The Mystery Queen

by Fergus Hume

"I am not to blame," said that gentleman again with a scowl, for he did not like to stand on the defensive. "Of course you aren't," remarked Miss Moon easily, and with another glance at Dan to point her words. "I saw in the paper that poor Mr. Penn was dead, and as he had been my dear father's secretary I came on the impulse of the moment to learn exactly what had happened." Curberry nodded acquiescence. "I have explained the circumstance to Miss Moon and I shall explain matters to you, Mrs. Bolstreath! As for Mr. Halliday," he frowned at Dan, "I don't know why he has come."

"To escort me, at my request," said Mrs. Bolstreath coldly. "It was necessary for me to call here and take Lillian home. Why did you come?" she asked again. "To hear about Mr. Penn," repeated Lillian rather crossly. "I have been telling you so for the last few minutes."

"I am curious about Penn's death myself," said Dan agreeably, "did he commit suicide?" Curberry wheeled at the word. "Why should he commit suicide?" he demanded with suspicion written on every line of his clean-shaven face. Dan shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sure I can't say," he answered good-humoredly, "only a man in good health isn't found drowned unless he has some reason to get into the pond."

"Penn was not in good health," said Curberry sharply. "He was always complaining and did his work so badly that I intended to give him notice."

"Perhaps he committed suicide because you did." "No. I did not tell him to go, and after all, I can't say that he did kill himself. He was all right at luncheon yesterday, which was when I last set eyes on him. I went to town and returned at five o'clock to hear that he was dead. One of the servants walking in the park found his body in the ornamental water at the bottom of the garden."

"Did any one push him in?" asked Mrs. Bolstreath. "I think not. He was on good terms with the servants, although not popular in any way. No one in my employment would have murdered him, and, as the gates were closed and no one called between luncheon and five o'clock yesterday, it is quite certain that he was not murdered by a stranger. In fact, I don't believe he was murdered at all."

"Suicide, then?" suggested Dan once more, and again Curberry looked at him unpleasantly, as if not relishing the idea. "So far as I saw he had no intention of committing suicide," he said in a cold manner, "however, the evidence at the inquest will settle the matter."

"I expect he didn't look where he was going and fell in," said Lillian suddenly. "Mr. Penn was always absent-minded you know."

"I frequently found him so," remarked Curberry grimly. "He made a great mess of his work occasionally. I am inclined to agree with you, Miss Moon."

"Well," said Dan, after a pause, "let us settle that Penn fell in by accident until we hear the verdict of the jury. When does the inquest take place?"