Free The Complete Miss Marple Collection by Agatha Christie Page B

bottom of the garden.
    â€œThe path opposite with the stile leads to the Hall,” she explained. “That was the way they were going home together. Mrs. Protheroe came from the village.”
    â€œPerfectly, perfectly,” said Colonel Melchett. “And she went across to the Vicarage, you say?”
    â€œYes. I saw her turn the corner of the house. I suppose the Colonel wasn’t there yet, because she came back almost immediately, and went down the lawn to the studio—that building there. The one the Vicar lets Mr. Redding use as a studio.”
    â€œI see. And—you didn’t hear a shot, Miss Marple?”
    â€œI didn’t hear a shot then,” said Miss Marple.
    â€œBut you did hear one sometime?”
    â€œYes, I think there was a shot somewhere in the woods. But quite five or ten minutes afterwards—and, as I say, out in the woods. At least, I think so. It couldn’t have been—surely it couldn’t have been—”
    She stopped, pale with excitement.
    â€œYes, yes, we’ll come to all that presently,” said ColonelMelchett. “Please go on with your story. Mrs. Protheroe went down to the studio?”

    â€œYes, she went inside and waited. Presently Mr. Redding came along the lane from the village. He came to the Vicarage gate, looked all round—”
    â€œAnd saw you, Miss Marple.”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, he didn’t see me,” said Miss Marple, flushing slightly. “Because, you see, just at that minute I was bending right over—trying to get up one of those nasty dandelions, you know. So difficult. And then he went through the gate and down to the studio.”
    â€œHe didn’t go near the house?”
    â€œOh, no! He went straight to the studio. Mrs. Protheroe came to the door to meet him, and then they both went inside.”
    Here Miss Marple contributed a singularly eloquent pause.
    â€œPerhaps she was sitting for him?” I suggested.
    â€œPerhaps,” said Miss Marple.
    â€œAnd they came out—when?”
    â€œAbout ten minutes later.”
    â€œThat was roughly?”
    â€œThe church clock had chimed the half hour. They strolled out through the garden gate and along the lane, and just at that minute, Dr. Stone came down the path leading to the Hall, and climbed over the stile and joined them. They all walked towards the village together. At the end of the lane, I think, but I can’t be quite sure, they were joined by Miss Cram. I think it must have been Miss Cram because her skirts were so short.”
    â€œYou must have very good eyesight, Miss Marple, if you can observe as far as that.”
    â€œI was observing a bird,” said Miss Marple. “A golden crested wren, I think he was. A sweet little fellow. I had my glasses out, and that’s how I happened to see Miss Cram (if it was Miss Cram, and I think so), join them.”
    â€œAh! Well, that may be so,” said Colonel Melchett. “Now, since you seem very good at observing, did you happen to notice, Miss Marple, what sort of expression Mrs. Protheroe and Mr. Redding had as they passed along the lane?”
    â€œThey were smiling and talking,” said Miss Marple. “They seemed very happy to be together, if you know what I mean.”
    â€œThey didn’t seem upset or disturbed in any way?”
    â€œOh, no! Just the opposite.”
    â€œDeuced odd,” said the Colonel. “There’s something deuced odd about the whole thing.”
    Miss Marple suddenly took our breath away by remarking in a placid voice:
    â€œHas Mrs. Protheroe been saying that she committed the crime now?”
    â€œUpon my soul,” said the Colonel, “how did you come to guess that, Miss Marple?”
    â€œWell, I rather thought it might happen,” said Miss Marple. “I think dear Lettice thought so, too. She’s really a very sharp girl. Not always very scrupulous, I’m afraid. So Anne