The Layton Court Mystery Read online

  ‘That all seems feasible enough. What next?’

  ‘Why, the murderer, setting the room to rights afterwards, thinks he’d better have a look in the basket. The first thing he spots is that piece of paper. ‘Aha!’ he thinks. ‘The very thing I wanted to put a finishing touch to the affair!’ Smoothes it carefully out, puts it in the typewriter and types those few words above the signature. What could be simpler?’

  By Jove, I wonder! It’s jolly ingenious.’

  Roger’s eyes were sparkling. ‘Ingenious? Yes; but in its very simplicity. Oh, that’s what happened, sure enough. There’s plenty of corroboration, when you come to think of it. The way the whole thing’s got into the top half of the sheet of paper, for instance. That isn’t natural, really, is it? It ought to be in the middle, with the signature about two thirds down. And why isn’t it? Because the signature was in the middle already, and the fellow had to work upwards from that.’

  ‘I believe you must be right,’ Alec said slowly.

  ‘Well, don’t be so grudging about it. Of course I’m right! As a matter of fact, those scratches on the blotting paper gave me the idea as soon as I saw them. I’d been puzzling after a way of getting round that confession. But when I found that second sheet in the waste-paper basket of course the thing was as plain as a pikestaff. That was a bad blunder of his, by the way; not to look through the rest of the basket’s contents.’

  ‘Yes,’ Alec agreed seriously. ‘And supposing the inspector had found it. It might have given him something to think about, mightn’t it?’

  ‘It might and it mightn’t. Of course from the inspector’s point of view there’s been nothing to afford the least question as to the plain fact of suicide; except the absence of motive, of course, and that’s really nothing, after all. He hasn’t had his suspicions aroused more or less by accident, as it were, like we have.’

  ‘We’ve had the luck, all right,’ Alec remarked, possibly in his role of brake.

  ‘Undoubtedly, but we haven’t let it lie about untouched,’ Roger said complacently. ‘In fact, I think we’ve done very well indeed up to now,’ he added candidly. ‘I don’t see how we could have done more, do you?’

  ‘No, I’m dashed if I do,’ said Alec with decision.

  ‘But there’s one thing needed to round it off nicely.’

  ‘Oh? What’s that?’

  ‘To find the murderer,’ Roger replied calmly.

  chapter ten

  Mrs Plant Is Apprehensive

  ‘Great Scott!’ Alec exclaimed, considerably startled. ‘Find the murderer?’

  Roger seemed pleased with the impression he had made. ‘Naturally. What else? It’s the logical sequel to what we’ve already done, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose so,’ Alec hesitated, ‘if you put it like that. But – Well, we seem to be getting on so jolly fast. I mean, it’s rather difficult to realise that a murder’s been committed at all. It all seems so impossible, you know.’

  ‘That’s simply because it’s something foreign to your usual experience of life,’ Roger said thoughtfully. ‘I admit that it is a bit of a shock at first to face the fact that Stanworth was murdered instead of committing suicide. But that’s not because there’s anything inherently improbable about murder itself. Murder’s a common enough event if it comes to that. But it doesn’t generally take place among the circle of one’s immediate friends; that’s the trouble. Anyhow, there’s no getting over it in this case. If ever a man was murdered, Stanworth was. And very cleverly murdered, too. I tell you, Alec, it’s no ordinary criminal we’re after. It’s an extraordinarily cool, brainy, and calculating sort of person indeed.’

  ‘Calculating?’ Alec repeated. ‘Then do you think it was premeditated?’

  ‘Impossible to say, as yet. But I should certainly imagine so. It looks as if it had been very carefully thought out beforehand, doesn’t it?’

  ‘There doesn’t seem to have been much left to chance,’ Alec agreed.

  ‘And look at the deliberation of the fellow. Fancy stopping to collect those bits of vase and cover up the traces of that second shot like that! He must have some nerve. Yes, it certainly looks more and more as if it was a prearranged thing. I don’t say for last night in particular; that may only have been a favourable opportunity which the chap was quick to seize. But I do think that he’d made up his mind to kill Stanworth some time or other.’

  ‘You think it was somebody Stanworth knew, then?’

  ‘Oh, there’s not much doubt about that. And somebody he was vastly afraid of, too, I should imagine. Why else should he keep a revolver so handy, if he wasn’t expecting something of the kind? Yes, that’s the line we ought to go on – see if we can discover whether there was anybody among his acquaintances of whom Stanworth was thoroughly frightened. If we can only find that out, and the name of the person as well, the odds are ten to one that we shall have solved the mystery of the murderer’s identity.’

  ‘That sounds reasonable enough,’ said Alec with interest. ‘Got any theory of how it was done?’

  Roger beamed. ‘I believe I can tell you exactly how it was done,’ he said, not without pride. ‘Listen!’

  He recounted at some length the results of his after-lunch meditations and explained the reasons upon which his conclusions had been based. It took the two of them several circuits of the rose garden before the recital was completed, and then Roger turned expectantly to his companion.

  ‘You see?’ he concluded eagerly. ‘That accounts for everything except the facts of the confession and the murderer’s escape from the library. Now I’ve cleared up the confession, and we’ve only got one difficulty to get over. What do you think of it?’

  ‘Humph!’ observed Alec cautiously. He paused, and it was evident that he was thinking deeply.

  ‘Well?’ asked Roger impatiently.

  ‘There’s one thing I don’t quite see,’ Alec said slowly. ‘According to you the shot that killed Stanworth was fired from the other man’s revolver. Then how is it that the bullet they took out of his head fitted the empty shell in his own revolver?’

  Roger’s face fell. ‘Hullo!’ he exclaimed. ‘That never occurred to me.’

  ‘I thought it couldn’t have,’ said Alec complacently. ‘That rather knocks your theory on the head, doesn’t it?’

  ‘It’s one to you, Watson, certainly,’ Roger smiled a little ruefully.

  ‘Ah!’ observed Alec deeply. He was evidently not going to spoil the impression he had just made by any rash remarks. Alec was one of those fortunate people who know just when to stop.

  ‘Still, after all,’ Roger said slowly, ‘that’s only a matter of detail, isn’t it? My version of how it happened may be quite wrong. But that doesn’t affect the main issue, which is that it was done.’

  ‘In other words, the fact of murder is definitely established, you think, although you don’t know how it was carried out?’ Alec asked thoughtfully.

  ‘Precisely.’

  ‘Humph! And do you still think the motive was robbery?’

  ‘I do. And – By Jove!’ Roger stopped suddenly in his stride and turned exultantly to his companion. ‘That may account for Mrs Plant, too!’

  ‘What about Mrs Plant?’

  ‘Well, didn’t you notice her at lunch? She was as cheerful and unconcerned as anything. Rather a change from the very perturbed person we surprised at the safe this morning, wasn’t it? And on the face of it you’d have expected her to be still more worried, with the prospect of the opening of the safe this afternoon and the proving of her little story to us to be false. But was she? Not a bit of it. She looked as if she hadn’t a trouble in the world. You must have noticed it.’

  ‘Yes, I did, now you come to mention it. I thought she must be acting.’

  ‘Mrs Plant wasn’t acting at lunch any more than she was telling the truth to us this morning,’ said Roger with conviction. ‘And why wasn’t she? Because for some mysterious reason or other she had no need to be. In other words
, she knew that when the safe was opened this afternoon, everything would be all right as far as she was concerned.’

  ‘How on earth did she know that?’

  ‘I wish I could tell you. But consider. If the safe had been robbed last night, Mrs Plant’s jewels would have disappeared with the other valuables, wouldn’t they? That is, assuming that they had ever been there. Well, there’s her answer to us. “Oh, yes, my jewels were there, and that’s why I wanted to get at the safe; but they’ve been stolen with everything else, and that’s why they’re not there now.” See?’

  ‘Yes, but what I want to know is, how did she find out that the safe had been robbed and her story to us would hold water after all?’

  ‘And that’s exactly what I want to know, too, my excellent Alec. If we only knew that, we should have advanced a long way to the solution of the mystery. All that we can say definitely is that, some time between our finding her in the library and lunch time, information must have reached her about what happened to the safe last night. It seems to me that Mrs Plant is going to find herself in a very awkward position rather soon.’

  ‘But why do you think Mrs Plant wanted to open the safe this morning, if there’s no truth in her tale?’

  ‘Obviously there must have been something inside that she badly wanted to get hold of. Equally obviously she now either has got hold of it, or knows that it’s in safe keeping. And then we get back to Jefferson again. He’s been going through exactly the same sequence of emotions as Mrs Plant. What do you make of that?’

  ‘Surely you’re not suggesting that Jefferson and Mrs Plant are in league together, are you?’

  ‘What other conclusion is there? They’re both anxious to get something out of that safe before the police open it, and they’re both palpably worried to death over something. Yet at one o’clock they’re both smiling away to themselves as if a tremendous load had been taken off their minds. I’m afraid that they’re not only in league with each other, but with a mysterious third person as well. How else can you account for their behaviour?’

  ‘Good Lord! You don’t mean that they’re acting with – with the murderer, do you?’

  ‘It looks to me uncommonly like it,’ said Roger gravely. ‘After all, he’s the only person, so far as we know, who could have enlightened them about the safe.’

  ‘But it’s out of the question!’ Alec burst out impulsively. ‘Jefferson – I don’t know anything about him, though I should certainly have set him down as quite a decent fellow and a sahib, even if he is a bit reserved. But Mrs Plant! My dear chap, you’re absolutely off the rails there. Of all the obviously straightforward and honest people in the world, I should have said that Mrs Plant was the most. Oh, you must be on the wrong tack!’

  ‘I only wish I were,’ Roger returned seriously. ‘Three hours ago I should have said that the idea of Mrs Plant being mixed up in a murder was not only unthinkable, but ludicrous. I’ve always thought her a charming woman, and, as you say, absolutely sincere. Certainly not a happy woman (one doesn’t know anything about that husband of hers, by the way; he may be a bad egg); in fact, a woman with a good deal of sorrow in her life, I should say. But absolutely as straight as a die. Yet what can one think now? Facts speak louder than opinions. And the facts are only too plain.’

  ‘I don’t care,’ said Alec obstinately. ‘If you’re trying to mix Mrs Plant up in this affair, you’re making a hopeless mistake, Roger. That’s all I’ve got to say.’

  ‘I hope you’re right, Alec,’ Roger said dryly. ‘By the way, I think I want to have a word with the lady. Oh, I’m not going to tax her with the murder or anything,’ he added with a smile, observing the look on Alec’s face. ‘But I think she said at lunch that she was expecting to leave here this afternoon. Of course that’s out of the question. She was the last person to see Stanworth alive, and she’ll be wanted to give evidence at the inquest. The inspector must have forgotten to tell her. Let’s go and see what she’s got to say about it.’

  Somewhat unwillingly Alec accompanied Roger on his quest. He did not attempt to make any secret of his distaste for this aspect of his new role. To hunt down a man who deserves no mercy and expects none is one thing; to hunt down a charming lady is very much another.

  Mrs Plant was sitting in a garden chair on a shady part of the lawn. There was a book in her lap, but she was staring abstractedly at the grass before her and her thoughts were evidently very far away. Hearing their footsteps she glanced up quickly and greeted the two with her usual quiet, rather sad smile.

  ‘Have you come to tell me that Inspector Mansfield has arrived?’ she asked, perfectly naturally.

  Roger threw himself casually on the ground just in front of her.

  ‘No, he hasn’t come yet,’ he replied easily. ‘Very hot out here, isn’t it?’

  ‘I suppose it is. But the heat doesn’t worry me, I’m glad to say. I had enough of it in the Sudan to inure me to anything that this country can produce.’

  ‘You’re lucky then. Alec, why on earth don’t you lie down and be comfortable? Never stand up when you can sit down instead. By the way, Mrs Plant, I suppose you’ll be staying over for the inquest tomorrow, won’t you?’

  ‘Oh, no. I shall be off this afternoon, Mr Sheringham.’

  Roger glanced up. ‘But surely you’ll be wanted to give evidence? You were the last person to see him alive, weren’t you? In the hall, you know?’

  ‘Oh, I – I don’t think I shall be needed, shall I?’ Mrs Plant asked apprehensively, paling slightly. ‘The inspector didn’t – he didn’t say anything about it.’

  ‘Perhaps he didn’t know then that you were the last person,’ said Roger carelessly, but watching her narrowly. ‘And afterwards he must have forgotten to warn you; or else he was intending to do so this afternoon. But they’re certain to need you, you know.’

  It was very clear that this piece of news was highly unwelcome. Mrs Plant’s hand was trembling in her lap, and she was biting her lip in an effort to retain her self – control.

  ‘Do you really think so?’ she asked, in a voice that she strove desperately to render unconcerned. ‘But I haven’t got anything of – of any importance to tell, you know.’

  ‘Oh, no, of course not,’ Roger said reassuringly. ‘It’s only a matter of form, you know. You’ll just have to repeat what you told the inspector this morning.’

  ‘Will they – Are they likely to ask me any questions, Mr Sheringham?’ Mrs Plant asked, with a little laugh.

  ‘Oh, they may ask you one or two, perhaps. Nothing very dreadful.’

  ‘I see. What sort of questions, would you imagine?’

  ‘About Mr Stanworth’s manner, probably. Whether he was cheerful, and all that. And of course they’ll want to know what he spoke to you about.’

  ‘Oh, that was nothing,’ Mrs Plant replied quickly. ‘Just about – Oh, nothing of any importance whatever. Er – you will be giving evidence, too, won’t you, Mr Sheringham?’

  ‘Yes, unfortunately.’

  Only the white knuckles of her clenched hand gave any hint of Mrs Plant’s feelings as she asked lightly enough, ‘And you’re not going to give me away over that absurd panic of mine about my jewels this morning, are you? You promised, didn’t you?’

  ‘Of course not!’ said Roger easily. ‘Wouldn’t dream of it!’

  ‘Not even if they ask you?’ Mrs Plant persisted, with a nervous little laugh.

  ‘How could they ask me?’ Roger smiled. ‘Nobody knows anything about it except us three. Besides, I shouldn’t think of giving you away.’

  ‘Nor you, Mr Grierson?’ she asked, turning to Alec.

  Alec flushed slightly. ‘Naturally not,’ he said awkwardly.

  Mrs Plant fumbled with the handkerchief in her hand and surreptitiously wiped her mouth.

  ‘Thank you so much, both of you,’ she said in a low voice.

  Roger jumped suddenly to his feet.

  ‘Hullo!’ he exclaimed, putting an end to a difficult pause. �
�Isn’t that the inspector just going up to the front door? Let’s go in and watch the safe being opened, shall we?’

  chapter eleven

  Lady Stanworth Exchanges Glances

  Leaving Alec to accompany Mrs Plant to the house, Roger hurried on ahead with a muttered excuse. He was anxious not to miss a moment of the highly significant scene which was about to take place. As he reached the hall, Jefferson was in the act of greeting the perspiring inspector.

  ‘I’m sorry you have had all this trouble, Inspector,’ he was saying. ‘It’s too bad on a day like this.’

  ‘It is a bit warm, sir,’ the inspector admitted, mopping vigorously.

  ‘I should have thought they might have provided you with a car or something. Hullo, Sheringham. Come to see the safe opened?’

  ‘If the inspector has no objections,’ Roger said.

  ‘Me, sir? Not in the least. In fact, I think everybody concerned ought to be present. Not that I really expect to find anything particularly important, but you never know, do you?’

  ‘Never,’ said Roger gravely.

  ‘Well, Lady Stanworth will be down in a minute, no doubt,’ Jefferson remarked; ‘and then we can see to it. You had no difficulty in getting the combination, Inspector?’

  ‘None at all, sir. It was only a question of ringing up the makers. Whew! It is hot!’

  Roger had been watching Jefferson carefully. There was no doubt that, whatever his feelings about the opening of the safe had been in the morning, he was now quite unperturbed. Roger was more convinced than ever that something of the first importance must have occurred to effect this radical change.

  A slow tread overhead caused him to look up. Lady Stanworth was descending the stairs.

  ‘Ah, here is Lady Stanworth,’ the inspector observed, with a slight bow.

  Lady Stanworth inclined her head coldly. ‘You wish me to be present at this formality, Inspector?’ she asked distantly.