Another Man's Poison Page #2

I did leave him three years ago.

I've already told you that.

What happened then?

Blackmailed me.

About what?

What are people usually blackmailed about?

It wasn't very helpful to my career.

Will murder make your sales jump?

You could have divorced him.

He's clever. He thought of that.

He paid me visits.

What happened this morning?

I realize now he came here direct from the bank.

He said he was in trouble and wanted money.

He promised me a divorce if i'd help him.

A thousand pounds and three days shelter.

And you agreed?

When i gave him the money

he laughed in my face

and said, "now, try and get your divorce."

He sat there on the couch, and asked me to bring him a drink.

I refused.

He became violent and started hitting me.

I decided that was the last time he'd ever hit me.

I brought him his drink.

And i put something in it.

It was all over very quickly.

So he hit you, did he?

Yes, mr. Bates.

What made you think you could get away with it?

It wasn't important at the time.

Well, it's important now.

I was going to wait until night.

Yes.

The shortcut to the village behind the stables. The tarn road.

Tarn?

It's a natural lake 60 feet deep.

Where is it?

There would have to be weights.

Stones from the tarn side.

It's a deserted road. Never used.

Who else lives in the house beside you.

Chris dale, my secretary. She's away until monday.

Maids?

Daily.

She finished yesterday for the weekend.

Who else comes here?

No one. I've been working on a new book.

The only person i've seen for weeks is a dr. Henderson.

Where does he fit in?

He's the local vet. Still be home tonight.

He's been treating fury.

Did he ever meet your husband.

No one has. Not even chris.

I told you they think he's in malaya.

Where did you get the poison?

A compound henderson made for fury.

Hello, boy.

What time did preston get here?

Early this morning.

Was he seen?

I think not. There was a heavy mist. We were alone all day.

The station. The ticket collector.

He was muffled up in a scarf.

Taxi?

He walked.

Nobody saw me either.

I traveled on trucks and coal trains.

Nobody saw me, janet.

No, that's impossible.

Is it? Why?

I won't do it.

You'll do as i say.

Your husband's dead. You killed him.

They can't hang you for it as long as you can produce him alive.

I'll make a good husband, janet.

Better than he ever did.

Someone's coming.

Do get out.

Who is it?

It's me again.

I'm sorry to trouble you. May i come in?

I hope i'm not disturbing you, mrs. Frobisher.

What is it this late?

I know. I should have asked you in the car.

But you know how vague i am.

I'd like to collect the compound.

The compound.

The medicine i made up for fury.

Now that he's better. I think it might be safer with me.

Oh. I used it up.

All of it?

Yes.

And the horse still standing?

It's a miracle.

I shall have to put it on the market.

Why? Is it dangerous?

In large quantities, yes. I thought i warned you about it at the time.

Did you.

I thought i did.

Oh, there's no need to worry. I won't let anything happen to fury.

Oh, i'm sure you wouldn't, my dear.

Oh, as a favor to me. Would you mind not telling the chemist about it?

You see, i get all my raw materials from him.

And he's very easy going,...

you don't mean to say he's back?

Who?

Well, how stupid of me not to guess.

As your next door neighbor.

I think i might be allowed

to be the first to receive him, officially.

Receive whom?

Well, your husband.

Oh, come now. Won't you please introduce me?

Yes. Of course she will.

My wife wasn't trying to be inhospitable.

Allow me to introduce myself. I'm george preston.

How do you do, my dear sir. Good evening.

So you're really mrs. Preston?

You've been keeping secrets from me.

Frobisher is only a pen name.

George, dear, this is dr. Henderson.

If i had known we were having company

i would have shaved.

Oh, nonsense i'm practically one of the family

i only live on the next door farm.

How nice to have medical aid so close at hand.

Oh, don't misunderstand me, mr. Uh...

uh preston.

Preston, yes.

My patients are only animals.

You see the doctor's a courtesy title,

one might almost say, a pen name?

Would you care for a drink?

The doctor doesn't drink.

Well, it's such a very special occasion, perhaps a little sherry wine.

I only touch alcohol on my birthday.

Janet, dear?

And then i must get back and finish my writing.

Oh, you're a writer, too?

Oh, nothing cosmic.

Just a paper for the royal society in animal medicine.

Which reminds me, my dear,

don't you think i might borrow your dictionary again for the auto?

I should think so.

Good. Good.

Oh, i'm not the only one drinking?

We're not exactly at a party.

Well, here's wishing you both a long life.

There's nothing quite so warming as a...

is anything wrong?

Oh, was i staring?

I'm so sorry. It's a dreadful habit.

Well, to work, to work.

I'm very glad, indeed, to have met you, sir.

Oh, my dear, the dictionary.

Of course.

Well, the last time, i think you found one in the study.

Shall i get it for you?

No, no, i'll get it.

You must be jolly glad to be home again, mr. Preston.

Uh? Oh, yes, yes.

Malay, wasn't it?

Most of the time.

Is it a hot climate?

Stifling.

Oh, that's odd. I thought it must be quite temperate.

What gave you that idea?

Only your lack of sunburn.

Well, i, uh, i spent several weeks in the hospital up in the hills.

Oh, i'm so sorry. Everything back to normal, i hope?

Fine. Fine.

Ah.

It's the new oxford dictionary.

Will that do?

Oh, our old friend. Yes

and now i'm afraid i really must tear myself away.

Duty calls. Thank you for your hospitality.

Both of you.

It really has been a most delightful surprise meeting you.

And welcome back once more to your own fireside.

Thank you, doctor. Goodbye.

Au revoir!

What were all those questions?

I could kick you.

You would have had quite a night's work

pitching two of us into the tarn.

I told you to get out.

It's lucky i didn't.

You seemed to be getting into quite a tangle.

You needn't have taken his clothes.

I could hardly have used my own.

It's wonderful what new clothes do for you mentally.

It's too bad this doesn't fit, too.

Your husband had good taste.

In everything.

We're not going through with this.

You don't have any choice.

I'm you husband.

Here, drink this.

You're gonna need it.

Shall we go?

Thank you. How much is that?

18 and six.

Sounds much, i know, but i get some 30 miles.

That's all right.

Looks like janet's asleep.

She can't be asleep.

Who is it?

My secretary and, her... fiance.

You said monday.

She must have gone to bed.

Janet!

Janet?

Who's there?

Larry, it's janet.

Well, open up then.

I'm afraid i can't. The door seems to be jammed.

Janet. Are you all right?

Of course i'm all right. I didn't expect you back till monday, chris.

You remember larry.

Quite.

Did my faithful little secretary

think i might suddenly have a juicy murder to dictate?

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