The Riddle of Sphinx Island Read Free Page B

went up.
    ‘Not a single one. Mod cons are in somewhat short supply on Sphinx. Remember the old Punch cartoon? Oh dear that was so funny . “Good night, Mrs Jones, you must forgive our primitive ways.” Well, Ella alone is worth ten servants. Ella makes sure the flowers are right, she organises the menu and she actually cooks for us. She is efficiency personified. I have an idea she was once involved with Oswald. I don’t think she is awfully happy, but then who is? Maisie, as I said, is Oswald’s brand-new amanuensis, if that indeed is the word I want, though what exactly she does is anybody’s guess.’
    ‘There is no Mrs Ramskritt?’
    ‘No. Dead, I think. Strictly entre nous , Oswald’s completely smitten with Maisie, poor man, as only a middle-aged man can be, though I somehow doubt he’s declared undying love for her yet. The girl, on the other hand, is in awe of him.’
    ‘They seem to be a fascinating bunch of characters.’ Payne shot a glance at Antonia.
    No servants, Antonia was thinking. That was a bit unusual. A house party on a minuscule island and no servants …
    ‘Who is Mrs Garrison-Gore?’ Antonia asked.
    ‘Oh, just a friend of a friend … I am afraid John has been making things a little awkward for everybody. What started as a mild neurosis has developed into what some may call a morbid obsession. He leaves his room only in the dead of night. He likes to walk about the island, even when there is a storm. He wears an oilskin and a slouch hat and carries a lantern and a gun. I’d better explain. A couple of years ago John was attacked by two seagulls and he’s been quite different since. Sometimes, in the morning, we find the little beach below the rocks littered with the bodies of the seagulls he has shot during the night.’
    ‘I assume he has a licence for his guns?’
    ‘He has, though in my opinion it should be taken away. He is not a responsible person and accidents do happen, don’t they? I loathe the idea of reporting him as that would make me a snitch, but the truth is that John and I can’t agree about a single thing. Strangers to matters of any importance, as they say.’
    Payne looked at her. ‘This murder mystery of yours – is it perhaps something to do with your brother?’
    She gave a sad smile. ‘You ask the kind of question I can’t possibly answer. Incidentally, no one must ever know that you are on any sort of urgent mission. When you arrive on Friday, you will be introduced as Lady Grylls’ nephew and niece-by-marriage, which of course is who you are.’ She lowered her voice. ‘I am sure you wouldn’t dream of giving the game away. Your aunt said you make a religion of being discreet in every case you undertake.’
    ‘I don’t think we are up to undertaking anything. I am not sure we’ll be able to come, really.’ Antonia spoke in sudden panic. ‘As it happens, we are extremely busy this weekend, aren’t we, Hugh? It’s rather a special kind of weekend for us, you see. An exclusive kind of celebration, you may say –’
    ‘How many people are there on the island altogether?’ Payne asked.
    ‘Let me see. Oh dear, I am so terribly bad at arithmetics! Seven – no, eight – that includes your aunt and Doctor Klein.’ Sybil de Coverley counted on her fingers. ‘When you join us, there will be ten of us … Ten, yes – that’s right, isn’t it?’

3
BETRAYAL
    Doctor Klein’s hand went up to a point above his right eyebrow where it hovered for a second or two. It was a curious gesture. She had observed him do it before. He asked if she really wanted to hear the results of his assessment.
    ‘I do. I want to see whether you will tell me anything about Oswald which I don’t know already,’ Ella said. She was tall and attenuated and very fair. Her ash-blond hair was bobbed and she wore pearl earrings. She looked extremely elegant in a silk trouser suit with narrow trousers and tunic top in a subtle shade of a very pale greenish-gold. From a