Death on Allhallowe’en Read Online Free Page A

understands the attraction of all we mean by tea, he thought; not just the infusion that we drink, but the happy associations of it, fireside in winter, and sometimes in the garden in summer. He had a pleasant sense of being cosily shut in here from the murky evening and all that was forbidding and dangerous in the night.
    â€˜I was going to tell you,’ said Mrs Lark to John, ‘Con Horse rang up while you were asleep.’
    John sounded a mite impatient.
    â€˜Horseman?’ he said. ‘What did he want?’
    â€˜Said he didn’t want to disturb you, but could he look in early this eve? I said oke and he’ll be round about six.’
    â€˜He didn’t say what it was about?’
    â€˜No. Didn’t sound urge, though. Got all you want? Good. I’ll leave you to it and nip back presently for the tray.’
    Carolus watched her exit with some amusement. She had a springy walk.
    â€˜She really makes me far too comfortable,’ John confessed. ‘A real daughter of Martha. The husband’s a bit of a trial to her. He is paralysed in both legs. A motoring accident in which she was driving. Terribly hard luck, but one wishes he wouldsometimes count his blessings instead of becoming so embittered. She’s an angel with him. Pushes him round in his chair and does everything for him as well as looking after my meals.’
    â€˜Are they Guys people?’
    â€˜No. She’s from London. A manicurist. He was quite a successful insurance agent before the accident.’
    â€˜Any known connections with the “goings-on”?’
    â€˜No. But some rather cruel habits. He has a powerful air-rifle and pots at birds from his push-chair. Childish, I know, but repugnant to me. I had to stop him doing it in the garden. I’m fond of birds. He took it badly when I told him I wanted them left in peace at least on my little bit of ground. “Vermin,” he said. “Rats with wings.” A most disagreeable figure of speech I thought. And he doesn’t seem to appreciate his wife in the least.’
    â€˜Sounds most unattractive,’ said Carolus. ‘Tell me a little more about Horseman before he comes.’
    â€˜Connor? He’s a very good chap. A great help to me in the parish. The young crowd seem to love him and he’s in everything. MC at the village dances, president of their cricket club, and referees at football. A good mixer. I must own I know nothing about his books.’
    â€˜I do,’ said Carolus. ‘I looked him up in a writers’ who’s who last night. He has only written one, about seven years ago. It was a life of Mathew Hopkins.’
    â€˜Who was he?’
    â€˜The scourge of the witches. He probably caused the death by drowning of more harmless women than anyone in history.’
    â€˜Witchcraft again. I thought Connor at least was free from that.’
    â€˜He probably is. But he can make a study of the life of Hopkins without any kind of association, surely?’
    â€˜Of course. On the other hand, it could account for him settling in Clibburn. I have often wondered what made him do that.’
    â€˜If the place is all you say it could well account for it,’ saidCarolus. ‘What do you think he’s coming to see you about?’
    â€˜Something quite ordinary I expect. But you see the state of mind I’m in. I can’t hear of someone coming to see me without wondering what has happened
now.
Ridiculous, I know, but that’s how it is.’
    Carolus nodded sympathetically and the two remained in silence looking into the red embers of the fire.
    They were interrupted dramatically. The front door slammed and someone could be heard hurrying down the passage. The study door opened and a man limped into the room, out of breath and obviously unnerved. He did not seem to notice Carolus, but spoke to John Stainer in a loud, high-pitched voice.
    â€˜Someone tried to shoot me,’ he said.
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