فصل دوم

CHAPTER TWO

‘As you know,’ said Mr Entwhistle, ‘I am the executor of Richard Abernethie’s will.’

‘I didn’t know,’ interrupted Cora Lansquenet. ‘Did he leave me anything?’

Ignoring her, Entwhistle continued, ‘Originally, Richard Abernethie’s will left almost everything to his son Mortimer. After Mortimer’s death, Richard decided to get to know his nephew and nieces better before he made a new will.’

‘Did he leave me anything?’ repeated Cora.

Mr Entwhistle again ignored her, Apart from a legacy to Lanscombe, everything Richard owned is going to be divided into six equal parts. Four of these will go to: Richard’s brother Timothy; his nephew George Crossfield; and his nieces Susan Banks and Rosamund Shane. The other two parts are going to be invested and the income from them will be paid to Mrs Helen Abernethie, the widow of his brother Leo; and to his sister, Mrs Cora Lansquenet. After their death the money is to be divided between the other four beneficiaries or their children.’

‘That’s very nice!’ said Cora Lansquenet. ‘How much?’

‘About three to four thousand pounds a year.’

‘Good!’ said Cora. ‘I shall go and visit Italy.’

Helen Abernethie said softly, ‘How generous of Richard.’

‘He was very fond of you,’ said Mr Entwhistle.

Helen said regretfully, ‘I wish I had realised how ill he was.’

‘Nobody expected Richard to die as soon as he did. Even the doctor was surprised,’ said Mr Entwhistle.

‘“Suddenly, at his residence” it said in the newspaper,’ said Cora.

‘I wondered then. Still, it’s been kept quiet very nicely, hasn’t it? I think you’re all right. I mean - it should be kept in the family.’

The faces that had turned towards her looked amazed.

Mr Entwhistle said, ‘Really, Cora, I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.’

Cora Lansquenet looked round in surprise. ‘But he was murdered, wasn’t he?’ she said.