The Mysterious Affair at Styles

or the convenience of the reader I will recapitulate the incidents of those days in as exact a manner as p

working as a nurse at the big hospital in Middlingham, a manufacturing town some fifteen miles

erence for the society of Dr. Bauerstein. What she saw in the man I cannot imagine, but she was always asking him up to t

ich Mrs. Inglethorp was to recite a War poem, was to be held that night. We were all busy during the morning arranging and decorating the Hall in the village where it was

rest before her efforts in the evening and I

te as supper was early that night. We had rather a scramble to get ready

e were also some tableaux in which Cynthia took part. She did not return with us, having been asked to

as she was rather overtired; but she appeared in her briskest mood

y Tadminster's sister, you know. The Rollestons came

on the plea of an engag

a mile out of our way, and pay a visit to Cynthia in her dispensary. Mrs. Inglethorp replied that this was an excellent id

ing very cool and sweet in her long white overall. She took us up to her sanctum, and introduced us t

my eye travelled round the small room.

re really thinking of bestowing a prize on the first individual who does not say: 'What a lot of

guilty wit

dn't joke about it. Come on, let's have tea. We've got all sorts of secret stories in

t put away the last tea-spoon when a knock came at the door. The countenances of

nthia, in a sharp

a bottle which she proffered to Nibs, who waved her

really he

and examined it with t

ve been sent up

very sorry.

ead the rules ou

ere was not the least likelihood of her having the ha

done until to-morrow

could possibly let

y, "we are very busy, but if w

y took a jar from the shelf, refilled the bott

aug

e must be

ittle balcony. You can see

to me. Lawrence remained behind, but after a few moments Cynthia called t

more to d

N

hen we can lo

ct, being unusually shy and reserved. Yet he had a certain charm of manner, and I fancied that, if one really knew him well, one could have a deep affection for him. I had always fancied that h

bered that I wanted some stamps, so acco

entering. I drew aside and apologised, when suddenly, with a lo

he cried. "It is ind

!" I ex

to the

iss Cynthia. This is my old friend, Monsie

aid Cynthia gaily. "But I had no

that I am here." Then, as I looked at him inquiringly: "Yes, my friend, she had kindly extended hospitality to seven o

ustache was very stiff and military. The neatness of his attire was almost incredible. I believe a speck of dust would have caused him more pain than a bullet wound. Yet this quaint dandified little man who, I was sorry to see, now

low Belgians, and I promised to go and see him at an early date. T

n," said Cynthia. "I'd

aining a celebrity

I recited to them the various explo

e entered the hall, Mrs. Inglethorp came out

s you,"

the matter, Aunt Em

e?" Then catching sight of Dorcas, the parlourmaid, going into the

ded diffidently: "Don't you think, m'm, you'd

ve some letters I must finish by post-time. Have

s,

to bed directl

udoir again, and Cyn

I wonder what's up?"

for without a word he turned on h

before supper and, Cynthia agreeing

irs. It may have been my fancy, but sh

rstein?" I asked, trying to ap

plied abruptly. "Wher

he bo

erself for some encounter, and went rapidly past me down the stairs a

oir window, and was unable to help overhearing the following scrap of dialogue. M

won't show

s. Ingletho

has nothing to do

how it

you imagine. It does not

dish replied, with

ht have known you

g for me, and gree

most awful row! I've go

ind of

d him. I do hope she's

cas ther

r the door'. It was a real old bust-up.

cided to hold my peace, whilst Cynthia exhausted every possible hypothesis, and ch

s had occurred that afternoon. I tried to forget the few words I had overheard; but, do what I woul

down to supper. His face was impassive as ever, and

glethorp was unusually quiet. As a rule, he surrounded his wife with little attentions, placing a cushion at her back, and

," she called. "I've just fiv

dow in the drawing-room. Mary Cavendish br

the twilight?" she asked. "Will you take Mrs. In

will take it to Emily." He poured it out, an

im, and Mrs. Cavend

s a glorious night, hot and still. Mrs. Cave

she murmured. "We sha

! My paradise was rudely shattered by the sound of a

laimed Cynthia. "What

ut she seemed quite undisturbed, the del

laughing, and protesting that he was in no fit state for a drawing-room. I

doing, doctor?" cr

doctor. "I did not really mean to c

John, strolling in from the hall. "Have some

ered a very rare species of fern in an inaccessible place, and in his efforts to o

e added, "but I'm afraid my ap

horp called to Cynthia from t

atch-case, will you, d

was close by me. There were therefore three witnesses who could swear th

of Dr. Bauerstein. It seemed to me the man would never go

p. "I must see our agent over those estate accounts." He tur