加勒比海之谜(英文版)-第2部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！

rself；　husband　got　her　out；　got　a　doctor；　they　pulled　her　roundand　then　a　few　weeks　later　she　gassed　herself。　Well；　a　bit　of　a　coincidenceeh？　Same　sort　of　story。　My　chap　said：　'I　had　a　case　rather　like　that。　Name　of　Jones（or　whatever　the　name　was）What　was　your　man's　name？'　'Can't　remember。　Robinson　I　think。　Certainly　not　Jones。'　Well；　the　chaps　looked　at　each　other　and　said　it　was　pretty　odd。　And　then　my　chap　pulled　out　a　snapshot。　He　showed　it　to　the　second　chap。　'That's　the　fellow；'　he　said。　'I'd　gone　along　the　next　day　to　check　up　on　the　particulars；　and　I　noticed　a　magnificent　species　of　hibiscus　just　by　the　front　door；　a　variety　I'd　never　seen　before　in　this　country。　My　camera　was　in　the　car　and　I　took　a　photo。　Just　as　I　snapped　the　shutter　the　husband　came　out　of　the　front　door　so　I　got　him　as　well。　Don't　think　he　realised　it。　I　asked　him　about　the　hibiscus　but　he　couldn't　tell　me　its　name。'　Second　medico　looked　at　the　snap。　He　said：　'It's　a　bit　out　of　focusbut　I　could　swearat　any　rate　I'm　almost　sure　it's　the　same　man！'　Don't　know　if　they　followed　it　up。　But　if　so　they　didn't　get　anywhere。　Expect　Mr。　Jones　or　Robinson　covered　his　tracks　too　well。　But　queer　story；　isn't　it？　Wouldn't　think　things　like　that　could　happen。〃

〃Oh　yes；　I　would；〃　said　Miss　Marple　placidly。　〃Practically　every　day。〃

〃Oh；　e；　e。　That's　a　bit　fantastic。〃

〃If　a　man　gets　a　formula　that　workshe　won't　stop。　He'll　go　on。〃

〃Brides　in　the　batheh？〃

〃That　kind　of　thing；　yes。〃

〃Major　let　me　have　that　snap　just　as　a　curiosity〃　Major　Palgrave　began　fumbling　through　an　overstuffed　wallet　murmuring　to　himself：　〃Lots　of　things　in　heredon't　know　why　I　keep　all　these　things。。。〃

Miss　Marple　thought　she　did　know。　They　were　part　of　the　Major's　stock　in　trade。　They　illustrated　his　repertoire　of　stories。　The　story　he　had　just　told；　or　so　she　suspected；　had　not　been　originally　like　thatit　had　been　worked　up　a　good　deal　in　repeated　telling。

The　Major　was　still　shuffling　and　muttering。　〃Fotten　all　about　that　business。　Goodlooking　woman　she　was；　you'd　never　suspect　Now　where　Ahthat　takes　my　mind　backwhat　tusks！　I　must　show　you　He　stopped；　sorted　out　a　small　photographic　print　and　peered　down　at　it。　〃Like　to　see　the　picture　of　a　murderer？〃　He　was　about　to　pass　it　to　her　when　his　movement　was　suddenly　arrested。　Looking　more　like　a　stuffed　frog　than　ever。　Major　Palgrave　appeared　to　be　staring　fixedly　over　her　right　shoulderfrom　whence　came　the　sound　of　approaching　footsteps　and　voices。　〃Well；　I'm　damned　I　mean〃　He　stuffed　everything　back　into　his　wallet　and　crammed　it　into　his　pocket。　His　face　went　an　even　deeper　shade　of　purplish　red　He　exclaimed　in　a　loud；　artificial　voice。　〃As　I　was　saying；　I'd　like　to　have　shown　you　those　elephant　tusks。　Biggest　elephant　I've　ever　shot。　An'；　hallo！〃　His　voice　took　on　a　somewhat　spurious　hearty　note。

〃Look　who's　here！　The　great　quartetFlora　and　Faunawhat　luck　have　you　had　todayeh？〃　The　approaching　footsteps　resolved　themselves　into　four　of　the　hotel　guests　whom　Miss　Marple　already　knew　by　sight。　They　consisted　of　two　married　couples　and　though　Miss　Marple　was　not　as　yet　acquainted　with　their　surnames；　she　knew　that　the　big　man　with　the　upstanding　bush　of　thick　grey　hair　was　addressed　as　〃Greg〃；　that　the　golden　blonde　woman；　his　wife；　was　known　as　Luckyand　that　the　other　married　couple；　the　dark　lean　man　and　the　handsome　but　rather　weatherbeaten　woman；　were　Edward　and　Evelyn。　They　were　botanists；　she　understood；　and　also　interested　in　birds。

〃No　luck　at　all；〃　said　Greg。　〃At　least　no　luck　in　getting　what　we　were　after。〃

〃Don't　know　if　you　know　Miss　Marple？　Colonel　and　Mrs。　Hillingdon　and　Greg　and　Lucky　Dyson。〃

They　greeted　her　pleasantly　and　Lucky　said　loudly　that　she'd　die　if　she　didn't　have　a　drink　at　once　or　sooner。　Greg　hailed　Tim　Kendal　who　was　sitting　a　little　way　away　with　his　wife　poring　over　account　books。

〃Hi；　Tim。　Get　us　some　drinks。〃　He　addressed　the　others。　〃Planters　Punch？〃

They　agreed。

〃Same　for　you。　Miss　Marple？〃　Miss　Marple　said　thank　you；　but　she　would　prefer　fresh　lime。　〃Fresh　lime　it　is；〃　said　Tim　Kendal　〃and　five　Planters　Punches。〃

〃Join　us；　Tim？〃

〃Wish　I　could。　But　I've　got　to　fix　up　these　accounts。　Can't　leave　Molly　to　cope　with　everything。　Steel　band　tonight；　by　the　way。〃

〃Good；〃　cried　Lucky。　〃Damn　it；〃　she　winced；　〃I'm　all　over　thorns。　Ouch！　Edward　deliberately　rammed　me　into　a　thorn　bush！〃

〃Lovely　pink　flowers；〃　said　Hillingdon。

〃And　lovely　long　thorns。　You're　a　sadistic　brute　Edward。〃

〃Not　like　me；〃　said　Greg；　grinning。　〃Full　of　the　milk　of　human　kindness。〃

Evelyn　Hillingdon　sat　down　by　Miss　Marple　and　started　talking　to　her　in　an　easy　pleasant　way。　Miss　Marple　put　her　knitting　down　on　her　lap。　Slowly　and　with　some　difficulty；　owing　to　rheumatism　in　the　neck；　she　turned　her　head　over　her　right　shoulder　to　look　behind　her。　At　some　little　distance　there　was　the　large　bungalow　occupied　by　the　rich　Mr。　Rafiel。　But　it　showed　no　sign　of　life。

She　replied　suitably　to　Evelyn's　remarks　（really；　how　kind　people　were　to　her！）　but　her　eyes　scanned　thoughtfully　the　faces　of　the　two　men。

Edward　Hillingdon　looked　a　nice　man。　Quiet　but　with　a　lot　of　charm。。。　And　Gregbig；　boisterous；　happylooking。　He　and　Lucky　were　Canadian　or　American；　she　thought。　She　looked　at　Major　Palgrave；　still　acting　a　bonhomie　a　little　larger　than　life。　Interesting。。。



Chapter　2

MISS　MARPLE　MAKES　PARISONS



It　was　very　gay　that　evening　at　the　Golden　Palm　Hotel。　Seated　at　her　little　corner　table　Miss　Marple　looked　round　her　in　an　interested　fashion。　The　dining　room　was　a　large　room　open　on　three　sides　to　the　soft　warm　scented　air　of　the　West　Indies。　There　were　small　table　lamps；　all　softly　coloured。　Most　of　the　women　were　in　evening　dress；　light　cotton　prints　out　of　which　bronzed　shoulders　and　arms　emerged。　Miss　Marple　herself　had　been　urged　by　her　nephew's　wife；　Joan；　in　the　sweetest　way　possible；　to　accept　〃a　small　cheque〃。

〃Because；　Aunt　Jane；　it　will　be　rather　hot　out　there；　and　I　don't　expect　you　have　any　very　thin　clothes。〃

Jane　Marple　had　thanked　her　and　had　accepted　the　cheque。　She　came　of　the　age　when　it　was　natural　for　the　old　to　support　and　finance　the　young；　but　also　for　the　middleaged　to　look　after　the　old。　She　could　not；　however；　force　herself　to　buy　anything　very　thin。　At　her　age　she　seldom　felt　more　than　pleasantly　warm　even　in　the　hottest　weather；　and　the　temperature　of　St。　Honorй　was　not　really　what　is　referred　to　as　〃tropical　heat〃。　This　evening　she　was　attired　in　the　best　traditions　of　the　provincial　gentlewoman　of　Englandgrey　lace。

Not　that　she　was　the　only　elderly　person　present。　There　were　representatives　of　all　ages　in　the　room。　There　were　elderly　tycoons　with　young　third　or　fourth　wives。　There　were　middleaged　couples　from　the　North　of　England。　There　was　a　gay　family　from　Caracas　plete　with　children。　The　various　countries　of　South　America　were　well　represented；　all　chattering　loudly　in　Spanish　or　Portuguese。　There　was　a　solid　English　background　of　two　clergymen；　one　doctor　and　one　retired　judge。　There　was　even　a　family　of　Chinese。　The　dining　room　service　was　mainly　done　by　women；　tall　black　girls　of　proud　carriage；　dressed　in　crisp　white；　but　there　was　an　experienced　Italian　head　waiter　in　charge；　and　a　French　wine　waiter；　and　there　was　the　attentive　eye　of　Tim　Kendal　watching　over　everything；　pausing　here　and　there　to　have　a　social　word　with　people　at　their　tables。　His　wife　seconded　him　ably。　She　was　a　goodlooking　girl。　Her　hair　was　a　natural　golden　blonde　and　she　had　a　wide　generous　mouth　that　laughed　easily。　It　was　very　seldom　that　Molly　Kendal　was　out　of　temper。　Her　staff　worked　for　her　enthusiastically；　and　she　adapted　her　manner　carefully　to　suit　her　different　guests。　With　the　elderly　men　she　laughed　and　flirted；　she　congratulated　the　younger　women　on　their　clothes。　〃Oh　what　a　smashing　dress　you've　got　on　tonight；　Mrs。　Dyson。　I'm　so　jealous　I　could　tear　it　off　your　back。〃　But　she　looked　very　well　in　her　own　dress；　or　so　Miss　Marple　thought；　a　white　sheath；　with　a　pale　green　embroidered　silk　shawl　thrown　over　her　shoulders。　Lucky　was　fingering　the　shawl。　〃Lovely　colour！　I'd　like　one　like　it。〃　〃You　can　get　them　at　the　shop　here；〃　Molly　told　her　and　passed　on。　She　did　not　pause　by　Miss　Marple's　table。　Elderly　ladies　she　usually　left　to　her　husband。　〃The　old　dears　like　a　man　much　better；〃　she　used　to　say。

Tim　Kendal　came　and　bent　over　Miss　Marple。　〃Nothing　special　you　want；　is　there？〃　he　asked。　〃Because　you've　only　got　to　tell　meand　I　could　get　it　specially　cooked　for　you。　Hotel　food；　and　semitropical　at　that；　isn't　quite　what　you're　used　to　at　home；　I　expect？〃

Miss　Marple　smiled　and　said　that　that　was　one　of　the　pleasures　of　ing　abroad。　〃That's　all　right；　then。　But　if　there　is　anything〃

〃Such　as？〃

〃Well〃　Tim　Kendal　looked　a　little　doubtful。　〃Bread　and　butter　pudding？〃　he　hazarded。

Miss　Marple　smiled　and　said　that　she　thought　she　could　do　without　bread　and　butter　pudding　very　nicely　for　the　present。　She　picked　up　her　spoon　and　began　to　eat　her　passion　fruit　sundae　with　cheerful　appreciation。

Then　the　steel　band　began　to　play。　The　steel　bands　were　one　of　the　main　attractions　of　the　islands。　Truth　to　tell　Miss　Marple　could　have　done　very　well　without　them。　She　considered　that　they　made　a　hideous　noise；　unnecessarily　loud。　The　pleasure　that　everyone　else　took　in　them　was　undeniable；　however；　and　Miss　Marple；　in　the　true　spirit　of　her　youth；　decided　that　as　they　had　to　be；　she　must　manage　somehow　to　learn　to　like　them。　She　could　hardly　request　Tim　Kendal　to　conjure　up　from　somewhere　the　muted　strains　of　the　〃Blue　Danube〃。　（So　gracefulwaltzing。）　Most　peculiar；　the　way　people　danced　nowadays。　Flinging　themselves　about；　seeming　quite　contorted。　Oh　well；　young　people　must　enjoy　Her　thoughts　were　arrested。　Because；　now　she　came　to　think　of　it；　very　few　of　these　people　were　young。　Dancing；　lights；　the　music　of　a　band　（even　a　steel　band）　all　that　surely　was　for　youth。　But　where　was　youth？　Studying；　she　supposed；　at　universities；　or　doing　a　jobwith　a　fortnight's　holiday　a　year。　A　place　like　this　was　too　far　away　and　too　expensive。　This　gay　and　carefree　life　was　all　for　the　thirties　and　the　fortiesand　the　old　men　who　were　trying　to　live　up　（or　down）　to　their　young　wives。

It　seemed；　somehow；　a　pity。

Miss　Marple　sighed　for　youth。　There　was　Mrs。　Kendal；　of　course。　She　wasn't　more　than　twentytwo　or　three；　probably；　and　she　seemed　to　be　enjoying　herselfbut　even　so；　it　was　a　job　she　was　doing。　At　a　table　nearby　Canon　Prescott　and　his　sister　were　sitting。　They　motioned　to　Miss　Marple　to　join　them　for　coffee　and　she　did　so。　Miss　Prescott　was　a　thin　severelooking　woman；　the　Canon　was　a　round；　rubicund　man；　breathing　geniality。　Coffee　was　brought；　and　chairs　were　pushed　a　little　way　away　from　the　tables。　Miss　Prescott　opened　a　workbag　and　took　out　some　frankly　hideous　tablemats　that　she　was　hemming。　She　told　Miss　Marple　all　about　the　day's　events。　They　had　visited　a　new　Girls'　School　in　the　morning。　After　an　afternoon's　rest；　they　had　walked　through　a　cane　plantation　to　have　tea　at　a　pension　where　some　friends　of　theirs　were　staying。　Since　the　Prescotts　had　been　at　the　Golden　Palm　longer　than　Miss　Marple；　they　were　able　to　enlighten　her　as　to　some　of　her　fell