The Clocks Read Online Free PDF Page A

cuckoo clock and the grandfather clock. No others.”
    About to reply, Miss Pebmarsh checked herself.
    â€œIf I am to be absolutely accurate, I could not swear to that statement. Not having my sight I would not notice the absence or presence of anything not usually in the room. That is to say, the last time I can be sure of the contents of this room was when I dusted it early this morning. Everything then was in its place. I usually do this room myself as cleaning women are apt to be careless with ornaments.”
    â€œDid you leave the house at all this morning?”
    â€œYes. I went at ten o’clock as usual to the Aaronberg Institute. I have classes there until twelve fifteen. I returned here at about quarter to one, made myself some scrambled eggs in the kitchen and a cup of tea and went out again, as I have said, at half past one. I ate my meal in the kitchen, by the way, and did not come into this room.”
    â€œI see,” said Hardcastle. “So while you can say definitely that at ten o’clock this morning there were no superfluous clocks here, they could possibly have been introduced some time during the morning.”
    â€œAs to that you would have to ask my cleaning woman, Mrs. Curtin. She comes here about ten and usually leaves about twelve o’clock. She lives at 17, Dipper Street.”
    â€œThank you, Miss Pebmarsh. Now we are left with these following facts and this is where I want you to give me any ideas or suggestions that occur to you. At some time during today four clocks were brought here. The hands of these four clocks were setat thirteen minutes past four. Now does that time suggest anything to you?”
    â€œThirteen minutes past four.” Miss Pebmarsh shook her head. “Nothing at all.”
    â€œNow we pass from the clocks to the dead man. It seems unlikely that he would have been let in by your cleaning woman and left in the house by her unless you had told her you were expecting him, but that we can learn from her. He came here presumably to see you for some reason, either a business one or a private one. Between one thirty and two forty-five he was stabbed and killed. If he came here by appointment, you say you know nothing of it. Presumably he was connected with insurance—but there again you cannot help us. The door was unlocked so he could have come in and sat down to wait for you—but why?”
    â€œThe whole thing’s daft,” said Miss Pebmarsh impatiently. “So you think that this—what’s-his-name Curry—brought those clocks with him?”
    â€œThere’s no sign of a container anywhere,” said Hardcastle. “He could hardly have brought four clocks in his pockets. Now Miss Pebmarsh, think very carefully. Is there any association in your mind, any suggestion you could possibly make about anything to do with clocks, or if not with clocks, say with time. 4:13. Thirteen minutes past four?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œI’ve been trying to say to myself that it is the work of a lunatic or that somebody came to the wrong house. But even that doesn’t really explain anything. No, Inspector, I can’t help you.”
    A young constable looked in. Hardcastle went to join him inthe hall and from there went down to the gate. He spoke for a few minutes to the men.
    â€œYou can take the young lady home now,” he said, “14 Palmerston Road is the address.”
    He went back and into the dining room. Through the open door to the kitchen he could hear Miss Pebmarsh busy at the sink. He stood in the doorway.
    â€œI shall want to take those clocks, Miss Pebmarsh. I’ll leave you a receipt for them.”
    â€œThat will be quite all right, Inspector—they don’t belong to me—”
    Hardcastle turned to Sheila Webb.
    â€œYou can go home now, Miss Webb. The police car will take you.”
    Sheila and Colin rose.
    â€œJust see her into the car, will you, Colin?” said