The Origin of Evil Read Online Free PDF

listening?’
    â€˜In crayon. Yes, certainly, Mrs. Priam. Colour?’ What the devil difference did the colour make?
    â€˜Black, I think.’
    â€˜No address?’
    â€˜No. Nothing but the name.’
    â€˜And you don’t know what was in it. No idea.’
    â€˜No. But whatever it was, it hit Roger hard. One of the servants found the box at the front door and gave it to Alfred —’
    â€˜Alfred?’
    â€˜Roger’s … secretary.’
    â€˜Wouldn’t you call him more of a … companion, Delia?’ asked Laurel, blowing a smoke-ring.
    â€˜I suppose so, dear. Companion, nurse, handyman, secretary — what-have-you. My husband, you know, Mr. Queen, is an invalid.’
    â€˜Laurel’s told me. All things to one man, eh, Mrs. Priam? I mean Alfred. We now have the versatile Alfred with the mysterious box. He takes it to Mr. Priam’s room. And then?’ Why was Laurel laughing? Not outwardly. But she was. Delia Priam seemed not to notice.
    â€˜I happened to be in Roger’s room when Alfred came in. We didn’t know then about … Leander and his gift, of course. Alfred gave Roger the box, and Roger lifted a corner of the lid and looked inside. He looked angry, then puzzled. He slammed the lid down and told me to get out. Alfred went out with me, and I heard Roger lock his door. And that’s the last … I’ve seen of the box or its contents. Roger won’t tell me what was in it or what he’s done with it. Won’t talk about it at all.’
    â€˜When did your husband begin to show fear, Mrs. Priam?’
    â€˜After he talked to Leander in the Hill house the next day. On the way back home he didn’t say a word, just stared out the window of the station wagon. Shaking. He’s been shaking … ever since. It was especially bad a week later when Leander died …’
    Then what was in Roger Priam’s box had little significance for him until he compared gifts with Leander Hill, perhaps until he read the note Hill had found in the collar of the dog. Unless there had been a note in Priam’s box as well. But then …
    Ellery fidgeted before the picture window, sending up a smoke-screen. It was ridiculous, at his age … pretending to be interested in a case because a respectable married woman had the misfortune to evoke the jungle. Still, he thought, what a waste.
    He became conscious of the two women’s eyes and expelled a mouthful of smoke, trying to appear professional. ‘Leander Hill received a queer gift, and he died. Are you afraid, Mrs. Priam, that your husband’s life is in danger, too?’
    Now he was more than a piece of merchandise; he was a piece of merchandise that interested her. Her eyes were so empty of colour that in the sunlight coming through the window she looked eyeless; it was like being looked over by a statue. He felt himself reddening and it seemed to him she was amused. He immediately bristled. She could take her precious husband and her fears elsewhere.
    â€˜Laurel darling,’ Delia Priam was saying with an apologetic glance, ‘would you mind terribly if I spoke to Mr. Queen … alone?’
    Laurel got up. ‘I’ll wait in the garden,’ she said, and she tossed her cigarette into the tray and walked out.
    Roger Priam’s wife waited until Laurel’s slim figure appeared beyond the picture window, among the shaggy asters. Laurel’s head was turned away. She was switching her thigh with her cap.
    â€˜Laurel’s sweet,’ said Delia Priam. ‘But so young, don’t you think? Right now she’s on a crusade and she’s feeling ever so knightly. She’ll get over it … Why, about your question, Mr. Queen. I’m going to be perfectly frank with you. I haven’t the slightest interest in my husband. I’m not afraid that he may die. If anything, it’s the other way around.’
    Ellery stared. For a