Noose for a Lady

by Gerald Verner

  ‘What — relation?’ asked Gale.

  ‘Younger sister,’ Evershed thrust his hands into his pockets and sat down on the arm of an easy chair. ‘She told me all about herself before she died. Nothing new — old as the hills. Too strict upbringing with the result that she kicked over the traces … There was a child which died at birth … Her parents and the sister threw her out … She went on the streets and eventually reached the condition in which I first found her. Sordid story — like a good many others. Here’s the point. She wanted to see her sister before she died. She wrote to her. I posted the letter and registered it to make sure. Miss Ginch didn’t even bother to reply. That’s all.’

  ‘I never knew she ’ad a sister,’ said Frost.

  ‘She didn’t come to live here until after her parents were dead, did she?’ said Evershed. ‘She wouldn’t mention her sister then. It would never do for it to become known that she was related to a woman who ‘was no better than she should be’. What would the ‘Christian Mothers’ Guild’ say to that?’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘Can you wonder that the sight of her, with all her sanctimonious hypocrisy, makes me want to vomit?’

  ‘I wonder,’ remarked Simon Gale, after a pause, ‘if Hallam knew?’

  ‘I hope so,’ said Evershed viciously. ‘I hope he made her squirm with fear that he might give her away. She’s a poisonous female.’

  ‘That might be a better description than you imagine, Evershed,’ said Gale.

  *

  The telephone bell rang loudly and shrilly at Easton Knoll, and Jill picked up the receiver.

  ‘Easton Knoll,’ she said. ‘Oh, good morning. Inspector Frost … Yes, he’s here. Hold on, will you? Inspector Frost wants to speak to you, Simon … *

  He came over and took the telephone receiver from her.

  ‘Hello, Frost,’ he said. ‘Oh, is he … well, I hope he’s successful … you’ll let me know at once, won’t you? … Yes … How’s Upcott? … I see … Yes, I wonder if you could let me know? I should like to be there, if possible … yes, do … all right … goodbye … ’

  He dropped the receiver back on the rack.

  ‘The Chief Constable is ringing up the Home Office to see if they will grant a stay of execution, pending further inquiries,’ he said.

  ‘Do you think they will?’ asked Jill anxiously.

  He shrugged his shoulders.

  ‘They ought to,’ he answered. ‘We’ve definite proof that Upcott came here that night. Whether that’s sufficient for them to act on, I don’t know … ’

  ‘Surely it will be, Simon,’ she said. ‘It must be … ’

  ‘There’s no surely about it,’ he answered. ‘Frost sounded rather dubious. If we could get a statement out of Upcott it might help, although he swears that Hallam was either dead, or dying, when he got here … ’

  ‘Is it likely he’d say anything else?’ she demanded.

  ‘No, but the evidence of the whisky and milk is in his favour. Maggie took Hallam that drink before midnight. Agnes Potter saw Upcott at two o’clock, just leaving. If he got there in time to put the poison in the whisky and milk before Hallam drank it, it must have been round about twelve o’clock — the drink was hot, remember. Hallam wouldn’t have waited for it to get cold. Why the deuce should Upcott have hung about for nearly two hours after he’d administered the poison? It doesn’t make sense — the risk of someone finding him was pretty great … ’

  ‘Unless he wanted to make sure the poison had taken effect,’ said Jill.

  ‘He wouldn’t have had to wait all that time,’ said Gale. ‘Hallam would have been in a coma in a very short time after swallowing that amount of barbitone.

  ‘There must have been some reason, Simon. I’m sure it was Upcott — it must have been. Look at the motive he had.’

  ‘I’ll admit that's strong enough,’ he agreed. ‘Perhaps we shall know more about it when he recovers consciousness.’

  ‘When is that likely?’

  ‘Evershed told Frost it might be any moment. They’ve got a nurse with him, and Frost has put a man with instructions to telephone immediately there’s any sign of his coming round.’

  Mrs. Barrett came in. ‘Will you see Miss Lane and Mrs. Langdon-Humphreys?’ she asked.

  Jill looked surprised. ‘Oh, yes,’ she answered. ‘Ask them to come in … Now what do they want so early in the morning,’ she said when the housekeeper had gone.

  ‘I should say that they’d heard about Upcott,’ remarked Gale, ‘and want to know more — and it’s not so early, Jill.’

  ‘It’s half-past nine.’

  ‘It’s early for those two,’ said Jill.

  They came in quickly, scarcely pausing for the usual greetings before they came to the object of their visit.

  ‘We’ve just heard about Mr. Upcott,’ said Vanessa.

  ‘Is it true?’ demanded Mrs. Langdon-Humphreys.

  ‘Yes, he had a seizure last night,’ said Gale.

  ‘I don’t mean that,’ said Mrs. Langdon-Humphreys. ‘Is it true that he murdered his wife?’

  ‘And poisoned Mr. Hallam?’ added Vanessa.

  ‘Where did you hear that?’ asked Gale.

  ‘It’s all round the village … ’ began Vanessa.

  ‘Never mind that,’ interrupted Mrs. Langdon-Humphreys impatiently. ‘The question is, is it true?’

  ‘I’m afraid I can’t tell you,’ said Gale.

  ‘Why not?’ she demanded.

  ‘Because I don’t know,’ he answered. ‘According to Upcott the death of his wife was an accident.’

  ‘Then she did die?’ said Vanessa. ‘She didn’t run away as everyone thought?’

  ‘No, she died,’ replied Gale.

  ‘Robert Upcott was seen leaving here on the night Mr. Hallam died,’ said Mrs. Langdon-Humphreys. ‘That girl Potter saw him.’

  ‘That is also true,’ said Gale. ‘And that is all we actually know.’

  ‘Well, it seems to me very obvious that he must be the person who poisoned John Hallam,’ declared Mrs. Langdon-Humphreys. ‘If he had found out that Upcott’s wife never ran away … ’

  ‘Upcott would have had a strong motive?’ finished Gale. ‘Yes, I agree with you … ’

  ‘This will make a difference to Margaret, won’t it?’ said Vanessa. ‘I mean they won’t go through with — with it now?’

  ‘The Chief Constable is trying to get a stay of execution,’ said Jill.

  ‘They must do that, mustn’t they?’ asked Vanessa. ‘Surely they can’t.’

  ‘If a stay of execution is granted it would be tantamount to a reprieve,’ said Simon Gale. ‘Once a stay of execution is granted the execution is never carried out afterwards.’

  ‘But that would be wonderful,’ exclaimed Vanessa.

  ‘I doubt if the Home Secretary will consider the evidence we can offer sufficient for that,’ he said.

  ‘If he doesn’t, Simon,’ said Jill. ‘What are we going to do? It’s tomorrow — tomorrow morning.’

  ‘We can offer him evidence that he will consider sufficient,’ said Gale.

  ‘Have you such evidence, Mr. Gale?’ asked Mrs. Langdon-Humphreys.

  ‘Not at present,’ he answered.

  ‘Then how are you going to get it, Simon?’ demanded Jill. ‘There isn’t any time.’

  ‘I shall have it this afternoon,’ he said, quietly.

  They stared at him. His reply had been so unexpected that for a moment they were too astonished to speak.

  ‘What’s going to happen this afternoon?’ said Vanessa, sharply.

  ‘I hope you’ll come and see?’ he said. ‘Could you both come to tea — say at four o’ clock?’

  ‘I’ve no doubt we could,’ said Mrs. Langdon-Humphreys. ‘If you could be a little more explicit as to why it should be necessary, my recollection of the last time we were invited here is not altogether a pleasant one.’

  ‘I should like you to come,’ said Gale, ‘because I’m going to tell you who murdered Jo
hn Hallam.’

  ‘Simon!’ exclaimed Jill.

  ‘You — you know?’ It was almost a whisper from Vanessa.

  ‘Yes, I know,’ said Gale.

  ‘Are you quite sure, Mr. Gale?’ asked Mrs. Langdon-Humphreys.

  ‘Quite sure,’ he answered.

  ‘Who is it,’ said Jill. ‘Who is it, Simon?’

  Before he could reply the telephone bell rang. With a word of excuse he went over to the instrument and lifted the receiver.

  ‘Hello … speaking … oh, yes, yes … I’ll come at once.’ He looked round.

  ‘I’m afraid I must go,’ he said. ‘Upcott has just recovered consciousness.’

  *

  ‘Come in, Gale,’ said Doctor Evershed in a low voice, and ushered him into the darkened bedroom. ‘Frost’s here.’

  Gale could dimly make out the figures of the Inspector and a nurse standing near the bed.

  ‘What has Upcott said?’ he asked.

  ‘Nothing yet,’ answered Evershed. ‘He can’t speak very easily. I’ve given him a slight stimulant.’

  ‘He looks pretty bad, sir,’ muttered Frost.

  ‘He is,’ said Evershed. ‘If the circumstances were not as urgent, I wouldn’t allow him to be disturbed. As it is you’ll have to be very careful not to excite him.’

  ‘Can I go over and speak to him?’ asked Simon.

  ‘Yes, but don’t forget what I said.’

  Gale went over to the bed. Upcott lay back on his pillows. His face was deathly pale, and his eyes were only visible through half closed lids.

  ‘Hello, Upcott,’ said Gale, gently. ‘How are you feeling?’

  The dry-looking lips moved and a slight spasm contorted the mouth. Very faintly sounds, slurred and almost inaudible, shaped themselves into words:

  ‘I … I … thirsty … ’

  ‘Drink a little of this?’ Evershed held a glass to the sick man’s lips. With great difficulty, Upcott swallowed a few drops. After a pause he spoke again. It was still an effort but his voice was a trifle stronger.

  ‘What … what am … I … am I doing … here?’

  ‘You were taken ill,’ said Evershed, ‘don’t you remember?’

  ‘Ill? … I … I’ve been … ill … ?’

  ‘Yes.’

  The fingers on the coverlet plucked at it. The head moved very slightly. The half-open eyes rested on Gale.

  ‘Are … are … ’ the slurred voice failed and then went on: ‘Are … you doctor … ?’

  ‘No,’ said Gale, ‘Evershed’s the doctor. You know Evershed?’

  ‘Evershed … ?’ repeated Upcott, but there was no recognition in his voice.

  ‘That’s right, Upcott,’ said Evershed. ‘Drink a little more of this … ’

  Upcott sipped a few drops. ‘How … how long have … I been … been here?’ he asked.

  ‘Since yesterday evening,’ said Gale.

  ‘Yesterday … evening … ?’

  ‘We were talking when you were taken ill. I’m Simon Gale.’

  ‘Simon … Gale? … I … don’t know … ’

  ‘You remember me, don’t you? I was talking to you about Hallam.’

  ‘Hallam … ? No … I don’t … know … ’

  Evershed took Gale by the arm and led him away.

  ‘It’s no good, Gale,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘His memory’s gone. He doesn’t remember anything.’

  ‘Do you mean, Simon, that his mind’s a complete blank?’ asked Jill.

  ‘I’m afraid so,’ said Gale, ‘for the present at any rate Evershed says that he may recover his memory later.’

  ‘What happens in the meanwhile?’ asked Martin.

  ‘Nothing so far as Upcott is concerned,’ said Gale. ‘It’s useless questioning a man who can’t remember.’

  ‘Do you think it’s genuine?’ said Martin.

  ‘Oh, yes, there’s no doubt about that. He’s being kept under observation — in case there should be any change.’

  ‘Has there been any message from the Chief Constable?’ said Jill.

  ‘Not yet,’ answered Gale. ‘There’s hardly been time. I’m not putting any hope in a stay of execution — particularly now there’s no chance of getting a statement out of Upcott.’

  ‘If you meant what you said this morning, it won’t matter, will it?’ said Jill. ‘Did you mean it, Simon?’

  ‘I meant it, Jill,’ said Gale.

  ‘Meant what?’ asked Martin.

  ‘Simon says he knows who killed my father.’

  ‘Is that true, Simon?’ said Martin. ‘Quite true.’

  ‘Well, then, tell us — who was it?’

  ‘I’ll tell you this afternoon,’ said Gale.

  ‘Why can’t you tell us now?’ asked Jill. ‘Because I can’t, Jill,’ he answered. ‘There are very good reasons why I must wait until this afternoon.’

  ‘I believe you’re only saying that.’

  ‘For dramatic effect?’ he said, with a smile. ‘No, I’m not, I assure you. Do you think I’d bother about that in the circumstances — with Maggie’s life at stake? I’ve got to wait.’

  ‘To make sure,’ asked Martin.

  ‘Yes — but not in the way you mean,’ he answered.

  ‘Surely you can give us some hint, Simon,’ persisted Jill.

  ‘No, you’ll have to be patient,’ said Gale.

  ‘Oh, you’re maddening, Simon,’ exclaimed Jill with sudden irritability. ‘Don’t you realize how much this means to — to all of us? Why must you behave like — like a detective in a book — keeping everything to yourself until the last chapter.’

  ‘Steady, Jill,’ said Gale, but she went on without heeding:

  ‘That’s all very well in a story, but you're dealing with real people — people with feelings and — and nerves … ’ Her voice broke suddenly. ‘Oh, can’t you understand?’

  She walked quickly to the door, opened it, and went out.

  Martin looked at Simon and shrugged his shoulders. ‘She’s feeling the strain,’ he said.

  ‘She’s been feeling the strain for a long time,’ said his brother, going over and closing the door. ‘You’re partly to blame, Martin … ’

  ‘Me?’ exclaimed Martin.

  ‘You must be blind if you haven’t seen it,’ said Simon. ‘Jill’s in love with you.’

  ‘Oh, heck!’ said Martin in dismay.

  ‘She as good as admitted it yesterday — not that it was necessary. You’ve only to watch her face when you and Vanessa are together.’

  ‘Oh, Lord, Simon, this complicates things.’

  ‘Not necessarily,’ said Simon, quickly. ‘You know what you’ve got to do?’

  ‘It’s all very well for you.’

  ‘Hell’s bells,’ cried Simon irritably, ‘don’t be a fool! I know how you feel about Vanessa, but you’ve got to pull yourself together. It’s … ’

  ‘Inspector Frost is here, sir,’ said Mrs. Barrett from the doorway.

  ‘Oh, ask him in,’ said Gale.

  The housekeeper withdrew and Simon turned to Martin. ‘Now look,’ he said, ‘go and find Jill. Take her for a walk, talk to her … there’s no need to upset yourself, everything will be all right.’

  ‘I hope so,’ grunted Martin. He nodded to Frost as the latter was shown in. ‘Where’s Miss Jill, Mrs. Barrett?’

  ‘I think she went upstairs, sir,’ said the housekeeper.

  ‘See you later, Simon,’ said Martin and shut the door behind him.

  ‘Well, Mr. Gale, I’ve just heard from the Chief Constable,’ said Frost, when they were alone.

  ‘Nothing doing, eh?’ said Gale.

  ‘If you cut out all the trimmings, that’s what it amounts to, sir … ’

  ‘I never expected anything else,’ said Gale.

  ‘If we could have got a statement out of Upcott … ’ began Frost.

  ‘Only a signed confession would have done any good, Inspector,’ said Gale, ‘and I don’t think you’d have got that.’ />
  ‘No, I don’t s’pose ’e’d have been fool enough for that, sir, an’ that’s a fact. What are we goin’ to do now — about Mrs. ’Allam?’

  ‘Come round to tea this afternoon,’ said Gale, ‘and you’ll see.’

  Inspector Frost raised his eyebrows. ‘If you’ve anything in mind, sir,’ he said, ‘that’ll be leavin’ it a bit late, won’t it?’

  ‘Yes, but I can’t help it, Frost,’ said Gale. ‘I can’t do anything before.’

  ‘What are you going to do then, sir?’

  ‘I’m going to … ’ Gale broke off as Jill came in quickly. She looked radiant.

  ‘Martin’s asked me to go for a walk, Simon,’ she said, and then seeing Frost: ‘Oh, good morning, Inspector.’

  ‘Good morning, miss.’

  ‘A walk’s a very good idea, Jill,’ said Gale. ‘It’ll cheer you up.’

  ‘Is there any news?’ she asked.

  ‘The Home Secretary won’t do anything.’

  ‘Oh … ’The happiness faded from her face.

  ‘Never mind,’ said Gale, ‘you go along for your walk … and Jill — keep Martin away as long as possible.’

  ‘Why?’ she asked.

  ‘You’ll know why this afternoon,’ he said.

  She looked at him searchingly. ‘Simon … ’ she began.

  ‘Are you ready, Jill?’ called Martin from the hall.

  ‘Yes, coming now, Martin,’ she called back and then lowering her voice: ‘All right, Simon, I think I understand.’

  She hurried away.

  Simon Gale went over and carefully shut the door. Coming back, he sat down and took out his pipe.

  ‘Now, Frost,’ he said, ‘listen to me — and don’t interrupt until I’ve finished … ’

  *

  ‘Here’s your dinner, Hallam.’ The wardress set down the tray in front of Margaret.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, listlessly.

  ‘The chaplain’s coming down to see you,’ said the woman.

  ‘Oh, has there been a message?’ asked Margaret eagerly.