The Dying of the Light: A Mystery Read Online Free Page A

swept his arm around in an inclusive gesture.
    ‘I don’t suppose a television would go amiss either, to say nothing of a more varied diet. My sister’s cooking can hardly be described as anything more than adequate at best, but I seem to remember that you had Irish stew and tapioca pudding ten days in a row recently, which probably constitutes some sort of human rights violation.’
    He sighed deeply and shook his head.
    ‘Given the necessary funds, there’s really no limit to what one might do in the way of superior amenities and improved living conditions. But although Mrs Davenport is to be congratulated on doing the decent thing in leaving her money to benefit our little community rather than the hordes of ungrateful relatives who can’t even be bothered to send her the odd wish-you-were-here from Torbay never mind come to visit, I was unfortunately unable to persuade her to come across here and now, up-front, in real time. Result, we can’t cash in till she stiffs out.’
    He shook his head sadly.
    ‘How ironic that the decease of our benefactor and dearly beloved companion should thus become, to some extent at least, a consummation devoutly to be wished! How much more fitting, how infinitely more desirable all round, if the cash were to be made available in the form of a long-term, unsecured, interest-free loan, no strings attached, no questions asked!’
    He swung round on Mrs Hargreaves, arms outspread in dramatic appeal.
    ‘What do you say, Mavis? Yes or no? What’s it to be? Give us your answer, do!’
    Mrs Hargreaves simpered.
    ‘I believe in burning my boats when I come to them, Mr A.’
    Anderson sighed deeply.
    ‘Very well.’
    He looked around, taking them in one by one.
    ‘But I must warn you – all of you – that unless someone comes across with a sizeable injection of the ready in the very near future, then you will all be facing privation on a hitherto unimaginable scale. There is simply no telling what measures I may be obliged to resort to in my desperate attempts to make ends meet. Certainly this latest tragedy could have been avoided if we’d been able to retain the services of extra staff.’
    He pointed at Dorothy.
    ‘I take it you’ve told them about Channing?’
    ‘Blood!’ cried Belinda Scott. ‘She said there was blood everywhere!’
    Anderson nodded brightly.
    ‘There was a certain amount in evidence, I must admit. In point of fact the togs I was wearing at the time got fairly comprehensively besmirched – hence the present nifty outfit with its subtle overtones of naphthalene.’
    He upended the glass and let the final drop roll into his open mouth.
    ‘Fortunately the damage seems to be considerably less serious than we first feared,’ he went on. ‘Letty applied first aid immediately, and with any luck the effects will hardly be noticeable once the garments in question have been to the cleaners.’
    He sighed deeply.
    ‘Channing, on the other hand, resembles the proverbial dog’s dinner – as is only to be expected under the circumstances. We’re expecting Dr Morel any moment with the results of Mrs Davenport’s tests. He should be able to give George a shot to put him out of his misery.’
    He shook his head sadly.
    ‘Never try and outrun a Doberman. It awakens their atavistic instinct to mutilate prey.’
    There was the sound of a car drawing up outside.
    ‘Ah, I expect that’ll be Jim now,’ Anderson remarked.
    He gave Dorothy a sympathetic smile.
    ‘You’ll naturally be anxious to learn your fate as soon as possible, Mrs Davenport. Is the cancer rampaging through your body like a forest fire out of control, sweeping all before it, or is it at present confined to a specific organ or member which might conveniently be gouged out or lopped off? That’s the question we’re all asking ourselves, and I’ll let you know the answer just as soon as Jim’s patched up old Channers. Meanwhile do help yourselves to tea. For your own sake, I would strongly advise