Crooked House / Скрюченный домишко. Книга для чтения на английском языке

�You don’t know,’ she said, and the words appeared to be addressed either to me or to the bookshelf behind my head, �how lovely it is to have a daughter!’

On this exit line she went out.

�God knows,’ said Miss de Haviland, �what she will say to the police!’

�She’ll be all right,’ said Sophia.

�She might say anything.’

�Don’t worry,’ said Sophia. �She’ll play it the way the producer says. Fm the producer!’

She went out after her mother, then wheeled back to say:

�Here’s Chief Inspector Taverner to see you, Father.

I thought that a very faint air of bewilderment showed on Philip Leonides’ face. It well might! But his incurious habit served me in good stead. He murmured:

�Oh certainly—certainly,’ in a rather vague voice.

Chief Inspector Taverner came in, solid, dependable, and with an air of businesslike promptitude that was somehow soothing.

�Just a little unpleasantness,’ his manner seemed to say, �and then we shall be out of the house for good—and nobody will be more pleased than I shall.

I don’t know how he managed, without any words at all, but merely by drawing up a chair to the desk, to convey what he did, but it worked. I sat down unobtrusively a little way off.

�Yes, Chief Inspector?’ said Philip.

Miss de Haviland said abruptly:

�You don’t want me, Chief Inspector?’

�Not just at the moment, Miss de Haviland.

�Of course. I shall be upstairs.’

She went out, shutting the door behind her.

�Well, Chief Inspector?’ Philip repeated.

I know you’re a very busy gentleman and I don’t want to disturb you for long. But I may mention to you in confidence that our suspicions are confirmed. Your father did not die a natural death. His death was the result of an overdose of physostigmine—more usually known as eserine.

Philip bowed his head. He showed no particular emotion.

�I don’t know whether that suggests anything to you?’ Taverner went on.

�What should it suggest? My own view is that my father must have taken the poison by accident.’

�You really think so, Mr Leonides?’

�Yes, it seems to me perfectly possible. He was close on ninety, remember, and with very imperfect eyesight.