1. I Go to Styles by Agatha Christie
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.Farmer Raikes has got avery pretty young wife .Just ask your Alfred how_much time he spends over there .' She was very angry .Natural ! I went on, 'I'm going to warn you, whether you like it or not .That man would as soon murder you in your bed as look at you .He's abad lot .You can_say what you like to_me, but remember what I've told you .He's abad lot ! ' ''

"What did she say ? ''

Miss Howard made an extremely expressive grimace .

" 'Darling Alfred' -- 'dearest Alfred' -- 'wicked calumnies' -- 'wicked lies' -- 'wicked woman' -- to accuse her 'dear husband' ! The sooner I left her house the better .So I'm off .''

"But not now ? ''

"This minute ! ''

For amoment we sat and stared at her .Finally John Cavendish, finding his persuasions of no avail, went off to look up the trains .His wife followed him, murmuring something about persuading Mrs Inglethorp to_think better of it .

As she left the room, Miss Howard's face changed .She leant towards me eagerly .

" Mr Hastings, you're honest . I_can trust you ? ''

i_was alittle startled .She laid her hand on my arm, and sank her voice to awhisper .

"Look after her, Mr Hastings .My poor Emily .They're alot of sharks -- all of_them .Oh, I_know what I'm talking about .There isn't one_of_them that's not hard up and trying to_get money out of her .I've protected her as_much as I_could .Now I'm out_of_the way, they'll impose upon her .''

" of_course, Miss Howard,'' I_said, "I'll do everything I_can, but I'm sure you're excited and overwrought .''

She interrupted me by slowly shaking her forefinger .

"Young man, trust me .I've lived in_the_world rather longer than you_have .All I ask_you is to_keep your eyes open .You'll see what I mean .''

The throb of_the motor came through_the open window, and Miss Howard rose and moved to_the door .John's voice sounded outside .With her hand on_the handle, she turned her head over her shoulder, and beckoned to_me .

"Above all, Mr Hastings, watch that devil -- her husband ! ''

there_was no time for more .Miss Howard was swallowed up in an eager chorus of protests and good-byes .The Inglethorps did_not appear .

as_the motor drove away, Mrs Cavendish suddenly detached herself from_the group, and moved across the drive to_the lawn to meet atall bearded man who had_been evidently making for_the house .The colour rose in her cheeks as she held out her hand to him .

"Who is_that ? '' I asked sharply, for instinctively I distrusted the man .

"That's Dr .Bauerstein,'' said John shortly .

"And who_is Dr .Bauerstein ? ''

"He's staying in_the village doing arest cure, after abad nervous breakdown .He's aLondon specialist; avery clever man -- one_of_the greatest living experts on poisons, I believe .''

"And he's agreat friend of Mary's,'' put in Cynthia, the irrepressible .

John Cavendish frowned and changed the subject .

"Come for astroll, Hastings .This has_been amost rotten business .She always had arough tongue, but there_is no stauncher friend in England than Evelyn Howard .''

he_took the path through_the plantation, and we walked down to_the village through_the woods which bordered one side of_the estate .

as_we passed through one_of_the gates on_our way home again, apretty young woman of gipsy type coming in_the opposite direction bowed and smiled .

"That's apretty girl,'' I remarked appreciatively .

John's face hardened .

" that_is Mrs Raikes .''

"The one that Miss Howard -- -- ''

"Exactly,'' said John, with rather unnecessary abruptness .

i_thought of_the white-haired old lady in_the big house, and_that vivid wicked little face that had just smiled into ours, and avague chill of foreboding crept over me .I brushed it aside .

"Styles is really aglorious old place,'' I_said to John .

He nodded rather gloomily .

"Yes, it's afine property .It'll be mine some day -- should_be mine now by rights, if_my father had only made adecent will .And then I shouldn't be so damned hard up as I_am now .''

"Hard up, are_you ? ''

"My dear Hastings, I don't mind telling you that I'm at my wit's end for money .''

"Couldn't your brother help_you ? ''

"Lawrence ? He's gone through every penny he ever had, publishing rotten verses in fancy bindings .No, we're an impecunious lot .My mother's always been awfully good to_us, I_must say . that_is, up_to now .Since her marriage, of_course -- -- '' he broke off, frowning .

for_the first time I_felt that, with Evelyn Howard, something indefinable had gone from_the atmosphere .Her presence had spelt security .Now that security was removed -- and_the air seemed rife with suspicion .The sinister face of Dr .Bauerstein recurred to_me unpleasantly .avague suspicion of every_one and everything filled my mind .Just for amoment I had apremonition of approaching evil .

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