell*22;(ur butlerB32;es* He is pensi(ned (00 and li6es in the little h(use near the l(d.e, but he is

s( de6(ted, and he insists (n 1('in. t(-ait (n us at Christ'as* Reall%, I3' terri0ied,M* P(ir(t, be1ause he3s s( (ld and s(

"


31/98

sha/% that I 0eel 1ertain that i0 he 1arries an%thin. hea6% he -ill dr(p it* It3s reall%an a.(n% t( -at1h hi'* And his heart isn(t .((d and I3' a0raid (0 his d(in. t(('u1h* ut it -(uld hurt his 0eelin.sdread0ull% i0 I did n(t let hi' 1('e* Hehe's and hahs and 'a/es disappr(6in.n(ises -hen he sees the state (ur sil6er isin and -ithin three da%s (0 bein. here, it

is all -(nder0ul a.ain* ;es* He is a dear0aith0ul 0riend*2 She s'iled at P(ir(t* 2S(%(u see, -e are all set 0(r a happ%Christ'as* A -hite Christ'as, t((,2 sheadded as she l((/ed (ut (0 the -ind(-*2SeeB It is be.innin. t( sn(-* Ah, the1hildren are 1('in. in* ;(u 'ust 'eetthe', M* P(ir(t*2P(ir(t -as intr(du1ed -ith due 1ere'(n%* First, t( C(lin and Mi1hael, thes1h((lb(% .rands(n and his 0riend, ni1e

p(lite lads (0 0i0teen, (ne dar/, (ne 0air*Then t( their 1(usin, rid.et, a bla1/8haired.irl (0 ab(ut the sa'e a.e -ithen(r'(us 6italit%*

2And this is '% .randdau.hter, Sarah,2 said Mrs* +a1e%*P(ir(t l((/ed -ith s('e interest at Sarah, an attra1ti6e .irl -ith a '(p (0 red

$


32/98

hair7 her 'anner see'ed t( hi' ner6% and a tri0le de0iant, but she sh(-ed real a00e1ti(n0(r her .rand'(ther*2And this is Mr* +ee8&(rtle%*2Mr* +ee8&(rtle% -(re a 0isher'an3s @erse% and ti.ht bla1/ @eans7 his hair -asrather l(n. and it see'ed d(ubt0ul-hether he had sha6ed that '(rnin.* In1(ntrast t( hi' -as a %(un. 'an intr(du1edas Da6id &el-%n, -h( -as s(lid

and


33/98

bush% e%ebr(-s and a red, -eather8beaten 0a1e* He 'i.ht ha6e been ta/en 0(r a0ar'er rather than the l(rd (0 the 'an(r*2Started t( sn(-,2 he said* 2It3s .(in.t( be a -hite Christ'as all ri.ht*2 A0ter tea the part% dispersed*2I e:pe1t the%3ll .( and pla% -ith their tape re1(rders n(-,2 said Mrs* +a1e% t(P(ir(t* She l((/ed indul.entl% a0ter her.rands(n as he le0t the r(('* Her t(ne -asthat (0 (ne -h( sa%s 2The 1hildren are

.(in. t( pla% -ith their t(% s(ldiers*22The%3re 0ri.ht0ull% te1hni1al, (0 1(urse,2 she said, 2and 6er% .rand ab(utit all*2The b(%s and rid.et, h(-e6er, de1ided t( .( al(n. t( the la/e and see i0 the i1e(n it -as li/el% t( 'a/e s/atin. p(ssible*2I th(u.ht -e 1(uld ha6e s/ated (n it this '(rnin.,2 said C(lin* 2ut (ldH(d./ins said n(* He3s al-a%s s( terribl%1are0ul*22C('e 0(r a -al/, Da6id,2 said Diana Middlet(n, s(0tl%*Da6id hesitated 0(r hal0 a '('ent, his e%es (n Sarah3s red head* She -as standin.

b% Des'(nd +ee8&(rtle%, her hand (n hisar', l((/in. up int( his 0a1e*


34/98

2All ri.ht,2 said Da6id &el-%n, 2%es, let3s*2Diana slipped a in.s +a1e%had ne6er 0re


35/98

dear (ld E' unless it -as ne1essar%* The%3d been 6er% s-eet, reall%, lettin. herlead her (-n li0e, n(t understandin. in theleast -h% she -anted t( li6e in Chelsea inthe -a% she did, but a11eptin. it* That -asdue t( E' (0 1(urse* Grand0ather -(uldha6e /i1/ed up n( end (0 a r(-*Sarah had n( illusi(ns ab(ut her .rand0ather3s attitude* It -as n(t his d(in. thatDes'(nd had been as/ed t( sta% at >in.s

+a1e%* That -as E', and E' -as adarlin. and al-a%s had been*&hen Des'(nd had .(ne t( 0et1h his 1ar, Sarah p(pped her head int( the dra-8in.8r(('a.ain*2&e3re .(in. (6er t( Mar/et +edbur%,2 she said* 2&e th(u.ht -e3d ha6e a drin/there at the &hite Hart*2There -as a sli.ht a'(unt (0 de0ian1e in her 6(i1e, but Mrs* +a1e% did n(t see't( n(ti1e it*2&ell, dear,2 she said, 2I3' sure that -ill be 6er% ni1e* Da6id and Diana ha6e.(ne 0(r a -al/, I see* I3' s( .lad* I reall%thin/ it -as a brain-a6e (n '% part t( as/Diana here* S( sad bein. le0t a -id(- s(%(un. (nl% t-ent%8t-( I d( h(pe she'arries a.ain s((n*2

?


36/98

Sarah l((/ed at her sharpl%* 2&hat are %(u up t(, E'B2

2It3s '% little plan,2 said Mrs* +a1e% .lee0ull%* 2I thin/ she3s @ust ri.ht 0(rDa6id* O0 1(urse I /n(- he -as terribl%in l(6e -ith %(u, Sarah dear, but %(u3d n(use 0(r hi' and I realise that he isn3t %(urt%pe* ut I d(n3t -ant hi' t( .( (n bein.unhapp%, and I thin/ Diana -ill reall% suit

hi'*22&hat a 'at1h'a/er %(u are, E',2 said Sarah*2I /n(-,2 said Mrs* +a1e%* 2Old -('en al-a%s are* Diana3s


37/98

2I3' sure he3s 6er% ni1e indeed,2 said Mrs* +a1e%*2Grand0ather d(esn3t li/e hi',2 said Sarah*2&ell, %(u 1(uld hardl% e:pe1t hi' t(, 1(uld %(uB2 said Mrs* +a1e% reas(nabl%,2but I dare sa% he3ll 1('e r(und -hen he.ets used t( the idea* ;(u 'ustn3t rushhi', Sarah dear* Old pe(ple are 6er% sl(-t( 1han.e their 'inds and %(ur .rand0ather is rather (bstinate*22I d(n3t 1are -hat Grand0ather thin/s (r sa%s,2 said Sarah* 2I shall .et 'arried

t( Des'(nd -hene6er I li/e422I /n(-, dear, I /n(-* ut d( tr% and be realisti1 ab(ut it* ;(ur .rand0ather1(uld 1ause a l(t (0 tr(uble, %(u /n(-*;(u3re n(t (0 a.e %et* In an(ther %ear %(u1an d( as %(u please* I e:pe1t H(ra1e -illha6e 1('e r(und l(n. be0(re that*22;(u3re (n '% side aren3t %(u, darlin.B2 said Sarah* She 0lun. her ar'sr(und her .rand'(ther3s ne1/ and .a6eher an a00e1ti(nate /iss*2I -ant %(u t( be happ%,2 said Mrs* +a1e%* 2Ah4 there3s %(ur %(un. 'an

brin.in. his 1ar r(und* ;(u /n(-, I li/ethese 6er% ti.ht tr(users these %(un. 'en

#


38/98

-ear n(-ada%s* The% l((/ s( s'art (nl%, (0 1(urse, it d(es a11entuate /n(1//nees*2;es, Sarah th(u.ht, Des'(nd had .(t /n(1/ /nees, she had ne6er n(ti1ed it

be0(re ****2G( (n, dear, en@(% %(ursel0,2 said Mrs* +a1e%*She -at1hed her .( (ut t( the 1ar, then, re'e'berin. her 0(rei.n .uest, she -ental(n. t( the librar%* +((/in. in, h(-e6er,she sa- that Her1ule P(ir(t -as ta/in. a

pleasant little nap, and s'ilin. t( hersel0,she -ent a1r(ss the hall and (ut int( the/it1hen t( ha6e a 1(n0eren1e -ith Mrs*R(ss*2C('e (n, beauti0ul,2 said Des'(nd* 2;(ur 0a'il% 1uttin. up r(u.h be1ause%(u3re 1('in. (ut t( a pubB ;ears behindthe ti'es here, aren3t the%B22O0 1(urse the%3re n(t 'a/in. a 0uss,2 said Sarah, sharpl% as she .(t int( the 1ar*2&hat3s the idea (0 ha6in. that 0(rei.n 0ell(- d(-nB He3s a dete1ti6e, isn3t heB&hat needs dete1tin. hereB2

2Oh, he3s n(t here pr(0essi(nall%,2 said Sarah* 2Ed-ina M(re1('be, '% .(d'(ther,as/ed us t( ha6e hi'* I thin/


39/98

he3s retired 0r(' pr(0essi(nal -(r/ l(n. a.(*22S(unds li/e a br(/en8d(-n (ld 1ab h(rse,2 said Des'(nd*2He -anted t( see an (ld80ashi(ned En.lish Christ'as, I belie6e,2 said Sarah6a.uel%*Des'(nd lau.hed s1(rn0ull%* 2Su1h a l(t (0 tripe, that s(rt (0 thin.,2 he said*2H(- %(u 1an stand it I d(n3t /n(-*2Sarah3s red hair -as t(ssed ba1/ and her a..ressi6e 1hin sh(t up*2I en@(% it42 she said de0iantl%*

2;(u 1an3t, bab%* +et3s 1ut the -h(le thin. t(8'(rr(-* G( (6er t( S1arb(r(u.h(r s('e-here*22I 1(uldn3t p(ssibl% d( that*22&h% n(tB22Oh, it -(uld hurt their 0eelin.s*22Oh, bil.e4 ;(u /n(- %(u d(n3t en@(% this 1hildish senti'ental b(sh*22&ell, n(t reall% perhaps, but 2Sarah br(/e (00* She realised -ith a 0eelin. (0.uilt that she -as l((/in. 0(-ard a .((ddeal t( the Christ'as 1elebrati(n* Sheen@(%ed the -h(le thin., but she -asasha'ed t( ad'it that t( Des'(nd* It -asn(t the thin. t( en@(% Christ'as and


40/98


41/98

'(usta1he* There is (ne in the dressin.8up b(:*22I d(n3t see, %(u /n(-,2 said Mi1hael th(u.ht0ull%, 2h(- M* P(ir(t 1(uld e6erha6e been a dete1ti6e* I d(n3t see h(- he3de6er be able t( dis.uise hi'sel0*22I /n(-,2 said rid.et, 2and (ne 1an3t i'a.ine hi' runnin. ab(ut -ith a 'i1r(s1(peand l((/in. 0(r dues (r 'easurin.0((tprints*22I36e .(t an idea,2 said C(lin* 2+et3s put (n a sh(- 0(r hi'42

2&hat d( %(u 'ean, a sh(-B2 as/ed rid.et*2&ell, arran.e a 'urder 0(r hi'*2 2&hat a .(r.e(us idea,2 said rid.et*2D( %(u 'ean a b(d% in the sn(--thats(rt (0 thin.B22;es* It -(uld 'a/e hi' 0eel at h('e, -(uldn3t itB2rid.et .i..led*2I d(n3t /n(- that I3d .( as 0ar as that*2 2I0 it sn(-s,2 said C(lin, 26e3ll ha6ethe per0e1t settin.* A b(d% and 0((tprints88-e3ll ha6e t( thin/ that (ut rather 1are0ull%and pin1h (ne (0 Grand0ather3sda..ers and 'a/e s('e bl((d*2The% 1a'e t( a halt and (bli6i(us t(

?$


42/98

the rapidl% 0allin. sn(-, entered int( an e:1ited dis1ussi(n*2There3s a paintb(: in the (ld s1h((lr(('* &e 1(uld 'i: up s('e bl((d1ri's(n8la/e, I sh(uld thin/*22Cri's(n8la/e3s a bit t(( pin/, I thin/,2 said rid.et* 2It (u.ht t( be a bit

br(-ner*22&h(3s .(in. t( be the b(d%B2 as/ed Mi1hael*2I3ll be the b(d%,2 said rid.et


43/98

1(uld be (n that* Oh, -(n3t it be .(r.e(usB D( %(u thin/ he -ill reall% beta/en inB22He -ill i0 -e d( it -ell en(u.h,2 saidMi1hael* 2&e3ll ha6e @ust %(ur 0((tprintsin the sn(- and (ne (ther pers(n3s .(in.t( the b(d% and 1('in. a-a% 0r(' it88a'an3s, (0 1(urse* He -(n3t -ant t( disturbthe', s( he -(n3t /n(- that %(u3re n(t

reall% dead* ;(u d(n3t thin/,2 Mi1haelst(pped, stru1/ b% a sudden idea* The(thers l((/ed at hi'* 2;(u d(n3t thin/he3ll be ann(%ed ab(ut itB22Oh, I sh(uldn3t thin/ s(,2 saidrid.et, -ith 0a1ile (pti'is'* 2I3' surehe3ll understand that -e36e @ust d(ne itt( entertain hi'* A s(rt (0 Christ'astreat*22I d(n3t thin/ -e (u.ht t( d( it (nChrist'as Da%,2 said C(lin re0le1ti6el%* 2Id(n3t thin/ Grand0ather -(uld li/e that6er% 'u1h*22(:in. Da% then,2 said rid.et*

2(:in. Da% -(uld be @ust ri.ht,2 saidMi1hael*2And it3ll .i6e us '(re ti'e, t((,2

pursued rid.et* 2A0ter all, there are a l(t

?


44/98

(0 thin.s t( arran.e* +et3s .( and ha6e al((/ at all the pr(ps*2The% hurried int( the h(use*

?


45/98

THE e6enin. -as a bus% (ne* H(ll% *and 'istlet(e had been br(u.ht**' in lar.e


46/98

2N(t 'e,2 said Des'(nd* 2C('e (n, Sarah*2&ith a hand (n her ar' he .uided her int( the librar% and -ent (6er t( there1(rd 1ase*2There are li'its, darlin.,2 said Des'(nd* 2Midni.ht 'ass422;es,2 said Sarah* 2Oh %es*2&ith a .((d deal (0 lau.hter, d(nnin. (0 1(ats and sta'pin. (0 0eet, '(st (0 the(thers .(t (00* The t-( b(%s, rid.et,Da6id and Diana set (ut 0(r the ten

'inutes3 -al/ t( the 1hur1h thr(u.h the0allin. sn(-* Their lau.hter died a-a% inthe distan1e*2Midni.ht 'ass42 said C(l(nel +a1e%, sn(rtin.* 2Ne6er -ent t( 'idni.ht 'assin '% %(un. da%s* Mass, indeed4 P(pish,that is4 Oh, I be. %(ur pard(n, M*P(ir(t*2P(ir(t -a6ed a hand* 2It is


47/98

Christ'as dinner* That3s ri.ht, isn3t it, E'B22;es, dear,2 said Mrs* +a1e%* 2That3s-hat -e d(* ut the %(un. (nes en@(% the'idni.ht ser6i1e* And it3s ni1e, reall%, thatthe% -ant t( .(*22Sarah and that 0ell(- d(n3t -ant t(.(*2&ell, there dear, I thin/ %(u3re

-r(n.,2 said Mrs* +a1e%* 2Sarah, %(u/n(-, did -ant t( .(, but she didn3t li/et( sa% s(*22eats 'e -h% she 1ares -hat that0ell(-3s (pini(n is*22She3s 6er% %(un., reall%,2 said Mrs*+a1e% pla1idl%* 2Are %(u .(in. t( bed, M*P(ir(tB G((d ni.ht* I h(pe %(u3ll sleep-ell*22And %(u, Mada'eB Are %(u n(t .(in.t( bed %etB22N(t @ust %et,2 said Mrs* +a1e%* 2I36e.(t the st(1/in.s t( 0ill, %(u see* Oh, I/n(- the%3re all pra1ti1all% .r(-n up, but

the% d( li/e their st(1/in.s* One puts@(/es in the'4 Sill% little thin.s* ut it all'a/es 0(r a l(t (0 0un*22;(u -(r/ 6er% hard t( 'a/e this a

?#


48/98

happ% h(use at Christ'as ti'e,2 saidP(ir(t* 2I h(n(ur %(u*2He raised her hand t( his lips in a 1(urtl% 0ashi(n*2H',2 .runted C(l(nel +a1e%, as P(ir(t departed* 2Fl(-er% s(rt (0 0ell(-*Still he appre1iates %(u*2Mrs* +a1e% di'pled up at hi'* 2Ha6e %(u n(ti1ed, H(ra1e, that I3' standin.under the 'istlet(eB2 she as/ed -ith thede'ureness (0 a .irl (0 nineteen*

Her1ule P(ir(t entered his bedr(('* It -as a lar.e r((' -ell pr(6ided -ith radiat(rs*As he -ent (6er t(-ard the bi. 0(ur8p(ster

bed he n(ti1ed an en6el(pe l%in. (nhis pill(-* He (pened it and dre- (ut a

pie1e (0 paper* On it -as a sha/il% printed'essa.e in 1apital letters*

2DON3T EAT NONE OF THE P+UM PUDDING* ONE AS &ISHES ;OU&E++*2

Her1ule P(ir(t stared at it* His e%ebr(-s r(se* 2Cr%pti1,2 he 'ur'ured, 2and '(stune:pe1ted*2

CHRISTMAS dinner t((/ pla1e at p*'* and -as a 0east indeed* En(r'(us

l(.s 1ra1/led 'erril% in the

-ide 0irepla1e and ab(6e their 1ra1/lin.r(se the babel (0 'an% t(n.ues tal/in.t(.ether* O%ster s(up had been 1(nsu'ed,t-( en(r'(us tur/e%s had 1('e and .(ne,'ere 1ar1asses (0 their 0(r'er sel6es*

N(-, the supre'e '('ent, the Christ'as puddin. -as br(u.ht in, in state4 OldPe6erell, his hands and his /nees sha/in.-ith the -ea/ness (0 ei.ht% %ears,

per'itted n( (ne but hi'sel0 t( bear it in*Mrs* +a1e% sat, her hands pressed t(.etherin ner6(us apprehensi(n* One Christ'as,she 0elt sure, Pe6erell -(uld 0all d(-n

dead* Ha6in. either t( ta/e the ris/ (0lettin. hi' 0all d(-n dead (r (0 hurtin. his 0eelin.s t( su1h an e:tent that he-(uld pr(babl% pre0er t( be dead thanali6e, she had s( 0ar 1h(sen the 0(r'eralternati6e* On a sil6er dish the Christ'as

puddin. rep(sed in its .l(r%* A lar.e 0((t?


49/98

ball (0 a puddin., a pie1e (0 h(ll% stu1/ init li/e a triu'phant 0la. and .l(ri(us0la'es (0 blue and red risin. r(und it*There -as a 1heer and 1ries (0 2O(h8ah*2One thin. Mrs* +a1e% had d(ne5

pre6ailed up(n Pe6erell t( pla1e thepuddin. in 0r(nt (0 her s( that she 1(uldhelp it rather than hand it in turn r(und

the table* She breathed a si.h (0 relie0 asit -as dep(sited sa0el% in 0r(nt (0 her*Rapidl% the plates -ere passed r(und,0la'es still li1/in. the p(rti(ns*2&ish, M* P(ir(t,2 1ried rid.et*2&ish be0(re the 0la'e .(es* ui1/, Grandarlin.,


50/98

puddin. 0r(' that (0 e6er%(ne else4Si.hin. as he t1l'itted hi'sel0 ba00led88andHer1ule Itir(t ne6er li/ed t( ad'ithi'sel0 ba00ied8he pi1/ed up his sp((nand 0(r/*2Hard sau1e, M* P(ir(tB2P(ir(t helpetl hi'sel0 appre1iati6el% t(hard sau1e*

2S-iped '% best brand% a.ain, ehE'B3*3 said the 1(l(nel .((d8hu'(uredl%0r(' the (ther end (0 the table* Mrs*+a1e% t-in/le1l at hi'*2Mrs* R(ss insists (n ha6in. the best

brand%, dear,2 she said* 2She sa%s it'a/es all the 1li00eren1e*22&ell, -ell,,, said C(l(nel +a1e%,2Christ'as *COtrtes but (n1e a %ear andMrs* R(ss is a .reat -('an* A .reat-('an and a* lreat 1((/*22She is indeed,,, said C(lin* 2S'ashin.

plu' puddin., this* M'''*2 He 0illed anappre1iati6e 'huth*

Gentl%, alrntst .in.erl%, Her1ule P(ir(tatta1/ed his Ptrti(n (0 puddin.* He ate a'(uth0ul* It -as deli1i(us4 He ate an(ther*S('ethin. tinl


51/98

2;(u36e .(t s('ethin., M* P(ir(t,2 shesaid* 2I -(nder -hat it is*2P(ir(t deta1hed a little sil6er (b@e1t 0r(' the surr(undin. raisins that 1lun. t( it*2O((h,2 said rid.et, 2it3s the ba1hel(r3s butt(n4 M* P(ir(t3s .(t the

ba1hel(r3s butt(n42Her1ule P(ir(t dipped the s'all sil6er butt(n int( the 0in.er8.lass (0 -ater thatst((d b% his plate, and -ashed it 1lear (0

puddin. 1ru'bs*

2It is 6er% prett%,2 he (bser6ed*2That 'eans %(u3re .(in. t( be a ba1hel(r, M* P(ir(t,2 e:plained C(lin help0ull%*2That is t( be e:pe1ted,2 said P(ir(t .ra6el%* 2I ha6e been a ba1hel(r 0(r 'an%l(n. %ears and it is unli/el% that I shall1han.e that status n(-*22Oh, ne6er sa% die,2 said Mi1hael* 2I sa- in the paper that s('e(ne (0 ninet%80i6e'arried a .irl (0 t-ent%8t-( the (therda%*22;(u en1(ura.e 'e,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t*C(l(nel +a1e% uttered a sudden e:1la'ati(n* His 0a1e be1a'e purple and hishand -ent t( his '(uth*

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52/98

2C(n0(und it,2-h% (n earth d( %(u let the 1((/ put .lass in the puddin.B22Glass42 1ried Mrs* +a1e%, ast(nished*

E''eline,2 he r(ared,2Oh, d(n3t be an ass, rid.et* &h% a

rub% (0 that si9e -(uld be -(rth th(u

sands and th(usands (0 p(unds* &(uldn3t

it, M* P(ir(tB2

C(l(nel +a1e% -ithdre- the (00endin.2It -(uld indeed,2 said P(ir(t*

substan1e 0r(' his '(uth* 2Mi.ht ha6eI2ut -hat I 1an3t understand,2 said

br(/en a t((th,2 he .ru'bled* 2OrMrs* +a1e%, 2is h(- it .(t int( the

s-all(-ed the da'n3 thin. and had puddin.*2

appendi1itis*22O((h,2 said C(lin, di6erted b% his last

He dr(pped the pie1e (0 .lass int( the'(uth0ul, 2I36e .(t the pi.* It isn3t 0air*2

0in.er8b(-l, rinsed it and held it up*rid.et 1hanted i''ediatel%, 2C(lin3s

2G(d bless '% s(ul,2 he e@a1ulated,.(t the pi.4 C(lin3s .(t the pi.4 C(lin is

2It3s a red st(ne (ut (0 (ne (0 the 1ra1/erthe .reed% .u99lin. pi.*t2

br((1hes*2 He held it al(0t*2I36e .(t the rin.,2 said Diana in a

2;(u per'itB21lear, hi.h 6(i1e*

2G((d 0(r %(u, Diana* ;(u3ll be

Ver% de0tl% M* P(ir(t stret1hed a1r(ss

his nei.hb(ur, t((/ it 0r(' C(l(nel'arried 0irst, (0 us all*2

2i36e

+a1e%3s 0in.ers and e:a'ined it attent .(tthe thi'ble,2 -ailed rid.et*

i6el%* As the s


53/98

1hanted the t-( b(%s* 2;ah, rid.et3s

The li.ht .lea'ed 0r(' its 0a1ets as he.(in. t( be an (ld 'aid*2

turned it ab(ut* S('e-here ar(und the2&h(3s .(t the '(ne%B2 de'anded

table a 1hair -as pushed sharpl% ba1/ andDa6id* 2There3s a real ten shillin. pie1e,

then dra-n in a.ain,.(ld, in this puddin.* I /n(-* Mrs* R(ss

2Phe-42 1ried Mi1hael* 2H(- -i9ardt(ld 'e s(*2

2I thin/ I3' the lu1/% (ne,2 said

it -(uld be i0 it -as reM*22Perhaps it is real,2said

rid.etDes'(nd +ee8&(rtle%*

h(pe0ull%*C(l(nel

+a1e%3s t-( ne:t d((r

,53


54/98

nei.hb(urs heard hi' 'utter, 2;es, %(u-(uld be*22I36e .(t a rin., t((,2 said Da6id* Hel((/ed a1r(ss at Diana* 2uite a 1(in1iden1e,isn3t itB2The lau.hter -ent (n* N(b(d% n(ti1edthat M* P(ir(t 1arelessl%, as th(u.hthin/in. (0 s('ethin. else, had dr(pped

the red st(ne int( his p(1/et*Min1e8pies and Christ'as dessert0(ll(-ed the puddin.* The (lder 'e'bers(0 the part% then retired 0(r a -el1('esiesta be0(re the tea8ti'e 1ere'(n% (0 theli.htin. (0 the Christ'as tree* Her1uleP(ir(t, h(-e6er, did n(t ta/e a siesta*Instead, he 'ade his -a% t( the en(r'(us(ld80ashi(ned /it1hen*2It is per'itted,2 he as/ed, l((/in.r(und and bea'in., 2that I 1(n.ratulatethe 1((/ (n this 'ar6ell(us 'eal that Iha6e @ust eatenB2There -as a '('ent3s pause and then

Mrs* R(ss 1a'e 0(r-ard in a statel%'anner t( 'eet hi'* She -as a lar.e-('an, n(bl% built -ith all the di.nit% (0a sta.e du1hess* T-( lean .re%8haired-('en -ere be%(nd in the s1uller%-ashin. up and a t(-8haired .irl -as

?


55/98

'(6in. t( and 0r( bet-een the s1uller%and the /it1hen* ut these -ere (b6i(usl%'ere '%r'id(ns* Mrs* R(ss -as the


56/98

N(t but -hat I 1an3t 'ana.e 1(ntinental dishes t((*22I a' sure, Mrs* R(ss, %(u 1(uld'ana.e an%thin.4 ut %(u 'ust /n(- thatEn.lish 1((/in.88.((d En.lish 1((/in.,n(t the 1((/in. (ne .ets in the se1(nd81lassh(tels (r the restaurants is 'u1happre1iated b% .(ur'ets (n the 1(ntinent,and I belie6e I a' 1(rre1t in sa%in. that a

spe1ial e:pediti(n -as 'ade t( +(nd(n inthe earl% ei.hteen hundreds, and a rep(rtsent ba1/ t( Fran1e (0 the -(nders (0 theEn.lish puddin.s* 3&e ha6e n(thin. li/ethat in Fran1e,3 the% -r(te* 3It is -(rth'a/in. a @(urne% t( +(nd(n @ust t( tastethe 6arieties and e:1ellen1ies (0 theEn.lish puddin.s* And ab(6e all

puddin.s,2 1(ntinued P(ir(t, -elllaun1hed n(- (n a /ind (0 rhaps(d%, 2isthe Christ'as plu' puddin., su1h as -eha6e eaten t(8da%* That -as a h('e'ade

puddin., -as it n(tB N(t a b(u.ht (neB22;es, indeed, sir* O0 '% (-n 'a/in.

and '% (-n re1ipe su1h as I36e 'ade 0(r'an%, 'an% %ears* &hen I 1a'e hereMrs* +a1e% said that she3d (rdered a

puddin. 0r(' a +(nd(n st(re t( sa6e 'ethe tr(uble* ut n(, Mada', I said, that

#


57/98

'a% be /ind (0 %(u but n( b(u.ht puddin.0r(' a st(re 1an e


58/98


59/98

larder, she slipped and dr(pped it and itbr(/e* &ell, sir, naturall% I 1(uldn3t ser6ethat, 1(uld IB There 'i.ht ha6e beensplinters in it* S( -e had t( use the (ther(ne88the Ne- ;ear3s Da% (ne, -hi1h -asin a plain b(-l* It 'a/es a ni1e r(und butit3s n(t s( de1(rati6e as the Christ'as'(uld* Reall%, -here -e3ll .et an(ther

'(uld li/e that I d(n3t /n(-* The% d(n3t'a/e thin.s in that si9e n(-ada%s* Alltiddl% bits (0 thin.s* &h%, %(u 1an3t e6en

bu% a brea/0ast dish that3ll ta/e a pr(perei.ht t( ten e..s and ba1(n* Ah, thin.saren3t -hat the% -ere*22N(, indeed,2 said P(ir(t* 2ut t(da%that is n(t s(* This Christ'as Da% has

been li/e the Christ'as Da%s (0 (ld, isthat n(t trueB2Mrs* R(ss si.hed* 2&ell, I3' .lad %(usa% s(, sir, but (0 1(urse I ha6en3t the help n(- that I used t( ha6e* N(t s/illed help,that is* The .irls n(-ada%s 2 shel(-ered her 6(i1e sli.htl%,2 the% 'ean

6er% -ell and the%3re 6er% -illin. butthe%36e n(t been trained, sir, i0 %(u understand-hat I 'ean*22Ti'es 1han.e, %es,2 said Her1uleP(ir(t* 2I t(( 0ind it sad s('eti'es*2


60/98

2This h(use, sir,2 said Mrs* R(ss, 2it3st(( lar.e, %(u /n(-, 0(r the 'istress andthe 1(l(nel* The 'istress, she /n(-s that*+i6in. in a 1(rner (0 it as the% d(, it3s n(tthe sa'e thin. at all* It (nl% 1('es ali6e,as %(u 'i.ht sa%, at Christ'as ti'e -henall the 0a'il% 1('e*22It is the 0irst ti'e, I thin/, that Mr* +ee8&(rtle% and his sister ha6e been

hereB22;es, sir*2 A n(te (0 sli.ht reser6e 1rept int( Mrs* R(ss3s 6(i1e* 2A 6er% ni1e.entle'an he is but, -ell it see's a0unn% 0riend 0(r Miss Sarah t( ha6e,a11(rdin. t( (ur ideas* ut there+(nd(n -a%s are di00erent4 It3s sad that his sister3s s( p((rl%* Had an (perati(n,she had* She see'ed all ri.ht the 0irst da%she -as here, but that 6er% da%, a0ter -e3d

been stirrin. the puddin.s, she -as t((/bad a.ain and she3s been in bed e6er sin1e*G(t up t(( s((n a0ter her (perati(n, Ie:pe1t* Ah, d(1t(rs n(-ada%s, the% ha6e%(u (ut (0 h(spital be0(re %(u 1an hardl%stand (n %(ur 0eet* &h%, '% 6er% (-n

nephe-3s -i0e***2 And Mrs* R(ss -entint( a l(n. and spirited tale (0 h(spitaltreat'ent as a11(rded t( her relati(ns,

#$


61/98

1('parin. it un0a6(urabl% -ith the 1(nsiderati(n that had been la6ished up(nthe' in (lder ti'es*P(ir(t dul% 1(''iserated -ith her* 2It re'ains,2 he said, 2t( than/ %(u 0(r thise:


62/98

THE end (0 Christ'as Da% -asli/e the end (0 '(st Christ'as

Da%s* The tree -as li.hted, a splendid Christ'as 1a/e 1a'e in 0(r tea,-as .reeted -ith appr(6al but -as parta/en

(0 (nl% '(deratel%* There -as 1(ldsupper*(th P(ir(t and his h(st and h(stess-ent t( bed earl%*2G((d ni.ht, M* P(ir(t,2 said Mrs*+a1e%* 2I h(pe %(u36e en@(%ed %(ursel0*22It has been a -(nder0ul da%, Mada'e,-(nder0ul*22;(u3re l((/in. 6er% th(u.ht0ul,2 saidMrs* +a1e%*2It is the En.lish puddin. 3i*at I 1(nsider*22;(u 0(und it a little hea6%, perhapsB2as/ed Mrs* +a1e% deli1atel%*2N(, n(, I d( n(t spea/ .astr(n('i1all%*

I 1(nsider its si.ni0i1an1e*22It3s traditi(nal, (0 1(urse,2 said Mrs*+a1e%* 2&ell, .((d ni.ht, M* P(ir(t, and

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63/98

d(n3t drea' t(( 'u1h (0 Christ'aspuddin.s and 'in1e8pies*22;es,2 'ur'ured P(ir(t t( hi'sel0 as he undressed* 2It is a pr(ble' 1ertainl%,that Christ'as plu' puddin.* There ishere s('ethin. that I d( n(t understandat all*2 He sh((/ his head in a 6e:ed'anner* 2;dell -e shall see*2A0ter 'a/in. 1ertain preparati(ns, P(ir(t -ent t( bed, but n(t t( sleep*

It -as s('e t-( h(urs later that his patien1e -as re-arded* The d((r (0 hisbedr((' (pened 6er% .entl%* He s'iled t(hi'sel0* It -as as he had th(u.ht it -(uld

be* His 'ind -ent ba1/ 0leetin.l% t( the1up (0 1(00ee s( p(litel% handed hi' b%Des'(nd +ee8$(rtle%* A little later,-hen Des'(nd3s ba1/ -as turned, he hadlaid the 1up d(-n 0(r a 0e- '('ents (na table* He had then apparentl% pi1/ed itup a.ain and Des'(nd had had the satis0a1ti(n,i0 satis0a1ti(n it -as, (0 seein. hi'drin/ the 1(00ee t( the last dr(p* ut alittle s'ile li0ted P(ir(t3s '(usta1he as here0le1ted that it -as n(t he but s('e(ne

else -h( -as sleepin. a .((d s(und sleept(8ni.ht* 2That pleasant %(un. Da6id,2said P(ir(t t( hi'sel0, 2he is -(rried,


64/98


65/98


66/98

l((/ 0(r %(ursel0* I3' terribl% a0raid she'a% be dead*2

2&hatB2 P(ir(t 1ast aside his bed

1(6ers* 2Made'(iselle rid.et is dead42

2I thin/ I thin/ s('eb(d%3s /illed

her* There3s there3s bl((d and (h d(

1('e422ut 1ertainl%* ut 1ertainl%* I 1('e (n

the instant*2

&ith .reat pra1ti1alit% P(ir(t inserted

his 0eet int( his (utd((r sh(es and pulled

a 0ur8lined (6er1(at (6er his p%@a'as*

2I 1('e,2 he said* 2I 1('e (n the

'('ent* ;(u ha6e ar(used the h(useB2

2N(* N(, s( 0ar I ha6en3t t(ld an%(ne!

but %(u* I th(u.ht it -(uld be better*

I

Grand0ather and Gran aren3t up %et*The%3re la%in. brea/0ast d(-nstairs, but Ididn3t sa% an%thin. t( Pe6erell* Sherid.et she3s r(und the (ther side (0 the

h(use, near the terra1e and the librar%-ind(-*22I see* +ead the -a%* I -ill 0(ll(-*2Turnin. a-a% t( hide his deli.hted .rin,C(lin led the -a% d(-nstairs* The% -ent(ut thr(u.h the side d((r* It -as a 1lear'(rnin. -ith the sun n(t %et hi.h (6erthe h(ri9(n* It -as n(t sn(-in. n(-, but

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67/98

it had sn(-ed hea6il% durin. the ni.ht ande6er%-here ar(und -as an unbr(/en1arpet (0 thi1/ sn(-* The -(rld l((/ed6er% pure and -hite and beauti0ul*2There42 said C(lin breathlessl%* 2I it3s there42 He p(inted dra'ati1all%*The s1ene -as indeed dra'ati1 en(u.h* A 0e- %ards a-a% rid.et la% in the sn(-*She -as -earin. s1arlet p%@a'as and a-hite -((l -rap thr(-n r(und her

sh(ulders* The -hite -((l -rap -asstained -ith 1ri's(n* Her head -as turnedaside and hidden b% the 'ass (0 her(utspread bla1/ hair* One ar' -as underher b(d%, the (ther la% 0lun. (ut, the0in.ers 1len1hed, and standin. up in the1entre (0 the 1ri's(n stain -as the hilt (0 alar.e 1ur6ed >urdish /ni0e -hi1h C(l(nel+a1e% had sh(-n t( his .uests (nl% thee6enin. be0(re*2M(rt Dieu42 e@a1ulated M* P(ir(t* 2It is s('ethin. (n the sta.e42There -as a 0aint 1h(/in. n(ise 0r(' Mi1hael* C(lin thrust hi'sel0


68/98

0((tprints I supp(se -e 'ustn3t disturb the'B22Ah %es, the 0((tprints* N(, -e 'ust be1are0ul n(t t( disturb th(se 0((tprints*22That3s -hat I th(u.ht,2 said C(lin*2That3s -h% I -(uldn3t let an%(ne .( nearher until -e .(t %(u* I th(u.ht %(u3d/n(- -hat t( d(*22All the sa'e,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t

bris/l%, 20irst, -e 'ust see i0 she is stillali6eB Is n(t that s(B22&ell %es (0 1(urse,2 said Mi1hael,a little d(ubt0ull%, 2but %(u see, -eth(u.ht I 'ean, -e didn3t li/e 22Ah, %(u ha6e the pruden1e4 ;(u ha6eread the dete1ti6e st(ries* It is '(sti'p(rtant that n(thin. sh(uld be t(u1hedand that the b(d% sh(uld be le0t as it is*ut -e 1ann(t be sure as %et i0 it is a b(d%,1an -eB A0ter all, th(u.h pruden1e isad'irable, 1(''(n hu'anit% 1('es 0irst*&e 'ust thin/ (0 the d(1t(r, 'ust -e n(t,

be0(re -e thin/ (0 the p(li1eB2

2Oh %es* O0 1(urse,2 said C(lin, still alittle ta/en aba1/*2&e (nl% th(u.ht I 'ean -eth(u.ht -e3d better .et %(u be0(re -e didan%thin.,2 said Mi1hael hastil%*

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69/98

2Then %(u -ill b(th re'ain here,2 saidP(ir(t* 2I -ill appr(a1h 0r(' the (therside s( as n(t t( disturb these 0((tprints*Su1h e:1ellent 0((tprints, are the% n(ts( 6er% 1learB The 0((tprints (0 a 'an and a .irl .(in. (ut t(.ether t( the pla1e -hereshe lies* And then the 'an3s 0((tsteps1('e ba1/ but the .irl3s d( n(t*22The% 'ust be the 0((tprints (0 the 'urderer,2 said C(lin, -ith bated breath*

2E:a1tl%,2 said P(ir(t* 2The 0((tprints (0 the 'urderer* A l(n. narr(- 0((t -ithrather a pe1uliar t%pe (0 sh(e* Ver% interestin.*Eas%, I thin/, t( re1(.nise* ;es,th(se 0((tprints -ill be 6er% i'p(rtant*2At that '('ent Des'(nd +ee8&(rtle% 1a'e (ut (0 the h(use -ith Sarah and

@(ined the'*2&hat (n earth are %(u all d(in. hereB2 he de'anded in a s('e-hat theatri1al'anner* 2I sa- %(u 0r(' '% bedr(('-ind(-* &hat3s upB G((d l(rd, -hat3sthisB It it l((/s li/e **** 22E:a1tl%,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t* 2It l((/s li/e 'urder, d(es it n(tB2Sarah .a6e a .asp, then sh(t a


70/98

-hat3s8her8na'e rid.etB2 de'anded Des'(nd* 2&h( (n earth -(uld -ant t(/ill herB It3s unbelie6able422There are 'an% thin.s that are unbelie6able,33said P(ir(t* 2Espe1iall% be0(re

brea/0ast, is it n(tB That is -hat (ne (0%(ur 1lassi1s sa%s* Si: i'p(ssible thin.s

be0(re brea/0ast*2 He added5 2Please -aithere, all (0 %(u*2

Care0ull% 'a/in. a 1ir1uit, heappr(a1hed rid.et and bent 0(r a '('entd(-n (6er the b(d%* C(lin and Mi1hael-ere n(- b(th sha/in. -ith suppressedlau.hter* Sarah @(ined the', 'ur'urin.2&hat ha6e %(u t-( been up t(B22G((d (ld rid.et,2 -hispered C(lin*2Isn3t she -(nder0ulB N(t a t-it1h422I36e ne6er seen an%thin. l((/ s( dead as rid.et d(es,2 -hispered Mi1hael*Her1ule P(ir(t strai.htened up a.ain*2This is a terrible thin.,2 he said* His6(i1e held an e'(ti(n it had n(t held

be0(re*O6er1('e b% 'irth, Mi1hael and C(lin

b(th turned a-a%* In a 1h(/ed 6(i1eMi1hael said52&hat88-hat 'ust -e d(B22There is (nl% (ne thin. t( d(,2 said

TO


71/98

P(ir(t* 2&e 'ust send 0(r the p(li1e* &ill(ne (0 %(u teleph(ne (r -(uld %(u pre0er'e t( d( itB22I thin/,2 said C(lin, 2I thin/ -hat ab(ut it, Mi1haelB22;es,2 said Mi1hael, 2I thin/ the @i.3s up n(-*2 He stepped 0(r-ard* F(r the0irst ti'e he see'ed a little unsure (0hi'sel0* 2I3' a-0ull% s(rr%,2 he said, 2Ih(pe %(u -(n3t 'ind t(( 'u1h* It er

it -as a s(rt (0 @(/e 0(r Christ'as and all that, %(u /n(-* &e th(u.ht -e3d -ell,la% (n a 'urder 0(r %(u*22;(u th(u.ht %(u -(uld la% (n a 'urder 0(r 'eB Then this then this 22It3s @ust a sh(- -e put (n,2 e:plained C(lin, 2t( t( 'a/e %(u 0eel at h('e, %(u/n(-*22Aha,3 said Her1ule P(ir(t* 2I understand* ;(u 'a/e (0 'e the April 0((l, isthat itB ut t(8da% is n(t April the 0irst, itis De1e'ber the t-ent%8si:th*22I supp(se -e (u.htn3t t( ha6e d(ne it reall%,2 said C(lin, 2but but %(u d(n3t'ind 6er% 'u1h, d( %(u, M* P(ir(tBC('e (n, rid.et,2 he 1alled, 2.et up*;(u 'ust be hal080r(9en t( death alread%*2


72/98

The 0i.ure in the sn(-, h(-e6er, did n(t stir*2It is (dd,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t, 2shed(es n(t see' t( hear %(u*2 He l((/edth(u.ht0ull% at the'* 2It is a @(/e, %(usa%B ;(u are sure this is a @(/eB22&h%, %es*2 C(lin sp(/e un1('0(rtabl%*2&e -e didn3t 'ean an% har'*22ut -h% then d(es Made'(iselle

rid.et n(t .et upB22I 1an3t i'a.ine,2 said C(lin*2C('e (n, rid.et,2 said Sarahi'patientl%* 2D(n3t .( (n l%in. there

pla%in. the 0((l*22&e reall% are 6er% s(rr%, M* P(ir(t,2said C(lin apprehensi6el%* 2&e d( reall%ap(l(.ise*22;(u need n(t ap(l(.ise,2 said P(ir(t,in a pe1uliar t(ne*2&hat d( %(u 'eanB2 C(lin stared athi'* He turned a.ain* 2rid.et4 rid.et4&hat3s the 'atterB &h% d(esn3t she .etupB &h% d(es she .( (n l%in. thereB2

P(ir(t be1/(ned t( Des'(nd** 2;(u,Mr* +ee8&(rtle%* C('e here 2Des'(nd @(ined hi'*2Feel her pulse,2 said P(ir(t*


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Des'(nd +ee8&(rtle% bend d(-n* He t(u1hed the ar' the -rist*2There3s n( pulse***2 he stared at P(ir(t* 2Her ar'3s sti00* G((d G(d, shereall% is dead42P(ir(t n(dded* 2;es, she is dead,2 he said* 2S('e(ne has turned the 1('ed%int( a tra.ed%*22S('e(ne -h(B22There is a set (0 0((tprints .(in. and returnin.* A set (0 0((tprints that bears astr(n. rese'blan1e t( the 0((tprints %(u

ha6e @ust 'ade, Mr* +ee8&(rtle%, 1('in.0r(' the path t( this sp(t*2Des'(nd +ee8&(rtle% -heeled r(und* 2&hat (n earth* Are %(u a11usin. 'eB MEB ;(u3re 1ra9%4 &h% (n earth sh(uldI -ant t( /ill the .irlB22Ah **** -h%B I -(nder*** +et us see **** 2He bent d(-n and 6er% .entl% prised (pen the sti00 0in.ers (0 the .irl3s 1len1hedhand*Des'(nd dre- a sharp breath* He .a9ed d(-n unbelie6in.l%* In the pal' (0the dead .irl3s hand -as -hat appeared t(

be a lar.e rub%*


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2It3s that da'n3 thin. (ut (0 the puddin.42 he 1ried*2Is itB2 said P(ir(t* 2Are %(u sureB2 2O0 1(urse it is*2&ith a s-i0t '(6e'ent Des'(nd bent d(-n and plu1/ed the red st(ne (ut (0rid.et3s hand*2;(u sh(uld n(t d( that,2 said P(ir(t repr(a1h0ull%* 2N(thin. sh(uld ha6e beendisturbed*22I ha6en3t disturbed the b(d%, ha6e IB ut this thin. 'i.ht 'i.ht .et l(st andit3s e6iden1e* The .reat thin. is t( .et the

p(li1e here as s((n as p(ssible* I3ll .( at(n1e and teleph(ne*2He -heeled r(und and ran sharpl% t(-ards the h(use* Sarah 1a'e s-i0tl% t(P(ir(t3s side*2I d(n3t understand,2 she -hispered* Her 0a1e -as dead -hite* 2I d(n3t understand*2 She 1au.ht at P(ir(t3s ar'* 2&hatdid %(u 'ean ab(ut ab(ut the 0((tprintsB22+((/ 0(r %(ursel0, Made'(iselle*2 The 0((tprints that led t( the b(d% and

ba1/ a.ain -ere the sa'e as the (nes @ust'ade a11('pan%in. P(ir(t t( the .irl3s

b(d% and ba1/*

?


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2;(u 'ean that it -as Des'(ndB N(nsense42Suddenl% the n(ise (0 a 1ar 1a'e thr(u.h the 1lear air* The% -heeled

r(und* The% sa- the 1ar 1learl% en(u.h dri6in. at a 0uri(us pa1e d(-n the dri6eand Sarah re1(.nised -hat 1ar it -as*2It3s Des'(nd,2 she said* 2It3s Des'(nd3s 1ar* He ***** he 'ust ha6e .(net( 0et1h the p(li1e instead (0 teleph(nin.*2Diana Middlet(n 1a'e runnin. (ut (0 the h(use t( @(in the'*

2&hat3s happenedB2 she 1ried in a breathless 6(i1e* 2Des'(nd @ust 1a'erushin. int( the h(use* He said s('ethin.ab(ut rid.et bein. /illed and then herattled the teleph(ne but it -as dead* He1(uldn3t .et an% ans-er* He said the -ires'ust ha6e been 1ut* He said the (nl% thin.-as t( ta/e a 1ar and .( 0(r the p(li1e*&h% the p(li1e*** B2P(ir(t 'ade a .esture*2rid.etB2 Diana stared at hi'* 2ut surel%*, isn3t it a @(/e (0 s('e /indB Iheard s('ethin. s('ethin. last ni.ht* Ith(u.htthat the% -ere .(in. t( pla% a @(/e(n

%(u, M* P(ir(tB22;es,2said P(ir(t, 2that -as the idea


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88t( pla% a @(/e (n 'e* ut n(- 1('e int( the h(use, all (0 %(u* &e shall 1at1h (urdeaths (0 1(ld here and there is n(thin. t(

be d(ne until Mr* +ee8&(rtle% returns-ith the p(li1e*22ut l((/ here,2 said C(lin, 2-e 1an3t88-e 1an3t lea6e rid.et here al(ne*2 2;(u 1an d( her n( .((d b%re'ainin.,2 said P(ir(t .entl%* 2C('e, itis a sad, a 6er% sad tra.ed%, but there is

n(thin. -e 1an d( an% '(re t( helpMade'(iselle rid.et* S( let us 1('e inand .et -ar' and ha6e perhaps a 1up (0tea (r (0 1(00ee*2The% 0(ll(-ed hi' (bedientl% int( the h(use* Pe6erell -as @ust ab(ut t( stri/e the.(n.* I0 he th(u.ht it e:tra(rdinar% 0(r'(st (0 the h(useh(ld t( be (utside and0(r P(ir(t t( 'a/e an appearan1e in

p%@a'as and an (6er1(at, he displa%ed n(si.n (0 it* Pe6erell in his (ld a.e -as stillthe per0e1t butler* He n(ti1ed n(thin. thathe -as n(t as/ed t( n(ti1e* The% -ent int(the dinin.8r((' and sat d(-n* &hen the% all had a 1up (0 1(00ee in 0r(nt (0 the'and -ere sippin. it, P(ir(t sp(/e*

2I ha6e t( re1(unt t( %(u,2 he said, 2a little hist(r%* I 1ann(t tell %(u all the

#


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details, n(* ut I 1an .i6e %(u the 'ain (utline* It 1(n1erns a %(un. prin1elin.-h( 1a'e t( this 1(untr%* He br(u.ht-ith hi' a 0a'(us @e-el -hi1h he -as t(ha6e reset 0(r the lad% he -as .(in. t('arr%, but un0(rtunatel% be0(re that he'ade 0riends -ith a 6er% prett% %(un.lad%* This prett% %(un. lad% did n(t 1are6er% 'u1h 0(r the 'an, but she did 1are

0(r his @e-el**, s( 'u1h s( that (ne da% shedisappeared -ith this hist(ri1 p(ssessi(n-hi1h had bel(n.ed t( his h(use 0(r .enerati(ns*S( the p((r %(un. 'an, he is in a


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%(un. lad%, (n1e she has a1in.s +a1e%, (stensibl% as the

sister (0 the 1le6er .entle'an2Sarah dre- a sharp breath*

2Oh, n(* Oh, n(, n(t here N(t -ith'e here I22ut s( it is,2 said P(ir(t* 2And b% alittle 'anipulati(n I, t((, be1('e a .uesthere 0(r Christ'as* This %(un. lad%, sheis supp(sed t( ha6e @ust 1('e (ut (0 h(spital* She is 'u1h better -hen shearri6es here* ut then 1('es the ne-s thatI, t((, arri6e, a dete1ti6e a -ell8/n(-ndete1ti6e* At (n1e she has -hat %(u 1allthe -ind up* She hides the rub% in the0irst pla1e she 1an thin/ (0, and then 6er%


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+ee8&(rtle% -hen he sa- that* Eh bien, -hat happens ne:tB The rub% is passedr(und* I e:a'ine it and I 'ana.e un(btrusi6el%t( slip it in '% p(1/et* In a 1areless-a% as th(u.h I -ere n(t interested*ut (ne pers(n at least (bser6es -hat Iha6e d(ne* &hen I lie in bed that pers(nsear1hes '% r(('* He sear1hes 'e* Hed(es n(t 0ind the rub%* &h%B2

2e1ause,2 said Mi1hael breathlessl%, 2%(u had .i6en it t( rid.et* That 3s -hat%(u 'ean* And s( that3s -h% but I d(n3tunderstand


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C(lin 0aintl%* 2I has s('e(ne ta/en theb(d% a-a%B22Ah,2 said P(ir(t* 2;(u seeB The M%ster% (0 the Disappearin. (d%*2 Hen(dded his head and his e%es t-in/led.entl%*2G((d l(rd,2 1ried Mi1hael* 2M* P(ir(t, %(u are %(u ha6en3t (h, l((/,he3s been ha6in. us (n all this ti'e42 P(ir(t t-in/led '(re than e6er*2It is true, '% 1hildren, I als( ha6e had '% little @(/e* I /ne- ab(ut %(ur little

pl(t, %(u see, and s( I arran.ed a 1(unterpl(t(0 '% (-n* Ah, 6(ilMade'(isellerid.et* N(ne the -(rse, I h(pe, 0(r %(ure:p(sure in the sn(-B Ne6er sh(uld I0(r.i6e '%sel0 i0 %(u attrapped une ttu:i(nde p(itrine* 2rid.et had @ust 1('e int( the r(('* She -as -earin. a thi1/ s/irt and a-((llen s-eater* She -as lau.hin.*2I sent a tisane t( %(ur r((',2 said P(ir(t se6erel%* 2;(u ha6e drun/ itB22One sip -as en(u.h42 said rid.et* 2F' all ri.ht* Did I d( it -ell, M* P(ir(tBG((dness, '% ar' hurts still a0ter thatt(urni


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P(ir(t* 2Splendid* ut see, all the (thers are still in the 0(.* +ast ni.ht I -ent t(Made'(iselle rid.et* I t(ld her that I/ne- ab(ut %(ur little 1('pl(t and I as/edher i0 she -(uld a1t a part 0(r 'e* She didit 6er% 1le6erl%* She 'ade the 0((tprints-ith a pair (0 Mr* +ee8&(rtle%3s sh(es*2 Sarah said in a harsh 6(i1e52ut -hat3s the p(int (0 it all, M* P(ir(tB &hat3s the p(int (0 sendin.Des'(nd (00 t( 0et1h the p(li1eB The%3ll

be 6er% an.r% -hen the% 0ind (ut it3sn(thin. but a h(a:*2P(ir(t sh((/ his head .entl%*2ut I d( n(t thin/ 0(r (ne '('ent, Made'(iselle, that Mr* +ee8&(rtle% -entt( 0et1h the p(li1e,2 he said* 2Murder is athin. in -hi1h Mr* +ee8&(rtle% d(es n(t-ant t( be 'i:ed up* He l(st his ner6e

badl%* All he 1(uld see -as his 1han1e t(.et the rub%* He snat1hed that, he

pretended the teleph(ne -as (ut (0 (rderand he rushed (00 in a 1ar (n the preten1e(0 0et1hin. the p(li1e* I thin/ '%sel0 it isthe last %(u -ill see (0 hi' 0(r s('e ti'e*He has, I understand, his (-n -a%s (0

.ettin. (ut (0 En.land* He has his (-nplane, has he n(t, Made'(iselleB2


83/98

Sarah n(dded* 2;es,2 she said* 2&e -ere thin/in. (0 2she st(pped*2He -anted %(u t( el(pe -ith hi' that-a%, did he n(tB Eh bien, that is a 6er%.((d -a% (0 s'u..lin. a @e-el (ut (0 the1(untr%* &hen %(u are el(pin. -ith a .irl,and that 0a1t is publi1ised, then %(u -illn(t be suspe1ted (0 als( s'u..lin. ahist(ri1 @e-el (ut (0 the 1(untr%* Oh %es,

that -(uld ha6e 'ade a 6er% .((d1a'(u0la.e*22I d(n3t belie6e it,2 said Sarah* 2I d(n3t

belie6e a -(rd (0 it422Then as/ his sister,2 said P(ir(t,.entl% n(ddin. his head (6er her sh(ulder*Sarah turned her head sharpl%*A platinu' bl(nde st((d in thed((r-a%* She -(re a 0ur 1(at and -ass1(-lin.* She -as 1learl% in a 0uri(uste'per*2Sister '% 0((t42 she said, -ith a sh(rtunpleasant lau.h* 2That s-ine3s n(

br(ther (0 'ine4 S( he3s beaten it, has he,

and le0t 'e t( 1arr% the 1anB The -h(lethin. -as his idea4 He put 'e up t( it4Said it -as '(ne% 0(r @a'* The%3d ne6er

pr(se1ute be1ause (0 the s1andal* I 1(uldal-a%s threaten t( sa% that All had .i6en

i


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'e his hist(ri1 @e-el* Des and I -ere t(ha6e shared the s-a. in Paris and n(-the s-ine runs (ut (n 'e4 I3d li/e t('urder hi'42 She s-it1hed abruptl%*2The s((ner I .et (ut (0 here Cans('e(ne teleph(ne 0(r a ta:iB22A 1ar is -aitin. at the 0r(nt d((r t( ta/e %(u t( the stati(n, Made'(iselle,2said P(ir(t*

2Thin/ (0 e6er%thin., d(n3t %(uB22M(st thin.s,2 said P(ir(t 1('pla1entl%*ut P(ir(t -as n(t t( .et (00 s( easil%* &hen he returned t( the dinin.8r((' a0terassistin. the spuri(us Miss +ee8&(rtle%int( the -aitin. 1ar, C(lin -as -aitin. 0(rhi'*There -as a 0r(-n (n his b(%ish 0a1e* 2ut l((/ here, M* P(ir(t* &hat ab(utthe rub%B D( %(u 'ean t( sa% %(u36e lethi' .et a-a% -ith itB2P(ir(t3s 0a1e 0ell* He t-irled his '(usta1hes* He see'ed ill at ease*2I shall re1(6er it %et,2 he said -ea/l%* 2There are (ther -a%s* I shall still 22&ell, I d( thin/42 said Mi1hael* 2T( let that s-ine .et a-a% -ith the rub%42rid.et -as sharper*

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2He3s ha6in. us (n a.ain,2 she 1ried* 2;(u are, aren3t %(u, M* P(ir(tB22Shall -e d( a 0inal 1(n@urin. tri1/, Made'(iselleB Feel in '% le0t8hand

p(1/et*2rid.et thrust her hand in* She dre- it (ut a.ain -ith a s1rea' (0 triu'ph andheld al(0t a lar.e rub% blin/in. in 1ri's(nsplend(ur*2;(u 1('prehend,2 e:plained P(ir(t, 2the (ne that -as 1lasped in %(ur hand-as a paste repli1a* I br(u.ht it 0r('

+(nd(n in 1ase it -as p(ssible t( 'a/e asubstituti(n* ;(u understandB &e d( n(t-ant the s1andal* M(nsieur Des'(nd -illtr% and disp(se (0 that rub% in Paris (r inel.iu' (r -here6er it is that he has his1(nta1ts, and then it -ill be dis1(6eredthat the st(ne is n(t real4 &hat 1(uld be'(re e:1ellentB All 0inishes happil%* Thes1andal is a6(ided, '% prin1elin. re1ei6eshis rub% ba1/ a.ain, he returns t( his1(untr% and 'a/es a s(ber and -e h(pe ahapp% 'arria.e* All ends -ell*22E:1ept 0(r 'e,2 'ur'ured Sarah under her breath*She sp(/e s( l(- that n( (ne heard her but P(ir(t* He sh((/ his head .entl%*


86/98

2;(u are in err(r, Made'(iselle Sarah, in -hat %(u sa% there* ;(u ha6e .ainede:perien1e* All e:perien1e is 6aluable*Ahead (0 %(u I pr(phes% there lieshappiness*22That3s -hat %(u sa%,2 said Sarah* 2ut l((/ here, M* P(ir(t,2 C(lin -as0r(-nin.* 2H(- did %(u /n(- ab(ut thesh(- -e -ere .(in. t( put (n 0(r %(uB22It is '% business t( /n(- thin.s,2 said Her1ule P(ir(t* He t-irled his '(uta1he*

2;es, but I d(n3t see h(- %(u 1(uldha6e 'ana.ed it* Did s('e(ne split dids('e(ne 1('e and tell %(uB22N(, n(, n(t that*2

2Then h(-B Tell us h(-B2The% all 1h(rused, 2;es, tell us h(-*2 2ut n(,2 P(ir(t pr(tested* 2ut n(* I0I tell %(u h(- I dedu1ed that, %(u -illthin/ n(thin. (0 it* It is li/e the 1(n@ur(r-h( sh(-s h(- his tri1/s are d(ne422Tell us, M* P(ir(t4 G( (n* Tell us, tell US422;(u reall% -ish that I sh(uld s(l6e 0(r %(u this last '%ster%B22;es, .( (n* Tell us*22Ah, I d( n(t thin/ I 1an* ;(u -ill be s( disapp(inted*2

#


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2N(-, 1('e (n, M* P(ir(t, tell us* H(- )3d %(u /n(-B22&ell, %(u see, I -as sittin. in the librar% b% the -ind(- in a 1hair a0ter teathe (ther da% and I -as rep(sin. '%sel0*I had been asleep and -hen I a-(/e %(u-ere dis1ussin. %(ur plans @ust (utside the-ind(- 1l(se t( 'e, and the -ind(- -as(pen at the t(p*22Is that allB2 1ried C(lin, dis.usted* 2H(- si'ple42

2Is it n(tB2 said Her1ule P(ir(t, s'ilin.* 2;(u seeB ;(u are disapp(inted*22Oh -ell,2 said Mi1hael, 2at an% rate -e /n(- e6er%thin. n(-*22D( -eB2 'ur'ured Her1ule B(ir(t t( hi'sel0* 2I d( n(t* , -h(se business it ist( /n(- thin.s*2He -al/ed (ut int( the hall, sha/in. his head a little* F(r perhaps the t-entiethti'e he dre- 0r(' his p(1/et a ratherdirt% pie1e (0 paper* 2DON3T EAT

NONE OF THE P+UM PUDDING*ONE AS &ISHES ;OU &E++*2Her1ule P(ir(t sh((/ his head re0le1ti6el%* He -h( 1(uld e:plain e6er%thin.1(uld n(t e:plain this4 Hu'iliatin.* &h(had -ritten itB &h% had it been -rittenB


88/98

Until he 0(und that (ut he -(uld ne6er /n(- a '('ent3s pea1e* Suddenl% he1a'e (ut (0 his re6erie t( be a-are (0 a

pe1uliar .aspin. n(ise* He l((/ed sharpl%d(-n* On the 0l((r, bus% -ith a dustpanand brush -as a t(-8headed 1reature in a0l(-ered (6erall* She -as starin. at the

paper in his hand -ith lar.e r(und e%es*2Oh sir,2 said this appariti(n* 2Oh, sir*

PIe0ls, sir*22And -h( 'a% %(u be, enQantB2 in


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s(4 And she -asn3t ill a bit* &e 1(uld all tell that* &e th(u.ht -e all th(u.ht8s('ethin.


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2Oh than/ %(u, sir* Oh than/ %(u 6er% 'u1h indeed, sir*2Annie departed e1stati1all%* P(ir(t l((/ed a0ter her, n(ddin. his head insatis0a1ti(n*2Ah,2 he said t( hi'sel0* 2And n(- *****I .(* There is n(thin. '(re t( be d(ne here*2A pair (0 ar's slipped r(und his sh(ulders une:pe1tedl%*2I0 %(u -ill stand @ust under the 'istlet(e, 2said rid.et*

Her1ule P(ir(t en@(%ed it* He en@(%ed it 6er% 'u1h* He said t( hi'sel0 that he hadhad a 6er% .((d Christ'as*

"!


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The M%ster% (0 theSpanish Chest


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pUNCTUA+ t( the '('ent, as al-a%s, Her1ule P(ir(t entered thes'all r((' -here Miss +e'(n, his

e00i1ient se1retar%, a-aited her instru1ti(ns 0(r the da%*At 0irst si.ht Miss +e'(n see'ed t( be 1('p(sed entirel% (0 an.les thussatis0%in. P(ir(t3s de'and 0(r s%''etr%*

N(t that -here -('en -ere 1(n1erned Her1ule P(ir(t 1arried his passi(n 0(r

.e('etri1al pre1isi(n s( 0ar* He -as, (nthe 1(ntrar%, (ld80ashi(ned* He had a1(ntinental pre@udi1e 0(r 1ur6es it 'i.ht

be said 0(r 6(luptu(us 1ur6es* He li/ed-('en t( be -('en* He li/ed the'lush, hi.hl% 1(l(ured, e:(ti1* There had

been a 1ertain Russian 1(untess butthat -as l(n. a.( n(-* A 0(ll% (0 earlierda%s*ut Miss +e'(n he had ne6er 1(nsidered as a -('an* She -as a hu'an'a1hine an instru'ent (0 pre1isi(n* Here00i1ien1% -as terri0i1* She -as 0(rt%8ei.ht


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%ears (0 a.e, and -as 0(rtunate en(u.h t(ha6e n( i'a.inati(n -hate6er*

2G((d '(rnin., Miss +e'(n*2

2G((d '(rnin., M* P(ir(t*2

P(ir(t sat d(-n and Miss +e'(n pla1ed

be0(re hi' the '(rnin.3s 'ail, neatl%

arran.ed in 1ate.(ries* She resu'ed her

seat and sat -ith pad and pen1il at the

read%*

ut there -as t( be this '(rnin. a sli.ht

1han.e in r(utine* P(ir(t had br(u.ht in

-ith hi' the '(rnin. ne-spaper, and his

e%es -ere s1annin. it -ith interest* The

headlines -ere bi. and b(ld* SPANISHCHEST M;STER;*

+ATESTDEVE+OPMENTS*

2;(u ha6e read the '(rnin. papers, I presu'e, Miss +e'(nB22;es, M* P(ir(t* The ne-s 0r(' Gene6a is n(t 6er% .((d*2P(ir(t -a6ed a-a% the ne-s 0r(' Gene6a in a 1('prehensi6e s-eep (0 thear'*2A Spanish 1hest,2 he 'used* 2Can %(u tell 'e, Miss +e'(n, -hat e:a1tl% is aSpanish 1hestB22I supp(se, M* P(ir(t, that it is a 1hest that 1a'e (ri.inall% 0r(' Spain*2

"#


95/98

2One 'i.ht reas(nabl% supp(se s(* ;(u ha6e then, n( e:pert /n(-led.eB22The% are usuall% (0 the Eli9abethan peri(d, I belie6e* +ar.e, and -ith a .((ddeal (0 brass de1(rati(n (n the'* The%l((/ 6er% ni1e -hen -ell /ept and*p(lished* M% sister b(u.ht (ne at a sale*She /eeps h(useh(ld linen in it* It l((/s6er% ni1e*2,3 2I *a' sure that in theh(use (0 an% sister *7* (0 %(urs, alt the 0urniture -(uld be -ell

3*3/ept,2 said P(ir(t, b(-in.3 .ra1e0ull%,Miss +e'(n replied sadl% that ser6ants 3did n(t see' t( /n(- -hat elb(- .rease-as n(-ada%s, P(ir(t l((/ed a little Pu99led, but de1ided n(t t( in


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a.ainst the -all, si: pe(ple, 0i6e (0 the' tal/in., eatin. a bu00et supper, puttin.re1(rds (n the .ra'(ph(ne, dan1in., andthe si:th dead, in the Spanish 1hest***Ah, th(u.ht P(ir(t* H(- '% dear 0riend, Hastin.s, -(uld ha6e en@(%ed this4&hat r('anti1 0li.hts (0 i'a.inati(n he-(uld ha6e had* &hat ineptitudes he-(uld ha6e uttered4 Ah, 1e 1he0 Hastin.s, at this '('ent, t(8da%, I 'iss hi'***Instead He si.hed and l((/ed at

Miss +e'(n* Miss +e'(n intelli.entl%per1ei6in. that P(ir(t -as in n( '((dt( di1tate letters, had un1(6ered hert%pe-riter and -as a-aitin. her '('entt( .et (n -ith 1ertain arrears (0 -(r/*

N(thin. 1(uld ha6e interested her lessthan sinister Spanish 1hests 1(ntainin.dead b(dies*P(ir(t si.hed and l((/ed d(-n at a ph(t(.raphed 0a1e* Repr(du1ti(ns inne-sprint -ere ne6er 6er% .((d, and this-as de1idedl% s'ud.% but -hat a 0a1e4 Mrs* Cla%t(n, the -i0e (0 the 'urdered

On an i'pulse, he thrust the paper at Miss +e'(n*

"


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2+((/,2 he de'anded* 2+((/ at that0a1e*2Miss +e'(n l((/ed at it (bedientl%, -ith(ut e'(ti(n*2&hat d( %(u thin/ (0 her, Miss +e'(nB That is Mrs* Cla%t(n*2Miss +e'(n t((/ the paper, .lan1ed 1asuall% at the pi1ture and re'ar/ed52She3s a little li/e the -i0e (0 (ur ban/ 'ana.er -hen -e li6ed at Cr(%d(n Heath*22Interestin.,2 said P(ir(t* 2Re1(unt t( 'e, i0 %(u -ill be s( /ind, the hist(r% (0%(ur ban/ 'ana.er3s -i0e*2

2&ell, it3s n(t reall% a 6er% pleasant st(r%, M* P(ir(t*22It -as in '% 'ind that it 'i.ht n(t be* C(ntinue*22There -as a .((d deal (0 tal/ ab(ut Mrs* Ada's and a %(un. artist* Then Mr*Ada's sh(t hi'sel0* ut Mrs* Ada's-(uldn3t 'arr% the (ther 'an and he t((/s('e /ind (0 p(is(n88but the% pulled hi'thr(u.h all ri.ht7 and 0inall% Mrs* Ada's'arried a %(un. s(li1it(r* I belie6e there-as '(re tr(uble a0ter that, (nl% (0 1(urse-e3d le0t Cr(%d(n Heath b% then s( Ididn3t hear 6er% 'u1h '(re ab(ut it*2Her1ule P(ir(t n(dded .ra6el%*

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2She -as beauti0ulB22&ell88n(t reall% -hat %(u3d 1all beauti0ul * ut there see'ed t( be s('ethin.ab(ut her 22E:a1tl%* &hat is that s(

agatha christie - adventure of the christmas pudding and other stories

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