that if there was a next time, it would be best for Jacko to learn the hard way.'
'Nevertheless, she was upset?'
'Yes. She was upset. If he had been less violent and threatening, I think she might have been broken down and helped him once more, but his attitude only stiffened her resolution.'
'Had Jacko left the house by then?'
'Oh, yes.'
'Do you know that of your own knowledge, or did Mrs. Argyle tell you?'
'She told me. She said he had gone away swearing, and threatening to come back, and that he'd said she'd better have some cash ready for him then.'
'Were you — this is important — were you alarmed at the thought of the boy's return?'
'Of course not. We were quite used to what I can only call Jacko's bluster.' 'It never entered your head that he would return and attack her.' 'No. I told you so at the time. I was dumbfounded.'
'And it seems you were quite right,' said Huish softly. 'It wasn't he who attacked her. Mrs. Argyle left you — when exactly?'
'That I do remember. We've been over it so often. Just before seven — about seven minutes to.'
Huish turned to Gwenda Vaughan.
'You confirm that?'
'Yes.'
'And the conversation went as Mr. Argyle has just said? You can't add to it? There is nothing he has forgotten?'
'I didn't hear all of it. After Mrs. Argyle had told us about Jacko's demands I thought I'd better remove myself in case they felt it embarrassing to talk freely before me. I went in there –' she pointed to the door at the back of the library –'to the small room where I type. When I heard Mrs. Argyle leave I came back.'
'And that was at seven minutes to seven?' 'Just before five to seven, yes.' 'And after that, Miss Vaughan?'
'I asked Mr. Argyle if he wanted to continue work, but he said his chain of thought was interrupted. I asked if there was any more I could do, but he said no. So I cleared up my things and went.'
'The time?'
'Five minutes past seven.'
'You went downstairs and through the front door?'
'Yes.'
'Mrs. Argyle's sitting-room was immediately to the left of the front door?'
'Yes.'
'Was the door open?'
'It was not closed — it was about a foot ajar.'
'You didn't go inside or say good night to her?'
'No.'
'Didn't you usually do so?'
'No. It would have been silly to disturb her at what she was doing, just to say good night.'
'If you had gone in — you might have discovered her body lying there dead.' Gwenda shrugged her shoulders.
'I suppose so. But I imagine –1 mean we all imagined at the time, that she was killed later. Jacko would hardly have been able to –' She stopped.
'You are still thinking on the lines of Jacko having killed her. But that is not so now. So she might have been there then, dead?'
'I suppose — yes.'
'You left the house and went straight home?'
'Yes. My landlady spoke to me when I came in.'
'Just so. And you didn't meet anyone on the way — near the house?'
'I don't think so… no.' Gwenda frowned. 'I can't really remember now… It was cold and dark and this road is a cul-de-sac. I don't think I passed anyone until I came to the Red Lion. There were several people about there.'
'Any cars pass you?' Gwenda looked startled.
'Oh, yes, I do remember a car. It splashed my skirt. I had to wash the mud off when I got home.'
'What kind of a car?'
'I don't remember. I didn't notice. It passed me just at the entrance to our road. It might have been going to any of the houses.'
Huish turned back to Leo.
'You say you heard a ring at the bell some time after your wife left the room?'
'Well –1 think I did. I've never been quite sure.'
'What time was that?'
'I've no idea. I didn't look.'
'Didn't you think it might be your son Jacko come back?'
'I didn't think. I was — at work again.'
'One more point, Mr. Argyle. Did you have any idea that your son was married?'
'No idea at all.'
'His mother didn't know, either? You don't think she knew but had not told you?'
'I'm quite sure she had no idea of such a thing. She would have come to me about it at once. It was the greatest shock to me when the wife turned up the next day. I could hardly believe it when Miss Lindstrom came into this room and said 'There is a young woman downstairs — a girl who says she is Jacko's wife. It can't be true.' She was terribly upset, weren't you, Kirsty?'
'I could not believe it,' said Kirsten. 'I made her say it twice and then I came up to Mr. Argyle. It seemed incredible.'
'You were very kind to her, I understand,' said Huish to Leo.
'I did what I could. She's married again, you know. I'm very glad. Her husband seems a nice steady sort of chap.'
Huish nodded. Then he turned to Hester.
'Now, Miss Argyle, just tell me again what you did after tea that day.'
'I don't remember now,' said Hester sulkily. 'How can I? It's two years ago. I might have done anything.'
'Actually I believe you helped Miss Lindstrom to wash up tea.'
'That is quite right,' said Kirsten. 'And then,' she added, 'you went upstairs to your bedroom. You were going out later, you remember. You were going to see an amateur performance of 'Waiting for Godot' at the Drymouth Playhouse.'
Hester was still looking sullen and uncooperative.
'You've got it all written down,' she said to Huish. 'Why go on about it?'
'Because you never know what might be helpful. Now then, Miss Argyle, what time did you leave the house?'
'Seven o'clock — or thereabouts.'
'Had you heard the altercation between your mother and your brother Jack?'
'No, I didn't hear anything. I was upstairs.'
'But you saw Mrs. Argyle before you left the house?'
'Yes. I wanted some money. I was right out. And I remembered the petrol in my car was nearly down to empty. I'd have to fill up on the way to Drymouth. So when I was ready to start I went in to Mother and asked her for some money –just a couple of pounds — that's all I needed.'
'And she gave them to you?'
'Kirsty gave them to me.'
Huish looked slightly surprised.
'I don't remember that in the original statement.'
'Well, that's what happened,' said Hester defiantly. 'I went in and said could I have some cash, and Kirsten
