|
|
|
|
|
|
more graceful. But aunts must be indulgent. Go and save Peter from the fate he deserves, Linda. I will see you at lunch." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There was nothing Linda could do except obey her employer's instructions, but she was annoyed. So was Peter. As soon as they were out of earshot of their elders, he asked sharply, "Why are you hanging around my aunt like a leech today? Are you trying to make her nervous?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I don't need to make her nervous," Linda replied with equal sharpness. "Someone drugged Gertrude last night, Peter. Damn it, don't shake your head at me. She had all the symptoms of it this morning." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Now look, Linda, you're letting your imagination run away with you. You're starting to see assassins behind every pile of chairs and poisoners in every corner. How could you know Gertrude was drugged?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Because I've got a hell of a lot of experience with the morning-after-a-sleeping-pill night look." Linda was so angry that she didn't notice the somewhat startled and speculative glance Peter directed at her. She went on heatedly, "I never said anyone tried to poison Gertrude. I said someone wanted her asleepsound asleeplast night. Peter, did you lock your aunt's door when we left?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Of course I did. You saw me do it." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Well, then, someone tampered with that lock, because Mrs. Bates had to relock it after we left." Linda thought she saw a brief frown, followed by tightened lips, which she interpreted as anxiety, |
|
|
|
|
|