Ne'er Do Well by Dornford Yates Page A

course: and you’ll do that as you think best. But don’t forget that the sisters are holy women, vowed to the service of God, that they work very hard indeed for nothing at all, that this disaster has caused them the very greatest distress. If you can lighten their burden, I’m sure that you will.’
    â€œThey took it very well – they’re a decent crowd.
    â€œThen one of them asked the question I wanted asked.
    â€œâ€˜Will any sisters be called?’
    â€œâ€˜I think that’s possible. If they are, I can’t prevent your taking photographs of them. But if you do, you’ll make them very unhappy. I hope you’ll bear that in mind.’
    â€œThen I looked in at the station and called it a day.”
    â€œPoor Superintendent,” said Jenny, “you must be so terribly tired.”
    â€œNo, Mrs Chandos, I’ve had more tiring days. And being with you three here is the greatest relief. Any comments, Colonel Mansel?”
    â€œI think you’ve done awfully well.”
    â€œYou have, indeed,” said I.
    â€œIn fact,” said Jenny, rising, “we’re going to drink your health. Would you like a brandy and soda?”
    â€œI’d rather have a soft drink.”
    â€œWe always drink barley-water.”
    â€œPlease give me some.”
    Mansel spoke.
    â€œHe was poisoned, of course. The japonica tablets were taken and two poisoned tablets were left. That could only have been done by someone who knew quite a lot: knew that he had two tablets put by his side and knew that he used to take them during the night. One naturally looks very hard at the occupants of the Home – the sisters, the house-surgeon and the other patients. But the deed might well have been done by a complete outsider.”
    â€œI entirely agree,” said Falcon. “Access was easy. Deserted meadows, ringed by a very low wall, the terrace in darkness, and French windows wide open all night long. By the way, Mr Chandos, have you a binocular?”
    â€œI have. Would you like to borrow it?”
    â€œIf I may. I want to see how much I can see from the road.”
    â€œBell shall give it to you before you go off. It’s very powerful.”
    â€œGood. Casual observation might have been kept from a car. As for special, close observation – well, the meadows and the terrace by night would offer a perfect field. I mean, you could hardly go wrong.”
    â€œWho,” said Mansel, “who knew he was in the Home and where he was likely to be put?”
    â€œAh,” said Falcon. “To find the answer to that may be very hard.”
    There was a little silence. Then– “I feel,” said I, “that a woman committed the crime.”
    â€œWhy d’you say that, Mr Chandos?”
    â€œI don’t think a man would have thrown away the tablet you found.”
    â€œIt may have been dropped.”
    â€œI don’t think a man would have dropped it. The man who would do such a thing would have been more careful than that.”
    â€œWhat would you have done with it – them?”
    â€œSwallowed them,” said I.
    â€œSo should I,” said Falcon. “But then we’re rather good at covering up. Never mind. A man has pockets, but a woman has not. In any event, I’m inclined to agree with you. It looks to me much more like a woman’s crime.”
    â€œYou’ve a friend in the day-nurse,” said Mansel.
    â€œI think I have. Had I had to question Sister Helena in the presence of the Mother Superior, to a great extent I should have gone empty away. And it would have been a dreadful ordeal for us both. From what Paterson said, I’m afraid Sister Geneviève will be roasted for what she did.”
    â€œA courageous woman,” said Mansel. “But I don’t think you’ll see the Madonna alone again.”
    â€œNor do I. But that won’t matter so much. At least, I hope it