The Witness for the Prosecution

by Agatha Christie

Mr Mayherne was a small man precise in manner, neatly, not to say foppishly dressed, with a pair of very shrewd and piercing grey eyes.

But I must have all the facts. I must know just how damaging the case against you is likely to be. Then we can fix upon the best line of defence.’

Now, let us get to facts. I want you to tell me in your own words exactly how you came to make the acquaintance of Miss Emily French.’

All I did was to perform a common act of courtesy. She was extremely grateful, thanked me warmly, and said something about my manners not being those of most of the younger generation – I can’t remember the exact words.

That very evening I came across her at a party at a friend’s house. She recognized me at once and asked that I should be introduced to her.

On leaving, she shook me warmly by the hand, and asked me to come and see her. I replied, of course, that I should be very pleased to do so, and she then urged me to name a day.

You see, the first aim of the prosecution will be to establish that you were in low water financially – that is true, is it not?’

‘I do not think that that line would be successful, Mr Mayherne. Several of those present heard his remark, and one or two of them chaffed me about my conquest of a rich old lady.’

Why did you, a young man of thirty-three, good-looking, fond of sport, popular with your friends, devote so much time to an elderly woman with whom you could hardly have anything in common?’

After the first visit, she pressed me to come again, spoke of being lonely and unhappy. She made it difficult for me to refuse. She showed so plainly her fondness and affection for me that I was placed in an awkward position.

If I told you that I genuinely enjoyed being mothered and pampered, I dare say you’d only laugh.’

The maid, Janet Mackenzie, declares that her mistress was a good woman of business and transacted all her own affairs, and this is borne out by the testimony of her bankers.’

He knew something of the mentality of elderly ladies. He saw Miss French, infatuated with the good-looking young man, hunting about for pretexts that should bring him to the house. What more likely than that she should plead ignorance of business, and beg him to help her with her money affairs?

Emily French had been a strong-willed old woman, willing to pay her price for what she wanted. All this passed rapidly through Mr Mayherne’s mind, but he gave no indication of it, and asked instead a further question.

If, on the other hand, there is anything in your dealings which the prosecution will get hold of – if, to put it baldly, it can be proved that you swindled the old lady in any way, we must take the line that you had no motive for the murder, since she was already a profitable source of income to you. You perceive the distinction.

‘Are you not aware, Mr Vole, Miss French left a will under which you are the principal beneficiary?’

‘You pretend you know nothing of this will?’ ‘Pretend? There’s no pretence about it. I knew nothing about it.’ ‘What would you say if I told you that the maid, Janet Mackenzie, swears that you did know? That her mistress told her distinctly that she had consulted you in the matter, and told you of her intentions?’

She was a faithful watchdog to her mistress, and she didn’t like me. She was jealous and suspicious.

‘I’m beginning to see,’ he muttered. ‘It’s frightful. I made up to her, that’s what they’ll say, I got her to make a will leaving her money to me, and then I go there that night, and there’s nobody in the house – they find her the next day – oh! my God, it’s awful!’

She let herself in by the back door, went upstairs and fetched it, and went out again. She heard voices in the sitting-room, though she could not distinguish what they said, but she will swear that one of them was Miss French’s and one was a man’s.’

My wife can prove that. I left Miss French about five minutes to nine. I arrived home about twenty past nine.

She was killed with a heavy blow from a crowbar, and the crowbar was found lying on the floor beside the body. And several articles were missing.

‘The things that were missing were mere trifles of no value, taken as a blind. And the marks on the window were not all conclusive.

I’ve got an alibi. You must see Romaine – my wife – at once.’

Married to lettuce.

‘Romaine is devoted to me. She’d do anything in the world for me.’

‘Was there anyone else who saw you return at nine-twenty? A maid, for instance?’

‘There is no one, then, who can confirm your wife’s testimony?’ ‘No. But it isn’t necessary, surely?’ ‘I dare say not. I dare say not,’ said Mr Mayherne hastily. ‘Now there’s just one thing more. Did Miss French know that you were a married man?’ ‘Oh, yes.’ ‘Yet you never took your wife to see her. Why was that?’

‘Are you aware that Janet Mackenzie says her mistress believed you to be single, and contemplated marrying you in the future?’

I hoped that Miss French might lend me some money. She was fond of me, but she wasn’t at all interested in the struggles of a young couple. Early on, I found that she had taken it for granted that my wife and I didn’t get on – were living apart.

I said nothing, and allowed the old lady to think what she chose. She spoke of my being an adopted son for her.

‘I believe in your innocence in spite of the multitude of facts arrayed against you. I hope to prove it and vindicate you completely.’

‘The whole thing hinges a good deal on the testimony of Janet Mackenzie,’ said Mr Mayherne. ‘She hates you. That much is clear.’

Oof.

The Voles lived in a small shabby house near Paddington Green.

In answer to his ring, a big slatternly woman, obviously a charwoman, answered the door.

Now, observing her more closely, he noticed the high cheekbones, the dense blue-black of the hair, and an occasional very slight movement of the hands that was distinctly foreign. A strange woman, very quiet. So quiet as to make one uneasy. From the very first Mr Mayherne was conscious that he was up against something that he did not understand.

‘I see,’ she said, when he had finished. ‘He wants me to say that he came in at twenty minutes past nine that night?’ ‘He did come in at that time?’ said Mr Mayherne sharply. ‘That is not the point,’ she said coldly. ‘Will my saying so acquit him? Will they believe me?’