Marple (2004) s04e02 Episode Script
Murder Is Easy
I'm affraid the vicar seems to have been delayed this morning, but, as we sing our first hymn, we remember Florence Gibbs, whose sudden passing last week has shocked and saddened us all.
Her granddaugher, Amy tells me that this was a favorite of hers "Breathe on Me, Breath of God".
Your tie is quazzy.
Oh, thank you, Miss Conway.
Wipe your nose.
Breath on me, breath of God Til I be on Thy consagrado Til all earthly part of me Glows with Thy flame divine Breath on me, breath of God So shall I never die But live with Thee a perfect life For all Thy eternity Do you think Scotland Yard closes for lunch? Scotland Yard? I doubt it.
Ah, what a relief.
I have to report a murder.
Really? Well two actually, and that's so far.
You see Florrie Gibbs knew her onions as far as mushrooms were concerned, and the vicar would hardly forget to wear his mask with his Wellington boots.
- I suppose not.
- So it has to be Scotland Yard.
Murder is easy, you see as long as nobody thinks it is muder.
Which they don't.
Except for me.
And the dreadful thing is I'm starting to have my suspicions about the Bumblebee.
I'm sorry, I don't quite follow.
You suspec the bumblebee is the murderer? - No, no.
- No.
No, I suspect he's going to be the next victim.
He's been quite sluggish.
Unless, of course, the killers' got their eye on me.
I could be next.
.
Have you shared your concers with anyone inWychwood? Only with mr.
Wonky.
He's the soul of discretion.
Persian.
Melchester! Connection for all train to London! This is me.
Plataform two the train to London Victoria! I will be all right, won't I? - I do hope so! - So do I.
For as much as it has pleased All-Mighty God in His great mercy take on to Himself the soul of our sister LavÃnia here departed.
We therefore commit her body to the ground.
Earth to EarthAshes to Ashes Dust to dust ensured in certain hope of the ressurrection to Eternal Life, by our Lord Jesus Christ Amen.
- Hello.
- Hello.
I don't really know anybody.
Well, you do now.
I'm Luke Fitzwilliam.
- You are coming back, aren't you? - Of course, Miss Waynflete.
- Ah, this is ? - Ah Jane Marple.
- Hello.
- I'm Honoria.
Were you a friend of Lavinia's? Acquaitance.
Well, do come back with Luke, won't you? Thank you.
Were they very close? Lavinia didn't mention? They were best friends.
Well, Lavinia had so many friends.
- Poor Bumble Bee.
- Who? Dr Humbleby.
Looks like death.
- Won't you persuade him? - Fat chance.
Geoff 's just being sensible.
Back to the surgery and I'll give one more No.
And it's Dr.
Thomas to you, not Geoff.
For God's sake! Rose And she's Miss Humbleby! Edward, dear, you are looking a bit peaky.
Is that your expert diagnosis? Peaky? Edward Careful! Honória, my dear, in the midst of life.
Major Horton Our local bigwig.
Member of Parliament for Darlow.
Hot tip for Foreign Secretary after the election.
I'm so sorry, so dreadfully sorry.
I imagine he's very good at public meetings.
I'll introduce you.
- Lydia Horton.
- Jane Marple.
Promotion at last.
How smart.
Thank you, mrs.
Horton.
You know about my predecessor's tragic death, Miss Marple.
Lavinia mentioned it, yes.
It was a foolish thing.
He neglected to wear a mask, when he was spraying his hives.
Got a lungful of poison.
- Reverend.
Hearse checks? - Ah, good morning, Bridget.
- Can I go through? - By all means.
Luke.
Miss Conway is on a brass work holiday.
She's doing a tour on county's historic churches.
Staying at Seven Stars.
- She's American.
- Yes, isn't she? Shall we? What on heck's that? It's just a popular tune.
Must remember start rationing the wireless.
Well, escalators can be tricky, if one's not used to them.
But I, erI can't imagine what LavÃnia was doing in London? When had you last seen her? Ooh, when was it? Where is Hugh up to? He's over there with someone.
Ah, yes, they'd be discussing Hugh's campaign for general election.
That's James Abbot, our local solicitor.
A stoned member of the Association.
The Conservative Association.
I doubt Miss Marple imagines that Hugh's a socialist.
Sausage.
.
rolls? Er no, thank you, Amy.
I don't know why Honoria keeps that ghastly girl home.
I feel sorry for her.
Alone in the world since Florrie died.
- Florrie Gibbs? - That's right, Amy's grandmother.
She'd been mushroom picking for her supper, unfortunately she picked the wrong sort.
Poisonous.
An agonising way to go, I hear.
And less than a week later, we lost the vicar.
Now, stop fussing! I'm all right.
- Is everything all right? - Impressive house, Honoria.
Oh.
I was born here.
Was there just you? I had a brother.
And you, mrs.
Horton, er, are you Wychwood born and bred? Oh, no, no, no, I'm aHexley girl, originally, along by the river.
And you know what they say about Hexley girls - Hugh.
- All true in your case.
Will you stop it now? Ah, is it time for your tea, Wonkypoo? Thank you.
Mr.
Wonky, I presume.
Its what Lavinia called him, yes.
He adored her.
Don't! He he's had a purulent ear.
Geoff! Help! Let's sit you down.
Help me get him back to surgery.
Thank you.
He'll be tickledly fit in no time I can't think how I made a mistake with the train times back.
Just as long as you have some overnight things.
Well, I brought them just in case.
You never know, do you? Erm How long were you away from Wychwood? Five years.
Well, I came over for my mother's funeral, two years ago, but had to go straight to Malaya.
Now there'a whole lot of stuff to sort before I move on.
Where to? Good question.
- Make yourself at home.
- Thank you.
Now, Miss Marple Tell me, exactly how did you know Miss Pinkerton? I don't remember exactly.
Malaya.
What did you do there? I was a police detective.
Which comes very handy when someone's "spinning me a yarn".
Oh.
Well, in that case, I met Lavinia Pinkerton, for the first time on the day she died.
I believe she may have been murdered.
You don't kook batty.
- Thank you, mr.
Fitzwilliam.
- Appearances can be deceptive.
I'm also concerned about Dr.
Humbleby.
Lavinia told me he'd been - He - Oh, hell.
Hello.
Savoy Hotel.
Sorry.
Thanks, Geoff.
Humbleby is dead.
Dr.
Thomas is moving in to Edward's room, Well, it's lovely of you to come, but I'm off to Parrish Hall.
I'm stuffing election leaflets for Hugh.
Don't you think that, under the circumstances -- You want to try to stop me, but I can see you through your little game.
- What? - Oh, I'm campaigning to Labour.
Jessie, a few leaflets here or there aren't going to make much difference.
I could make your apologies for you, if you'd like.
Me stay here? Well, if that's the done thing.
Tea? Geoff Sorry, she's a bit Grief affects people in different ways.
What did Humbleby die of? Acute septicemia.
Blood poisoning.
Edward'd cut his finger, and Geoff says it must have become infected.
- How did he get the cut? - Search me.
He was a clumsy old clot.
Clumsy and stubborn.
He absolutely refused to count the fact of Rose marrying Geoff.
And Geoff is perfectly decent.
And Rose loves him.
Just because is modern generation.
Bum up-to-date.
No, no, no, no, no, wrong cups.
So, it's a whole change now, isn't it? Let's all have now lots and lots and lots of sugar.
Come in, Amy.
Goodbye, Dr.
Thomas.
Have a seat.
Poor old Humbleby.
God rest his soul.
Amen.
How good of you to step into Jessie's shoes, Miss Marple.
All hands suit ---.
You'll be out knocking on doors, if you're not careful.
No.
Never quite sure about polÃtics.
They also serve who only sit and lick.
I'm awfully pleased with Hugh's new photo.
- He looks quite well, doesn't he? - Yes.
Ah, how tactless of me, I'm so sorry.
No, honestly.
Hugh once asked me to marry him.
But I had to say no.
I had Leonard to consider.
Excuse me.
Oh, dear.
- Leonard? - Oh, her brother.
Er Miss Marple doesn't want to hear our village gossip, Lydia.
Oh, I I don't mind.
Really.
Well Leonard Waynflete was mentally retarded.
A simpleton, to use a kinder term.
Honoria had to take care of him, because her parents had died very young, so she turned down Hugh's proposal.
Then, Leonard died, by the time Hugh and I had fallen for each other and there was well, there was no going back.
That must have been very hard for both of you.
Well, she she came to the engagement party and smiled bravely, but it was only a few weeks after Leonard's death, and after that, she shut herself away like a eremit for months.
I I stil feel a little guilty, but Where is Miss Waynflete? Oh, ermpowdering her nose.
Cheer up, Amy.
Might never happen.
Oh, don't stare.
Sorry.
What is the matter? The hives were infested with mites The spray to treat them is highly poisonous and, er if the wind is in the wrong direction I found him just here.
And he wasn't wearing his mask? It was still hanging up.
He had become increasigly absent-minded.
The previous evening, he'd filled his pipe with the tea kettle, - instead of his tobbaco tin, according to Miss Conway.
- Bridget? Hmm.
She was, er, visiting.
Well, see yourself out, won't you? Thanks.
Wasn't it sad about Miss Pinkerton? So soon after the vicar and, of course, your grandmother.
She was lovely, my Granny.
A real country woman, knew about things.
What sort of things? How to help people.
Her and uncle Henry.
And who's that? - Never mind.
Will you pass the bicuits? - You have to be so careful with mushrooms, not to pick the poisonous sort, ain't you? When you get to Granny's age Beg your pardon.
She said herself, she wasn't sure about the door.
- Water's boiled, - Oh.
The door? When she was stewing her stew in the kitchen, she thought she hear a knock on the front door, but nobody was there.
Was she expecting someone? That Yank woman She said why Miss Conway was coming? Well the vicar the old vicar he put them in touch.
That's all she told me before she took ill.
I ran and got Dr Humbleby, but it was too late.
Oh, dear early night for you.
I'm going to listen to the wireless.
Miss Waynflete's got some hat dye, somewhere, I got this straw hat needs jazzing up.
Oh.
You want to look smart for some young man.
I haven't got a young man.
You don't get enough with a spoon.
You need not open today.
I'd rather keep busy.
Terry, I don't suppose anyoune found a book and hand it in? - Nature's poisons.
- Nature's poisons? Sounds a great night read.
Not if it helps you distinguish between deadly nightshade and bilberry It has been issued for five years, but I can't find it anywhere.
- Wish to report it by stolen? - No, it's going to turn up, I dare say.
- Thanks.
- Did you find everything you're looking for? Getting there.
- How are the troops? - "Painting fit".
Any custard creams left? You know what to do with this.
Stake.
Ladies present.
Library is not the place for political propaganda.
And who asked for the Collected Works of Karl Marx to be on the shelves for all to see? That's History, not propaganda.
Come on, Geoff.
There's a principle in stake.
And where did you get your principles from? Moscow? No reason you don't post your socialist poster as well, - that's democracy.
- There's only space for one.
And it's the national-socialist Health System, Sra.
Horton that pays for your treatment.
And I pay my taxes, which means I'm your employer now, doctor.
so I thank you not to be impertinent to my wife.
May I suggest - it's just a thought - Why not take turns with your posters? Labour one day, Conservative next.
The judgement of Salomon.
Not exactely, but it would be a solution.
Why not? Why not? Could you pass my victory speech? Excuse me.
It's time I start some revolution.
I think I'll leave you to politics.
- I must see your lovely church.
- Thank you so much, Miss Marple.
There will never be a socialist in Hugh's seat.
All the same, change can be a force for good - sometimes.
- What?! Thinking aloud.
Ignore me.
I garden.
That's my hobby.
One's close to the God's heart, in a garden.
- Mine's an unholding tangle.
- Oh.
Can you hand me one of those wax sticks? - These? - Yeah.
Where else in the County have your travels taken you? Uh Darlow, that's a pretty church.
Belhurst, along the river.
All around.
- Do you think you'll stay long? - My plans are open-handed.
Oh.
Am I bump today.
So, how's the gorgeous Luke Fitzwilliam? - Gorgeous? - Sure he is.
I should know.
I've been around the block a few times.
Hello, Miss Marple.
What do you think of our church? Charming.
Oh, erm would you like this? The last of the vicar's honey? I offered to Mrs.
Horton forgetting she's diabetic.
Oh, how lovely.
You must miss Reverend Minchin.
The whole village does.
He had the pastoral gift.
The true comforter of troubled souls.
Now, are you sure about Reverendo Minchin's mask? Definitely tampered with, so that he breathed the poisonous spray.
The killer must have removed it after he was dead and then put it back in its place.
I knew he couldn't be that absent-minded.
No more then Florrie Gibbs - a real country woman, as Amy said - would pick the wrong mushrooms.
Do you know of Amy's uncle, Henry? Never heard of him.
Uncle Henry.
Rings a bell.
Oh, well By the way, Bridget Conway says she thinks that you'rerather nice.
- Rather nice? - Well gorgeous.
Just as well.
I've asked her to lunch at the Seven Stars, tomorrow.
- Oh.
- What? Well I just wonder .
.
.
why she wanted to see Florrie Gibbs and the reverend Minchin around the time of their deaths.
When did she arrive in Wychwood? Era few days before Florrie Gibbs died, as far as I know.
But if you think that Bridget has any envolvement with any of this I'm not sure of what I think, yet.
I'll ask her not to poison lunch.
So did you come back to England for someone special? No.
My mission had come to an end and I had my mother's house to sort out.
There's no one special.
Uh-huh.
Is that a cynical "uh-huh"? It's a wait-to-see "uh-huh".
Hmm.
Tell me about home.
Your famÃly.
- It's a long story.
- We've time.
Do you have brothers, sisters? For all I know, I was adopted.
Where to does the Wychbourne run? Erm Hexley and then to the east until it reaches the sea.
Why? Just checking my sense of direction hasn't deserted me.
Uh-huh.
Oh! My! - Was it me? - Don't flatter yourself.
My ankle! - What can I do? - I'll manage.
- I just have to go back.
- No, I'm taking you.
Lean on me.
I'm a big girl now, Luke.
I said I'll manage.
Bridget I just need a king size aspirin and a pack of ice.
They won't have ice at the Seven Stars.
Ask them for a hot water bottle.
Set of scissors, twines, little pots, big pots, in between pots, and sorted dippers.
- Are you sure 'bout this, Jessie? - Never more so.
I'm having the garden all crazy paved.
- Your lovely garden? - It was Edward's garden.
I never cared for flowers.
- No, you love flowers.
- You mustn't contradict me.
I'm a widow.
You're so lucky, Lydia.
I always thought so.
Ooh, garden gloves.
Try them on, Hugh.
See if they fit.
Rose, where's that tweed jacket of your father's? No, really No, we must go.
Thank you for these.
Yes, and if there's anything we can do Come on, mother, let's go in That's not normal.
What's going on? She's shell shocked.
Wouldn't you be? Not a pain for dropping dead, I hope.
Only if the socialists get in - Happy? - How could not be, - Mr.
Foreign Secretary? - Not yet.
Not until that call from the Prime Minister.
- Miss Conway! - Major, Mrs.
Horton.
- Still here? - Looks I've become an affix.
You are quite exhotic.
We haven't had any americans here since the war.
- What about pre-war? - Rarier then hen's teeth.
Though, weren't there some of them in Hexley, when you were a girl? - Only for a summer.
- They're staying on Hexley Hall .
Oh, we're going to be late.
Sorry, Miss Conway.
- See you.
- Bye.
- More cake, Jane? - It is delicious.
My mother's recipe.
Is is that your brother? Mm.
My child, in a way.
He drowned.
He was always playing giddyap down by the river.
I couldn't be with him every minute of every day.
We think he must have been balancing on the rocks and skipped.
Here you are, then.
How's his ear? Oh, it's healed up mostly, hasn't it, you spoiled thing? Major Horton is much better suited with Lydia, as it turned out.
Oh, I'm sure Lydia told you all the sorry saga.
And why not? There were no hard-feelings from any of us.
Well, I could never have been a politician wife.
One needs ambition.
Mr Abbot was wrong yesterday about the Solomon judgement, wasn't he? That story is not about compromise, but about sacrifÃce.
- Excuse me.
- I'd hear you should knock, you silly girl! If uou please, madame please, don't call me silly.
I'm not.
No.
.
.
Oh, poor you.
Why don't you have a lie-down? Look, Amy, dear I found those hat dyes you wanted.
Ask me later.
Thank you, Miss Waynflete.
I do try and see the best in her, but I took her only as a favor to her grandmother.
Florrie Gibbs was quite a character.
- How was lunch? - Lunch, good.
After lunch, awful.
Americans! God knows how they've ever won the war.
- Oh! Where are you going? - I'm going to tune by bike.
Frankly, not to speak ill of the dead, Humbleby was past it.
Maybe now I can make a real difference to the health of our community.
Do you think that - Aah.
- Aaah.
"Gu you king gat" - Wider.
Do tou think that Labour has a chance of defeating Major Horton in the election? Short of him dropping dead, no.
But we'll give him around over his money.
Excuse me.
Wychwood surgery, Dr.
Thomas speaking.
Hello, Henry.
No, no, don't come here.
So I-I'll come to you.
Well I have to tell you You're as fit as a flee.
Ah, I was almost sure I had a palpitation.
Mm.
Perhaps you're confuse.
Sometimes, Miss Marple, as one gets older As one gets older, Doctor, sometimes one gets wiser.
Cooey! - I'm keeping my spirits up.
- So I see.
What were you asking, Jane? About Florrie Gibbs Honória Waynflete said she was quite a character.
Oh, thank you.
She knew everyone's secrets.
We called her "the witch" when we were children.
That coded little cottage, with all those lotions and potions.
She was very good with warts.
What an original taste.
It's quite experimental.
Is St Mary Mead like Wychwood? Most villages are the same, don't you think? Lots going on.
And a doctor's wife must hear all mother of things.
Honória and the abortion.
Mrs.
Blears and the gin bottle.
Honória and what? Oh, not for herself.
No! When she was post mistress, Edward used to say they'd have to put "return unopened" on her grave but he could be quite crude.
No, she inquired for a friend, years ago.
Edward gave a very short shrift.
- Who was the friend? - She wouldn't say.
I have my suspicions, but that would be telling.
Drink up, we'll try something else.
Amy? I have to commit a terrible sin.
Go through.
Amy? I can generally find what I want in a library.
Can you? Good.
Except today.
There's something knocking away at me and I was almost sure it was horticulture.
I thought it was a name of a rose, but it's not.
"Tio Henry".
I'm not a gardener.
- Don't you have hobbies? - I have interests.
PolÃtics? Serving the nation is a noble aspiration, Miss Marple.
- And, in the unlikely event the oportunity presents itself - Psiu! Excuse me.
- Good night, Miss Waynflete.
- Good night, Amy.
Amy? I thought she never slept.
But I knocked and called and, well, she locked the door.
Thank God, Luke had a leather.
Amy is not very well.
Actually she is dead.
Oh.
The hat dye.
She has poisoned herself.
I don't think she meant to.
Lo! Jesus greets us Raising from the tomb Warmly He greets us Shatters fear and doom Not a close family, the Gibbs.
Here for the duty.
Even her uncle Henry didn't come.
- Who? - Didn't Amy have an uncle Henry? - Not to my knowledge.
- Oh.
.
.
and give your local candidate a loud victory.
Vote Horton! Be sure of your vote! Vote Conservative and keep socialism away.
Dinossaurs.
Why didn't she put the light on? She wouldn't have mixed up the bottles.
And I wonder why she locked the door.
We should wait for the inquest before we jump to conclusions, don't you think? Amy wanted to dye her stray hat.
I had some old bottles of hat dye and she chose one.
The next time I saw her, it was in her room when she - When her body was discovered? - Yes.
Obrigado, Miss Waynflete.
Constable Terence Reed.
I climbed in through the window, ascertained that the deceased was, ermdead and unlocked the door to Miss Waynflete and Miss Marple.
When I noticedwell, we noticed a bottle of cough mixture on the washstand, almost identical in shape and size to the bottle of hat dye.
So, she took the wrong bottle, from the washdtand in the dark - and drank from it, with fatal consequences? - Exactly.
Death was due to poisoning - by the oxalic accid in the Scarlet Flame hat dye? - Yes.
Thank you, Dr.
Thomas, you may step dowm.
The day before, I not only precribed her cough mixture, I also gave her the results of medical test.
She was pregnant.
What was her reaction to this news? She was shocked and upset.
Yes? She was praying and saying she had to commit a terrÃble sin.
Might she be referring to suicÃde? It seems so now.
Of course it wasn't suicÃde! Say something.
Miss Waynflete? Was Miss Gibbs' habit of locking the door at night? No, she wasn't.
But this time she wanted to shut out the world.
Not uncommon to suicÃdes.
Please, sir? Speaking as an ex-police officer, I feel duty to point out to you that .
.
Miss Gibbs could have been murdered.
Do you have evidence to this event? No.
But it is possible that someone could have entered through the window, changed the position of the bottles on the washstand while she slept, so that she woke with the coughing, she would have taken the wrong bottle back to bed.
And the locked door? Perhaps she was affraid of someone.
Ahead of the doubts raised by Mr.
Fitzwilliam and wishing to leave no stone unturned I adjourn this inquest pending further inquiries by the police.
Miss Pinkerton never said anything to me.
Perhaps she tought that you wouldn't believe it.
I'm not sure I do.
Florrie Gibbs, the reverend Minchin, Miss Pinkerton herself, o Dr.
Humbleby, and now Amy? All - All murdered? - Terence? She will want some police protection now.
Why did she pretend to spring her ankle? Maybe she didn't want to ktss you.
What makes you think I tried? I'm not batty, remember, Luke? No, Jane.
I daresay she does find you gorgeous but can't afford beeing distracted from her real reason for coming here.
- Which is? - I don't know.
All I'm sure is that the genuine brass rubber would reffer to heelball and not wax.
I thought you'd be asking about Amy.
It's a complicate investigation, Miss Waynflete, So if you'd try and recall the day of miss Miss Pinkerton death.
I was baking.
A treat for LavÃnia.
She loved my ginger cake.
Any visitors, anyone who can confirm that you were home? Only Amy, sadly.
But even she went out for an hour or so.
I don't know where.
But she put on lipstick.
I was on the big, big city, that day.
You mean London? Ding, dong, Big Ben and jolly red buses.
Why? Don't be nosy, Terry, it's private.
Mrs.
Humbleby, it is my job to find out things.
- And not be a bossy beat.
I that all? - No.
Hard cheese.
Well, don't you have any thoughts about your husbandas death? Oh, mess-up.
But I couldn't possibly share them with you, naughty buy.
No, I did not throw Lavinia down the escalator! The suggestion is outrageous.
I wasn't suggesting anything.
I wasn't even in London that day.
I was playing golf.
And I remember because I had a new niblick, and I moved my 2nd hole from nine for an albatross.
- Bad luck.
- Hm? Er well done.
Thank you.
She showed me a photograph of the grounds taken 22 years ago, when Lord Whitfield had Hexley Hall a family home.
What was in the photograph? The river, down by the south boundary, where it grows all reedy.
It said River Wychbourne on the back.
She said she found it when her parents passed away.
I recognised where it was straight away.
Specially with the girl on the background.
I told Miss Conway who she was, but I didn't tell her what we used to get up to.
- Who was she? - Fruity Fleming.
Fruity? Yeah.
Ripe for the plucker was our Lydia Fleming.
Wound up to marry our Major Horton.
Thank you.
Hm.
I only knew Amy as, erm what she was.
Honoria rang out her shortcomings and, one was polite, but Terence, I'm wrap shores with the lefttenent of the county.
- Must be exciting.
- Darned hard work, actually.
And when he wins the election If he gets his cabinet position, it will get even harder.
I supose the major will have to cut down his golf? No, no, no, I'm the keen golfer.
Hugh hasn't played all this year.
Have you had recent dealings with the Empson Confidential Enquiry Agents? How do you know that? Which inquiries were they making for you? Confidencial ones, hence their name? Sorry to interrupt.
Your tea is waiting, constable.
Amy? Was it him she went to meet? Sorry.
I'll be going now.
On the day Miss Pinkerton died, I understand Amy Gibbs went to meet a man.
I'm interviewing several witnesses, Mr Abbot.
Witnesses? You can't even sneeze in Wychwood without someone offering you a hanky.
Are you saying a witness saw me, with Amy? We used to meet in the woods, by the waterfall.
It was my baby she was carrying .
.
And now she's dead.
And so is my reputation, if it gets out.
Oh, she was willing enough, and I do have needs, Terry.
And not much going for me, not like Horton.
What's the Major got to do with this? Oh, you all think he's such an upstanding example of - I know things.
- Such as? His disgraceful lack of responsability.
Have you ever wondered why Leonard Waynflete drowned? - He slipped on the rocks.
- Yes.
And the night before, Horton was pouring whÃsky down him.
He drank enough to sank a battleship and still would have been whoozy the next day.
Maybe that's why he lost his balance? You said you know things.
What else do you know about the Major? That will do for now.
- You nearly killed me.
- You nearly follwed me.
Why did you come to Wychwood? - What're you looking for? - Not you.
Yet.
Before I forget, Terry, that missing book's turned up, but I can't think how "Nature's Poisons"? Oh, never mind the library book.
Just sit down, please.
Dr.
Thomas, do you know a Henry? No.
Why were you out at Hexley Hall earlier today? Hexley Hall? You were observed.
Henry Temple.
He's a psychiatrist there.
Hum, I've been seeing him a couple of times to discuss possibilities for your mother.
- She's heading for a nervous breakdown.
- How do you know? Why else is she behaving the way she is? Well I feel I just took an exam.
Ah, you passed with flying colours.
Do you think there's anything in what Mr Abbot said - about the Major and Leonard Waynflete? - Plenty, yes.
- Now I must go the library.
- Oh.
Well, shall I wait here in case Luke telephones with a progress report? Ah, I hope he'll be staight back, once he went straight to Darlow and to Empson Confidential Enquiry Agents.
Nature's Poisons.
Would you happen to know how this found it's way back? - It's a mistery.
- Yes.
Or perhaps not.
Ah.
You found it.
I'm affraid that was me.
- Why on earth did you steal the book? - Ah, I didn't take it.
I just returned it when I found it in the vestry cupboard.
- The vicar must have borrowed it.
- For five years? That's why I sneaked it back.
The fine would be huge.
He was very absentminded.
Are you sure it was reverend Minchin? Couldn't someone else have left it in the cupboard? I'm the only person in the vestry, normally.
Although Amy was there.
But why would she have it? She was poisoned, but that was hat dye, Not herbs and roots and berries.
Her grandmother knew all about those, but Amy was a modern girl.
By the way, did the vicar ever mention why Bridget Conway came to visit him the day before he died? Erm, Lydia Horton might remember, or Honória, or Mrs.
Humbleby.
They were doing the church flowers, when Miss Conway first approached him.
Thank you.
Hello, Miss Conway.
You intrigued me with the drawing, Lydia.
- I was coming to see you.
- I have questions.
- Snap.
- Come to my room.
I stand before you .
.
returned again to Parliament with a substantial majority.
with a vastly increased majority.
My dear wife by my side.
James! A sworn statement from the coroner at the inquest into the death of Leonard Waynflete.
- James - Stand down as candidate.
On the health ground, say.
And endorse me as your replacement.
If I don't? Either way, you'll kiss goobye to be an MP, let alone Foreign Secretary If you do as I suggest, you could at least preserve your good name.
This will destroy literally Is that the Seven Stars? I believe my wy wife is there, Could you ask her to come to the phone, please? It's Major Horton.
Honoria? Lydia.
Hello, dear.
It's the day I lost Leonard.
I always come here.
What is it? Everything.
How did you get hold of this report? Sr.
Empson da Empson Confidential Enquiry Agents was out of the office but his secretary Gloria was more susceptible.
All in a good cause.
See? It was blackmail.
Yes, what does Mr Abbot want from the major? -"Ambition can creep as well as saw" - Shakespeare? - Edmund Burke.
- Is it really? I've often wondered.
Thank you.
Tell constable Reed what Hexley Hall gardener said about the Learys.
There was a young american couple, the Learys, who stayed at Hexley Hall as summer guests of Lord Whitfield.
Now, the gardener says that Bridget was very interested in them.
- She was adopted.
- By the Learys? Perhaps.
Oh, I don't see what Miss Conway's inquiries have to do with ours.
Nor do I, quite yet.
Henry.
Hold on.
If we're looking for an Henry, Reverendo Wake's called Henry.
- Yes he is, isn't he? - Exactly.
But I knew it was horticultural, Amy's marked the page.
"Old Uncle Henry" is another name to the herb Magrood .
"When combined with Tanacetum vulgare, or pennyroyal, - it is an efficacious abortive agent.
" - Induces abortion.
Amy always said that her Grandmother and old Uncle Henry helped people.
Ancient Herbs.
Not such a modern girl, after all.
Is it exciting, growing up in America? Did you have a white picket fence e um and a swinging seat on the veranda? On the 17th floor of my apartment block? Oh.
But it was a nice apartment? Mm, swell.
Uptown.
Is that good? - It's very good, Miss Waynflete.
- Oh.
Luke Fitzwilliam.
You could do worse.
And so could he - whole, sure and healthy girl, like you.
Wait.
You owe me a kiss.
You think I kiss guys who spy on me? You think I kiss girls who lie to me? You just asked for it.
I'm making an exception on your case.
- Tell me the truth.
- It hurts.
- The truth can.
- No, my arm, dumb boy.
Tomorrow.
I'll know everything then.
But I warn you, it's crazy.
Strong hands.
You too.
- You're madder than I am.
- We're not saying that you're mad.
If you think you're locking me away in Hexley Hall It would be just a rest for you, Jessie.
Cherry Ripe or Congo Crimson? Come to live with us, then.
Let us all stay together.
What are you affraid of? Five horryd deaths? Number six won't be me, I can tell you that.
I'm far too strong.
Mother Come on.
Hugh! Lydia says she told you what happened.
She told me what, but not why.
How dare he.
What're you going to do about it? What can I do? I'm so sorry, Hugh.
- Where's Lydia? - She's at home.
Do no come in judgment with Thy servant.
For in Thy sight shall no man You have to go.
Dear beloved friends Oh, Lydia asked me to tell you she has decided to do the right thing.
What does she mean? I have no idea.
She's on a hell of a state.
Invest in Him like a modest, humble penitent He lives to silence all my fears He lives to wipe away my tears He lives to calm my broken heart He lives to bless who's truly Did Bridget give you any hint about what she'll know tomorrow? No.
Ours is a comunity of good souls.
.
.
.
full of Good Will and abounding in Strength.
Where is she? As the Psalm says it, "The Lord is my strength and song, and has become my salvation.
" I'll mind you to remind me We said we wouldn't look back If by chance you happen to find me With a look so gloomy and dark I'll mind you to remind me We said we wouldn't look back Light Thee our darkness, we beseech you, oh Lord.
And by Thy great mercy defend us from perils and dangers of this night, for the love of Thy only son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
At evening, when the sun was set We seek our Lord, around Thee nest O, what pain we have today O, but what joy, they went away Major! We'd just have pulled through.
She could still have held her head high.
Mrs.
Horton injects herself with 300 units of insulin.
60 was her proper dose.
But Dr.
Thomas says that, with what she'd had to drink, she would have slipped into a coma and drowned.
Did she leave a note? - Not that we've found.
- No.
Wychwood 719.
Yes, he is.
Yes? In her toe?! Go ahead.
- Bridget? - Oh! Lydia was going to tell me today.
Tell you what? Of whom am I daughter.
What will I do without her? You have loyal friends, Hugh.
I know, but she was my rock.
Ah Hugh.
I'm going to need both of this stuff.
Tragic circunstances in which I'll start my parliamentar carreer.
but I quite understand why Hugh feels unable to carry on.
Lucky I can step into the breach.
You've got a nerve! If it hadn't been for you, Lydia wouldn't have killed herself! I have a campaign to run.
I never knew the "whys" or what for of my adoption.
This photo was all I had to go on.
I came here to find the truth.
I asked Reverend Minchin if he knew of any unwanted baby born 22 years ago with a connection to the River Wychbourne.
He pointed me to Florrie Gibbs.
He said she would remember anything like that from back then.
But she died.
Then Major Horton mentionned some americans at Hexley Hall before the war.
And you found the gardener there.
Who said the girl on the photo was Lydia.
Yesterday she came to the Seven Stars and asked to see my birthmark.
She recognized it at the inquest.
I know she was about to tell me the truth, but then she took a call from the Major.
It seemed to shock her and scooting off.
She just said she wanted to see me today.
And now she's killed herself for fear of scandal.
There's more than meer scandal involved in her death.
Wear this, Hugh, to leave the tragic gloom.
Edward never liked it.
- I'm not sure-- - I was asking Hugh Mother! Sorry Major Horton, don't know what's come over her.
.
Just to jolly him up.
Look how it suits you! Just stop it! Please, Jessie! Stop it! Everyone please go.
Leave me alone! Get out! All of you! Goodness.
Come on, come all.
Why do you think your wife commited suicide, Major? Had she recently discovered something that might have upset her? - Oh, no.
- Jessie.
But suppose she had found out about us.
She didn't.
And anyway nothing happened.
Jessie and I took in a matinée at Salad Days.
Such a jolly show.
- Lovely tunes.
- Which you both hummed quite prettily.
Jessie was short of cheeriness.
Lydia wouldn't have understood, so I didn't mention it.
Cheeriness? I was short of a lot more than that.
I see that now.
I hope you don't think I was leading you on.
Just a pleasant outing, then.
It's meant to be happy ever after, even if you marry a clot.
And if it's not I- I do need a rest somewhere, don't I? Not at Hexley Hall.
Stay home with us.
Could mrs.
Horton have been upset for another reason? Mr.
Abott was blackmailing him.
Yes.
I bribed the coroner to hide the truth at the inquest into the death of Leonard Waynflete.
Why? Hugh? The night before Leonard drowned, he got extremely drunk .
.
with me.
I was worried that might have contributed to his fall the next day.
Drunk? Leonard never touched alcohol.
Leonard came to see me.
I'd already had quite a few.
To tell you the truth, Honoria, I was wondering if I'd rushed into things with Lydia so soon after you turning me down.
Leonard wanted to know why you were down in the dumps.
I offered him a scotch .
.
which he rather took two .
.
after the second glass.
By the time he left he was reeling.
When that and the bribery came to light Lydia thought it was the end of her world.
She asked me to tell Honoria she'd decided to do the right thing.
If we'd only realised what she meant.
Your wife didn't take her own life, Major.
As well as the usual mark left by her insulin injection, there was another on her toe, sugesting that an overdose was administered forcingly while she was held under the bath water.
Dear God.
Why would anyone kill Lydia? Perhaps she'd kept a secret from years ago.
Dr Humbleby knew her secret, didn't he? - Honoria asking about abortion on behalf of a friend.
- Jessie.
Welldoes it matter now? It will matter to Hugh.
Then, it was Lydia.
Lydia wanted an abortion? When was that? Just before your engagement party.
Don't judge her, Hugh.
Please.
- Did she she say who the man was? - No.
And this was a few weeks after your brother's death? Yes.
Majorwhen Leonard came to see you .
.
did you, by any chance, talk to him about sex? He was an innocent.
I tried to explain to him about attraction.
What you would have meant to me, in that regard.
I had to convey some some pretty basic stuff.
He wanted to know what he was missing.
I think he found out that night.
Do you mean he forced himself on Lydia? No! No, she would have cried and begged him to stop.
He'd know he was doing wrong.
No, hehe understood shame.
The shame of it.
The next day, when he fell from the rocks Luke perhaps it that wasn't the effect of the drink.
Do you think Leonard might have We don't believe it was an accident, no.
And what happened about the abortion? Ah, when I told Lydia that Dr.
Humbleby wouldn't help, she never mentioned it again.
I assumed she had made some other arrangement.
I wonder if she went to Florrie Gibbs, who used to help people with her Ancient Herbs.
That's why Amy took "Nature's Poisons" from the Library, when she suspected she was pregnant.
The terrible sin she spoke of wasn't suicide.
It was abortion.
We're certain now that Amy was murdered, just as we're sure, now, that Florrie Gibbs was, and the reverend Minchin.
And your husband, mrs.
Humbleby.
And, of course, Lavinia Pinkerton, who knew that murder is easy, as long as no one thinks it's murder.
All these murders.
Why? To keep me from finding out who I really am.
May I just ask, Honoria, if you baked any more cakes? More cake, Jane? My mother's recipe.
I know a shop bought cake when I taste it - and, with your permission, Constable? - Mm-hm.
And little lies make me wonder if big ones will follow.
Amy wanted to die her straw hat.
I had some old bottles of hat die and she chose one.
Amy would never have chosen "Scarlet Flame" as a colour.
It would clash with her red hair.
Would it? You only took on Amy as a favour to her Grandmother.
Did you agree because Florrie knew your secret? What-- what secret? A secret almost too unbearabe to speak of.
Then don't.
Please.
Please.
I'm affraid it must be told, somehow.
For your own sake too, Honoria.
I can't.
Well, let me help you.
It wasn't Lydia that your brother forced on himself to, that night, was it? It wasn't Lydia who cried and begged him to stop.
He was drunk.
He was too stromg.
It hurt.
If I had reported it, they would have put him away.
But if I didn't, I was affraid he woud have defiled me again.
So, next afternoon, I let him go and play.
And followed him.
And pushed him out.
It was an act of mercy! Then you found you were pregnant.
And you went to Dr.
Humbleby with that story about a friend in trouble.
He turned you away, so you asked Florrie Gibbs for help.
One moment, Miss Marple.
Do you mean that Honória killed Florrie? Amy? - All the others? - Yes.
Why? Because I was sniffing around.
I overheard you with the vicar.
A stranger, all the way from America, stirring up memories.
I knew my sin must never see the the light of day.
I picked some mushroms from the woods - poisonous kind - and went to Florrie's cottage.
Her kitchen window was open, and she was making a stew.
You knocked on the door.
When she went to answer it, you ran on the back, leaned through window and put the mushrooms in the stew.
Yes, and stirred them in.
And the vicar knew what Leonard had done to me that night.
He'd found me praying the next morning and I'd confided in him.
He promised never to breath a word, but how could I be sure, after all that time? I'd made holes in his breathing mask, when I was there for tea.
I came back and hung it before he was found.
But why did you have to kill Edward? He might have rememberd me asking about an abortion.
How did you manage to poison him? Wonky Poo had a purulent ear.
Ah, this is quite unpleasant, Jessie.
So, I colected pus from a week in a saucer, made sure Edward cut his finger, and sent him on his way with a plaster.
And Lavinia was such a chatterbox.
She had to have an accident on her own.
I think it's very suspicious, mr.
Wonky.
First Florrie.
And then the vicar.
And Bumblebee doesn't look very well.
The soonner we tell Scotland Yard, the better.
I thought I could stop then, but Amy got herself into trouble with mr.
Abbot.
Cheer up, Amy.
Might never happen.
She said she knew that I had gone to her grandmother, and unless I helped her with the same foul mixture that would destroy her unborn child, as it had destroyed mine and comforted her as she sinned, she would tell to whole Wychwood.
She didn't have the hat die in her room that night, did she? Only her medicine.
But you couldn't have helped Amy, in any case, could you? Because all those years ago, your ownn maternal instinct was too strong and you changed your mind.
I put the horryd stuff down the drain.
Then secluded yourself like an ermit until your time came I gave birth all alone.
What happened to the baby? Please.
I placed you in God's tender hands.
But God gave you back to me.
When did you know? Sometimes I looked at you and wondered.
Scarcely seemed possible.
Then Lydia said she recognised your birthmark and that you were a mistery baby she had found caught in the reeds by Hexley Hall.
- And I knew for certain.
- Lydia found me.
Why didn't she take me to the polÃce? She couldn't it been known she'd, er, had been there, waiting for her young gardener in a last starry night of illicit passion before she married Hugh.
She gave you to the Learys, childless and bare as they were, who took you back to America.
And when the major you that Lydia had decided to do the right thing and you realised she was going to tell Bridget all she knew Once you found you were born here, you'd never stop asking questions until you found the truth.
You're such a bright girl.
So, you slipped away during the service and went to kill Lydia.
Please.
Please You witch.
No.
I gave you life.
And, oh, it was swell for you, Uptown.
Sure.
Please.
Please Come along, Miss Waynflete.
Please.
Goodbye, my dear.
So long, Luke.
- I'll see you.
- When? Look in your pocket.
"Soon".
English translation by titta
Her granddaugher, Amy tells me that this was a favorite of hers "Breathe on Me, Breath of God".
Your tie is quazzy.
Oh, thank you, Miss Conway.
Wipe your nose.
Breath on me, breath of God Til I be on Thy consagrado Til all earthly part of me Glows with Thy flame divine Breath on me, breath of God So shall I never die But live with Thee a perfect life For all Thy eternity Do you think Scotland Yard closes for lunch? Scotland Yard? I doubt it.
Ah, what a relief.
I have to report a murder.
Really? Well two actually, and that's so far.
You see Florrie Gibbs knew her onions as far as mushrooms were concerned, and the vicar would hardly forget to wear his mask with his Wellington boots.
- I suppose not.
- So it has to be Scotland Yard.
Murder is easy, you see as long as nobody thinks it is muder.
Which they don't.
Except for me.
And the dreadful thing is I'm starting to have my suspicions about the Bumblebee.
I'm sorry, I don't quite follow.
You suspec the bumblebee is the murderer? - No, no.
- No.
No, I suspect he's going to be the next victim.
He's been quite sluggish.
Unless, of course, the killers' got their eye on me.
I could be next.
.
Have you shared your concers with anyone inWychwood? Only with mr.
Wonky.
He's the soul of discretion.
Persian.
Melchester! Connection for all train to London! This is me.
Plataform two the train to London Victoria! I will be all right, won't I? - I do hope so! - So do I.
For as much as it has pleased All-Mighty God in His great mercy take on to Himself the soul of our sister LavÃnia here departed.
We therefore commit her body to the ground.
Earth to EarthAshes to Ashes Dust to dust ensured in certain hope of the ressurrection to Eternal Life, by our Lord Jesus Christ Amen.
- Hello.
- Hello.
I don't really know anybody.
Well, you do now.
I'm Luke Fitzwilliam.
- You are coming back, aren't you? - Of course, Miss Waynflete.
- Ah, this is ? - Ah Jane Marple.
- Hello.
- I'm Honoria.
Were you a friend of Lavinia's? Acquaitance.
Well, do come back with Luke, won't you? Thank you.
Were they very close? Lavinia didn't mention? They were best friends.
Well, Lavinia had so many friends.
- Poor Bumble Bee.
- Who? Dr Humbleby.
Looks like death.
- Won't you persuade him? - Fat chance.
Geoff 's just being sensible.
Back to the surgery and I'll give one more No.
And it's Dr.
Thomas to you, not Geoff.
For God's sake! Rose And she's Miss Humbleby! Edward, dear, you are looking a bit peaky.
Is that your expert diagnosis? Peaky? Edward Careful! Honória, my dear, in the midst of life.
Major Horton Our local bigwig.
Member of Parliament for Darlow.
Hot tip for Foreign Secretary after the election.
I'm so sorry, so dreadfully sorry.
I imagine he's very good at public meetings.
I'll introduce you.
- Lydia Horton.
- Jane Marple.
Promotion at last.
How smart.
Thank you, mrs.
Horton.
You know about my predecessor's tragic death, Miss Marple.
Lavinia mentioned it, yes.
It was a foolish thing.
He neglected to wear a mask, when he was spraying his hives.
Got a lungful of poison.
- Reverend.
Hearse checks? - Ah, good morning, Bridget.
- Can I go through? - By all means.
Luke.
Miss Conway is on a brass work holiday.
She's doing a tour on county's historic churches.
Staying at Seven Stars.
- She's American.
- Yes, isn't she? Shall we? What on heck's that? It's just a popular tune.
Must remember start rationing the wireless.
Well, escalators can be tricky, if one's not used to them.
But I, erI can't imagine what LavÃnia was doing in London? When had you last seen her? Ooh, when was it? Where is Hugh up to? He's over there with someone.
Ah, yes, they'd be discussing Hugh's campaign for general election.
That's James Abbot, our local solicitor.
A stoned member of the Association.
The Conservative Association.
I doubt Miss Marple imagines that Hugh's a socialist.
Sausage.
.
rolls? Er no, thank you, Amy.
I don't know why Honoria keeps that ghastly girl home.
I feel sorry for her.
Alone in the world since Florrie died.
- Florrie Gibbs? - That's right, Amy's grandmother.
She'd been mushroom picking for her supper, unfortunately she picked the wrong sort.
Poisonous.
An agonising way to go, I hear.
And less than a week later, we lost the vicar.
Now, stop fussing! I'm all right.
- Is everything all right? - Impressive house, Honoria.
Oh.
I was born here.
Was there just you? I had a brother.
And you, mrs.
Horton, er, are you Wychwood born and bred? Oh, no, no, no, I'm aHexley girl, originally, along by the river.
And you know what they say about Hexley girls - Hugh.
- All true in your case.
Will you stop it now? Ah, is it time for your tea, Wonkypoo? Thank you.
Mr.
Wonky, I presume.
Its what Lavinia called him, yes.
He adored her.
Don't! He he's had a purulent ear.
Geoff! Help! Let's sit you down.
Help me get him back to surgery.
Thank you.
He'll be tickledly fit in no time I can't think how I made a mistake with the train times back.
Just as long as you have some overnight things.
Well, I brought them just in case.
You never know, do you? Erm How long were you away from Wychwood? Five years.
Well, I came over for my mother's funeral, two years ago, but had to go straight to Malaya.
Now there'a whole lot of stuff to sort before I move on.
Where to? Good question.
- Make yourself at home.
- Thank you.
Now, Miss Marple Tell me, exactly how did you know Miss Pinkerton? I don't remember exactly.
Malaya.
What did you do there? I was a police detective.
Which comes very handy when someone's "spinning me a yarn".
Oh.
Well, in that case, I met Lavinia Pinkerton, for the first time on the day she died.
I believe she may have been murdered.
You don't kook batty.
- Thank you, mr.
Fitzwilliam.
- Appearances can be deceptive.
I'm also concerned about Dr.
Humbleby.
Lavinia told me he'd been - He - Oh, hell.
Hello.
Savoy Hotel.
Sorry.
Thanks, Geoff.
Humbleby is dead.
Dr.
Thomas is moving in to Edward's room, Well, it's lovely of you to come, but I'm off to Parrish Hall.
I'm stuffing election leaflets for Hugh.
Don't you think that, under the circumstances -- You want to try to stop me, but I can see you through your little game.
- What? - Oh, I'm campaigning to Labour.
Jessie, a few leaflets here or there aren't going to make much difference.
I could make your apologies for you, if you'd like.
Me stay here? Well, if that's the done thing.
Tea? Geoff Sorry, she's a bit Grief affects people in different ways.
What did Humbleby die of? Acute septicemia.
Blood poisoning.
Edward'd cut his finger, and Geoff says it must have become infected.
- How did he get the cut? - Search me.
He was a clumsy old clot.
Clumsy and stubborn.
He absolutely refused to count the fact of Rose marrying Geoff.
And Geoff is perfectly decent.
And Rose loves him.
Just because is modern generation.
Bum up-to-date.
No, no, no, no, no, wrong cups.
So, it's a whole change now, isn't it? Let's all have now lots and lots and lots of sugar.
Come in, Amy.
Goodbye, Dr.
Thomas.
Have a seat.
Poor old Humbleby.
God rest his soul.
Amen.
How good of you to step into Jessie's shoes, Miss Marple.
All hands suit ---.
You'll be out knocking on doors, if you're not careful.
No.
Never quite sure about polÃtics.
They also serve who only sit and lick.
I'm awfully pleased with Hugh's new photo.
- He looks quite well, doesn't he? - Yes.
Ah, how tactless of me, I'm so sorry.
No, honestly.
Hugh once asked me to marry him.
But I had to say no.
I had Leonard to consider.
Excuse me.
Oh, dear.
- Leonard? - Oh, her brother.
Er Miss Marple doesn't want to hear our village gossip, Lydia.
Oh, I I don't mind.
Really.
Well Leonard Waynflete was mentally retarded.
A simpleton, to use a kinder term.
Honoria had to take care of him, because her parents had died very young, so she turned down Hugh's proposal.
Then, Leonard died, by the time Hugh and I had fallen for each other and there was well, there was no going back.
That must have been very hard for both of you.
Well, she she came to the engagement party and smiled bravely, but it was only a few weeks after Leonard's death, and after that, she shut herself away like a eremit for months.
I I stil feel a little guilty, but Where is Miss Waynflete? Oh, ermpowdering her nose.
Cheer up, Amy.
Might never happen.
Oh, don't stare.
Sorry.
What is the matter? The hives were infested with mites The spray to treat them is highly poisonous and, er if the wind is in the wrong direction I found him just here.
And he wasn't wearing his mask? It was still hanging up.
He had become increasigly absent-minded.
The previous evening, he'd filled his pipe with the tea kettle, - instead of his tobbaco tin, according to Miss Conway.
- Bridget? Hmm.
She was, er, visiting.
Well, see yourself out, won't you? Thanks.
Wasn't it sad about Miss Pinkerton? So soon after the vicar and, of course, your grandmother.
She was lovely, my Granny.
A real country woman, knew about things.
What sort of things? How to help people.
Her and uncle Henry.
And who's that? - Never mind.
Will you pass the bicuits? - You have to be so careful with mushrooms, not to pick the poisonous sort, ain't you? When you get to Granny's age Beg your pardon.
She said herself, she wasn't sure about the door.
- Water's boiled, - Oh.
The door? When she was stewing her stew in the kitchen, she thought she hear a knock on the front door, but nobody was there.
Was she expecting someone? That Yank woman She said why Miss Conway was coming? Well the vicar the old vicar he put them in touch.
That's all she told me before she took ill.
I ran and got Dr Humbleby, but it was too late.
Oh, dear early night for you.
I'm going to listen to the wireless.
Miss Waynflete's got some hat dye, somewhere, I got this straw hat needs jazzing up.
Oh.
You want to look smart for some young man.
I haven't got a young man.
You don't get enough with a spoon.
You need not open today.
I'd rather keep busy.
Terry, I don't suppose anyoune found a book and hand it in? - Nature's poisons.
- Nature's poisons? Sounds a great night read.
Not if it helps you distinguish between deadly nightshade and bilberry It has been issued for five years, but I can't find it anywhere.
- Wish to report it by stolen? - No, it's going to turn up, I dare say.
- Thanks.
- Did you find everything you're looking for? Getting there.
- How are the troops? - "Painting fit".
Any custard creams left? You know what to do with this.
Stake.
Ladies present.
Library is not the place for political propaganda.
And who asked for the Collected Works of Karl Marx to be on the shelves for all to see? That's History, not propaganda.
Come on, Geoff.
There's a principle in stake.
And where did you get your principles from? Moscow? No reason you don't post your socialist poster as well, - that's democracy.
- There's only space for one.
And it's the national-socialist Health System, Sra.
Horton that pays for your treatment.
And I pay my taxes, which means I'm your employer now, doctor.
so I thank you not to be impertinent to my wife.
May I suggest - it's just a thought - Why not take turns with your posters? Labour one day, Conservative next.
The judgement of Salomon.
Not exactely, but it would be a solution.
Why not? Why not? Could you pass my victory speech? Excuse me.
It's time I start some revolution.
I think I'll leave you to politics.
- I must see your lovely church.
- Thank you so much, Miss Marple.
There will never be a socialist in Hugh's seat.
All the same, change can be a force for good - sometimes.
- What?! Thinking aloud.
Ignore me.
I garden.
That's my hobby.
One's close to the God's heart, in a garden.
- Mine's an unholding tangle.
- Oh.
Can you hand me one of those wax sticks? - These? - Yeah.
Where else in the County have your travels taken you? Uh Darlow, that's a pretty church.
Belhurst, along the river.
All around.
- Do you think you'll stay long? - My plans are open-handed.
Oh.
Am I bump today.
So, how's the gorgeous Luke Fitzwilliam? - Gorgeous? - Sure he is.
I should know.
I've been around the block a few times.
Hello, Miss Marple.
What do you think of our church? Charming.
Oh, erm would you like this? The last of the vicar's honey? I offered to Mrs.
Horton forgetting she's diabetic.
Oh, how lovely.
You must miss Reverend Minchin.
The whole village does.
He had the pastoral gift.
The true comforter of troubled souls.
Now, are you sure about Reverendo Minchin's mask? Definitely tampered with, so that he breathed the poisonous spray.
The killer must have removed it after he was dead and then put it back in its place.
I knew he couldn't be that absent-minded.
No more then Florrie Gibbs - a real country woman, as Amy said - would pick the wrong mushrooms.
Do you know of Amy's uncle, Henry? Never heard of him.
Uncle Henry.
Rings a bell.
Oh, well By the way, Bridget Conway says she thinks that you'rerather nice.
- Rather nice? - Well gorgeous.
Just as well.
I've asked her to lunch at the Seven Stars, tomorrow.
- Oh.
- What? Well I just wonder .
.
.
why she wanted to see Florrie Gibbs and the reverend Minchin around the time of their deaths.
When did she arrive in Wychwood? Era few days before Florrie Gibbs died, as far as I know.
But if you think that Bridget has any envolvement with any of this I'm not sure of what I think, yet.
I'll ask her not to poison lunch.
So did you come back to England for someone special? No.
My mission had come to an end and I had my mother's house to sort out.
There's no one special.
Uh-huh.
Is that a cynical "uh-huh"? It's a wait-to-see "uh-huh".
Hmm.
Tell me about home.
Your famÃly.
- It's a long story.
- We've time.
Do you have brothers, sisters? For all I know, I was adopted.
Where to does the Wychbourne run? Erm Hexley and then to the east until it reaches the sea.
Why? Just checking my sense of direction hasn't deserted me.
Uh-huh.
Oh! My! - Was it me? - Don't flatter yourself.
My ankle! - What can I do? - I'll manage.
- I just have to go back.
- No, I'm taking you.
Lean on me.
I'm a big girl now, Luke.
I said I'll manage.
Bridget I just need a king size aspirin and a pack of ice.
They won't have ice at the Seven Stars.
Ask them for a hot water bottle.
Set of scissors, twines, little pots, big pots, in between pots, and sorted dippers.
- Are you sure 'bout this, Jessie? - Never more so.
I'm having the garden all crazy paved.
- Your lovely garden? - It was Edward's garden.
I never cared for flowers.
- No, you love flowers.
- You mustn't contradict me.
I'm a widow.
You're so lucky, Lydia.
I always thought so.
Ooh, garden gloves.
Try them on, Hugh.
See if they fit.
Rose, where's that tweed jacket of your father's? No, really No, we must go.
Thank you for these.
Yes, and if there's anything we can do Come on, mother, let's go in That's not normal.
What's going on? She's shell shocked.
Wouldn't you be? Not a pain for dropping dead, I hope.
Only if the socialists get in - Happy? - How could not be, - Mr.
Foreign Secretary? - Not yet.
Not until that call from the Prime Minister.
- Miss Conway! - Major, Mrs.
Horton.
- Still here? - Looks I've become an affix.
You are quite exhotic.
We haven't had any americans here since the war.
- What about pre-war? - Rarier then hen's teeth.
Though, weren't there some of them in Hexley, when you were a girl? - Only for a summer.
- They're staying on Hexley Hall .
Oh, we're going to be late.
Sorry, Miss Conway.
- See you.
- Bye.
- More cake, Jane? - It is delicious.
My mother's recipe.
Is is that your brother? Mm.
My child, in a way.
He drowned.
He was always playing giddyap down by the river.
I couldn't be with him every minute of every day.
We think he must have been balancing on the rocks and skipped.
Here you are, then.
How's his ear? Oh, it's healed up mostly, hasn't it, you spoiled thing? Major Horton is much better suited with Lydia, as it turned out.
Oh, I'm sure Lydia told you all the sorry saga.
And why not? There were no hard-feelings from any of us.
Well, I could never have been a politician wife.
One needs ambition.
Mr Abbot was wrong yesterday about the Solomon judgement, wasn't he? That story is not about compromise, but about sacrifÃce.
- Excuse me.
- I'd hear you should knock, you silly girl! If uou please, madame please, don't call me silly.
I'm not.
No.
.
.
Oh, poor you.
Why don't you have a lie-down? Look, Amy, dear I found those hat dyes you wanted.
Ask me later.
Thank you, Miss Waynflete.
I do try and see the best in her, but I took her only as a favor to her grandmother.
Florrie Gibbs was quite a character.
- How was lunch? - Lunch, good.
After lunch, awful.
Americans! God knows how they've ever won the war.
- Oh! Where are you going? - I'm going to tune by bike.
Frankly, not to speak ill of the dead, Humbleby was past it.
Maybe now I can make a real difference to the health of our community.
Do you think that - Aah.
- Aaah.
"Gu you king gat" - Wider.
Do tou think that Labour has a chance of defeating Major Horton in the election? Short of him dropping dead, no.
But we'll give him around over his money.
Excuse me.
Wychwood surgery, Dr.
Thomas speaking.
Hello, Henry.
No, no, don't come here.
So I-I'll come to you.
Well I have to tell you You're as fit as a flee.
Ah, I was almost sure I had a palpitation.
Mm.
Perhaps you're confuse.
Sometimes, Miss Marple, as one gets older As one gets older, Doctor, sometimes one gets wiser.
Cooey! - I'm keeping my spirits up.
- So I see.
What were you asking, Jane? About Florrie Gibbs Honória Waynflete said she was quite a character.
Oh, thank you.
She knew everyone's secrets.
We called her "the witch" when we were children.
That coded little cottage, with all those lotions and potions.
She was very good with warts.
What an original taste.
It's quite experimental.
Is St Mary Mead like Wychwood? Most villages are the same, don't you think? Lots going on.
And a doctor's wife must hear all mother of things.
Honória and the abortion.
Mrs.
Blears and the gin bottle.
Honória and what? Oh, not for herself.
No! When she was post mistress, Edward used to say they'd have to put "return unopened" on her grave but he could be quite crude.
No, she inquired for a friend, years ago.
Edward gave a very short shrift.
- Who was the friend? - She wouldn't say.
I have my suspicions, but that would be telling.
Drink up, we'll try something else.
Amy? I have to commit a terrible sin.
Go through.
Amy? I can generally find what I want in a library.
Can you? Good.
Except today.
There's something knocking away at me and I was almost sure it was horticulture.
I thought it was a name of a rose, but it's not.
"Tio Henry".
I'm not a gardener.
- Don't you have hobbies? - I have interests.
PolÃtics? Serving the nation is a noble aspiration, Miss Marple.
- And, in the unlikely event the oportunity presents itself - Psiu! Excuse me.
- Good night, Miss Waynflete.
- Good night, Amy.
Amy? I thought she never slept.
But I knocked and called and, well, she locked the door.
Thank God, Luke had a leather.
Amy is not very well.
Actually she is dead.
Oh.
The hat dye.
She has poisoned herself.
I don't think she meant to.
Lo! Jesus greets us Raising from the tomb Warmly He greets us Shatters fear and doom Not a close family, the Gibbs.
Here for the duty.
Even her uncle Henry didn't come.
- Who? - Didn't Amy have an uncle Henry? - Not to my knowledge.
- Oh.
.
.
and give your local candidate a loud victory.
Vote Horton! Be sure of your vote! Vote Conservative and keep socialism away.
Dinossaurs.
Why didn't she put the light on? She wouldn't have mixed up the bottles.
And I wonder why she locked the door.
We should wait for the inquest before we jump to conclusions, don't you think? Amy wanted to dye her stray hat.
I had some old bottles of hat dye and she chose one.
The next time I saw her, it was in her room when she - When her body was discovered? - Yes.
Obrigado, Miss Waynflete.
Constable Terence Reed.
I climbed in through the window, ascertained that the deceased was, ermdead and unlocked the door to Miss Waynflete and Miss Marple.
When I noticedwell, we noticed a bottle of cough mixture on the washstand, almost identical in shape and size to the bottle of hat dye.
So, she took the wrong bottle, from the washdtand in the dark - and drank from it, with fatal consequences? - Exactly.
Death was due to poisoning - by the oxalic accid in the Scarlet Flame hat dye? - Yes.
Thank you, Dr.
Thomas, you may step dowm.
The day before, I not only precribed her cough mixture, I also gave her the results of medical test.
She was pregnant.
What was her reaction to this news? She was shocked and upset.
Yes? She was praying and saying she had to commit a terrÃble sin.
Might she be referring to suicÃde? It seems so now.
Of course it wasn't suicÃde! Say something.
Miss Waynflete? Was Miss Gibbs' habit of locking the door at night? No, she wasn't.
But this time she wanted to shut out the world.
Not uncommon to suicÃdes.
Please, sir? Speaking as an ex-police officer, I feel duty to point out to you that .
.
Miss Gibbs could have been murdered.
Do you have evidence to this event? No.
But it is possible that someone could have entered through the window, changed the position of the bottles on the washstand while she slept, so that she woke with the coughing, she would have taken the wrong bottle back to bed.
And the locked door? Perhaps she was affraid of someone.
Ahead of the doubts raised by Mr.
Fitzwilliam and wishing to leave no stone unturned I adjourn this inquest pending further inquiries by the police.
Miss Pinkerton never said anything to me.
Perhaps she tought that you wouldn't believe it.
I'm not sure I do.
Florrie Gibbs, the reverend Minchin, Miss Pinkerton herself, o Dr.
Humbleby, and now Amy? All - All murdered? - Terence? She will want some police protection now.
Why did she pretend to spring her ankle? Maybe she didn't want to ktss you.
What makes you think I tried? I'm not batty, remember, Luke? No, Jane.
I daresay she does find you gorgeous but can't afford beeing distracted from her real reason for coming here.
- Which is? - I don't know.
All I'm sure is that the genuine brass rubber would reffer to heelball and not wax.
I thought you'd be asking about Amy.
It's a complicate investigation, Miss Waynflete, So if you'd try and recall the day of miss Miss Pinkerton death.
I was baking.
A treat for LavÃnia.
She loved my ginger cake.
Any visitors, anyone who can confirm that you were home? Only Amy, sadly.
But even she went out for an hour or so.
I don't know where.
But she put on lipstick.
I was on the big, big city, that day.
You mean London? Ding, dong, Big Ben and jolly red buses.
Why? Don't be nosy, Terry, it's private.
Mrs.
Humbleby, it is my job to find out things.
- And not be a bossy beat.
I that all? - No.
Hard cheese.
Well, don't you have any thoughts about your husbandas death? Oh, mess-up.
But I couldn't possibly share them with you, naughty buy.
No, I did not throw Lavinia down the escalator! The suggestion is outrageous.
I wasn't suggesting anything.
I wasn't even in London that day.
I was playing golf.
And I remember because I had a new niblick, and I moved my 2nd hole from nine for an albatross.
- Bad luck.
- Hm? Er well done.
Thank you.
She showed me a photograph of the grounds taken 22 years ago, when Lord Whitfield had Hexley Hall a family home.
What was in the photograph? The river, down by the south boundary, where it grows all reedy.
It said River Wychbourne on the back.
She said she found it when her parents passed away.
I recognised where it was straight away.
Specially with the girl on the background.
I told Miss Conway who she was, but I didn't tell her what we used to get up to.
- Who was she? - Fruity Fleming.
Fruity? Yeah.
Ripe for the plucker was our Lydia Fleming.
Wound up to marry our Major Horton.
Thank you.
Hm.
I only knew Amy as, erm what she was.
Honoria rang out her shortcomings and, one was polite, but Terence, I'm wrap shores with the lefttenent of the county.
- Must be exciting.
- Darned hard work, actually.
And when he wins the election If he gets his cabinet position, it will get even harder.
I supose the major will have to cut down his golf? No, no, no, I'm the keen golfer.
Hugh hasn't played all this year.
Have you had recent dealings with the Empson Confidential Enquiry Agents? How do you know that? Which inquiries were they making for you? Confidencial ones, hence their name? Sorry to interrupt.
Your tea is waiting, constable.
Amy? Was it him she went to meet? Sorry.
I'll be going now.
On the day Miss Pinkerton died, I understand Amy Gibbs went to meet a man.
I'm interviewing several witnesses, Mr Abbot.
Witnesses? You can't even sneeze in Wychwood without someone offering you a hanky.
Are you saying a witness saw me, with Amy? We used to meet in the woods, by the waterfall.
It was my baby she was carrying .
.
And now she's dead.
And so is my reputation, if it gets out.
Oh, she was willing enough, and I do have needs, Terry.
And not much going for me, not like Horton.
What's the Major got to do with this? Oh, you all think he's such an upstanding example of - I know things.
- Such as? His disgraceful lack of responsability.
Have you ever wondered why Leonard Waynflete drowned? - He slipped on the rocks.
- Yes.
And the night before, Horton was pouring whÃsky down him.
He drank enough to sank a battleship and still would have been whoozy the next day.
Maybe that's why he lost his balance? You said you know things.
What else do you know about the Major? That will do for now.
- You nearly killed me.
- You nearly follwed me.
Why did you come to Wychwood? - What're you looking for? - Not you.
Yet.
Before I forget, Terry, that missing book's turned up, but I can't think how "Nature's Poisons"? Oh, never mind the library book.
Just sit down, please.
Dr.
Thomas, do you know a Henry? No.
Why were you out at Hexley Hall earlier today? Hexley Hall? You were observed.
Henry Temple.
He's a psychiatrist there.
Hum, I've been seeing him a couple of times to discuss possibilities for your mother.
- She's heading for a nervous breakdown.
- How do you know? Why else is she behaving the way she is? Well I feel I just took an exam.
Ah, you passed with flying colours.
Do you think there's anything in what Mr Abbot said - about the Major and Leonard Waynflete? - Plenty, yes.
- Now I must go the library.
- Oh.
Well, shall I wait here in case Luke telephones with a progress report? Ah, I hope he'll be staight back, once he went straight to Darlow and to Empson Confidential Enquiry Agents.
Nature's Poisons.
Would you happen to know how this found it's way back? - It's a mistery.
- Yes.
Or perhaps not.
Ah.
You found it.
I'm affraid that was me.
- Why on earth did you steal the book? - Ah, I didn't take it.
I just returned it when I found it in the vestry cupboard.
- The vicar must have borrowed it.
- For five years? That's why I sneaked it back.
The fine would be huge.
He was very absentminded.
Are you sure it was reverend Minchin? Couldn't someone else have left it in the cupboard? I'm the only person in the vestry, normally.
Although Amy was there.
But why would she have it? She was poisoned, but that was hat dye, Not herbs and roots and berries.
Her grandmother knew all about those, but Amy was a modern girl.
By the way, did the vicar ever mention why Bridget Conway came to visit him the day before he died? Erm, Lydia Horton might remember, or Honória, or Mrs.
Humbleby.
They were doing the church flowers, when Miss Conway first approached him.
Thank you.
Hello, Miss Conway.
You intrigued me with the drawing, Lydia.
- I was coming to see you.
- I have questions.
- Snap.
- Come to my room.
I stand before you .
.
returned again to Parliament with a substantial majority.
with a vastly increased majority.
My dear wife by my side.
James! A sworn statement from the coroner at the inquest into the death of Leonard Waynflete.
- James - Stand down as candidate.
On the health ground, say.
And endorse me as your replacement.
If I don't? Either way, you'll kiss goobye to be an MP, let alone Foreign Secretary If you do as I suggest, you could at least preserve your good name.
This will destroy literally Is that the Seven Stars? I believe my wy wife is there, Could you ask her to come to the phone, please? It's Major Horton.
Honoria? Lydia.
Hello, dear.
It's the day I lost Leonard.
I always come here.
What is it? Everything.
How did you get hold of this report? Sr.
Empson da Empson Confidential Enquiry Agents was out of the office but his secretary Gloria was more susceptible.
All in a good cause.
See? It was blackmail.
Yes, what does Mr Abbot want from the major? -"Ambition can creep as well as saw" - Shakespeare? - Edmund Burke.
- Is it really? I've often wondered.
Thank you.
Tell constable Reed what Hexley Hall gardener said about the Learys.
There was a young american couple, the Learys, who stayed at Hexley Hall as summer guests of Lord Whitfield.
Now, the gardener says that Bridget was very interested in them.
- She was adopted.
- By the Learys? Perhaps.
Oh, I don't see what Miss Conway's inquiries have to do with ours.
Nor do I, quite yet.
Henry.
Hold on.
If we're looking for an Henry, Reverendo Wake's called Henry.
- Yes he is, isn't he? - Exactly.
But I knew it was horticultural, Amy's marked the page.
"Old Uncle Henry" is another name to the herb Magrood .
"When combined with Tanacetum vulgare, or pennyroyal, - it is an efficacious abortive agent.
" - Induces abortion.
Amy always said that her Grandmother and old Uncle Henry helped people.
Ancient Herbs.
Not such a modern girl, after all.
Is it exciting, growing up in America? Did you have a white picket fence e um and a swinging seat on the veranda? On the 17th floor of my apartment block? Oh.
But it was a nice apartment? Mm, swell.
Uptown.
Is that good? - It's very good, Miss Waynflete.
- Oh.
Luke Fitzwilliam.
You could do worse.
And so could he - whole, sure and healthy girl, like you.
Wait.
You owe me a kiss.
You think I kiss guys who spy on me? You think I kiss girls who lie to me? You just asked for it.
I'm making an exception on your case.
- Tell me the truth.
- It hurts.
- The truth can.
- No, my arm, dumb boy.
Tomorrow.
I'll know everything then.
But I warn you, it's crazy.
Strong hands.
You too.
- You're madder than I am.
- We're not saying that you're mad.
If you think you're locking me away in Hexley Hall It would be just a rest for you, Jessie.
Cherry Ripe or Congo Crimson? Come to live with us, then.
Let us all stay together.
What are you affraid of? Five horryd deaths? Number six won't be me, I can tell you that.
I'm far too strong.
Mother Come on.
Hugh! Lydia says she told you what happened.
She told me what, but not why.
How dare he.
What're you going to do about it? What can I do? I'm so sorry, Hugh.
- Where's Lydia? - She's at home.
Do no come in judgment with Thy servant.
For in Thy sight shall no man You have to go.
Dear beloved friends Oh, Lydia asked me to tell you she has decided to do the right thing.
What does she mean? I have no idea.
She's on a hell of a state.
Invest in Him like a modest, humble penitent He lives to silence all my fears He lives to wipe away my tears He lives to calm my broken heart He lives to bless who's truly Did Bridget give you any hint about what she'll know tomorrow? No.
Ours is a comunity of good souls.
.
.
.
full of Good Will and abounding in Strength.
Where is she? As the Psalm says it, "The Lord is my strength and song, and has become my salvation.
" I'll mind you to remind me We said we wouldn't look back If by chance you happen to find me With a look so gloomy and dark I'll mind you to remind me We said we wouldn't look back Light Thee our darkness, we beseech you, oh Lord.
And by Thy great mercy defend us from perils and dangers of this night, for the love of Thy only son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
At evening, when the sun was set We seek our Lord, around Thee nest O, what pain we have today O, but what joy, they went away Major! We'd just have pulled through.
She could still have held her head high.
Mrs.
Horton injects herself with 300 units of insulin.
60 was her proper dose.
But Dr.
Thomas says that, with what she'd had to drink, she would have slipped into a coma and drowned.
Did she leave a note? - Not that we've found.
- No.
Wychwood 719.
Yes, he is.
Yes? In her toe?! Go ahead.
- Bridget? - Oh! Lydia was going to tell me today.
Tell you what? Of whom am I daughter.
What will I do without her? You have loyal friends, Hugh.
I know, but she was my rock.
Ah Hugh.
I'm going to need both of this stuff.
Tragic circunstances in which I'll start my parliamentar carreer.
but I quite understand why Hugh feels unable to carry on.
Lucky I can step into the breach.
You've got a nerve! If it hadn't been for you, Lydia wouldn't have killed herself! I have a campaign to run.
I never knew the "whys" or what for of my adoption.
This photo was all I had to go on.
I came here to find the truth.
I asked Reverend Minchin if he knew of any unwanted baby born 22 years ago with a connection to the River Wychbourne.
He pointed me to Florrie Gibbs.
He said she would remember anything like that from back then.
But she died.
Then Major Horton mentionned some americans at Hexley Hall before the war.
And you found the gardener there.
Who said the girl on the photo was Lydia.
Yesterday she came to the Seven Stars and asked to see my birthmark.
She recognized it at the inquest.
I know she was about to tell me the truth, but then she took a call from the Major.
It seemed to shock her and scooting off.
She just said she wanted to see me today.
And now she's killed herself for fear of scandal.
There's more than meer scandal involved in her death.
Wear this, Hugh, to leave the tragic gloom.
Edward never liked it.
- I'm not sure-- - I was asking Hugh Mother! Sorry Major Horton, don't know what's come over her.
.
Just to jolly him up.
Look how it suits you! Just stop it! Please, Jessie! Stop it! Everyone please go.
Leave me alone! Get out! All of you! Goodness.
Come on, come all.
Why do you think your wife commited suicide, Major? Had she recently discovered something that might have upset her? - Oh, no.
- Jessie.
But suppose she had found out about us.
She didn't.
And anyway nothing happened.
Jessie and I took in a matinée at Salad Days.
Such a jolly show.
- Lovely tunes.
- Which you both hummed quite prettily.
Jessie was short of cheeriness.
Lydia wouldn't have understood, so I didn't mention it.
Cheeriness? I was short of a lot more than that.
I see that now.
I hope you don't think I was leading you on.
Just a pleasant outing, then.
It's meant to be happy ever after, even if you marry a clot.
And if it's not I- I do need a rest somewhere, don't I? Not at Hexley Hall.
Stay home with us.
Could mrs.
Horton have been upset for another reason? Mr.
Abott was blackmailing him.
Yes.
I bribed the coroner to hide the truth at the inquest into the death of Leonard Waynflete.
Why? Hugh? The night before Leonard drowned, he got extremely drunk .
.
with me.
I was worried that might have contributed to his fall the next day.
Drunk? Leonard never touched alcohol.
Leonard came to see me.
I'd already had quite a few.
To tell you the truth, Honoria, I was wondering if I'd rushed into things with Lydia so soon after you turning me down.
Leonard wanted to know why you were down in the dumps.
I offered him a scotch .
.
which he rather took two .
.
after the second glass.
By the time he left he was reeling.
When that and the bribery came to light Lydia thought it was the end of her world.
She asked me to tell Honoria she'd decided to do the right thing.
If we'd only realised what she meant.
Your wife didn't take her own life, Major.
As well as the usual mark left by her insulin injection, there was another on her toe, sugesting that an overdose was administered forcingly while she was held under the bath water.
Dear God.
Why would anyone kill Lydia? Perhaps she'd kept a secret from years ago.
Dr Humbleby knew her secret, didn't he? - Honoria asking about abortion on behalf of a friend.
- Jessie.
Welldoes it matter now? It will matter to Hugh.
Then, it was Lydia.
Lydia wanted an abortion? When was that? Just before your engagement party.
Don't judge her, Hugh.
Please.
- Did she she say who the man was? - No.
And this was a few weeks after your brother's death? Yes.
Majorwhen Leonard came to see you .
.
did you, by any chance, talk to him about sex? He was an innocent.
I tried to explain to him about attraction.
What you would have meant to me, in that regard.
I had to convey some some pretty basic stuff.
He wanted to know what he was missing.
I think he found out that night.
Do you mean he forced himself on Lydia? No! No, she would have cried and begged him to stop.
He'd know he was doing wrong.
No, hehe understood shame.
The shame of it.
The next day, when he fell from the rocks Luke perhaps it that wasn't the effect of the drink.
Do you think Leonard might have We don't believe it was an accident, no.
And what happened about the abortion? Ah, when I told Lydia that Dr.
Humbleby wouldn't help, she never mentioned it again.
I assumed she had made some other arrangement.
I wonder if she went to Florrie Gibbs, who used to help people with her Ancient Herbs.
That's why Amy took "Nature's Poisons" from the Library, when she suspected she was pregnant.
The terrible sin she spoke of wasn't suicide.
It was abortion.
We're certain now that Amy was murdered, just as we're sure, now, that Florrie Gibbs was, and the reverend Minchin.
And your husband, mrs.
Humbleby.
And, of course, Lavinia Pinkerton, who knew that murder is easy, as long as no one thinks it's murder.
All these murders.
Why? To keep me from finding out who I really am.
May I just ask, Honoria, if you baked any more cakes? More cake, Jane? My mother's recipe.
I know a shop bought cake when I taste it - and, with your permission, Constable? - Mm-hm.
And little lies make me wonder if big ones will follow.
Amy wanted to die her straw hat.
I had some old bottles of hat die and she chose one.
Amy would never have chosen "Scarlet Flame" as a colour.
It would clash with her red hair.
Would it? You only took on Amy as a favour to her Grandmother.
Did you agree because Florrie knew your secret? What-- what secret? A secret almost too unbearabe to speak of.
Then don't.
Please.
Please.
I'm affraid it must be told, somehow.
For your own sake too, Honoria.
I can't.
Well, let me help you.
It wasn't Lydia that your brother forced on himself to, that night, was it? It wasn't Lydia who cried and begged him to stop.
He was drunk.
He was too stromg.
It hurt.
If I had reported it, they would have put him away.
But if I didn't, I was affraid he woud have defiled me again.
So, next afternoon, I let him go and play.
And followed him.
And pushed him out.
It was an act of mercy! Then you found you were pregnant.
And you went to Dr.
Humbleby with that story about a friend in trouble.
He turned you away, so you asked Florrie Gibbs for help.
One moment, Miss Marple.
Do you mean that Honória killed Florrie? Amy? - All the others? - Yes.
Why? Because I was sniffing around.
I overheard you with the vicar.
A stranger, all the way from America, stirring up memories.
I knew my sin must never see the the light of day.
I picked some mushroms from the woods - poisonous kind - and went to Florrie's cottage.
Her kitchen window was open, and she was making a stew.
You knocked on the door.
When she went to answer it, you ran on the back, leaned through window and put the mushrooms in the stew.
Yes, and stirred them in.
And the vicar knew what Leonard had done to me that night.
He'd found me praying the next morning and I'd confided in him.
He promised never to breath a word, but how could I be sure, after all that time? I'd made holes in his breathing mask, when I was there for tea.
I came back and hung it before he was found.
But why did you have to kill Edward? He might have rememberd me asking about an abortion.
How did you manage to poison him? Wonky Poo had a purulent ear.
Ah, this is quite unpleasant, Jessie.
So, I colected pus from a week in a saucer, made sure Edward cut his finger, and sent him on his way with a plaster.
And Lavinia was such a chatterbox.
She had to have an accident on her own.
I think it's very suspicious, mr.
Wonky.
First Florrie.
And then the vicar.
And Bumblebee doesn't look very well.
The soonner we tell Scotland Yard, the better.
I thought I could stop then, but Amy got herself into trouble with mr.
Abbot.
Cheer up, Amy.
Might never happen.
She said she knew that I had gone to her grandmother, and unless I helped her with the same foul mixture that would destroy her unborn child, as it had destroyed mine and comforted her as she sinned, she would tell to whole Wychwood.
She didn't have the hat die in her room that night, did she? Only her medicine.
But you couldn't have helped Amy, in any case, could you? Because all those years ago, your ownn maternal instinct was too strong and you changed your mind.
I put the horryd stuff down the drain.
Then secluded yourself like an ermit until your time came I gave birth all alone.
What happened to the baby? Please.
I placed you in God's tender hands.
But God gave you back to me.
When did you know? Sometimes I looked at you and wondered.
Scarcely seemed possible.
Then Lydia said she recognised your birthmark and that you were a mistery baby she had found caught in the reeds by Hexley Hall.
- And I knew for certain.
- Lydia found me.
Why didn't she take me to the polÃce? She couldn't it been known she'd, er, had been there, waiting for her young gardener in a last starry night of illicit passion before she married Hugh.
She gave you to the Learys, childless and bare as they were, who took you back to America.
And when the major you that Lydia had decided to do the right thing and you realised she was going to tell Bridget all she knew Once you found you were born here, you'd never stop asking questions until you found the truth.
You're such a bright girl.
So, you slipped away during the service and went to kill Lydia.
Please.
Please You witch.
No.
I gave you life.
And, oh, it was swell for you, Uptown.
Sure.
Please.
Please Come along, Miss Waynflete.
Please.
Goodbye, my dear.
So long, Luke.
- I'll see you.
- When? Look in your pocket.
"Soon".
English translation by titta