Her fears are confirmed when a youth fires a revolver at the administrator, Lewis Serrocold. Neither is injured. But a mysterious visitor, Mr Gilbrandsen, is less fortunate -- shot dead simultaneously in another part of the building. Pure coincidence? Miss Marple thinks not, and vows to discover the real reason for Mr Gilbrandsen's visit There are no reviews yet.
Be the first one to write a review. Community Collections. Miss Marple watched him and wondered. A voice spoke. Not Monty! He repeated his former statement. Take this place — the house — the whole set-up. And look at the way they live. Cracked antique china and cheap plain stuff all mixed up. No proper upper-class servants — just some casual hired help. Big silver tea urns and what do you know — all yellow and tarnished for want of cleaning.
Look at that dress she had on last night. Darned under the arms, nearly worn out — and yet she could go to a store and order what she liked. Bond Street or wherever it is. I never had much money, but I was all set to get where I wanted. I was going to open a garage. I talked to Gina about it. She listened. She seemed to understand. All those girls in uniform, they look about the same. I thought she was a cut above me, perhaps, education and all that.
We fell for each other. We got married. We were going to set up a gas station back home — Gina was willing. Just a couple of crazy kids we were — mad about each other.
And Gina wanted to come here to England to see her grandmother. Well, that seemed fair enough. It was her home, and I was curious to see England anyway. So we came. Plenty of jobs for me. This place could be swell — really swell. Oh hell! Most of the time I shut up like a clam. But too bad picking on you. A greater contrast to Walter Hudd could not have been imagined. Thanks for the talk. It all came about from sending her off to America.
I told mother at the time it was most 67 p q unwise. After all, this is quite a quiet district. We had hardly any raids here. I do so dislike the way many people gave way to panic about their families — and themselves, too, very often. But mother has always been quite unreasonable where Gina is concerned. The child was always spoilt and indulged in every way. You know what Italians are. Nothing matters to them but money. He married Pippa for her money, of course. I always understood he was very devoted to her and was quite inconsolable at her death.
Just the usual American pleasure in a title, I suppose. I can speak with knowledge, of course. I was brought up in the middle of it all. And yet that had been the convention of those times. Which was not, Miss Marple supposed, very often. She looked thoughtfully at the middle-aged woman sitting beside her.
At the pursed tight mouth, the deep lines from the nose down, the hands tightly pressed together. Pippa, you see, was the pretty one. She was older than I was, too. It was always she who got all the attention. Both father and mother encouraged her to push herself forward — not that she needed any encouragement — to 69 p q show off. I was always the quiet one. A child can suffer a great deal, Aunt Jane.
But I was younger than she was. They never noticed me. And it was Pippa that Papa used to joke and play with. Someone ought to have seen how hard it was on me. All the notice and attention going to her. Pippa was only adopted. I was the daughter of the house. She was — nobody. Blood will tell. Lewis can have what theories he likes 70 They do it with Mirrors about environment. Bad blood does tell. Look at Gina. Quite disgusting, I call it. Admittedly she made a very unfortunate marriage, but marriage is marriage and one should be prepared to abide by it.
After all, she chose to marry that dreadful young man. He really looks to me quite like a gangster. And so surly and rude. He hardly opens his mouth. And he always looks so raw and uncouth. Everything has been done for him here. Lewis has suggested several ways in which he could try to make himself useful — but he prefers to skulk about doing nothing. Lewis thinks of nothing but these horrible young criminals.
And mother thinks of nothing but him. Everything Lewis does is right. Look at the state of the garden — the weeds — the overgrowth. And the house — nothing properly done. These large establishments are a great problem. Do you really prefer living here to — well — somewhere of your own? Nothing can alter that.
And I do choose. If only mother were not so impossible! It worries Jolly a lot. She adores mother. And was wonderful, I believe, during the whole sad business. I expect you heard that he ran away with a dreadful Yugoslavian woman — a most abandoned creature. Divorced him as quietly as possible.
Even went so far as to have the Restarick boys for their holidays — quite unnecessary, really, other arrangements could have been made. It would have been unthinkable, of course, to have let them go to their father and that 72 They do it with Mirrors woman.
Anyway, mother had them here. And Miss Bellever stood by all through things and was a tower of strength. I sometimes think she makes mother even more vague than she need be, by doing all the practical things herself. How odd. He seldom comes out in the garden.
He appeared not to notice Mildred, because it was only Miss Marple who was in his mind. Caroline asked me to. Unfortunately I have to go off to Liverpool. But Maverick will take you. It will be splendid if we can get them not to prosecute. Lewis Serrocold did not notice her go. His earnest eyes gazed at Miss Marple through thick glasses. Boast about it to their girl friends. But a severe sentence often sobers them. Is he — is he quite normal?
What has he been saying? The usual statements. He was a case recommended to me by a Society in London. All very typical — Dr Maverick will tell you.
I went into his case history. Mother was of a poor class but a respectable family in Plymouth. Started romancing about his father and later about himself. But Maverick considers the prognosis hopeful. The improvement was marked. I was very happy about him. He talked to me of enemies — of persecution. So far, he has been hopeful — very hopeful. Ah, here is our dear Jolly. She will take charge of you. Dr Maverick rang through from the Institute.
I said I would bring Miss Marple over. He will meet us at the gates. I must go. My briefcase? He only sleeps four hours a night. What about the decent boys from decent homes? Dr Maverick, looking, Miss Marple decided, distinctly abnormal himself, came out to meet them. In our splendid approach to this great problem. Mr Serrocold is a man of great insight — great vision. Psychiatry came into its own in the war. Have you been talking to him? Enthusiasm in itself can be extremely wearing, Miss Marple thought.
There was a pattern here — perhaps several patterns, and yet she herself could obtain no clear glimpse of it or them.
Any vague disquietude she felt centred round the pathetic but inconspicuous personality of Edgar Lawson. But for the life 79 p q of her, Miss Marple did not see how that wrongness, whatever it was, affected her friend Carrie Louise. But none of them again as far as she could see impinged on Carrie Louise.
Carrie Louise. Suddenly Miss Marple realized that it was she alone, except for the absent Ruth, who used that name. To her husband, she was Caroline. To Miss Bellever, Cara. Stephen Restarick usually addressed her as Madonna.
Was she to all of them a symbol and not quite a real person? Quite unlike Pippa, who was always radiant.
Yes, I daresay. Poor Miss 81 p q Moncrieff who longed for travel and to see the world. And of how St Mary Mead in a decorous way had rejoiced when Mrs Moncrieff was laid in the churchyard and Miss Moncrieff, with a nice little income, was free at last. Dear Jolly. She takes care of me as though I were a baby and quite helpless.
I feel quite ashamed sometimes. I really believe Jolly would murder someone for me, Jane. All our poor boys are in her view pampered young criminals and not worth taking trouble over. She thinks this place is damp and bad for my rheumatism, and that I ought to go to Egypt or somewhere warm and dry.
Horrid cramps in my legs. Arriving this afternoon, Christian Gulbrandsen. Then there will be no stairs. How very annoying that Lewis is away. Christian hardly ever stays longer than one night. And there are sure to be so many things they would want to discuss. He was a big heavy-featured man, with a slow methodical way of talking.
He greeted Carrie Louise with every sign of affection. You do not look a day older. Not a day. A hand tugged his sleeve. How are you, Mildred? That is bad. Mildred herself seemed particularly pleased by his arrival. Wally, as usual, looked sullen and unfriendly.
His voice displayed a rather determined geniality — but in actual fact, Miss Marple thought, he was not feeling particularly genial. There was a grim set to his lips and a certain preoccupation in his manner. Introduced to Miss Marple, he swept a keen look over her as though measuring and appraising this newcomer. How long can you stay? When will Lewis be back? The others are the Bishop of Cromer and Mr Gilfoy.
It seemed to be assumed so by Miss Bellever and everyone else. And yet Miss Marple wondered. From Carrie Louise he shifted his gaze to the others, examining them one and all with a kind of covert appraisal that seemed distinctly odd. After tea, Miss Marple withdrew tactfully from the others to the library, but rather to her surprise when she had settled herself with her knitting, Christian Gulbrandsen came in and sat down beside her.
Many many years ago. And you are fond of her? Yes, I truly think that. It should be so. For she is a very dear and enchanting person.
Always, since my father married her, I and my brothers have loved her very much. She has been to 86 They do it with Mirrors us like a very dear sister. She was a faithful wife to my father and loyal to all his ideas. Yes, that is so. And therefore it may be that she does not truly appreciate the evil that there is in the world. His face was very stern. And her heart? Her heart is good? If you want to know the state of her health, you should ask somebody in the house here.
Miss Bellever, for instance. Or Mildred? Christian Gulbrandsen was staring at her very hard. It is a pity — her only child, but there it is. Now this Miss Bellever, you think, is really attached to her? He spoke as though more to himself than to Miss Marple.
I wish very much to act for the best. I am particularly anxious that no harm and no unhappiness should come to that dear lady. But it is not easy — not easy at all.
We were wondering where you were. Dr Maverick wants to know if you would like to go over anything with him. No — no, I will wait until Lewis returns.
Mildred Strete stared after him and then stared at Miss Marple. Christian is very unlike himself. Why should he ask you about that? Surprisingly so for a woman of her age. Much better than mine as far as that goes. Nothing at all! In the early afternoon Gina took him for a drive, and after that Miss Marple noticed that he induced Miss Bellever to show him something in the gardens. But in all this, Miss Marple could tell herself that she was being fanciful. She had rolled 91 p q up her knitting and had gone out in the garden to take a little stroll before tea.
Rounding a straggling rhododendron she came upon Edgar Lawson, who was striding along muttering to himself and who nearly ran into her. How should I be feeling well? His doing so gave Miss Marple a nervous feeling. There, now, there are no trees or bushes near.
Nobody can overhear. A terrible discovery. He was almost weeping. To have believed. I shall speak out. I shall tell him I know what he has been doing. Edgar Lawson drew himself up to his full height. But actually he only looked ridiculous. But I know now.
Well, my father will have to reckon with me. Her face grave, Miss Marple went back to the house. II Lewis Serrocold arrived back at six-thirty. He stopped the car at the gates and walked to the house through the park. Looking out of her window, Miss Marple saw Christian Gulbrandsen go out to meet him and the two men, having greeted one another, turned and paced to and fro up and down the terrace.
Miss Marple had been careful to bring her bird glasses with her. At this moment she brought them into action.
She noted as the glasses swept down before rising that both men were looking seriously disturbed. Miss Marple leant out a little farther. I agree that it is she who must be considered. We must go inside. III Dinner that evening was a somewhat constrained meal. Both Gulbrandsen and Lewis were absent-minded and absorbed in their own thoughts.
Walter Hudd glowered even more than usual, and for once Gina and Stephen 95 p q seemed to have little to say either to each other or to the company at large. Conversation was mostly sustained by Dr Maverick, who had a lengthy technical discussion with Mr Baumgarten, one of the Occupational Therapists.
When they moved into the hall after dinner, Christian Gulbrandsen excused himself almost at once. He said he had an important letter to write. A typewriter, I asked, and one has been put there. Miss Bellever has been most kind and attentive. She went over and sat by the window overlooking the front drive and the court. Stephen glanced at her, then strolled over to the big grand piano.
He sat down at it and strummed very softly — a queer melancholy little tune. Walter turned on 96 They do it with Mirrors the switch of a reading lamp and with a crackling noise half the lights in the hall went out. He growled. Smiling a little, Carrie Louise held out an obedient hand. The front door was pushed violently open and allowed to swing to with a crash. Edgar Lawson came into the big dim Hall with the air of a star performer making a triumphal entry.
It was almost ridiculous — but not quite ridiculous. Mr Serrocold looked mildly astonished. Tell me all about it quietly. After he had done so, there was another sound, the sharp sound of a key being turned in the lock. Miss Bellever looked at Miss Marple, the same idea in both their minds.
It was not Lewis Serrocold who had turned the key. There had been no fondness in the expression that Edgar had turned on Lewis Serrocold a few moments previously, very far from it.
She wondered, as she wondered before, if Carrie Louise deliberately turned her back on reality. Edgar, I mean. Playing with it. Now, suddenly, they became clearly audible. I ought to own this place.
You hate me — you want to get rid of me! It screamed out foul epithets. Edgar seemed rapidly losing control of himself. Edgar loves Lewis. You set your spies to follow me — to hound me down — you plotted against me. You, my father! My father. Only a bastard. Take that, you devil, and that! Somebody strode past Miss Marple and started shaking and rattling the door.
It was Stephen Restarick. Miss Bellever came back into the Hall. In her hand she held an assortment of keys. At that moment the fused lights came on again. The Hall sprang into life again after its eerie dimness. Stephen Restarick began trying the keys. They heard the inside key fall out as he did so. Inside that wild desperate sobbing went on. She got up and came across to the study door. Very gently she pushed Stephen Restarick aside. Please, Edgar. It turned and the door was slowly opened.
But it was not Edgar who opened it. It was Lewis Serrocold. He was breathing hard as though he had been running, but otherwise he was unmoved. Lewis Serrocold frowned. Edgar Lawson had collapsed by the desk. He was sobbing and gasping. Miss Marple did not consider that there was any of course about it.
Shall I ring up the police as well? Certainly not. Does he look dangerous? He looked young and pathetic and rather repulsive. His voice had lost its carefully acquired accent. No damage done.
His eye dropped to the desk and the chair behind it. He stooped down and picked it up. You took it out of my room, you creeping louse, you. Take a look at him, will you, Maverick? He only just missed my stepfather.
Sick of the way you all go on here! Help me. Not now. Edgar uttered a wail. Lewis Serrocold frowned angrily. This is a medical matter. But I had to call the police. And her anger sounded in the crisp sharpness of her voice. Slowly, unbelievingly, Carrie Louise took a step towards the door. Lewis Serrocold put a hand on her shoulder. Dr Maverick, with a doubtful glance at Edgar, followed him. Miss Bellever went with them. She sat down, her eyes looking hurt and stricken.
It was the bewildered hurt tone of a child. Walter Hudd remained close to Edgar Lawson, glowering down at him. The whole lot of them. Her young startled face was the most vivid thing in the room. Suddenly the front door opened and a rush of cold air together with a man in a big overcoat came in.
The heartiness of his greeting seemed incredibly shocking. A lot of fog on the road. I had to go dead slow. Surely the same man could not be standing by Gina and coming in by the door.
Then she realized that it was only a likeness and not, when you looked closely, such a very strong likeness. Saul Reichlin Dr. Maseryk as Dr. Brenda Cowling Mrs.
Rodgers as Mrs. David Doyle Neville as Neville. Jake Wood Bert as Bert. Norman Stone. Bowen screenplay Agatha Christie novel uncredited.
More like this. Watch options. Storyline Edit. Ruth van Rydock is worried about her sister's health and well-being and asks their mutual friend Jane Marple to visit her for a awhile. Her sister, Carrie-Louise Serrocold, is married to Lewis Serrocold and he has turned their estate into an institute of sorts for young offenders.
Miss Marple is more than happy to visit and finds an odd assortment of characters on the premises. When Christian Gulbranson is found shot while sitting at the typewriter in his room, Miss Marple has a murder to solve.
Gulbranson, a trustee of the institute, had only arrived that day on urgent business and Lewis Serrocold found a partly completed letter in his typewriter saying that someone was poisoning Carrie-Louise. Assisting Inspector Slack, with whom she had previously worked, she soon knows who committed the crime but is not quite sure how they did it.
Add content advisory. Did you know Edit. Trivia Christopher Villiers and Jay Villiers, brothers in real life, play brothers in this episode.
0コメント