爱情与金钱

　　你是一名不错的侦探，是吗？如果是的话，那你得比沃尔什探长先找出凶手。沃尔什探长是名警探，他工作虽说慢了点，可十分细心。你是位“快手”吗？侦探是干什么的呢？侦探就是寻找线索的人。而线索就是告诉你谁是凶手的重要但又细小的事物。发现线索不容易，但本故事中有许多线索。有些线索有用——它们能帮助你，可有些线索却不利——它们妨碍你找到凶手。你得仔细点读，否则你会错过线索。

　　但请记住：你不必相信人们说的每件事。凶手显然会撒谎，可能其他人因不同的理由也会撒谎。也许他们希望某人死去。但是谁希望呢？谁杀的？你能找出凶手吗？

　　罗伊纳·阿金耶米英国人，但在非洲度过了许多年。《爱情与金钱》是她为英语学生写的第一部故事。

　　1 Chapter

　　The Clarkson family lived in the country near Cambridge，about half a mile from the nearest village and about a mile from the river．They had a big，old house with a beautiful garden，a lot of flowers and many old．trees．

　　One Thursday morning in July，Jackie came in from the garden．She was a tall，fat woman，thirty years old．It was the hottest day of the year，but she wore a warm brown skirt and yellow shirt．She went into the kitchen to get a drink of water．Just then the phone rang．

　　'Cambridge 1379，'Jackie said．

　　'Hello．This is Diane．I want to talk to Mother．'

　　'Mother isn't here，'Jackie said．'She's at the doctor's．'

　　'Why？What's Wrong？'

　　'Nothing's wrong，'Jackie said．'Why are you telephoning？ You are going to come this weekend？ Mother wants everyone to be here．'

　　'Yes，I want to come，'Diane said．'I'm phoning because I have no money for the train ticket．'

　　'No money！Mother is always giving you money！'

　　'This phone call is very expensive，'Diane said coldly．'Tell Mother please．I need the money．'

　　Jackie put the phone down．She took a cigarette from her bag and began to smoke．She felt angry because her sister al-ways asked for money．Diane was twenty years old， the youngest in the family．She lived in London，in one room of a big house．She wanted to be a singer．She sang very well but she could never get work．

　　Jackie went back into the kitchen and began to make some sandwiches．Just then the back door opened，and her mother came in．

　　'It's very hot！'Molly said．She took off her hat and put it down on the table．She was a tall，dark woman with beautiful eyes．

　　Two big，black dogs came into the kitchen after her and ran across to her．She sat down and put her hands on their heads．

　　Jackie put the sandwiches on the table．'Mother，'she said，'Diane phoned．She wants money for her train ticket．'

　　Molly closed her eyes for a minute．Then she stood up．'This afternoon I want you to get the house ready for the weekend，'she said．'Oh，and please go to the village later and get my tablets．'

　　'Yes，Mother，'Jackie said．

　　Molly went to the door．

　　'Mother，please wait a minute，'Jackie said．'Peter Hobbs came here this morning．He's very angry with you about that letter．He lost his job，you know．Why did you write to his office？He wants to talk to you about it．'

　　'Well，I don't want to talk to him，'Molly said．She opened the door．

　　'But Mother，you don't understand．He's seventeen，and it was his first job．He's very，very angry．He says… he says he's going to kill you！'

　　Molly did not answer．She went out of the room and closed the door．

　　1

　　克拉克森家住在剑桥附近的乡下，离最近的村庄约有半英里路，距离河有1英里左右。他们有幢大而古老带有美丽花园的房子，花园里有许多花和许多古树。

　　7月的一个星期四早上，杰基从花园进了屋。她是个高大，肥胖，30来岁的女人。这是一年中最热的日子，而她却穿着暖色调的黄色衬衫和棕色裙子。她走进厨房去喝水，这时电话响了。

　　“剑桥1379号，”杰基说。

　　“你好！我是黛安娜。我想和妈妈说话。”

　　“妈妈不在家，”杰基说。“她看医生去了。”

　　“怎么了？出了什么事？”

　　“没什么，”杰基说。“你打电话干嘛？这个周末你回来吗？妈妈希望每个人都在。”

　　“是啊，我想回来，”黛安娜说。“我正因为没钱买火车票，才打电话。”

　　“没钱！妈妈总是给你钱！”

　　“电话费很贵，”黛安娜冷冷说道。“请告诉妈妈，我需要钱。”

　　杰基放下电话，她从包里拿了枝烟抽起来。她因她的妹妹总是要钱感到生气。黛安娜20岁了，在家里最校她住在伦敦，在一所大房子里有间屋子。她想成为一个歌唱家，她唱得很棒可是她却从来不愿找工作。

　　杰基走回厨房动手做一些三明治。这时后门开了，她的母亲走了进来。

　　“天太热了！”莫利说道，她脱下帽子放在桌上。她是位高个子、皮肤浅黑，有双美丽眼睛的女人。

　　两条大黑狗跟着她进了厨房围着她转，她坐下来把手放在它们的头上。

　　杰基把三明治放在桌上。“妈妈，”她说道，“黛安娜打来电话，她想要钱买火车票。”

　　莫利闭上眼一会，然后站起来。“下午我希望你收拾一下房子为周末做准备，”她说。“哦，随后请去村里给我买些药片。”

　　“好的，妈妈，”杰基说。

　　莫利向门口走去。

　　“妈妈，请等一会。”杰基说。“彼得霍布斯今早来了，他对你的那封信很生气。你知道，他丢了工作。你为什么写信给他的办公室？他想和你谈谈这事。”

　　“好啦，我不想和他谈，”莫利说，她打开门。

　　“可是妈妈，你不明白。他17岁了，那是他第一份工作，他非常非常生气。他说……他说他会杀了你！”

　　莫利没答话，她走出房间关上了门。

　　2 Chapter

　　It was seven o'clock on Saturday evening．Jackie stood at the window．A car drove slowly up to the front door and stopped．A tall man with white hair got out，It was Albert，the husband of Molly's sister．

　　'Here's Uncle Albert，'Jackie said．'Always late．'

　　She went out of the room and opened the front door．Albert came in and went at once to Molly．

　　'Oh，dear．I'm very late．I am sorry，'Albert said．'Fifty years old today！What a wonderful dress！'

　　Molly did not smile．'Thank you，Albert．We're all getting older．'Tonight she wore a long black dress，and the two black dogs sat at her feet．'Everyone is here now．Let's go in to dinner，'she said．

　　Everyone stood up and went to the table．

　　'The table looks nice，Jackie．What wonderful flowers！'Diane said．She was a beautiful girl，with long black hair and dark blue eyes．She wore a long red dress．

　　Albert sat down next to Roger Roger was Molly's son，her second child．He lived in Cambridge，in an expensive house．

　　'Someone called Peter stopped me down the road，'Albert said．'Who is he？ He's very angry with you，Molly．'

　　'That's Peter Hobbs，from the house across the road，'Jackie said quickly．She looked across the table at Molly．'He lost his job last week and he's angry with everyone．'

　　'It's Molly he doesn't like，'Albert said．

　　Molly said nothing．Everyone began to eat．

　　'How is Aunt Annie？'Jackie asked．

　　'She's much worse now，'Albert said．'She stays in bed all the time．She needs a nurse twenty-four hours a day．'

　　'I am sorry，'Molly said．

　　Albert stopped eating and looked at Molly．'It's very difficult and very expensive，you know．Annie feels very unhappy because you don't visit her，Molly．She loves you very much．You are her little sister；you know．'

　　Molly closed her eyes for a minute．' I know that，Albert．I am fifty years old，but I am always her“little”sister．Well，we can talk about it later．'

　　Albert laughed．'Oh yes，we can talk later．It's always later with you，Molly．Always tomorrow．Never today．'

　　Jackie watched her mother．Her mother was angry with Albert．Molly never liked talking about her sister Annie and she did not like visiting her because she was very ill．

　　'That's a beautiful dress，Diane．Is it new？'Jackie asked．

　　'Thank you，Jackie．Yes，it's new，and very expensive．I got it on Wednesday，'Diane said．She smiled at Jackie．

　　'All your things are expensive，'Jackie said．She remembered the phone call on Thursday about the train ticket．

　　'I don't like cheap things，'Diane said．'And I'm going to need more money soon．I want to go to America．Can you help me，Roger？'

　　'Oh no，'Roger said．'Nobody wants to help you， Diane．You don't like working，we all know that，but we all want you to get a job．'

　　Diane laughed．'It doesn't matter，Roger．I don't need your help．Mother always helps me．Mother loves me best．'She suddenly smiled，a quick，beautiful smile．But her eyes were cold．

　　Jackie looked at her mother．Molly's face was white．Jackie did not understand．Was her mother afraid of Diane？Jackie wanted her mother to be happy today．

　　'Would you like some more meat，Uncle Albert？'Jackie asked．'Roger，can you give everyone some more to drink？

　　Roger got up and began to give more wine to everyone．'This is good wine，'he said．

　　Molly smiled for the first time．'Yes，your father loved this wine．He often drank it．'

　　'Yes，'Albert said，and looked at Molly．'Expensive，too．'

　　'Would you like to meet Mr Briggs this weekend，Roger？Jackie asked quickly．'He's the new man at the farm．He wants to meet you．'

　　'Briggs？Briggs？'Molly said，suddenly angry．'Don't talk to me about that man．I don't like him．He wants half my garden for his farm．He needs more land，he says．I don't want him in my house．He's always dirty and he has bad teeth．'

　　Jackie stood up and got her bag．'Excuse me，I want a cigarette．'

　　'Cigarettes！Always a cigarette in your mouth，'Molly said．'I don't like it．Cigarettes aren't good for you．'

　　Jackie began to smoke．She felt angry but she said nothing．She wanted her mother to be happy this evening，but it was very difficult．

　　Roger drank some more wine．'Well，Mother，perhaps Mr Briggs is right．The garden is very big，you know，'he said．'It's a lot of work for you．The house is big，too．You're fifty now．You need to be more careful．'

　　'Roger！I don't need a nurse，you know！I work in the garden every day；I feel happy there．'Molly stood up．'I know you all want my money．You come here for a free dinner，you don't want to see me．You don't love me．You want my house，and my money．Well，you can all wait．No-body is getting more money from me，not before I die！'

　　'Don't say that，Mother！'Jackie cried．

　　Molly walked across the room to the door．'I feel ill now．I'm going upstairs to bed．'

　　Molly left the room．Nobody moved．

　　'One day I'm going to kill that woman，'Diane said quietly．

　　Roger looked at Diane but said nothing．Albert moved his head slowly up and down．'Ill！She's angry，that's all，'he said．'Molly always gets angry about money．Why can't she be good to her sister？Annie's going to die soon．Molly knows that．'

　　Jackie finished her cigarette and stood up．'Would everyone like some coffee？Come into the kitchen and let's drink it there．'

　　2

　　星期六晚上7点。杰基站在窗前。一辆小车徐徐驶到前门停下来。一个白头发、高个子的男人下了车，他是艾伯特，莫利姐姐的丈夫。

　　“是艾伯特姨父，”杰基说。“他总是迟到。”

　　她走出房间打开前门。艾伯特走进来，立刻便走向莫利。

　　“哦，亲爱的，抱歉，我来得太迟了，”艾伯特说。“今天是你50岁生日！多漂亮的裙子！”

　　莫利没有笑。“谢谢你，艾伯特。我们都老了。”今晚她穿了一条长长的黑裙子，两条黑狗蹲在她脚边。“现在大家都到了，咱们吃饭吧。”她说。

　　大家都站起来走到桌前。

　　“餐桌看起来不错，杰基。多美的花啊！”黛安娜说。她是个美丽的女孩，有一头长长的黑头发和一双深蓝色的眼睛，她穿了一条红色的长裙。

　　艾伯特坐在罗杰的旁边。罗杰是莫利的儿子，她的第二个孩子。他住在剑桥一幢昂贵的房子里。

　　“有个叫彼特的人沿路阻挡我，”艾伯特说。“他是谁？他很生你的气，莫利。”

　　“那是彼得霍布斯，家住在马路对面的房子里。”杰基很快地说。她看着餐桌对面的莫利。“他上周丢了工作，他生每个人的气。”

　　“他不喜欢的是莫利，”艾伯特说。

　　莫利一言不发。大家开始吃东西。

　　“安妮姨妈好吗？”杰基问。

　　“她现在更糟糕了，”艾伯特说。“她所有时间都呆在床上。她一天24小时都需要护士。”

　　“我真难过”，莫利说。

　　艾伯特停下来看着莫利。“你知道，这事非常麻烦并且非常花钱。莫利，安妮因为你不去看她很不高兴。她非常爱你，你知道，你是她的小妹妹。”

　　莫利闭上了眼。“我知道这些，艾伯特。我都50岁了，可我总是她的'小'妹妹。好吧，我们以后再谈这事。”

　　艾伯特笑道。“哦，是啊，我们以后再谈。莫利，和你总是以后，总是明天。从来不是今天。”

　　杰基看着她的母亲，她的母亲生艾伯特的气。莫利从来就不喜欢谈论她姐姐，也不喜欢去拜访她。而她病得很重。

　　“这裙子真漂亮，黛安娜。是新的吗？”杰基问。

　　“谢谢，杰基。是的，新裙子，非常贵。我周三才买的。”黛安娜说。她冲着杰基微笑。

　　“你所有的东西都昂贵，”杰基说。她记起周四关于火车票的电话。

　　“我不喜欢便宜的东西，”黛安娜说。“我不久会需要更多的钱，我想去美国。罗杰，你能帮我吗？”

　　“哦，不行，”罗杰说。“没有人想帮你，黛安娜。我们都知道，你不喜欢工作，但是我们都希望你找份工作。”

　　黛安娜笑道。“没关系，罗杰。我不需要你的帮助，妈妈总是会帮我的，妈妈最爱我。”她突然笑了一下，一个转瞬即逝美丽的微笑。可她的眼神却是冷冷的。

　　杰基看着她的妈妈，莫利脸色苍白。杰基不明白为什么。她的妈妈会怕黛安娜？杰基希望她的妈妈今天快快乐乐。

　　“艾伯特姨父，你还要些肉吗？”杰基问。“罗杰，你能给每人再添些饮料吗？”

　　罗杰站起来动手给大家加了些酒。“这酒不错，”他说。

　　莫利第一次笑了。“是啊，你父亲爱喝这种酒。他经常喝。”

　　“是啊”，艾伯特看着莫利说“也非常贵。”

　　“罗杰，这个周末你想见见布里格斯吗？”杰基急忙问。“他刚来农常他想见见你。”

　　“布里格斯？布里格斯？”莫利说，她突然生气了。“不要和我谈那个男人，我不喜欢他。他想要我把一半的花园当他的农常他说，他需要更多的土地。我不希望他来我家，他总是脏兮兮的，还有一口坏牙。”

　　杰基站起来拿她的包。“抱歉，我想抽枝烟。”

　　“烟！你的嘴总是叼着烟，”莫利说。“我讨厌烟，抽烟对你不好。”

　　杰基开始抽烟，她感到很生气，但她什么也没说。她想让她妈妈今晚快乐些，可看来这非常难。

　　罗杰喝了好些酒。“好啦，妈妈，布里格斯先生可能是对的。你清楚，花园是太大了，”他说。“你要干许多的事，房子也太大了。你都50岁了，你需要更多的照顾。”

　　“罗杰！你明白，我不需要护士！我每天在花园里干点活，我在那儿感到快乐。”莫利站起来。“我知道你们都想要我的钱。你们来这儿只为一顿免费的晚餐，不是想来看看我，你们不爱我。你们想要我的房子，我的钱。好吧，你们都等着。在我死之前，任何人都别想从我这儿得一点儿！”

　　“别说这些，妈妈！”杰基叫道。

　　莫利穿过房间走到门前。“现在我感到不舒服。我要上楼睡觉了。”

　　莫利离开了房间，大家都没动。

　　“有一天我会杀了这女人，”黛安娜平静地说。

　　罗杰看看黛安娜，但什么也没说。艾伯特上下摇晃着脑袋。“不舒服！她生气了，就这样，”他说。“莫利谈到钱总要生气。为什么她不能对她姐姐好点？安妮不久就要死了，莫利知道这些。”

　　杰基抽完烟站起来。“每人都来些咖啡吗？到厨房去，咱们在那儿喝吧！”

　　3 Chapter

　　Early next morning the house was quiet．Suddenly there was a cry from the room next to Roger's，his mother's room．Roger opened his eyes and looked at the clock．It was nearly seven o'clock．He got out of bed and opened the door quietly．At the same time the door of his mother's room opened and Diane came out．Her face was very white．

　　'Roger！It' s Mother！I brought a cup of coffee for her and I found her dead．She's dead…dead in her bed，'she cried．

　　Roger went quickly to the door of his mother's room and looked in．The window was open but the room was warm．Molly was on the bed，one hand under her head．Roger went across to the bed and put his hand on her arm．It was cold．On the little table next to the bed was a hot cup of coffee and an empty cup．

　　'I'm going to call the doctor，'Diane said．

　　'She's dead，'Roger said slowly．His face，too，was white．'Mother is dead！'

　　Diane walked across the room to the door．'I'm going to phone the doctor，'she said again．

　　'Wait a minute！'Roger called．'Let's tell the family first．'

　　'Family！Nobody loved Mother！'Diane went out and ran downstairs．

　　Roger slowly went downstairs after her and stood by the telephone．

　　'Dr Pratt，this is Diane Clarkson．It's my mother—she's dead．Can you come quickly？'

　　Diane put the phone down．'It isn't true，Roger！Mother dead！Daddy died last winter，and now Mother．'Diane began to cry．

　　'Don't cry，Diane，'Roger said．'Let's go upstairs and tell Uncle Albert and Jackie．'

　　'No！You tell them！Nobody loved Mother．You aren't sorry．Look at you！You want her money．That's all．'

　　Roger suddenly wanted to hit Diane．'Be quiet！'he said．'What about you？You didn't love Mother．You wanted her money，too．Don't forget that！'

　　'It's true，'Diane said．'Oh，I can't stay in this house．I'm going out．I'm going to the river with the dogs．'

　　'No，'Roger said．'The doctor's coming and I want you here．'

　　Diane said nothing．She went into the kitchen and at once the dogs got up and came to her．'Beautiful dogs！Daddy loved you and Mother loved you．Now I'm going to love you．'She opened the back door and went out with the dogs．

　　Roger did not move．He stood by the telephone．'It's true，'he thought．'I am happy about the money．I needed money，and now I'm rich．Things are going to be easier for me now．But Mother…why didn't I love her more？ And now she's dead．'Slowly，Roger went back upstairs．He wanted to dress before Dr Pratt arrived．

　　Dr Pratt was a little fat man without much hair．He was the family doctor and he knew all the Clarkson family very well．He went upstairs at once and looked at Molly's body．He looked carefully at the cup of coffee and the empty cup on the table next to her bed．

　　'I'm sorry，Roger，'he said．'Where is Diane？She phoned me．'

　　'She went out with the dogs，'Roger said．'She was angry with me—angry with everyone．'

　　Dr Pratt said nothing for a minute．'This is going to be very difficult．I'm going to phone the police，Roger．'

　　'Police！Why？What's wrong？

　　'I don't know．Your mother wasn't ill．I saw her on Thursday and she was very well．Why did she die？I don' t understand．I want to find out．'

　　Roger went across to the window and looked out at the gar-den．It was a beautiful summer morning．The sky was blue and the garden was green．It was all very quiet．His mother loved this garden．But Tom Briggs wanted the garden．And Roger wanted the garden，too．Roger felt worse and worse．

　　'Your mother took sleeping tablets，'Dr Pratt said．'Did you know？On Thursday she had a new bottle of tablets，but I can't find it here in her room．'

　　'I didn't know，'Roger said．'Very well．Let's go down-stairs and you can phone the police．'

　　Roger went into the kitchen and made some coffee．Just then Diane came in with the dogs．

　　'Roger，'she said．'Look，I'm sorry．I was angry and said some angry things．'

　　'It doesn't matter，'Roger said．'Here you are，have some coffee．Dr Pratt is phoning the police．Did you know Mother took sleeping tablets？Well，the bottle is not in her room．'

　　'What？I don't understand．'Diane took the coffee and be－gan to drink．Her eyes looked big and dark．

　　Just then Dr Pratt came into the kitchen．'They're coming at once，'he said．'Diane—I'm sorry about your mother．'

　　'Dr Pratt，I want to tell you about last night．Everyone was very angry…'

　　'Be quiet！'Roger said quickly．

　　'Diane never thinks before she opens her mouth，'he thought angrily．

　　Diane did not look at Roger．'Last night Mother went to bed early because everyone…'

　　'Don't tell me，'Dr Pratt said．'You can tell the police．'

　　Roger's face went red．Suddenly he felt afraid．'The police are going to talk to everyone，and ask questions，'he thought．'And they're going to want answers．It's going to be very difficult．'He finished his coffee and stood up．

　　'I'm going upstairs，'he said．'I'm going to tell Uncle Al-bert and Jackie about Mother…and about the police．'

　　3

　　第二天清晨整幢房子静悄悄的。突然从罗杰房间旁边他母亲的屋子里传出一声尖叫。罗杰睁开眼看了下钟，还不到7点。他下了床，悄悄打开门。正在这时他母亲房间的门也打开了，黛安娜走出来，她的脸非常苍白。

　　“罗杰！妈妈她，我端了杯咖啡给她，发现她死了。她死了……死在她床上，”她哭道。

　　罗杰急忙走到他母亲的门前往里看，窗户是开着的，可房间里是温暖的。莫利躺在床上，一只手在她头下。罗杰走到床前把手放在她的手臂上，尸体已经冷了。床边的小桌上有杯热咖啡和一个空杯子。

　　“我打电话去叫医生，”黛安娜说。

　　“她死了，”罗杰慢慢地说。他的脸也变白了。“妈妈死了！”

　　黛安娜穿过房间走到门口。“我去打电话叫医生，”她又说。

　　“等会儿！”罗杰叫道。“咱们得先告诉家人。”

　　“家里人！没有人爱妈妈！”黛安娜走出去跑下楼。

　　罗杰跟着她慢慢走下楼站在电话旁。

　　“普拉特先生，我是黛安娜克拉克森。我的妈妈——她死了。你能尽快赶来吗？”

　　黛安娜放下电话。“这不是真的，罗杰！妈妈死了！爸爸去年冬天死了，现在妈妈也死了。”黛安娜开始哭泣。

　　“别哭了，黛安娜，”罗杰说。“咱们上楼去告诉艾伯特姨父和杰基。”

　　“不！你去告诉他们！没人爱妈妈，你们不必内疚。看看你们！你们想要她的钱。不过如此。”

　　罗杰突然想揍黛安娜。“安静点！”他说。“你怎么了？你不爱妈妈，你也想要她的钱，别忘了这点！”

　　“不错，”黛安娜说。“哦，我不能再呆在这儿了。我要出去。我要和狗去河边。”

　　“不行，”罗杰说。“医生就要来了，我想你留在这儿。”

　　黛安娜没说话。她走进厨房。狗立即站起来走到她旁边。“多漂亮的狗！爸爸爱你们，妈妈也爱你们。现在我会爱你们的。”她打开后门，带着狗走了出去。

　　罗杰没动，他仍站在电话旁。“不错，”他想。“我的确为钱高兴。我需要钱，现在我是富有的了。事情现在对我来说更容易。但是妈妈……我为什么不多爱她些呢？可现在她死了。”罗杰慢慢地上了楼，他想在普拉特医生来前穿好衣服。

　　普拉特医生是个矮胖没有多少头发的男人，他是家庭医生并且他非常清楚克拉克森一家人。他立即上楼查看莫利的尸体。他仔细看了床边桌子上的一杯咖啡和空杯子。

　　“抱歉，罗杰，”他说。“黛安娜在哪儿？她给我打了电话。”

　　“她带着狗出去了，”罗杰说。“她冲我生气，对每个人都生气。”

　　普拉特医生沉默了一会。“这事非常难办。罗杰，我要打电话给警察。”

　　“警察！为什么？出了什么事？”

　　“我不清楚，你的母亲没病，我周四见到她身体很好。她为什么会死？我不明白，我想找出原因。”

　　罗杰走到窗前向外看花园。这是个美丽的夏天清晨，天空蓝蓝的而花园是一片绿色，一切都非常安静。他的妈妈爱这个花园，然而汤姆布里格斯却打着这个花园的主意，并且罗杰也想要这个花园。罗杰觉得事情越来越糟。

　　“你的妈妈服了睡眠药，”普拉特医生说。“你知道吗？她周四买了瓶睡眠药，可是我在她的房间却找不到。”

　　“我不知道，”罗杰说。“好吧。咱们下楼去，你可以给警察打电话。”

　　罗杰走进厨房弄了些咖啡，这时黛安娜带着狗走进来。

　　“罗杰，”她说。“你瞧，我很抱歉。我生气了并说了些令人生气的话。”

　　“没关系，”罗杰说。“给你，喝点咖啡。普拉特医生正打电话给警察。你知道妈妈服睡眠药吗？唷，瓶子不在她的屋里。”

　　“什么？我不知道。”黛安娜端起咖啡开始喝。她的眼睛看起来又大又黑。

　　这时普尔特医生走进厨房。“他们马上来，”他说。“黛安娜——我为你妈妈难过。”

　　“普拉特医生，我想告诉你有关昨晚的事，每人都非常生气……”

　　“安静些！”罗杰急忙说。

　　“黛安娜在张嘴前从不想想，”他生气地想。

　　黛安娜没看罗杰。“昨晚妈妈早早就上床了，因为每个人……”

　　“别告诉我，”普拉特医生说。“你可以告诉警察。”

　　罗杰的脸红了，突然他觉得有些害怕。“警察会找每个人谈话，问些问题。”他想。“然后他们会想要答案，这事非常棘手。”他喝完咖啡站起来。

　　“我上楼去，”他说。“我去告诉艾伯特姨父和杰基有关妈妈的事……还有报警的事。”

　　4 Chapter

　　The police arrived very quickly．There were a lot of them．Some of them with cameras went upstairs to Molly's room．Two detectives talked to Dr Pratt in the kitchen．The family waited in the sitting room．It was a hot day again and the windows were open．The dogs sat quietly at Diane's feet．Nobody talked．Jackie smoked．They waited for a long time．Suddenly the door opened and the two detectives came in．

　　'Good morning．I am Detective Inspector Walsh and this is Sergeant Foster．'The Inspector did not smile．He was a big man in an old black suit and a black hat and coat．He wore a coat because he always felt cold．'Last night someone put sleeping tablets in Mrs Clarkson's hot milk．We are going to question everybody，and we need a room，please．'

　　Roger stood up．'I'm Roger Clarkson．You can have my father's old office．Come with me，it's along here，'

　　The office was not a very big room，but there was a table and three or four chairs．Roger opened the window．

　　'I would like to talk first to your uncle，Albert King，'In-spector Walsh said．He took off his hat and coat and sat down behind the table．

　　'Of course，'said Roger and left the room．

　　Sergeant Foster waited by the door．He was a very tall young man with black hair and a nice smile．He was not very happy this morning because he usually played tennis on Sunday mornings．He was one of the best players at the Cambridge Tennis Club．

　　Albert came in and sat down．

　　'I'm going to ask some questions，Mr King，'the Inspector said，'and Sergeant Foster is going to write it all down．'

　　Albert looked at his feet．'Yes，yes．It's your job．I know that．'

　　'Tell me about last night，'Inspector Walsh asked quietly．

　　'You were angry with Mrs Clarkson．'

　　Albert looked at Inspector Walsh for the first time．'Yes，I was．Everyone was angry．Roger was angry．Diane wanted money to go to America．Then there's a man called Tom Brig-gs…He wants half the garden for his farm．Molly was a rich woman．I need money because my wife Annie—Molly's sister—is very ill．I told Molly this．'

　　'What happened next？'

　　'Well，Molly was angry with everyone and went upstairs．We went into the kitchen for coffee．Jackie wanted everyone to go up and say good night to Molly．She lives here with Molly so she wanted Molly to be happy．At first Roger said no．He was angry and didn't want to see his mother．'

　　'And did you see Molly in her room？'

　　'Yes．I was tired and I went upstairs first．I went to Molly's room and asked her for money again．But no—there was no money for her sister．'Albert stopped and put his hand over his eyes．

　　Inspector Walsh watched Albert for a minute．'Did you hear noises after you went to bed？'

　　'Everyone went into Molly's room to say good night，I think．Later，I heard someone…He—or she—went down－stairs．That was about midnight．'

　　'Very well，Mr King．Thank you，you can go now．'Albert left the room．

　　Inspector Walsh put his hands behind his head．'What time is it？I'm hungry．We're learning a lot，but I need some coffee．'

　　'Shall I go to the kitchen？'Sergeant Foster asked．

　　'Oh，no．Later．Let's see Jackie Clarkson next．'

　　Jackie came in and sat down．She looked down at her hands and said nothing．

　　'We found the empty bottle of your mother's sleeping tablets in Diane's room，'the Inspector said suddenly．Then he waited．Jackie's face did not change and she said nothing．

　　'Tell me，did your mother get her tablets from the shop in the village？'

　　'Yes．My mother usually took a sleeping tablet every night so she needed a lot of tablets．Sometimes she got them from the shop，sometimes I did．On Thursday，I asked Peter Hobbs to get them．He lives in the house across the road，and he of－ten goes to the village on his bicycle．'

　　'I see．Your mother wanted to stay in this house．How about you？Did you want to move？'

　　Jackie looked up for a minute and then down at her hands a－gain．'This is Mother's house．I loved my mother．She was good to me．'

　　'Did you see your mother in her room last night？'

　　'Yes，everyone did．Diane made hot milk and took it to Mother．She usually drank a cup of hot milk before she slept．'

　　Inspector Walsh put his hands behind his head．Jackie was very quiet．'What did your mother say？'

　　Jackie opened her bag and looked for a cigarette．'Can I smoke？'

　　'Of course．This is your house，'Inspector Walsh said．He watched Jackie．'What did your mother say？'he asked again．

　　'She wanted to go downstairs again．She remembered the dogs—she wanted to get some dinner for them． I went to my room and she went downstairs．'

　　'What time was this？'

　　'I don't remember．About midnight，I think．'

　　'And the cup of hot milk？'

　　'It was on the table by her bed．'

　　'Did you need your mother's money？'

　　'No，Inspector．Money is not important to me．There are more important things，'Jackie said quietly．

　　'Well，your uncle Albert wanted money．Tom Briggs wanted the garden．You wanted nothing？'

　　Jackie finished her cigarette and looked up at the Inspector．Her eyes were suddenly angry．'Don't forget Peter Hobbs．He lost his job because of my mother．He wanted to kill her，you know．And what about Diane？You found the empty bottle in her bag．'

　　Inspector Walsh listened carefully．'We're going to question everyone，Miss Clarkson．'

　　Jackie said nothing for a minute．'Would you like some sandwiches and coffee，Inspector？'

　　'Ah！Yes，please！'Inspector Walsh said warmly．'I would like sandwiches and coffee very much．'

　　Jackie left the room．Inspector Walsh thought about her．Why was she suddenly angry？The room was quiet．

　　他的姐妹看着他，可罗杰用手捂住眼睛。“别对我说这些！”“现在没关系！”黛安娜说。“妈妈死了，我们有很多钱，你不需要一份工作。”

　　罗杰的脸又变红了。“住嘴，黛安娜！”

　　“现在，”沃尔什探长又开始说了。“彼特霍布斯是个非常忿怒的年轻人，克拉克森太太对他不太好。他从商店里买到睡眠药，可他会把睡眠药放在热牛奶里吗？我认为不会。汤姆布里格斯想要半个花园当他的农常他那晚在厨房，是他放睡眠药在热牛奶里了吗？我认为没有。”

　　突然天开始下雨了。好一会儿大家都看着窗外的雨。杰基从包里拿了枝烟，开始抽。

　　“可有人要彼特霍布斯那晚会厨房。她想要大家都看见他，并听他说话，”沃尔什探长说。

　　“她……？我不明白，”罗杰说着，然后又停住了。

　　沃尔什探长从窗边走过来坐下。“现在我将告诉你们事件的真象。克拉克森小姐，你那晚要彼特霍布斯来家里。他因为那封信很生你母亲的气。他说：'我要杀了她。'因而你想要大家都听到这话。为什么？”

　　杰基的脸变白了。“这不是真的！黛安娜呢？你们在她包里发现了空瓶子！”

　　黛安娜站起来。“在我包里？杰基！你在说什么？”

　　“请安静，坐下，”沃尔什探长说，看着杰基。

　　“没错，我们在黛安娜的包里发现了瓶子。可你怎么知道的？我们并没有告诉你。”

　　“你们告诉了……先前……你们先前告诉了我！”

　　“没有。我们在黛安娜的房间发现了空瓶，我们告诉了你这事。你说的是黛安娜的包，我们没有告诉你。福斯特警官记下来了。”沃尔什探长仔细看着杰基。“很久以前，你认识了汤姆布里格斯，他是这儿的园丁，你爱上了他，可你的母亲不喜欢他。”

　　杰基把手放在头上。“不！不！”

　　“我发现你的相片——一张旧的——在布里格斯家里。你比现在年青，头发长长的。去年汤姆布里格斯回来了，你想得到他，他也爱你，可他没有钱。他想要花园当他的农场，他想要钱，他也想得到你。可你母亲不同意。最后，你想杀了你母亲……然后你真的杀了她。你母亲下楼去看狗，然后你把睡眠药放在她的热牛奶里。随后，你把空瓶子放进黛安娜的包里。”

　　杰基站起来，她黑黑的眼睛带着恐惧。“你们不知道！”她大声道。“母亲什么也没给我……这么多年了。我想要幸福……和汤姆一起，就这些。我爱汤姆，他也爱我。可母亲不同意，总是不同意。”然后她开始哭，没人理睬她。

　　杰基走出房子上了警车。沃尔什探长注视着她，然后慢慢走向他的车。他觉得又累又饿。他停下来回头看着那所房子。

　　“好了，”他对福斯特警官说，“最后，他们得到了钱：艾伯特，罗杰，黛安娜。他们现在都富有了。可他们会快乐吗？”

　　他上了小车。“咱们走吧，”他说。“我饿了，我需要块三明治。”