The Red House Mystery

ir minds as to what they wanted to do, the plan had to be kept. Mrs. Calladine, who knew this little weakness of their host's, resisted, therefore, the suggestion of Bill that th

e point that, having arranged to be bac

e morning, he wanted to prove to himself in the afternoon that he was really better than

is from Bill. "You'd like to p

ked doubtfully

dear, we mustn't keep you here. Besid

les, mother,"

them that we were having another round, and then

ooler here than I expe

o have them out of the way. So she consented to nine holes; and the match having ended all-square, and everybody h

f, as they approached the h

waved, and he waved back. Then as the car drew up, Bill, who was

n idea. "Don't say you're Mark Ablett's long-lost brother from Aust

tly. "Will you introduce me? I'

Major and Mrs. Calladine were on the near side o

d. "Robert Ablett, Mr. Mark Ablett's brother, has been ki

!" said t

killed himself?" asked Mr

so on in the house-he asked me to tell you. He says that no doubt you would prefer, the house-party having been broken up in this tragic way, to leave as soon as possible." He gave a pleasant apologetic little smile and went on, "I am putting it badly, but what he

was leaning across to Miss Norris and saying, "Who's killed?" in an awe-struck voice, and Miss Norris, who was instinctively looking as tragic as she looked

the place off our shoes because something terrible has happened there. I must see Mark, and we can

anyway," said Bill. "Isn't that

the Major suddenly,

ck unwaveringly-

er to Mrs. Calladine, "that it would be bett

ed quietly. "You will

pected to stay at the Red House for another week, he had nowhere to go to in London, but London seemed to be th

Bill. You have to go anyhow

e with you, Mr

regard any telephoning or telegraphing that you want done." He smiled again and added, "Please forgive me if I seem to have take

Miss Norris

Middleston was just crossing into the library wi

lingham. He'd better come with us." And t

quiringly from

found the body toget

the facts sorted out a bit. I like

all

ith interest. "D'you know w

ere I'm go

e's t

nspector Birch," sai

tor laughe

you as much as I

ing-table, and Cayley sat in a chair by the side of it. Antony mad

the Inspector. "Robert Ablett, didn'

f Mark Ablett,

harpen a pencil. "S

, n

that he knew about Robert. This was news to him. "I see

lve at the time. The sort of age whe

nient qu

act

w whether he had been me

ley. "Perhaps what might seem wicked to a clerg

Inspector. "Anyhow, it was more co

es

never talke

h ashamed of him, and-well, v

ite Mark s

three or four times i

g for

k Mark always answered them. As far

yley. Do you think that Mark was unfa

never any affection between them. I don't know w

ight have give

, "that Robert spent his wh

pector

ll go on to this morning. This le

. He showed it t

add

heet of rathe

is it

In Mark's poc

"Well, we'll come to that. C

u to-morrow, all the way from Australia. I give you warning so that you will be able to co

d it down carefully. "Did

ndo

was Mark's

isgust-" Cayl

ehens

ension of an unpleasant interview, not

aid of violence, or blackmai

't appea

he arrived, you say,

about

in the ho

vants. I don't know which. Of course,

permission.

ou want to see them at all? It isn't very pleasant for them now, naturally, and I suggested-" he turned to Antony, who no

ames and addresses in case I

would like to see him later, but they only cam

ow then, let's go back to three o'cloc

w Audrey had asked him where the master was, and how he

in there I heard a shot. At least, it was a loud bang, I wasn't sure if it was a shot. I stood and listened. Then I came slowly to the door and looked out. Then I went back again, hesitated a bit, you know, and finally decided to go across to the office,

looked at hi

yley. Mr. Mark, now. You thought he was in the Temple. Could he

way, of course. But I wasn't in the hall all the afternoon. He mi

surprised when you

not a

d he say

ng of the sort. I suppose he'd heard

m face? Could he have seen

ht have

el

ort of shrug, and said, 'Don't go too far

u think he m

, you know. I'm his sort of unoff

s meeting rather th

s how he regard

as it before you

Two minute

ting, and then regarded Cayley

theory of Ro

ugged his

n," he answered. "It's your job. I can o

el

m him, there was a little struggle perhaps, and it went off. Mark lost his head, finding himself there with a revolver in his hand and a dead man a

reasonable enough. What do

lose your head," said Antony, getting u

what I mean. It

lanation would make the

ny other ex

ot

d like to correct Mr. Cayley?-anything

described it all

rself. You're not stayin

ned his previ

you hear

s. Just as I came in sight of the house. It didn't ma

were yo

ve. I was just in

use by the front do

d his eyes a

" he sai

certain

hough rather surprised that he

e at 'The George,

g here until after the in

ow, about the