Free A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie

room. Then the bell rings and I answer the door. Again and again I answer the door. It is degrading—but I do it. And then I go back into the pantry and I start to polish the silver, and I think it will be very handy, that, because if someone comes to kill me, I have there close at hand the big carving knife, all sharp.”
    â€œVery foresighted of you.”
    â€œAnd then, suddenly—I hear shots. I think: ‘It has come—itis happening.’ I run through the dining room (the other door—it will not open). I stand a moment to listen and then there comes another shot and a big thud, out there in the hall, and I turn the door handle, but it is locked outside. I am shut in there like a rat in a trap. And I go mad with fear. I scream and I scream and I beat upon the door. And at last—at last—they turn the key and let me out. And then I bring candles, many many candles—and the lights go on, and I see blood—blood! Ach, Gott in Himmel, the blood! It is not the first time I have seen blood. My little brother—I see him killed before my eyes—I see blood in the street—people shot, dying—I—”
    â€œYes,” said Inspector Craddock. “Thank you very much.”
    â€œAnd now,” said Mitzi dramatically, “you can arrest me and take me to prison!”
    â€œNot today,” said Inspector Craddock.
    III
    As Craddock and Fletcher went through the hall to the front door it was flung open and a tall handsome young man almost collided with them.
    â€œSleuths as I live,” cried the young man.
    â€œMr. Patrick Simmons?”
    â€œQuite right, Inspector. You’re the Inspector, aren’t you, and the other’s the Sergeant?”
    â€œYou are quite right, Mr. Simmons. Can I have a word with you, please?”
    â€œI am innocent, Inspector. I swear I am innocent.”
    â€œNow then, Mr. Simmons, don’t play the fool. I’ve a good many other people to see and I don’t want to waste time. What’s this room? Can we go in here?”
    â€œIt’s the so-called study—but nobody studies.”
    â€œI was told that you were studying?” said Craddock.
    â€œI found I couldn’t concentrate on mathematics, so I came home.”
    In a businesslike manner Inspector Craddock demanded full name, age, details of war service.
    â€œAnd now, Mr. Simmons, will you describe what happened last night?”
    â€œWe killed the fatted calf, Inspector. That is, Mitzi set her hand to making savoury pastries, Aunt Letty opened a new bottle of sherry—”
    Craddock interrupted.
    â€œA new bottle? Was there an old one?”
    â€œYes. Half full. But Aunt Letty didn’t seem to fancy it.”
    â€œWas she nervous, then?”
    â€œOh, not really. She’s extremely sensible. It was old Bunny, I think, who had put the wind up her—prophesying disaster all day.”
    â€œMiss Bunner was definitely apprehensive, then?”
    â€œOh, yes, she enjoyed herself thoroughly.”
    â€œShe took the advertisement seriously?”
    â€œIt scared her into fits.”
    â€œMiss Blacklock seems to have thought, when she first read that advertisement, that you had had something to do with it. Why was that?”
    â€œAh, sure, I get blamed for everything round here!”
    â€œYou didn’t have anything to do with it, did you, Mr. Simmons?”
    â€œMe? Never in the world.”
    â€œHad you ever seen or spoken to this Rudi Scherz?”
    â€œNever seen him in my life.”
    â€œIt was the kind of joke you might have played, though?”
    â€œWho’s been telling you that? Just because I once made Bunny an apple pie bed—and sent Mitzi a postcard saying the Gestapo was on her track—”
    â€œJust give me your account of what happened.”
    â€œI’d just gone into the small drawing room to fetch the drinks when, Hey Presto, the lights went out. I turned round