Murder at the Gallop Page #3

You should know that at | the reading of the will this morning,

Cora Lansquenet said | that her brother had been murdered.

What? How did you know...

Oh, you happened | to overhear, didn't you?

As you say, I overheard.

Why didn't you tell me this before?

Well, I did try to tell you earlier, | but you wouldn't let me.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course. So I didn't.

Don't you think it coincidental

that she was murdered so soon | after making that statement?

Yes...

Too coincidental.

Unless someone in the family thought

that Cora not only knew | her brother had been murdered,

but who murdered him.

Yes...

Moreover, that poor woman | is in a very dangerous position.

- Miss Milchrest? | - Yes.

If she did overhear what passed | between Cora and her brother

and the murderer suspected,

she's likely to receive | the same treatment that Cora did.

I have to leave you now, | I'm afraid, to go and pack.

- Pack? | - Yes, I'm going on a short holiday.

Good day.

A very good idea, Miss Marple.

I hope you have | a most enjoyable time.

Mr Enderby, Inspector Craddock.

This way, sir.

I'll be in touch.

Miss Marple, | I'm still not happy about this.

If I could be with you...

Mr Stringer, we agreed a non-rider in | this place would be conspicuous.

Besides, the police are here.

As a matter of routine, | I'd like an account of your movements

between 2pm and 4pm yesterday.

Surely you're not suggesting one of | the family put Auntie Cora down?

I'm not suggesting anything, | I'm making enquiries.

Extremely offensive ones!

I'm sorry. | I find murder offensive too.

Why would we do a dreadfuI thing like | that to an old woman?

Well, one suggestion that's been | put forward is... to keep her quiet.

About what?

It seems she made a statement | yesterday morning.

A statement that your uncle, | Mr Enderby, was murdered.

How did you find that out?

I think that's irrelevant, don't you?

I take it no one is denying | Mrs Lansquenet did say it?

Very well then. There is one motive. | There could be others.

May I start with you, Mr Shane?

Yes, all right,

but I can't give you an alibi, | if that's what you want.

Yesterday... | Well, I was out riding all afternoon.

Alone, sir?

- Quite alone. | - Where?

I'm not familiar enough | with the area to tell you.

You were familiar enough | to find your way back?

The horse did.

Did you meet anyone whilst riding?

No, I'm afraid not. I wish I had.

So do I.

What about you, Mr Crossfield?

Well, I was out riding too.

- I see. | - I didn't meet anyone either.

Very well then... and I suppose you | were out riding too, Mr Enderby?

No, I was in here all afternoon.

Were you, Hector?

The door was locked. | I thought you were out.

I locked the door. | I didn't want to be disturbed.

What were you doing?

I was doing my accounts.

I see. Very well.

Mrs Shane?

We all seem to have pretty feeble | alibis; I was in my room too.

All afternoon?

Yes, except when I went to look | for Hector. I was reading.

Did anyone see you | when you came looking for Mr Enderby?

No.

I must say, it is unusual for an | English woman to prefer reading

when she could be riding, | but it is possible.

- I didn't say it wasn't. | - I hope you're satisfied.

I'm far from satisfied, Mr Enderby, | but we'll leave it for now.

Please make detailed statements | to the Sergeant

and keep yourselves available.

- I'll be with the Chief Constable. | - Yes, sir.

Just one moment, Inspector.

Do you want us all to stay here?

I'm afraid so, | at least until after the inquest.

I have to go up north tomorrow.

I'm sorry, that isn't possible.

It's an important sale. | Lord Fotherway's picture collection.

I have a client for the Gainsborough.

You also have a partner, | I understand.

Have you been checking up on me?

Your partner can handle the sale, | can't he?

- Yes, but... | - That's fine. Good day.

Now, sir, perhaps | I could deal with you first.

I want to tell you something.

- Yes? | - I'm trying to run a business here.

It's not very nice | having a police car parked outside.

If you come again, | you might come more incognito.

- Nothing else? | - That's enough.

Yes, it is. Good morning.

- Do you see that? | - Can't miss it.

It's a Broadbreech side-saddle.

Broadbreech, Northampton. | Vintage, too.

- Have a look. | - What?

Have a look at the date... | behind the stirrup bar.

It says...

No, don't tell me, I'll tell you.

1882.

No, I'm lying to you. 1885.

Right.

I can tell you whose it is, I've only | seen one once in this country,

Lady Curthbrackle.

No...

It belongs to...

Me, Mr Enderby. Morning, Inspector. | My mama's, of course.

It's magnificent.

I hope you have an animal | to accommodate it and me?

Yes, indeed.

Oh, how nice. I've booked in | for a week, don't you know.

Inspector, how nice to see you | after so long.

So long?

Yes, it must be months.

Yes... quite.

I'm delighted, Miss Marple. I never | dreamt you aspired to be one of us.

- I've done some riding in my time. | - Oh?

Junior Silver Spurs, | Brockbrook, 1910.

Junior Silver, Brockbrook, 1910? Miss | J. T. V. Marple?

Miss Marple, I...

No, please, Inspector! To think we've | been neighbours for years!

- You'll lunch with me, of course? | - Of course.

1910, what a year that must have | been! You must have seen...

- Mr Enderby. | - Sorry to have kept you.

I didn't want | to disturb you at lunch.

That was kind of you. | Won't you come in?

We must find somewhere | to bed you down.

- Bed me down? | - Get you a room.

- Won't you sit down? | - How very kind of you.

Nonsense, you couldn't stay | in the cottage after what happened.

No, I couldn't. I just couldn't.

That's why I'm so gratefuI.

It's a pleasure, dear lady.

A shock like this | takes weeks to get over.

A few gallops over the Downs and | we'll have you back in the saddle.

I don't ride.

You don't ride? | We'll have to see to that, won't we?

Perhaps, whilst I'm here, there might | be something I could do.

I can arrange the flowers or... | be a hostess.

Yes, we'll talk about that later.

Yes, I mustn't keep you. | I'm sure you're very busy.

Perhaps someone could | show me to my room?

- I'll take you. | - Please don't bother.

I'll get the porter | to take my things up.

Oh, Miss Milchrest.

Yes, Mr Enderby.

There was something I wanted to ask. | What was it? Oh yes, of course.

The day that her brother | called on poor Aunt Cora,

were you at the cottage?

Why... yes, I was.

You've no idea what was said?

Well... no. | Naturally they wanted to be alone.

Oh well, it's not important. | Thank you.

Oh, Miss Milchrest, good morning.

How nice to see you again.

Good morning.

Don't look so frightened, my dear. | I've done my quota of murders today.

- Are you staying here? | - I am indeed.

- Oh, I didn't know that. | - A delightfuI surprise no doubt.

Incidentally, | may I ask what brings you here?

Oh, Mr Hector's been very kind.

He invited me | when I had to leave the cottage

and I had no place to go.

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