Dumb Witness. Agatha Christie

it’s only Lawson…’

      In the garden Miss Lawson walked with Mrs Tanios and asked her questions about the children. Bella Tanios’ rather drab face lighted up. She forgot to watch Theresa. She talked eagerly and animatedly. Mary had said such a quaint thing on the boat…

      She found Minnie Lawson a most sympathetic listener.

      Presently a fair-haired young man with a solemn face and pince-nez was shown into the garden from the house. He looked rather embarrassed. Miss Arundell greeted him politely.

      Theresa said:

      ‘Hullo, Rex!’

      She slipped an arm through his. They wandered away.

      Charles made a face. He slipped away to have a word with the gardener, an ally of his from old days.

      When Miss Arundell re-entered the house Charles was playing with Bob. The dog stood at the top of the stairs, his ball in his mouth, his tail gently wagging.

      ‘Come on, old man,’ said Charles.

      Bob sank down on his haunches, nosed his ball slowly and slowly nearer the edge. As he finally bunted it over he sprang to his feet in great excitement. The ball bumped slowly down the stairs. Charles caught it and tossed it up to him. Bob caught it neatly in his mouth. The performance was repeated.

      ‘Regular game of his, this,’ said Charles.

      Emily Arundell smiled.

      ‘He’ll go on for hours,’ she said.

      She turned into the drawing-room and Charles followed her. Bob gave a disappointed bark.

      Glancing through the window Charles said:

      ‘Look at Theresa and her young man. They are an odd couple!’

      ‘You think Theresa is really serious over this?’

      ‘Oh, she’s crazy about him!’ said Charles with confidence. ‘Odd taste, but there it is. I think it must be the way he looks at her as though she were a scientific specimen and not a live woman. That’s rather a novelty for Theresa. Pity the fellow’s so poor. Theresa’s got expensive tastes.’

      Miss Arundell said drily:

      ‘I’ve no doubt she can change her way of living—if she wants to! And after all she has her own income.’

      ‘Eh? Oh yes, yes, of course.’

      Charles shot an almost guilty look at her.

      That evening, as the others were assembled in the drawing-room waiting to go in to dinner, there was a scurry and a burst of profanity on the stairs. Charles entered with his face rather red.

      ‘Sorry, Aunt Emily, am I late? That dog of yours nearly made me take the most frightful toss. He’d left that ball of his on the top of the stairs.’

      ‘Careless little doggie,’ cried Miss Lawson, bending down to Bob.

      Bob looked at her contemptuously and turned his head away.

      ‘I know,’ said Miss Arundell. ‘It’s most dangerous. Minnie, fetch the ball and put it away.’

      Miss Lawson hurried out.

      Dr Tanios monopolized the conversation at the dinner-table most of the time. He told amusing stories of his life in Smyrna.

      The party went to bed early. Miss Lawson carrying wool, spectacles, a large velvet bag and a book accompanied her employer to her bedroom chattering happily.

      ‘Really most amusing, Dr Tanios. He is such good company! Not that I should care for that kind of life myself… One would have to boil the water, I expect… And goat’s milk, perhaps—such a disagreeable taste—’

      Miss Arundell snapped:

      ‘Don’t be a fool, Minnie. You told Ellen to call me at half-past six?’

      ‘Oh, yes, Miss Arundell. I said no tea, but don’t you think it might be wiser—You know, the vicar at Southbridge—a most conscientious man, told me distinctly that there was no obligation to come fasting—’

      Once more Miss Arundell cut her short.

      ‘I’ve never yet taken anything before Early Service and I’m not going to begin now. You can do as you like.’

      ‘Oh, no—I didn’t mean—I’m sure—’

      Miss Lawson was flustered and upset.

      ‘Take Bob’s collar off,’ said Miss Arundell.

      The slave hastened to obey.

      Still trying to please she said:

      ‘Such a pleasant evening. They all seem so pleased to be here.’

      ‘Hmph,’ said Emily Arundell. ‘All here for what they can get.’

      ‘Oh, dear Miss Arundell—’

      ‘My good Minnie, I’m not a fool whatever else I am! I just wonder which of them will open the subject first.’

      She was not long left in doubt on that point. She and Miss Lawson returned from attending Early Service just after nine. Dr and Mrs Tanios were in the dining-room, but there were no signs of the two Arundells. After breakfast, when the others had left, Miss Arundell sat on, entering up some accounts in a little book.

      Charles entered the room about ten.

      ‘Sorry I’m late, Aunt Emily. But Theresa’s worse. She’s not unclosed an eyelid yet.’

      ‘At half-past ten breakfast will be cleared away,’ said Miss Arundell. ‘I know it is the fashion not to consider servants nowadays, but that is not the case in my house.’

      ‘Good. That’s the true diehard spirit!’

      Charles helped himself to kidneys and sat down beside her.

      His grin, as always, was very attractive. Emily Arundell soon found herself smiling indulgently at him. Emboldened by this sign of favour, Charles plunged.

      ‘Look here, Aunt Emily, sorry to bother you, but I’m in the devil of a hole. Can you possibly help me out? A hundred would do it.’

      His aunt’s face was not encouraging. A certain grimness showed itself in her expression.

      Emily Arundell was not afraid of speaking her mind. She spoke it.

      Miss Lawson hustling across the hall almost collided with Charles as he left the dining-room. She glanced at him curiously. She entered the dining-room to find Miss Arundell sitting very upright with a flushed face.

       CHAPTER 2

       The Relations

      Charles ran lightly up the stairs and tapped on his sister’s door. Her answering ‘Come in’ came promptly and he entered.

      Theresa was sitting up in bed yawning.

      Charles took a seat on the bed.

      ‘What a decorative female you are, Theresa,’ he remarked appreciatively.

      Theresa said sharply:

      ‘What’s the matter?’

      Charles grinned.

      ‘Sharp, aren’t you? Well, I stole a march on you, my girl! Thought I’d make my touch before you got to work.’

      ‘Well?’

      Charles spread his hands downwards in negation.

      ‘Nothing doing!