The Body in the Library Read Free Page B

was Basil Blake. He does have parties. People came down from London and from the studios—you remember last July? Shouting and singing—the most terrible noise—everyone very drunk, I’m afraid—and the mess and the broken glass next morning simply unbelievable—so old Mrs. Berry told me—and a young woman asleep in the bath with practically nothing on! ”
    Mrs. Bantry said indulgently:
    â€œI suppose they were film people.”
    â€œVery likely. And then—what I expect you’ve heard—several weekends lately he’s brought down a young woman with him—a platinum blonde.”
    Mrs. Bantry exclaimed:
    â€œYou don’t think it’s this one?”
    â€œWell—I wondered. Of course, I’ve never seen her close to—only just getting in and out of the car—and once in the cottage garden when she was sunbathing with just some shorts and a brassière. I never really saw her face. And all these girls with their makeup and their hair and their nails look so alike.”
    â€œYes. Still, it might be. It’s an idea, Jane.”

Two
    I
    I t was an idea that was being at that moment discussed by Colonel Melchett and Colonel Bantry.
    The Chief Constable, after viewing the body and seeing his subordinates set to work on their routine tasks, had adjourned with the master of the house to the study in the other wing of the house.
    Colonel Melchett was an irascible-looking man with a habit of tugging at his short red moustache. He did so now, shooting a perplexed sideways glance at the other man. Finally, he rapped out:
    â€œLook here, Bantry, got to get this off my chest. Is it a fact that you don’t know from Adam who this girl is?”
    The other’s answer was explosive, but the Chief Constable interrupted him.
    â€œYes, yes, old man, but look at it like this. Might be deuced awkward for you. Married man—fond of your missus and all that. But just between ourselves—if you were tied up with this girl in any way, better say so now. Quite natural to want to suppress the fact—should feel the same myself. But it won’t do. Murder case. Factsbound to come out. Dash it all, I’m not suggesting you strangled the girl—not the sort of thing you’d do— I know that. But, after all, she came here—to this house. Put it she broke in and was waiting to see you, and some bloke or other followed her down and did her in. Possible, you know. See what I mean?”
    â€œDamn it all, Melchett, I tell you I’ve never set eyes on that girl in my life! I’m not that sort of man.”
    â€œThat’s all right, then. Shouldn’t blame you, you know. Man of the world. Still, if you say so—Question is, what was she doing down here? She doesn’t come from these parts—that’s quite certain.”
    â€œThe whole thing’s a nightmare,” fumed the angry master of the house.
    â€œThe point is, old man, what was she doing in your library?”
    â€œHow should I know? I didn’t ask her here.”
    â€œNo, no. But she came here, all the same. Looks as though she wanted to see you. You haven’t had any odd letters or anything?”
    â€œNo, I haven’t.”
    Colonel Melchett inquired delicately:
    â€œWhat were you doing yourself last night?”
    â€œI went to the meeting of the Conservative Association. Nine o’clock, at Much Benham.”
    â€œAnd you got home when?”
    â€œI left Much Benham just after ten—had a bit of trouble on the way home, had to change a wheel. I got back at a quarter to twelve.”
    â€œYou didn’t go into the library?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œPity.”
    â€œI was tired. I went straight up to bed.”
    â€œAnyone waiting up for you?”
    â€œNo. I always take the latchkey. Lorrimer goes to bed at eleven unless I give orders to the contrary.”
    â€œWho shuts up the library?”
    â€œLorrimer.