“Tell me?”
“Yes. I saw her pass through the garden and go round to the study window.”
Miss Marple always sees everything. Gardening is as good as a smoke screen, and the habit of observing birds through powerful glasses can always be turned to account.
“She mentioned it, yes,” I admitted.
“ Mr. Hawes looked worried,” said Miss Marple. “I hope he hasn’t been working too hard.”
“Oh!” cried Miss Wetherby excitedly. “I quite forgot. I knew I had some news for you. I saw Dr. Haydock coming out of Mrs. Lestrange’s cottage.”
Everyone looked at each other.
“Perhaps she’s ill,” suggested Mrs. Price Ridley.
“It must have been very sudden, if so,” said Miss Hartnell. “For I saw her walking round her garden at three o’clock this afternoon, and she seemed in perfect health.”
“She and Dr. Haydock must be old acquaintances,” said Mrs. Price Ridley. “He’s been very quiet about it.”
“It’s curious,” said Miss Wetherby, “that he’s never mentioned it.”
“As a matter of fact—” said Griselda in a low, mysterious voice, and stopped. Everyone leaned forward excitely.
“I happen to know ,” said Griselda impressively. “Her husband was a missionary. Terrible story. He was eaten , you know. Actually eaten. And