The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie Read Free Book Online

body was at about a quarter to seven. I understand you were fetched
     immediately. Say you examined it at ten minutes to Ñ Why, that brings it to the identical
     second almost!”
    “I don't guarantee the time absolutely,” said Haydock. “That is an approximate estimate.”
    “Good enough, sir, good enough.”
    I had been trying to get a word in.
    “About that clock Ñ”
    “If you'll excuse me, sir, I'll ask you any questions I want to know. Time's short. What I
     want is absolute silence.”
    “Yes, but I'd like to tell you Ñ”
    “Absolute silence,” said the Inspector, glaring at me ferociously. I gave him what he
     asked for.
    He was still peering about the writing table.
    “What was he sitting here for,” he grunted. “Did he want to write a note Ñ Hallo Ñ what's
     this?”
    He held up a piece of note?paper triumphantly. So pleased was he with his find that he
     permitted us to come to his side and examine it with him.
    It was a piece of Vicarage note?paper, and it was headed at the top 6.20.
    “DEAR CLEMENT” Ñ it began Ñ “Sorry I cannot wait any longer, but I must . . .”
    Here the writing tailed off in a scrawl
    “Plain as a pikestaff,” said Inspector Slack triumphantly. “He sits down here to write
     this, an enemy comes softly in through the window and shoots him as he writes. What more
     do you want?”
    “I'd just like to say Ñ” I began.
    “Out of the way, if you please, sir. I want to see if there are footprints.”
    He went down on his hands and knees, moving towards the open window.
    “I think you ought to know Ñ” I said obstinately.
    The Inspector rose. He spoke without heat, but firmly.
    “We'll go into all that later. I'd be obliged if you gentlemen will clear out of here.
     Right out, if you please.”
    We permitted ourselves to be shooed out like children.
    Hours seemed to have passed Ñ yet it was only a quarter?past seven.
    “Well,” said Haydock. “That's that. When that conceited ass wants me, you can send him
     over to the surgery. So long.”
    “The mistress is back,” said Mary, making a brief appearance from the kitchen. Her eyes
     were round and agog with excitement. “Come in about five minutes ago.”
    I found Griselda in the drawing?room. She looked frightened, but excited.
    I told her everything and she listened attentively.
    “The letter is headed 6.20,” I ended. “And the clock fell over and has stopped at 6.22.”
    “Yes,” said Griselda. “But that clock, didn't you tell him that it was always kept a
     quarter of an hour fast?”
    “No,” I said. “I didn't. He wouldn't let me. I tried my best.” Griselda was frowning in a
     puzzled manner.
    “But, Len,” she said, “that makes the whole thing perfectly extraordinary. Because when
     that clock said twenty past six it was really only five minutes past, and at five minutes
     past I don't suppose Colonel Protheroe had even arrived at the house.”

The Murder at the Vicarage

Chapter VI
    We puzzled over the business of the clock for some time, but we could make nothing of it.
     Griselda said I ought to make another effort to tell Inspector Slack about it, but on that
     point I was feeling what I can only describe as “mulish.”
    Inspector Slack had been abominably and most unnecessarily rude. I was looking forward to
     a moment when I could produce my valuable contribution and effect his discomfiture. I
     would then say in a tone of mild reproach:
    “If you had only listened to me, Inspector Slack Ñ”
    I expected that he would at least speak to me before he left the house, but to our
     surprise we learned from Mary that he had departed, having locked up the study door and
     issued orders that no one was to attempt to enter the room.
    Griselda suggested going up to Old Hall.
    “It will be so awful for Anne Protheroe Ñ with the police and everything,” she said.
     “Perhaps I might be able to do something for her.”
    I cordially approved of this plan, and