The Andre Norton Megapack - 15 Classic Novels and Short Stories

rather with those who live at the Farm, but they don’t finish there.”
    “Yes, I know. After you left on Wednesday I made a list and tried to think of motives and opportunities. I’ve been thinking of them ever since.”
    “Good. Any results?”
    “Only that there are plenty of people who hated Catherine, that Philippine and Brewster seem thick as thieves, and Margie has something on her mind.”
    “Well I have two new clues for you and we’ll see if you can put them into their right places in the puzzle. One: A large supply of dope was found in that immense carryall bag that Mrs. Hartwell always carries everywhere with her.”
    “No! Not ‘Mom’ Hartwell!”
    “Oh, yes. When questioned she denied all knowledge of it, of course—goes around muttering darkly about being ‘framed.’ She puts the blame on Philippine and says she has considered all along that Philippine is a bad influence on Margie.”
    “That’s something quite new. First hint of criticism of Philippine.”
    “Not quite. Mrs. Williams has thrown out a lot of hints about her goings-on with our James. And that reminds me of item number two. James has bought that land behind the alley. What’s more, hidden away under some old prints in his desk, we found a whole set of architects’ drawings for the sweetest little house you ever saw. It was a Boston architect—our James is a cautious bird.”
    “And what does he say about that?”
    “I haven’t confronted him with it. I’m keeping it up my sleeve.”
    “Well, you have been busy.”
    “Yes, very.” He was silent for a moment and then he went on: “James is behaving strangely, I must say. I think the fact that he’s made his little half-confession has gone to his head. But he’s still trying to hush everything up. I suppose if it had been ordinary scandal and not murder, his behaviour would seem quite natural. He’s certainly doing his damnedest to keep the news out of the papers—to put the damper on and to make it into suicide for the benefit of the public.”
    “Yes, he tried that one on me.” She was going to say more about what James had tried on her. Instead she went on quickly: “But he can’t get away with it now, can he?”
    “Well, Thane’s backing him up. Oh, I know South Sutton is full of murder talk and burnt up with excitement on top of the heat, but it’s still a private affair and hasn’t got into the national headlines. None of us want that to happen—it would be bad for the college, for one thing.”
    “And I suppose the less fever and fuss, the less chance of another murder.”
    “Don’t say it, Fredericka. That thought’s never been out of my mind for one moment. Frankly, I’m worried sick about that kid, Margie.”
    “Margie?” Fredericka’s voice was sharp with anxiety.
    “Yes. You said a minute ago that she had something on her mind. What makes you think so?”
    “She came dashing in on Wednesday morning, not long after Thane left. She was looking for that box. Oh dear, I think I could have got something out of her if only I’d been patient and kind, but the fact is, Peter, it isn’t in me to be patient and kind with a girl like that who manages to be so maddening—”
    “I know.”
    “I don’t think you do. She doesn’t irritate you the way she does me. She took against me from the start and whenever she appears I can’t wait for her to go. She just has a gift for rubbing me the wrong way.” Fredericka paused, and when Peter said nothing, she added hurriedly: “I’m terribly sorry. In my better moments I really wish I could help the child.”
    “Well, I haven’t had any more luck with her than you have. She shut up like a clam every time I tried to question her, and the worst of it is that what we took for fright is, in fact, illness. She’s in a very bad way.”
    “Oh, Peter, I thought she looked sick on Wednesday. I could kick myself for the way I behaved. Would it do any good if I went to see her now?”
    “No, I don’t think so. I’m afraid she’s too bad—Doctor Scott’s keeping her pretty well doped.”
    “Good heavens, Peter, can’t you do something? Is she being poisoned?”
    “The devil of it is, I don’t think she is. She doesn’t seem to have the symptoms of a poison case. It’s, well—it’s much more like ’flu—or some kind of an infection.”
    “Peter—we’ve got to get her to talk. She may die if we don’t.”
    Fredericka’s distress was so great that Peter again reached out for her