沉睡的谋杀案38

时间：2026-02-04 01:34:04

（单词翻译:单击）

III

“What can have become of the woman?” demanded Dr. Kennedy irritably.

The hands of the clock pointed to ten minutes to five.

“Could she have lost her way coming from the station?”

“I gave her explicit directions. In any case it’s quite simple. Turn to the

left when she got out of the station and then take the first road to the right.

As I say, it’s only a few minutes’ walk.”

“Perhaps she’s changed her mind,” said Giles.

“It looks like it.”

“Or missed the train,” suggested Gwenda.

Kennedy said slowly, “No, I think it’s more likely that she decided not to

come after all. Perhaps her husband stepped in. All these country people

are quite incalculable.”

He walked up and down the room.

Then he went to the telephone and asked for a number.

“Hullo? Is that the station? This is Dr. Kennedy speaking. I was expect-

ing someone by the four thirty-five. Middle-aged country woman. Did any-

one ask to be directed to me? Or—what do you say?”

The others were near enough to hear the soft lazy accent of Woodleigh

Bolton’s one porter.

“Don’t think as there could be anyone for you, Doctor. Weren’t no

strangers on the four thirty-five. Mr. Narracotts from Meadows, and John-

nie Lawes, and old Benson’s daughter. Weren’t no other passengers at all.”

“So she changed her mind,” said Dr. Kennedy. “Well, I can offer you tea.

The kettle’s on. I’ll go out and make it.”

He returned with the teapot and they sat down.

“It’s only a temporary check,” he said more cheerfully. “We’ve got her

address. We’ll go over and see her, perhaps.”

The telephone rang and the doctor got up to answer.

“Dr. Kennedy?”

“Speaking.”

“This is Inspector Last, Longford police station. Were you expecting a

woman called Lily Kimble—Mrs. Lily Kimble—to call upon you this after-

noon?”

“I was. Why? Has there been an accident?”

“Not what you’d call an accident exactly. She’s dead. We found a letter

from you on the body. That’s why I rang you up. Can you make it conveni-

ent to come along to Longford police station as soon as possible?”

“I’ll come at once.”

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