“Like Armstrong!” she flashed. “That's what's been in my mind all day! He's a solicitor, too, and it's almost the same motive. Armstrong was a respectable little man no one ever dreamed would murder anyone, but he did, so it's no use saying the motive isn't strong enough!”
“I agree with all that, but you're forgetting that it was Armstrong's second murder—at least, he didn't pull it off, did he? I remember he was tried for having poisoned his wife, and he had a much stronger motive for that. I don't suppose he'd have tried to do in his rival if he hadn't got away with the first murder. Probably made him think he was so damned clever he could get away with any number of murders. Like the Brides in the Bath man. Isn't it true, Dad, that if a murderer gets away with it he very often commits another murder? Sort of blood to the head?”
“So I believe,” replied his father. “But if you are suggesting that Drybeck has already murdered someone it's high time you curbed your imagination.”
“I'm not. I'm merely pointing out to Abby where Drybeck's resemblance to Armstrong ceases.”
“Well, whatever you're doing, I think we've had about enough of the subject,” said Mr. Haswell. “Did you get any tennis this afternoon?”
This question, impartially addressed to both the young people, put an effectual end to the discussion. It was not re-opened, the rest of the evening being spent in playing Bridge. Only when Charles motored her back to Fox Cottage did Abby say: “Was your father annoyed with us for talking about the murder?”
“Oh, no!” said Charles. “I think he's afraid we shall be indiscreet in the wrong company, that's all. Like Gavin.”
She wrinkled her brow. “He isn't indiscreet. He's waspish.”
“Baiting the Major? I don't think he's doing anyone any harm, you know. Merely being witty, and showing off.”
“He was definitely waspish about Mavis,” she insisted.