After what you did to me, breaking Papa’s heart and spoiling my engagement, do you really think I’d let you have anything of mine? I’ve had to watch you steal all my trinkets, Ellie, but you won’t get the deed to that mine.
You’re going to what, George? if the will is in the safe, you’ll... Of course. You can do it so easily, too. With me dead and the will burned, Ellie would get my stuff.
What did you say, Ellie? Who won’t wake up? Oh, poor Miss Trask. Drugged. Her silly little head will ache when she does wake up, but she won’t dare say anything. Won’t want the trustees to know about her lallygagging.
Just like George to think of everything. Even has a substitute will all ready to forge the signatures on. I hope Miss Barnes remembered. If she didn’t... Funny, I’ve been expecting to die for a long time now — but not like this... Probably he’ll smother me. Won’t leave traces.
He’s gone. Will Ellie watch him do it when he gets back? I couldn’t. I’d remember. Times when she was little — like a baby fox, she was — sly, but helpless and cuddly.
Burns me up, though — George to go unpunished and them to get all that money. My money.
There! I did feel a tingle. I know I did. I think I’m wiggling my toes. Isn’t the blanket moving ever so little? Don’t look this way, Ellie. I’m sure it is.
Too late. He’s back.
Oh, Miss Barnes, you did forget. You never thought the safe downstairs would be so unsafe!
They’re going to burn it. What’s the matter, Ellie, don’t you like what I said about you in it? Or are you feeling a little bit squeamish?
She’s going. Almost running. Away from yourself, Ellie?
It’s going to be now. I think I’m scared. I ought to be praying. I want to shut my eyes, but I can’t...
What’s happened? Did the bed shake just then? Something’s happened! George has stopped. He’s listening. I wish I could hear. Has somebody come? Too soon for Miss Barnes, and nobody else would... What is it, George? It’s Ellie?... THE STAIRS! Ellie didn’t know about the back stairs! The men weren’t to start fixing them until this morning and it’s dark in the hall. George is running out.
That hurt. All the way up my side. Pain. Real pain! Maybe I could roll over. Wouldn’t stop George, but if I can move, maybe I can grab at his knees. He won’t be expecting anything... Here he comes again.
Elbe’s dead? Poor Ellie. Always wanted so much more than she could have. Funny, I’ve hated her for so long, and now I just feel sorry for her.
George, if you could see your face! The Devil himself must look just like you do now. Don’t you even care, George? Your own mother’s body still warm, and you’d leave her there and let them blame her for my death?
I’m — not — going to — let you — get away with — it, George. I’m — going to — stop you.
He’s reaching for the pillow.
God, help me!
Now...
Stop that squirming, George. I couldn’t move now even if I wanted to, falling off the bed that way. You can’t breathe under me? Of course you can, or you wouldn’t be screaming like that. You’ll wake all the old ladies, if they aren’t already. But they’re scared. I wish I couldn’t see your face. It isn’t pretty.
I hope Miss Barnes comes soon. I’m not very comfortable, either. Nothing hurts, but I can see my foot — turned backwards. It makes me feel queer to look at it.
I mustn’t faint. Not until I can point to the deed for Miss Barnes. Please hurry, Miss Barnes!
Names won’t hurt me, George, and blubbering won’t help you either.
Are they here? I can’t see the door.
Yes. At last.
That’s right, George. Tell them everything. Later on when you’re not so scared, you’ll be sorry you talked so much.
I wish I didn’t feel so dizzy.
Miss Barnes, never mind George and his broken ribs. He’s lucky to be alive at all — my two hundred and seventy-two pounds landing on top of him when I got his legs and tripped him over backwards.
Just get me to where I can point to the motto. There. Look at my finger! Please, Miss Barnes. That’s right. Now bring me the motto...
Why, my finger isn’t moving any more. I feel very strange. Where did everybody go? It’s so dark...
“She’s gone,” the head nurse said to Miss Barnes. “Why do you think she wanted that awful motto, Barnes? Oh, stop crying. You did everything you could. Everybody has to have an afternoon off once in a while. Snap out of it. We’ve got all Trask’s patients to see to along with ours, remember.”
Miss Barnes fumbled with the motto.
“Here, give me that thing. THE EYE OF JEHOVAH IS UPON YOU...” The head nurse shrugged. Suddenly her sharp eyes grew sharper. “Hey, look! The frame’s loose. There’s something behind—”
“It’s the deed to the mine!” Miss Barnes exclaimed. “The one they were trying to find!”
“Aren’t you glad now that you took the original of her will to the bank? That nephew must think he burned the only copy. Not that it would do him any good, where he’s going,” the head nurse sniffed. “Well, Barnes, let’s start tidying up in here.”
But for a moment Miss Barnes stood regarding the mountain of quiet flesh on the bed. “Poor poor thing,” she said softly. “To die this way — so helpless.”
The Adventure of the Cat and the Fiddle
A Sherlockian Sonnet
by Vincent Starrett
Miss Phipps Improvises
by Phyllis Bentley
In which Miss Phipps creates a detective story before your very eyes, thus giving would-be writers a lesson in technique, and readers a lesson in suspense...
It was a wet afternoon in brittlesea. The sea looked like lead and the rain poured from a sky of unbroken gray. Detective Inspector Tarrant had not come home for lunch. Young Johnny was upstairs engaged in his afternoon nap. Mary Tarrant and Miss Phipps sat beside a bright fire, each with a cup of Mary’s excellent coffee beside her. Mary was knitting a pullover for her husband and Miss Phipps held a detective novel in her hand. The general effect was intimate and cosy.
With a sigh Miss Phipps threw down her book.
“Come to the end?” said Mary.
“Only to the end of my interest,” said Miss Phipps.
“Why so?” inquired Mary.
“No suspense,” said Miss Phipps.
“How does one create suspense, Aunt Marian?” asked Mary, beginning another row.