Death on Allhallowe’en Read Online Free Page B

such a moment John showed no nervousness. He stood up, almost pushed the man into a chair, and poured out a stiff whisky.
    â€˜Take it steady, Connor,’ he said. ‘Drink that and tell us about it.’
    Connor Horseman did as he was told, and managed to nod to Carolus when John introduced them. He was a very frightened man, a sight which neither John nor Carolus liked to see.
    â€˜I don’t … often behave like this,’ he said apologetically to Carolus. ‘I’ve had a … disturbing experience.’
    His confidence slowly returned and Carolus began to see him as he was in more normal circumstances, but he still did not like what he saw. He was burly and piggy-eyed and probably a good mixer, but behind the bonhomie, which would soon, Carolus felt, assert itself, there was a shifty watchfulness which only such a trusting soul as John would mistake for good nature.
    â€˜Carolus is a very old friend of mine,’ John explained. ‘He’s staying with me for a bit. He’s accustomed to looking into strange events such as we have here. I hope you’ll give him the same confidence as you would me and tell us both what happened.’
    Horseman managed a smile, but it did not promise the confidence John demanded.
    â€˜Certainly. Of course. As soon as I get my breath. I ran all the way here.’
    â€˜From where?’
    â€˜From Chimneys.’
    â€˜That’s the Murrains’ house,’ John explained. ‘Right opposite the churchyard. Go on, Connor.’

Three
    â€˜I was coming to see you about the dance on Allhallowe’en. The committee got on to me and I thought it would be a good thing. Clear the air a bit. Get things back to normal.’
    â€˜I should have agreed,’ said John.
    â€˜I thought you would. I told the committee so. I said I would see you this evening and ask you about using the hall.’
    â€˜Who is on the committee?’ asked Carolus.
    â€˜Mostly young people. Five of them. I saw them last night and promised to let them know this evening after I had seen you.’
    â€˜So five at least knew you would be coming here?’
    â€˜Five? Fifty by this morning. News travels fast in Clibburn, doesn’t it, John? But they wouldn’t know what time except that it would probably be after dark. We both work all day.’
    â€˜You’re writing another book, I believe?’ said Carolus.
    Horseman seemed not to like the remark.
    â€˜I’m always writing another book,’ he said sharply. ‘It’s my only visible means of support. I rang up and made the appointment with Mrs Lark and left home just before six, intending to walk.’
    â€˜You haven’t a car?’
    â€˜It’s in dock. Besides, it’s only ten minutes on foot.’
    â€˜You had to pass the churchyard?’
    â€˜It’s the only direct way. I should also pass the Murrains’ house. It is, as you may have noticed, a very dark night and we have no street lighting except outside the White Horse.I met no one till I was approaching Chimneys, when I ran into Gerald Murrain. Almost literally. He said, “Good evening, Major Horseman,” in that ingratiating way he has and went on towards the village. Something made me look after him. He was swinging an electric torch as he walked. Perhaps its light caught my eye and made me turn.’
    â€˜He hadn’t shone it on you?’
    â€˜No. I hadn’t seen it till I turned. I stood there for a few moments. The torch was invisible now and there was silence. Then, just as I was passing Chimneys, there was a shot.’
    â€˜Where did the sound come from?’
    â€˜I
think
the churchyard. The shot spattered on the roof of the house.’
    â€˜So it was a sporting gun. You are sure of that?’
    â€˜As sure as one can be. Everything happened at once, but I’m pretty certain I heard it strike the tiles. I found myself running.’
    â€˜But if it struck