watch my baby drawing nearer and nearer to hell fire –’
She broke off again. Her lips trembled. She passed her hand over them and fell silent.
‘What were Miss Quayne’s movements yesterday?’ asked Alleyn.
She had spent the morning in her room, it appeared, engaged in meditation. She had not lunched. At about two o’clock she had sent for her car and the chauffeur had told Nannie that he had driven her to the church. He remembered glancing at his watch a second or two before she came out. It was then ten to three. He had said to the other servants that Miss Quayne seemed very upset when she came out. He drove her straight home.
‘One more question,’ said Alleyn. ‘Where were you last night when we tried to get you on the telephone?’
‘I was out for a walk.’
‘Out for a walk! In that weather?’
‘Yes, sir. She’d told me it was her first evening as Chosen Whatever-it-was, and I was that upset and wretched! I tried to talk her out of it but she hardly listened. She just went away as if she didn’t hear me. When the door shut and I was left to myself I couldn’t endure it. I’d meant to go to chapel but I couldn’t. I put on my hat and jacket and I followed her.’
‘To the hall?’
‘Yes, sir. Miss Cara had taken the car, of course, so I knew I wouldn’t catch her up, but somehow I felt I’d walk. I was desperate, sir.’
‘I think I understand. What did you mean to do when you got there?’
‘I hardly know. I think I’d have gone in and – and stood up for the Lord in the midst of His enemies. I think I meant to do that, but when I got there the doors were shut and a pimply-faced fellow said I couldn’t get in. He said he’d been had once already that evening. I don’t know what he meant. So I went away and as I went I heard them caterwauling inside, and it drove me nearly demented. I walked in the rain a long way and it was late when I got in. The others were back and in bed. I waited for her. I was still waiting when the police rang up. Morning it was then.’
‘Oh, yes. By the way, when did you write to Mr Garnette to warn him off Miss Cara?’
It would be difficult to say which looked the more astounded at this, Nigel or Nannie. Nannie stared into the mirror over Alleyn’s head for some seconds, and then said with a snap:
‘Friday night.’
‘He got it on Saturday?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you went to the hall to see if he had taken heed?’
‘Yes.’
‘I see. Thank you, Nannie.’
The old woman hesitated and when she spoke again it was more haltingly.
‘There’s more to it than that. When I got there and the door was shut in my face, I couldn’t rest till I knew – knew if she was doing it. I walked round the block to the back of the building. I came to a sort of a yard, I could still hear the noise inside. There was a door. I stood by it listening. There was one voice, louder than the others. Then I saw the door was not quite shut – and – and –’
‘You walked in.’
‘Yes, sir, I did. I felt I had to. I had to know. It was that man’s rooms I’d got into. There was a light in the sitting-room. The voice got louder all the time. I – I went in. Miss Cara had told me about him living on the premises in that hole-and-corner fashion, so I knew about the other door – the one into the hall. I opened it a little way. There’s a curtain, but I pulled it aside.’
A dark flush crept into the pale face. She looked defiantly at Alleyn.
‘I tell you I could not help myself.’
‘I know. What did you see?’
‘They were moving. I could see the front row. I saw her – Miss Cara. She came running up the steps towards me. That man was quite close. His back was turned to me. Her face. Her pretty face – it looked dreadful. Then she turned and faced them. She was calling out. Screaming. I tried to go in and stop it. I couldn’t. I couldn’t move. Only watch. I might have saved her. No, don’t say anything – I might. Then I saw that lot coming up after her. Skirmishing round.’
‘Yes. Go on,’ said Alleyn quickly. ‘Tell me exactly –’
‘I’ll remember to my dying day. First that American gentleman, Ogden. Then one or two of them together, then the young man and Miss Jenkins. The only one of the lot I’d care to have anything to do with. Led astray like my poor child. Mrs Candour and old Miss Wade were trying to get one on each side of that man. I saw Mrs Candour push in by him. Miss Wade tried to get in on the other side. She was in a great taking-on. In the end she didn’t get there. Collided with the American gentleman and nearly fell over. It’s my belief he stopped her on purpose, having some sense of decency.’
‘Oh. What did she do then?’
‘He put her next Mr Ravigne and went next that man himself. Then my poor child began again. Don’t ask me. I can’t – I couldn’t watch. Something seemed to break in me. I turned and – and somehow I got out into the street.’
She turned her head aside, gave a harsh sob and then blew her nose defiantly.
Alleyn stood up.
‘You must try to get some sleep now.’
Nannie was silent.
‘At least your Miss Cara is out of it all.’
‘I thank God for that,’ said Nannie.
‘I won’t keep you a moment longer. Do you know if Miss Quayne has left a Will?’
‘She made one years ago, sir, when she came of age, but I think she’s changed it. She told me she was going to Mr Rattisbon – that’s her lawyer – about it. That lot have been getting money out of her as well I know.’
‘Much?’
‘I don’t know, sir, but I have ideas. A great deal, if you ask me. And I dare say she’ll have left them the rest.’ She hesitated and then raised her voice. ‘And if she’s been murdered, sir, it’s for her money. Mark my words, it’s for her money.’
‘It often is,’ said Alleyn. ‘Thank you. Go and rest somewhere. You need it, you know.’
Nannie glared down her nose, muttered: ‘Very considerate, I’m sure,’ and tramped to the door. Here she paused and turned.
‘May I ask a favour, sir?’
‘Certainly.’
‘Can I – will they let me have her home again before she’s put away?’
‘Not just yet, Nannie,’ said Alleyn gently. ‘Tomorrow perhaps – but – I think it would be better not.’
She looked fixedly at him and then, without another word, went out of the room.
‘Grand old girl, that,’ agreed Nigel from his armchair.
‘Wasn’t she?’ agreed Alleyn. ‘That doorkeeper in the house of the ungodly will have to be seen.’
‘To check up on her visit?’
‘Just that.’
‘Look here,’ said Nigel, ‘how did you know?’
‘Never you mind. Keep quiet. Now I’ll have to see the rest of the staff.’
The rest of the staff proved to be unproductive of much intelligence. Two housemaids, a parlourmaid, a chauffeur and a cook,