The Andre Norton Megapack - 15 Classic Novels and Short Stories

turned and saw her face. She went on slowly: “I’m sure we all want to be as helpful as we can, and I believe that honest direct answers are the very least we can give you, Thane. James came to the bazaar just before the supper. He was looking for Catherine and we agreed that it would be a good idea for him to make a thorough search ’round the farm and the neighbourhood. You see—” she hesitated “—sometimes when she was unhappy she took some kind of drug that helped her and then she was apt to—to wander off. We both knew this, and that is why we were worried.”
    At this, James turned around again and glared at Mrs. Sutton. “Really, Margaret, do you want the whole town to know these things? How—how can you?”
    “I’m sorry, James. I feel sure that Thane knew this already and it wouldn’t do for us to conceal anything that might be helpful. The sooner it is all dealt with, the sooner it will be over.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Sutton. You have been helpful. Very. Now please forgive me if I ask you one more question. Where were, and are, the other members of your household?”
    “Roger and Philippine went off early this morning and must have got back while we were at the supper. I didn’t see them and judged they had gone to bed, when I got home. They are usually tired after a day of herb hunting and I didn’t speak to either of them. I heard Margie come in. Wasn’t that about ten, Martha?”
    “I don’t know, I’m sure. About then, I expect.” Mrs. Hartwell’s voice sounded querulous. Fredericka, who had had several occasions during the week to observe Margie’s “Mom,” thought how much she looked the part. Even now, though obviously agitated, she was also quite unable to disguise her pleasurable excitement. This was, indeed, more than a titbit, for the Village Gossip. Her fat hands moved nervously in her lap and, as she spoke, she thrust her lips forward hungrily.
    It was at this point that the doctor’s car drew up outside, and, a moment later, he entered the room quietly. He was a middle-aged man, running to fat, and with an untidy family-doctor look about him.
    “Evening, folks.” He nodded round a little absently as he entered. Then he turned to Thane. “You called me. Where—?”
    “Outside,” Thane said, and then: “Come—and you, Mohun, if you don’t mind.”
    James Brewster turned once more from his study of the darkness outside the window. “Shouldn’t some member of the family go, too?” he asked abruptly.
    “No, I think there’s no need,” Dr. Scott said in his soft reassuring doctor’s voice. “Stay here and we’ll come back presently.”
    After the men had left, Fredericka couldn’t think of anything to say to Mrs. Sutton or Mrs. Hartwell, and they sat without speaking. Mrs. Sutton seemed unaware of the presence of the others. Mrs. Hartwell fidgeted nervously and Fredericka felt that the doctor’s “presently” had stretched to a very long time when the back screen door banged and the three finally reappeared.
    Dr. Scott cleared his throat. Then he looked quickly at Mrs. Sutton and said: “We’ve had to decide on an autopsy, Margaret. I am sorry—terribly, my dear—but, well, there are certain symptoms that make me unable to determine the exact cause of death.”
    Mrs. Sutton’s hands were clenched tightly in her lap but she said in a low voice: “Of course, Ted, if that’s what seems necessary; I’m sure you wouldn’t do it otherwise.”
    And then one of Thane’s policemen arrived and moved unobtrusively into the garden. The others stood up to go as if by signal and Mrs. Hartwell said unexpectedly: “Shall I stay with you, Fredericka? I’m sure Margaret can spare me and you won’t want to be alone. I’d be glad to.”
    “It’s most kind of you, Mrs. Hartwell,” Fredericka said quickly, “but really I’d rather be alone. The policeman’s just outside and, well—”
    “I quite understand.” The usual note of petulance and hurt had returned to Mrs. Hartwell’s voice. It would have made a very good story for the next meeting of the Women’s Guild—a night of terror. It was obvious to everyone that Mrs. Hartwell did not understand, but Fredericka was too exhausted to care.
    Fredericka walked to the door and, as she stood for a moment on the walk outside, she saw that the sky was lightening along the horizon with the first hint of dawn. A bird had wakened to make his announcement to the sleeping world, and Fredericka was grateful