I had arrived at Styles on the 5th of July. I come now to the events of the 16th and 17th
of that month. For the convenience of the reader I will recapitulate the incidents of
those days in as exact a manner as possible. They were elicited subsequently at the
trail by a process of long and tedious cross-examinations.
I receive a letter from Evelyn Howard a couple of days after her departure, telling me
she was working as a nurse at the big hospital in Middlingham, a manufacturing town
some fifteen miles away, and begging me to let her know if Mrs Inglethorp should
show any wish to be reconciled.
The only fly in the ointment of my peaceful days was Mrs Cavendish's extraordinary and,
for my part, unaccountable preference for the society of Dr Bauerstein. What she saw in
the man I cannot imagine, but she was always asking him up to the house, and often went
off for long expeditions with him. I confess that I was quite unable to see his
attraction.
The 16th of July fell on a Monday. It was a day of turmoil. The famous bazaar had taken
place on Saturday, and an entertainment, in connection with the same charity, at
which Mrs Inglethorp was to recite a War poem, was to be held that night. We had
a late luncheon and spent the afternoon resting in the garden. I noticed that John's
manner was somewhat unusual. He seemed very excited and restless.
After tea, Mrs Inglethorp went to lie down to rest before her efforts in the evening
and I challenged Mary Cavendish to a single at tennis.
About a quarter to seven, Mrs Inglethorp called to us that we should be late as supper
was early that night. We had rather a scramble to get ready in time; and before the
meal was over the motor was waiting at the door.
The entertainment was a great success, Mrs Inglethorp's recitation receiving tremendous
applause. There were also some tableaux in which Cynthia took part. She did not return
with us having been asked to a supper party, and to remain the night with some friends
who had been acting with her in the tableaux.
The following morning, Mrs Inglethorp stayed in bed to breakfast, as she was rather
over-tired; but she appeared in her briskest mood about 12.30, and swept Lawrence
and myself off to a luncheon party.
'Such a charming invitation from Mrs Rollestion. Lady Tadminster's sister, you know.
The Rollestions came over with the Conqueror--one of our oldest families.'
Mary had excused herself on the plea of an engagement with Dr Bauerstein.
We had a pleasant luncheon, and as we drove away Lawrence suggested that
we should return by Tadminster, which was barely a mile out of our way, and
pay a visit to Cynthia in her dispensary. Mrs Inglethorp replied that this was
an excellent idea, but as she had several letters to write she would drop us
there, and we could come back with Cynthia in the pony-trap.
We were detained under suspicion by the hospital porter, until Cynthia appeared
to vouch for us, looking very cool and sweet in her long white overall. She took
us up to her sanctum, and introduced us to her fellow dispenser, a rather
awe-inspiring individual, whom Cynthia cheerily addressed as 'Nibs'.
'What a lot of bottles!' I exclaimed, as my eye travelled round the small room.
'Do you really know what's in them all?'
'Say something original,' groaned Cynthia. 'Every single person who comes up
here says that. We are really thinking of bestowing a prize on the first individual
who does not say: "What a lot of bottles!" And I know the next thing you're going
to say is: "How many people have you poisoned?"'
I pleaded guilty with a laugh.
'If you people only knew how fatally easy it is to poison someone by mistake, you
wouldn't joke about it. Come on, let's have tea. We've got all sorts of secret stores
in that cupboard. No, Lawrence--that's the poison cupboard. The big cupboard
--that's right.'
We had a very cheery tea, and assisted Cynthia to wash up afterwards. We had just
put away the last teaspoon when a knock came at the door. The countenances of
Cynthia and Nibs were suddenly petrified into a stern and forbidding expression.
'Come in,' said Cynthia, in a sharp professional tone.
A young and rather scared-looking nurse appeared with a bottle which she proffered
to Nibs, who waved her towards Cynthia with the somewhat enigmatical remark:
'I'm not really here today.'