Death in Ecstasy. Ngaio Marsh

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       CHAPTER 4 The Yard

      The entrance of Chief Detective-Inspector Alleyn had a curious effect upon the scene and upon the actors. It was an effect which might be likened to that achieved by the cinema when the camera is shifted and the whole scene presented from a different viewpoint. Nigel had felt himself to be involved in a nightmare, but it now seemed to be someone else’s nightmare of which he was merely the narrator. He wondered wildly whether he should follow Mr Ogden’s example and embark on an elaborate series of introductions. However, he avoided this complication and in as few words as possible told Alleyn what had happened. The others remained silent, eyeing the inspector. Janey Jenkins held Pringle’s hand between her two hands; Miss Wade kept a handkerchief pressed against her lips; M.de Ravigne stood scornfully apart; Mrs Candour had collapsed into a grand-opera throne on the left of the altar; Mr Ogden looked capable and perturbed and the two acolytes gazed rapturously at the inspector. Alleyn listened with his curious air of detachment that always reminded Nigel of a polite faun. When Nigel came to the ecstatic frenzy, Alleyn made a slantwise grimace. Speaking so quietly that the others could not overhear him, Nigel repeated as closely as he could remember them the exclamations made by Pringle, Miss Wade and de Ravigne. Alleyn asked for the names of persons who should be informed. Beyond Miss Quayne’s servants there seemed to be nobody. Miss Jenkins, appealed to, said she had overheard Miss Quayne saying that her staff were all out on Sunday evening. She volunteered to ring up and find out and retired to Father Garnette’s room to do so. She returned to say there was no answer. Alleyn took the number and said he would see the house was informed later. As soon as he had learnt the facts of the case, Alleyn lifted the satin drapery and looked at the distorted face beneath it, spoke a few words aside to Dr Kasbek, and then addressed them all quietly. At this moment Father Garnette, having set his congregation going on another hymn, returned to the group. Nigel alone noticed him. He stood just inside the curtains and never took his eyes off the inspector.

      Alleyn said: ‘There is, I think, no reason why you should not know what has happened here. This woman has probably died of poisoning. Until we know more of the circumstances and the nature of her death I shall have to take over the case on behalf of the police. From what I have heard I believe that there is nothing to be gained in keeping the rest of the congregation here.’ He turned slightly and saw the priest.

      â€˜You are Mr Garnette? Will you be good enough to ask your congregation to go home – when they have quite finished singing, of course. I have stationed a constable inside the door. He will take their names. Just tell them that, will you?’

      â€˜Certainly,’ said Father Garnette and disappeared through the curtains.

      They heard him pronounce a benediction of sorts. Beyond the curtains there was a sort of stirring and movement. One or two people coughed. It all died away at last. A door slammed with a desolate air of finality and there was complete silence in the building, save for the slobbering of the torch. Father Garnette returned.

      â€˜Phew!’ said Alleyn. ‘Let’s have the curtains drawn back, may we?’

      Father Garnette inclined his head. Claude and Lionel flew to the sides of the chancel and in a moment the curtains rattled apart, revealing the solitary figure of the doorkeeper, agape on the lowest step.

      â€˜Is there anything I can do, Father?’ asked the doorkeeper.

      â€˜Lock the front door and go home,’ said Father Garnette.

      â€˜Yes, Father,’ whispered the doorkeeper. He departed hurriedly pulling the double doors to with an apologetic slam. For a moment there was silence. Then Alleyn turned to Nigel.

      â€˜Is there a telephone handy?’

      â€˜Yes.’

      â€˜Get through to the Yard, will you, Bathgate, and tell them what has happened. Fox is on duty. Ask them to send him along with the usual support. We’ll want the divisional surgeon and a wardress.’

      Nigel went into the room behind the altar and delivered this message. When he returned he found Alleyn, with his notebook in his hand, taking down the names and addresses of the Initiates.

      â€˜It’s got to be done, you see,’ he explained. ‘There will, of course, be an inquest and I’m afraid you will all be called as witnesses.’

      â€˜Oh, God,’ said Pringle with a snort of disgust.

      â€˜I’d better start with the deceased,’ Alleyn suggested. ‘What is her name, please?’

      â€˜She was a Miss Cara Quayne, Inspector,’ said Mr Ogden. ‘She owned a very, very distinctive residence in Shepherd Market, No.101. I have had the honour of dining at the Quayne home, and believe me it surely was an aesthetic experience. She was a very lovely-natured woman with a great appreciation of the beautiful –’

      â€˜No. 101 Shepherd Market,’ said Alleyn. ‘Thank you.’ He wrote it down and then glanced round his audience.

      â€˜I will take yours first if I may, Doctor Kasbek.’

      â€˜Certainly. Nicholas Kasbek, 189a Wigmore Street.’

      â€˜Right.’ СКАЧАТЬ