They Do It With Mirrors

'What I really mean is that everything here must seem rather peculiar to young Walter Hudd.' 'Yes,' Lewis allowed. 'I see your point. And Walter has certainly a fine war record. There's no doubt about his bravery.' 'Not that that helps,' said Miss Marple candidly.

'Because war is one thing, and everyday life is quite another. And actually to commit a murder, I think you do need bravery - or perhaps, more often, just conceit. Yes, conceit.' 'But I would hardly say that Walter Hudd had a sufficient motive.' 'Wouldn't you?' said Miss Marple. 'He hates it here.

He wants to get away. He wants to get Gina away. And if it's really money he wants, it would be important for Gina to get all the money before she - er - definitely forms an attachment to someone else.' 'An attachment to someone else,' said Lewis, in an astonished voice.

Miss Marple wondered at the blindness of enthusiastic social reformers.

'That's what I said. BOth the Restaricks are in love with her, you know.' 'Oh, I don't think so,' said Lewis absently.

He went on: 'Stephen's invaluable to us - quite invaluable. The way he's got those lads coming along - keen - interested. They gave a splendid show last month. Scenery, costumes, everything. It just shows, as I've always said to Maverick, that it's lack of drama in their lives that leads these boys to crime. To dramatize yourself is a child's natural instinct. Ma.erick says - ah yes, Maverick -' Lewis broke off.

'I want Maverick to see Inspector Curry about Edgar.

The whole thing is so ridiculous really.' 'What do you really know about Edgar Lawson, Mr Serrocold?' 'Everything,' said Lewis positively. 'Everything, that is, that one needs to know. His background, upbringing - his deep-seated lack of confidence in himself '

Miss Marple interrupted.

'Couldn't Edgar Lawson have poisoned Mrs Serro-cold?' she asked.

'Hardly. He's only been here a few weeks. And anyway, it's ridiculous! Why should Edgar want to poison my wife? What could he possibly gain by doing SO?'

'Nothing material, I know. But he might have - some odd reason. He is odd, you know.'

'You mean unbalanced?'

'I suppose so. No, I don't - not quite. What I mean is, he's all wrong.'

It was not a very lucid exposition of what she felt.

Lewis Serrocold accepted the words at their face value.

'Yes,' he said with a sigh. 'He's all wrong, poor lad.

And he was showing such marked improvement. I can't really understand why he had this sudden set-back…' Miss Marple leaned forward eagerly.

'Yes, that's what I wondered. If-'

She broke off as Inspector Curry came into the room.

Chapter 12

Lewis Serrocold went away, and Inspector Curry sat down and gave Miss Marple a rather peculiar smile.

'So Mr Serrocold has been asking you to act as Watch dog,' he said.

'Well, yes,' she added apologetically: 'I hope you don't mind ' 'I don't mind. I think it's a very good idea. Does Mr Serrocold know just how well qualified you are for the post?' 'I don't quite understand, Inspector.' 'I see. He thinks you're just a very nice elderly lady who was at school with his wife.' He shook his head at her. 'We know you're a bit more than that, Miss Marple, aren't you? Crime is right down your street. Mr Serro-cold only knows one aspect of crime - the promising beginners. Makes me a bit sick, sometimes. Daresay I'm wrong and old-fashioned. But there are plenty of good decent lads about, lads who could do with a start in life.

But there, honesty has to be its own reward - millionaires don't leave trust funds to help the worthwhile. Well well, don't pay any attention to me. I'm old-fashioned.

I've seen boys - and girls - with everything against them, bad homes, bad luck, every disadvantage, and they've had the grit to win through. That's the kind I shall leave my packet to, if I ever have one. But then, of course, that's what I never shall have. Just my pension and a nice bit of garden.'

He nodded his head at Miss Marple.

'Superintendent Blacker told me about you last night.

Said you'd had a lot of experience of the seamy side of human nature. Well now, let's have your point of view.

Who's the nigger in the woodpile? The G.I. husband?' 'That,' said Miss Marple, 'would be very convenient for everybody.' Inspector Curry smiled softly to himself.

'A G.I. pinched my best girl,' he said reminiscently.

'Naturally, I'm prejudiced. His manner doesn't help.

Let's have the amateur point of view. Who's been secretly and systematically poisoning Mrs Serrocold?' 'Well,' said Miss Marple judicially, 'one is always inclined, human nature being what it is, to think of the husband. Or if it's the other way round, the wife. That's the first assumption, don't you think, in a poisoning case?' 'I agree with you every time,' said Inspector Curry.