The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie Read Free Book Online

you?”
    â€œDon’t go yet,” said Mrs. Bantry. “The fingerprint men and the photographers and most of the police have gone, I know, but I still feel something might happen. You don’t want to miss anything.”
    The telephone rang and she went off to answer. She returned with a beaming face.
    â€œI told you more things would happen. That was Colonel Melchett. He’s bringing the poor girl’s cousin along.”
    â€œI wonder why,” said Miss Marple.
    â€œOh, I suppose, to see where it happened and all that.”
    â€œMore than that, I expect,” said Miss Marple.
    â€œWhat do you mean, Jane?”
    â€œWell, I think—perhaps—he might want her to meet Colonel Bantry.”
    Mrs. Bantry said sharply:
    â€œTo see if she recognizes him? I suppose—oh, yes, I suppose they’re bound to suspect Arthur.”
    â€œI’m afraid so.”
    â€œAs though Arthur could have anything to do with it!”
    Miss Marple was silent. Mrs. Bantry turned on her accusingly.
    â€œAnd don’t quote old General Henderson—or some frightful old man who kept his housemaid—at me. Arthur isn’t like that.”
    â€œNo, no, of course not.”
    â€œNo, but he really isn’t. He’s just—sometimes—a little silly about pretty girls who come to tennis. You know—rather fatuous and avuncular. There’s no harm in it. And why shouldn’t he? After all,” finished Mrs. Bantry rather obscurely, “I’ve got the garden.”
    Miss Marple smiled.
    â€œYou must not worry, Dolly,” she said.
    â€œNo, I don’t mean to. But all the same I do a little. So does Arthur. It’s upset him. All these policemen prowling about. He’s gone down to the farm. Looking at pigs and things always soothes him if he’s been upset. Hallo, here they are.”
    The Chief Constable’s car drew up outside.
    Colonel Melchett came in accompanied by a smartly dressed young woman.
    â€œThis is Miss Turner, Mrs. Bantry. The cousin of the—er—victim.”
    â€œHow do you do,” said Mrs. Bantry, advancing with outstretched hand. “All this must be rather awful for you.”
    Josephine Turner said frankly: “Oh, it is. None of it seems real, somehow. It’s like a bad dream.”
    Mrs. Bantry introduced Miss Marple.
    Melchett said casually: “Your good man about?”
    â€œHe had to go down to one of the farms. He’ll be back soon.”
    â€œOh—” Melchett seemed rather at a loss.
    Mrs. Bantry said to Josie: “Would you like to see where—where it happened? Or would you rather not?”
    Josephine said after a moment’s pause:
    â€œI think I’d like to see.”
    Mrs. Bantry led her to her library with Miss Marple and Melchett following behind.
    â€œShe was there,” said Mrs. Bantry, pointing dramatically; “on the hearthrug.”
    â€œOh!” Josie shuddered. But she also looked perplexed. She said, her brow creased: “I just can’t understand it! I can’t! ”
    â€œWell, we certainly can’t,” said Mrs. Bantry.
    Josie said slowly:
    â€œIt isn’t the sort of place—” and broke off.
    Miss Marple nodded her head gently in agreement with the unfinished sentiment.
    â€œThat,” she murmured, “is what makes it so very interesting.”
    â€œCome now, Miss Marple,” said Colonel Melchett goodhumouredly, “haven’t you got an explanation?”
    â€œOh yes, I’ve got an explanation, ” said Miss Marple. “Quite a feasible one. But of course it’s only my own idea. Tommy Bond,” she continued, “and Mrs. Martin, our new schoolmistress. She went to wind up the clock and a frog jumped out.”
    Josephine Turner looked puzzled. As they all went out of the room she murmured to Mrs. Bantry: “Is the old lady a bit funny in the head?”
    â€œNot at all,”