Chapter 3 Chapter two

1 Colonels Melchett and Bantry were also discussing this thread. After seeing the body, the police chief ordered his men to start routine processing, and then retreated with the owner of the house to the study on the other side of the house. Colonel Melchett looked irascible, and he liked to tug at his short red mustache.Now he's hooked up again, squinting at the other in bewilderment. At last he snapped, "Well, Bantry, we've got to get to the bottom of this. Don't you really know this woman?" The other party's answer was like a cannonball, but the chief of police interrupted him.

"All right, all right, man. Go ahead, but it might embarrass you too much. A man who's married and loves his wife, but only between the two of us—if there's anything between you and this woman What is involved, it is best to admit it right away. It's only natural that you want to hide the truth - I can understand it.But no, it was a murder and the truth would come out.Damn, I didn't mean you strangled that woman - you wouldn't do that - I know that.But she was here after all—in this house.Maybe she came to see you and a guy followed her and killed her.this is possible.do you understand me? "

"Damn it, Melchett, I tell you I've never seen such a woman in my life: I'm not that." "Well, I shouldn't blame you, the nicest person in the world. But if that's the case—the question is, what's she doing here? She was not from this part of the world--that was clear. " "This incident is a complete nightmare." The owner of the house was furious. "The question is, man, what is she doing in your library?" "How do I know? I didn't invite her." "No, no. But she came anyway. Seems like she wants to see you. Have you ever gotten any weird letters or anything?"

"No." Colonel Melchett asked mildly: "What were you doing last night?": "I was at a Conservative Union party.Nine o'clock, at March Benham. " "When did you get home?" "Just after ten o'clock when we left March Benham—some trouble on the way back, a change of wheel. Got home at a quarter past twelve." "You didn't go into the library?" "No." "pity." "I'm fruitless. Straight to bed." "Is there anyone waiting for you?" "No. I always have the front key with me. Lorimer goes to bed at eleven every day, unless I leave him a message."

"Who shut the library door?" "Lorimer. It's usually about seven-thirty in this season." "Will he go in at night?" "He doesn't go in while I'm away. He keeps whiskeys and glasses on trays in the hall." "That's right. What about your wife?" "I don't know. She was in bed early when I got back. It's possible she was in the library or the drawing room last night. I forgot to ask her." "Well, all will be cleared up soon. Do you think some servant is involved?" Colonel Bantry shook his head. "Impossible. They are decent people, and have been with me for many years."

Melchett agrees. "Yes, they're unlikely to be involved. Looks like the woman is from the city--possibly with some young fellow. But why would they break in--" Bantry interrupted him. "Must be from London, that's about it. I don't have much activity here—at least—" "Hua, what's going on?" "I promise you!" cried Colonel Bantry. "Basil Blake!" "Who is he?" "A young guy in the film industry, the kid is so bad. But my wife always speaks for him, because she went to school with his mother. The whole decadent useless, arrogant and disrespectful guy: he should be kicked in the back One Foot 2 He lived in that cottage on Lansham Road - very modern stuff. He used to have parties at home, screaming, loud crowds, and he brought girls back for weekends."

"girl?" "That's right. There was one last week—one of those blond-haired female colonels who nodded. "You mean a fair-haired woman?" Melchett asked thoughtfully. "Yes, Melchett, don't you think—" The Chief Constable said enthusiastically: "That's possible. That at least explains why one of these girls came to St. Mary's Mead. I'll go and talk to this young man—Brad—Blake—you just said he what is it call?" "Black. Basil Black." "Will he be home?" "Let me see. What day is it—Saturday? Usually sometime on Saturday morning."

Melchett smiled coldly: "See if we can find him." 2 Basil Blake's cabin is hidden in the woods and has all the modern conveniences inside.William Booker, builder of the Post Office and Cottage, called it "Chadsworth"; "Mr. Booker's New House". Strictly speaking, the cottage was just over a quarter of a mile from the village, in a new real estate development purchased by the enterprising Mr. Booker, just beyond the Blue Boar Inn.The front of the house faced an unspoilt country lane about a mile down the road to Gossington Kew House, and word spread in St Mary Mead that a movie star had bought Mr Booker's new home After arousing great interest, they expected to see the appearance of this village legend, and as far as appearances were concerned, Basil Blake was an eye-opener for them.But the truth gradually spread.Basil Black wasn't a movie star at all - not even a movie actor.He was very junior, about fifteenth in charge of set decorating at Limeville Film Studios, the headquarters of the UK's new age filmmaking centre.

The country girls suddenly lost interest, and the fastidious older girls were extremely disgusted with Basil Blake's way of life. Only the landlord of the Blue Boar Hotel continued to be enthusiastic about Basil and his friends.Since the young man came here, the income of the Blue Boar Hotel has increased. The police car pulls up to the deformed door of Mr. Booker's dream house made of barbed branches.Colonel Melchett cast a disgusted glance at the over-decorated Chatsworth, then went to the front door and rapped vigorously on the knocker. Contrary to his expectations, the door opened quickly.A young man with long black hair, wearing a blue shirt and orange corduroy trousers asked sharply, "What is it?"

"Are you Mr. Basil Black?" "of course." "If I may, Mr. Black, I should like to have a word with you." "Who are you?" "I am Colonel Melchett, County Constable." Mr. Black said haughtily: "No way; it's going to be so much fun!" Colonel Melchett followed in, when he understood Colonel Bantry's words.Although it was uncomfortable, he restrained himself and said in a pleasant tone as much as possible: "Mr. Black, you got up very early." "It's not early. I haven't gone to bed yet." "real?"

"I don't think you're here to find out when I go to bed—if so, it's a waste of the County's time and money. What the hell do you want to talk to me about?" Colonel Melchett cleared his throat. "Mr. Black, I hear you had a visitor here last weekend—a—well—young fair-haired woman." Basil Black's eyes widened, he threw back his head, and laughed loudly. "The old country cats informed you about me? About my morals? Hell, morals aren't the police's business. You know that." "As you say," said Melchett dryly, "your virtue is none of my business. I've come to you because we found the body of a fair-haired woman - er - a woman of a curious appearance - murdered. gone." "Really!" Blake stared at him. "Where?" "In the library at Gossington Hall." "Gossington? Old Bantry's? Oh, that's interesting. Old Bantry! That mean old fellow!" Colonel Melchett blushed.He snapped at the growing jubilation of the young man before him, "Please watch your words, sir. I'm here to see if you have any clues about this matter." "Are you here to ask if we've lost a blonde? Is that so? Ouch—oh, oh, oh, what's the matter?" With a screech of brakes, a car stopped outside.A young woman in black and white pajamas hurried out of the car.Her lips were red, her eyelashes were painted black, and her hair was a pale blond.She strode to the door, flung it open, and shouted angrily, "Why did you leave me, you bastard?" "Good question! Why shouldn't I leave you? I told you to go, but you didn't listen." "Why do I have to go when you tell me to go? I was having a good time." "That's right—with that wretched brute Rosenberg. You know who he is." "You're jealous, nothing else." "Don't push yourself up. I hate to see a girl I like lose control of her drinks and let a nasty Central European hang around." "Nonsense. You're the only one who's drunk - messing with that dark-haired Spanish bitch." "I took you to the party because I wanted you to know the rules." "I don't want to be dictated to, that's all. You say we go to the party and come back here. I won't go until I don't want to go." "You don't go—I might as well go. I come back here when I want to. I never hang around waiting for a silly woman." "My dear, you are such an educated man!" "You seem to have been doing well following me." "I've wanted to tell you what I think of you!" "If you think you can send me around, my girl, you're wrong!" "If you think you can call me around, try again!" The two of them were so angry that they seemed to be on the verge of breaking out. Colonel Melchett seized the opportunity and cleared his throat loudly. Basil, Blake turned immediately. "Hello, I forgot you were here. You should be going, shouldn't you? Let me introduce--this is Dinah Lee--this is the hard conservative of the Sheriff's Department. Now, Colonel, since you Seeing that my fair-haired woman is alive and well, perhaps you should take care of the little lady in old Bantry. Good-bye!" Colonel Melchett said: "I advise you to keep your mouth clean, young man, or you will You'll trouble yourself." He walked out flushed and furious.