Page:Christie - The Mysterious Affair at Styles.djvu/270

 This confirmed my belief that Mrs. Cavendish was not speaking the truth when she declared that she had been dressing in her room at the time of the tragedy. In fact, I was convinced that, far from having been in her own room, Mrs. Cavendish was actually in the deceased's room when the alarm was given."

I shot a quick glance at Mary. She was very pale, but smiling.

"I proceeded to reason on that assumption. Mrs. Cavendish is in her mother-in-law's room.  We will say that she is seeking for something and has not yet found it.  Suddenly Mrs. Inglethorp awakens and is seized with an alarming paroxysm.  She flings out her arm, overturning the bed table, and then pulls desperately at the bell.  Mrs. Cavendish, startled, drops her candle, scattering the grease on the carpet.  She picks it up, and retreats quickly to Mademoiselle Cynthia's room, closing the door behind her.  She hurries out into the passage, for the servants must not find her where she is.  But it is too late! Already footsteps are echoing along the gallery which connects the two wings.  What can she do? Quick as thought, she hurries back to the young girl's room, and starts shaking her awake.  The hastily aroused household come trooping down the passage.  They are all busily battering at Mrs. Inglethorp's door. It occurs to nobody that Mrs. Cavendish has not