Десять негритят / And Then There Were None

She went on: «A red herring – that’s the vital clue. Armstrong’s not dead… He took away the china Soldier to make you think he was. You may say what you like – Armstrong’s on the island still. His disappearance is just a red herring across the track…»

Lombard sat down again.

He said: «You know, you may be right.»

Blore said: «Yes, but if so, where is he? We’ve searched the place. Outside and inside.»

Vera said scornfully:

«We all searched for the revolver, didn’t we, and couldn’t find it? But it was somewhere all the time!»

Lombard murmured: «There’s a slight difference in size, my dear, between a man and a revolver.»

Vera said: «I don’t care – I’m sure I’m right.»

Blore murmured: «Rather giving himself away, wasn’t it? Actually mentioning a red herring in the verse. He could have written it up a bit different.»

Vera cried: «But don’t you see, he’s mad? It’s all mad! The whole thing of going by the rhyme is mad! Dressing up the judge, killing Rogers when he was chopping sticks – drugging Mrs. Rogers so that she overslept herself – arranging for a bumblebee when Miss Brent died! It’s like some horrible child playing a game. It’s all got to fit in.»

Blore said: «Yes, you’re right.» He thought a minute. «At any rate there’s no Zoo on the island. He’ll have a bit of trouble getting over that.»

Vera cried: «Don’t you see? We’re the Zoo… Last night, we were hardly human any more. We’re the Zoo…»

II

They spent the morning on the cliffs, taking it in turns to flash a mirror at the mainland.

There were no signs that any one saw them. No answering signals. The day was fine, with a slight haze. Below, the sea weaved in a gigantic swell. There were no boats out.

They had made another abortive search of the island. There was no trace of the missing physician.

Vera looked up at the house from where they were standing. She said, her breath coming with a slight catch in it:

«One feels safer here, out in the open… Don’t let’s go back into the house again.»

Lombard said: «Not a bad idea. We’re pretty safe here, no one can get at us without our seeing him a long time beforehand.»

Vera said: «We’ll stay here.»

Blore said: «Have to pass the night somewhere. We’ll have to go back to the house then.»

Vera shuddered,

«I can’t bear it. I can’t go through another night!»

Philip said: «You’ll be safe enough – locked in your room.»

Vera murmured: «I suppose so.» She stretched out her hands, murmuring: «It’s lovely – to feel the sun again…»

She thought:

«How odd… I’m almost happy. And yet I suppose I’m actually in danger… Somehow – now – nothing seems to matter… not in daylight… I feel full of power – I feel that I can’t die…»

Blore was looking at his wrist-watch. He said:

«It’s two o’clock. What about lunch?»

Vera said obstinately: «I’m not going back to the house. I’m going to stay here – in the open.»

«Oh, come now, Miss Claythorne. Got to keep your strength up, you know.»

Vera said: «If I even see a tinned tongue, I shall be sick! I don’t want any food. People go days on end with nothing sometimes when they’re on a diet.»

Blore said: «Well, I need my meals regular. What about you, Mr. Lombard?»

Philip said: «You know, I don’t relish the idea of tinned tongue particularly. I’ll stay here with Miss Claythorne.»

Blore hesitated. Vera said:

«I shall be quite all right. I don’t think he’ll shoot me as soon as your back is turned if that’s what you’re afraid of.»

Blore said: «It’s all right if you say so. But we agreed we ought not to separate.»

Philip said: «You’re the one who wants to go into the lion’s den. I’ll come with you if you like?»

«No, you won’t,» said Blore. «You’ll stay here.»

Philip laughed.

«So you’re still afraid of me? Why, I could shoot you both this very minute if I liked.»

Blore said: «Yes, but that wouldn’t be according to plan. It’s one at a time, and it’s got to be done in a certain way.»

«Well,» said Philip, «you seem to know all about it.»

«Of course,» said Blore, «it’s a bit jumpy going up to the house alone —»

Philip said softly: «And therefore, will I lend you my revolver? Answer, no, I will not! Not quite so simple as that, thank you.»

Blore shrugged his shoulders and began to make his way up the steep slope to the house.

Lombard said softly: «Feeding time at the Zoo! The animals are very regular in their habits!»

Vera said anxiously: «Isn’t it very risky, what he’s doing?»

«In a sense you mean – no, I don’t think it is! Armstrong’s not armed, you know, and anyway Blore is twice a match for him in physique and he’s very much on his guard. And anyway it’s a sheer impossibility that Armstrong can be in the house. I know he’s not there.»

«But – what other solution is there?»

Philip said softly: «There’s Blore.»

«Oh – do you really think —?»