Убийство на поле для гольфа

           SheproducedherclaimuponJack,probablyshowedlettersthathehadwrittenher,andtheoldermantriedtobuyheroffbywritingacheque.Thissheindignantlytoreup.Thetermsofherletterarethoseofawomangenuinelyinlove,andshewouldprobablydeeplyresentbeingofferedmoney.Intheendhegotridofher,andherethewordsthatheusedaresignificant.”

           “‘Yes,yes,butforGod’ssakegonow,’ ”Irepeated.“Theyseemtomealittlevehement,perhaps,thatisall.”

           “Thatisenough.Hewasdesperatelyanxiousforthegirltogo.Why?Notonlybecausetheinterviewwasunpleasant.No,itwasthetimethatwasslippingby,andforsomereasontimewasprecious.”

           “Whyshoulditbe?”Iasked,bewildered.

           “Thatiswhatweaskourselves.Whyshoulditbe?Butlaterwehavetheincidentofthewristwatch—whichagainshowsusthattimeplaysaveryimportantpartinthecrime.Wearenowfastapproachingtheactualdrama.Itishalf-pasttenwhenBellaDuveenleaves,andbytheevidenceofthewristwatchweknowthatthecrimewascommitted,oratanyratethatitwasstaged,beforetwelveo’clock.Wehavereviewedalltheeventsanteriortothemurder,thereremainsonlyoneunplaced.Bythedoctor’sevidence,thetramp,whenfound,hadbeendeadatleastforty-eighthours—withapossiblemarginoftwenty-fourhoursmore.Now,withnootherfactstohelpmethanthosewehavediscussed,IplacethedeathashavingoccurredonthemorningofJune7th.”

           Istaredathim,stupefied.