Agatha Christie The Hollow Chapter I At 6:13 a.m. ... - bzelbublive.info

Angkatell looked surprised, murmured: "Poor darling. It's all been too much foryou." Edward crossed to the sofa and sat down by Midge. He put his arm roundher. "Don't worry, little Midge," he said. Midge buried her face on his shoulderand sobbed there comfortably. She remembered how nice Edward had been to herwhen her rabbit had died at Ainswick one Easter holidays. Edward saidgently, "It's been a shock. Can I get her some brandy, Lucy?" "On the sideboard inthe dining room. I don't think--" She broke off as Henrietta came into theroom. Midge sat up. She felt Edward stiffen and sit very still. What, thought Midge,does Henriettafeel? She felt almost reluctant to look at her cousin--but there was nothing to see.Henrietta looked, if anything, belligerent. She had come in with her chin up, hercolour high, and with a certain swiftness. "Oh, there you are, Henrietta," criedLady Angkatell. "I have been wondering. The police are with Henry and M. Poirot.What have you given Gerda? Brandy? Or tea and an aspirin?" "I gave her somebrandy--and a hot water bottle." "Quite right," said Lady Angkatell approvingly."That's what they tell you in First Aid classes--the hot water bottle, I mean, forshock--not the brandy; there is a reaction nowadays against stimulants. But I thinkthat is only a fashion. We always gave brandyl for shock when I was a girl at Ainswick. Though, really, I suppose, it can't be exactlyshock with Gerda. I don't know really what one would feel if one had killed one'shusband--it's the sort of thing one just can't begin to imagine--but it wouldn't exactlygive one a shock. I mean there wouldn't be any element of surprise." Henrietta'svoice, icy cold, cut into the placid atmosphere. She said, "Why are you all so surethat Gerda killed John?" There was a moment's pause--and Midge felt acurious shifting in the atmosphere-- there was confusion, strain and, finally, a kindof slow watchfulness. "Mrs. Christow?" Gerda said eagerly: "Yes, I am Mrs.Christow.""I don't want to distress you, Mrs. Christow, but I would like to ask you a fewquestions. You can, of course, have your solicitor present if you prefer it--" SirHenry put in: "It is sometimes wiser, Gerda--" She interrupted: "A solicitor?Why a solicitor? Why should a solicitor know anything about John's death?"Inspector Grange coughed. Sir Henry seemed about to speak. Henrietta put in:"The Inspector only wants to know just what happened this morning." Gerdaturned to him. She spoke in a wondering voice, "It seems all like a bad dream--notreal. I--I haven't been able to cry or anything.One just doesn't feel anything at all." Grange said soothingly: "That's the shock,Mrs. Christow." "Yes, yes--I suppose it is ... But you see it was all so sudden. Iwent out from the house and along the path to the swimming pool--" "Atwhat time, Mrs. Christow?" "It was just before one o'clock—about two minutes toone. I know, because I looked at that clock. And when I got there—there was John,lying there—and blood on the edge of the concrete ..." "Did you hear a shot, Mrs.