Death on the Air by Ngaio Marsh Read Free Book Online Page B

adapter to the radiator be brought into play?’
    â€˜By gum,’ said Fox, ‘you’re right! That’s how it was done, Chief. The heavier flex was cut away from the radiator and shoved through. There was a fire, so he wouldn’t want the radiator and wouldn’t notice.’
    â€˜It might have been done that way, certainly, but there’s little to prove it. Return to the bereaved Tonkses, my Fox, and ask prettily if any of them remember Septimus’s peculiarities when tuning his wireless.’
    Fox met little Mr Hislop at the door and left him alone with Alleyn. Phillipa had been right, reflected the Inspector, when she said Richard Hislop was not a noticeable man. He was nondescript. Grey eyes, drab hair; rather pale, rather short, rather insignificant; and yet last night there had flashed up between those two the realization of love. Romantic but rum, thought Alleyn.
    â€˜Do sit down,’ he said. ‘I want you, if you will, to tell me what happened between you and Mr Tonks last evening.’
    â€˜What happened?’
    â€˜Yes. You all dined at eight, I understand. Then you and Mr Tonks came in here?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜What did you do?’
    â€˜He dictated several letters.’
    â€˜Anything unusual take place?’
    â€˜Oh, no.’
    â€˜Why did you quarrel?’
    â€˜Quarrel!’ The quiet voice jumped a tone. ‘We did not quarrel, Mr Alleyn.’
    â€˜Perhaps that was the wrong word. What upset you?’
    â€˜Phillipa has told you?’
    â€˜Yes. She was wise to do so. What was the matter, Mr Hislop?’
    â€˜Apart from the…what she told you…Mr Tonks was a difficult man to please. I often irritated him. I did so last night.’
    â€˜In what way?’
    â€˜In almost every way. He shouted at me. I was startled and nervous, clumsy with papers, and making mistakes. I wasn’t well. I blundered and then…I…I broke down. I have always irritated him. My very mannerisms—’
    â€˜Had he no irritating mannerisms, himself?’
    â€˜He! My God!’
    â€˜What were they?’
    â€˜I can’t think of anything in particular. It doesn’t matter does it?’
    â€˜Anything to do with the wireless, for instance?’
    There was a short silence.
    â€˜No,’ said Hislop.
    â€˜Was the radio on in here last night, after dinner?’
    â€˜For a little while. Not after – after the incident in the hall. At least, I don’t think so. I don’t remember.’
    â€˜What did you do after Miss Phillipa and her father had gone upstairs?’
    â€˜I followed and listened outside the door for a moment.’ He had gone very white and had backed away from the desk.
    â€˜And then?’
    â€˜I heard someone coming. I remembered Dr Meadows had told me to ring him up if there was one of the scenes. I returned here and rang him up. He told me to go to my room and listen. If things got any worse I was to telephone again. Otherwise I was to stay in my room. It is next to hers.’
    â€˜And you did this?’ He nodded. ‘Could you hear what Mr Tonks said to her?’
    â€˜A – a good deal of it.’
    â€˜What did you hear?’
    â€˜He insulted her. Mrs Tonks was there. I was just thinking of ringing Dr Meadows up again when she and Mr Tonks came out and went along the passage, I stayed in my room.’
    â€˜You did not try to speak to Miss Phillipa?’
    â€˜We spoke through the wall. She asked me not to ring Dr Meadows, but to stay in my room. In a little while, perhaps it was as much as twenty minutes – I really don’t know – I heard him come back and go downstairs. I again spoke to Phillipa. She implored me not to do anything and said that she herself would speak to Dr Meadows in the morning. So I waited a little longer and then went to bed.’
    â€˜And to sleep?’
    â€˜My God, no!’
    â€˜Did you hear the wireless