The Madman's Room

‘It’s a possibility I’ve never ruled out,’ said Hurst in an unctuous voice. ‘The inheritance Thorne left behind is certainly food for thought, to say the least. From now on, his widow will own a fortune.’

‘It all goes to her?’

‘Every last penny. He must have thought that his brother, whose own fortune includes half the manor and a number of shares in the company, was well enough off. So he left it all to her. He made his will a few days after they were married, without telling her or anyone else. Did Brian feel frustrated? I can’t say. In any case, supposing it turns out to be murder, we can’t rule anyone out on the grounds they didn’t know they’d inherit. But if he did kill his brother, I doubt that it would have been for money. He’s… how to put it… rather special and that warning issued not long before the accident seems quite suspect. What do you think?’

Dr. Twist, whose eyes were closed, seemed to have dozed off.

‘Let’s leave that aside for the time being,’ he said suddenly. ‘Suppose there was a murder, either by pushing Harris Thorne directly out of the window or by leading him to jump himself, by whatever Machiavellian trick. Can you summarise the evening for me, with the times and movements of each individual?’

‘Of course,’ said the inspector, pulling out his notebook. ‘I’ve already done that. Here goes.’

7.30. End of meal. Mrs. Paula Hilton gets up from table and is not seen until much later. Says she “went to get some air and calm herself down, because she sensed that something was being hatched.”

7.45. Harris goes up to his study. His wife follows shortly after. Brian goes to his room.

8.00. Dr. Meadows and Miss Bessie Blount ring the door bell. Butler escorts them to salon. Mr. and Mrs. Hilton and son Francis already there. Noises of quarrel upstairs start to be heard.

8.20. Francis Hilton, who had gone to find his wife, runs into Brian upstairs. Brian, upset by his brother’s behaviour, goes down to salon.

8.30. The Hiltons leave salon. The loud noises have stopped.

8.45. The Thornes go out. They’ve hardly left when the quarrel starts again. Mrs. Thorne returns overwrought and goes to salon. Husband rushes in and goes upstairs. Brian follows him. Mrs. Thorne and Miss Blount go out for walk.

8.50. The moment when Harris Thorne is seen alive for the last time, leaning out of window, beside himself, refusing to talk. (Note that information provided by Brian, who claims to have left the study immediately.) Death of Harris confirmed as being around 8.50-9.00.

9.05. Sarah Thorne and Bessie Blount, near the front gate, surprise an unidentified person who flees.

9.15. Dr. Meadows, his fiancée and Mrs. Thorne go up to study. Mrs. Thorne faints on opening door but room is empty. Miss Blount looks out of window, sees nothing suspicious, then notices or hears Francis Hilton and wife approaching manor. They find body while opening service door.