The Case That Fooled Everyone

0:00President Barack Obama. Virginia, we are counting on you. Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to raid the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years. But you can stop them by voting yes by April 21st. Help put our elections back on a level playing field and let voters decide not politicians. Vote yes by April 21st. Paid for by Virginians for fair elections. Most people would rather attend a corporate team building workshop than search for auto and home insurance. Go team, feel that synergy. That's why the zebra searches for you comparing over 100 insurance companies to find savings no one else can compared today at the zebra.com. Hello, I'm Wilkins, stories all the time. The lad you are here. Let's get into it. The afternoon sunlight gently over the village of Rosehold casting a warm golden glow upon its

1:00knee cottages and well kept gardens. It was the sort of date when the world seemed content to remain exactly as it was with roses blooming proudly along fences and the sound of church bells faintly drifting through the air. On the village green a small crowded gathered for the annual garden party a tradition that combined tea, polite conversation and the quiet satisfaction of showing one's best blooms to admiring neighbors. Miss Jane Marple dressed in her familiar pale summer dress and straw hat sat on a wooden chair near the refreshment table. Her knitting needles clicked deadly though her eyes were far more active than her hands. She observed the villagers as they move them on the stalls, their smiles polite, but their glance is quick as if each one carried a private thought not meant for sharing. There was Mrs. Harper Proud of her sponge cake yet faintly resentful that Mrs. Ellison's had received more praise, young Clara Simmons whispered down as he to her companion how cheeks pink with more than the warmth of the day Colonel Bradshaw retired and stiff in manner, stood near the lemonade jug, delivering loud opinions that few cared to hear. All in all it was a scene of simple village life outwardly tranquil inwardly dreaded with small reveries, jealousies and secrets. The vicar just begun a short speech of

2:02thanks when the pleasant air was pierced by a choir made rushed from behind the monkey her apron stained and her face pale the chat its sister-fons as she stumbled forward and gasped that words that froze the gathering Mr. Denon he's lying on the floor in a library he's not breathing there was opposed the kind of silence the falls were an ordinary life is suddenly disturbed by the inthinkable then vossess broke out all the ponds Mrs. Harper dropped her teacup with a crust the Colonel demanded ordered though his voice trembled a few hurried towards the house others hung back in fearful qos dimis marple alone remain still in her chair her knitting now forgotten in her lap her expression was one of grove attention as though the words had not surprised her but rather confirmed some quiet knowledge of human fruit as she rose with the so did it he and followed the stream of village's towards the house inside the Denon residence the library stood wide and called a cent of old books lingering in air and there upon the carpet near the riding desk lay Mr. Arthur Denon as they so naturally still has hand clenched his third in protest against someone seen as all the glass of cordial wester toppled in the desk its contents forming a dark stain upon the polished wood was beswelt some declared at a sudden seizure others muttered of poison and the few hinted darkly of corbels of the hut in recent days the made wet in the corner the village doctor bent over the body is braver of Miss marble quiet and a noticed stood a little apart her eyes moved from the glass to the position

3:04of the body to the scattering of papers upon the floor she neither spoke nor intruded yet it was clear she absorbed every detail the garden party once so ordinary to become the scene of tragedy the com rhythm of village life had been broken and though no one yet realized it a web of secrets motives and lies had begun to reveal itself a web that only Miss marble with her sharp eye and deep understanding of human nature would be able to entangle the following morning the village of Rose Hillster with a restless anise weatherhood once been ordinary chatter about gardens and recipes now there was only speculation about the sudden and dreadful death of Mr. Denon every cottage seemed alive with whispers cut and stretched more frequently than usual and the sound of hurried footsteps carried the weight of secrecy i missess Alison's tea room the small tables were crowded earlier than usual villagers gathered under the pretense of morning tea though few cups were emptied the air was thick with rumour it was poison i tell you to cloud missess Harper her voice pitched a little higher than necessary did you not hear about the glass my nephew's wife saw it quiet suspicious Mrs. Ellison usually compassed her lips together

4:06before replying the doctor said nothing of poisonous seizure perhaps it is not in common at this age but Mrs. Harper shook her head with conviction after Denon was not the sought to suffer sudden seizures he was held as average yesterday morning and did you not have any business that business with the property boundary people did not forget such quarrels and clow a cement seeded at the edge of the room in closer to her companion i heard it was about money my cousins where Mr. Denon was present some month for repayment that could drive a desperate person to end it in the vases of luck until the whole room happened with untist invention to an aside it might have seemed like Adobosibba to the villagers it carried the thrill of proximity to scandal it's person longed to be the one to possess the truth's version of events and it's carefully measured in the repeated it to nismarple and to partly our presence at first to notice chichos is sitting at the window and it in once again in her hands her eyes rested on the first bottle it is missed not a word she heard the tremor in Mrs. Harper's insistence the defendant as Mrs. Ellison's cohesion the uffoldingness of clarers whispers she noted who repeated details would relish and who would help them reluctantly present the Colonel Bradshaw strode in his can't having sharp up on the floorboards this tough must see an answer puffing as test the police are quite capable of determining the truth we are not to indulge in wild rumours despite his bluster the Colonel's eyes

5:07darted about with keen interest the train his own hunger for information Mrs. Harper smirk faintly into her teacup and the gals of continued and quieter turns once he was seated by midday it was known that the police had questioned the household staff at the Denham residence the cook the maid and even the gardener had all been asked about Mr. Denham's movement that fact alone ignited fresh purers some suggested that the maid's distress had been feigned to conceal guilt others claimed the gardener had been seen outghing with Mr. Denham only a week before Mrs. Harper left the tea room as quietly as she had ended she strolled through the village lanes her eyes note in the way neighbors paused in conversation when she passed how shutters open a fraction too late how the milkman exchange crave looks with his customers fear she knew spread quickly in a small place and fear often revealed more truth than it concealed as she passed the church out she paused gazing at the old headstones worn by time death in a village was never just an event it was a mirror if reflected the hidden tensions the grudges lawn buried the jealousies politely disguised Mr. Denham's death would prove no different by

6:08evening the story had grown so tangled that no two accounts matched yet beneath the confusion Miss Marple sense of pattern forming it was like the beginning of a tapestry faint outlines loose through its shape not yet clear but undeniably present she resolved to continue her quiet watch knowing that truth revealed itself most often in the smallest of details the quiet order of Rosehill had been unsettled yet outwardly the village tried to maintain its routine the milk was delivered the post arrived and the church bells marked the iris as always but beneath that appearance of calm every conversation carried the same subject Mr. Arthur Denham's death had become unseen guest at every table Miss Marple however did not dwell on room she preferred a provision the small things people overlooked on the morning after the garden party she paid a plight call to the Denham residents it was a cutesy easily explained for she often visited households in moments of trouble her quiet man and gentle woes bringing comfort no one questioned her presence the maid Alice greeted her with red rind eyes she spoke too quickly as if eager to reshare both herself and her visitor the master was quite well that morning Miss Marple he even

7:13complemented Cook's Jan Tarts none of us expected well this dreadful end Miss Marple listened kindly nodding with understanding she asked only the gentlest of questions never pressing never alarming it was analysis hesitation in her tendency to glance towards the library door that something subtle revealed itself not guilt perhaps but fear the library itself had been tidy they're not entirely the glass from which Mr. Denham had drunk remained in the desk awaiting official examination Miss Marple stood by the window noting how the light fell across the rubbed the position of the chair the angle of the bodies described the paper scattered in a curious half circle there were details that seemed ordinary yet in her mind the form the beginning of a picture it was Mr. Denham expecting a visitor that day she asked softly Alice started slightly I cannot say Miss there was no appointment in his diary but I did have us is not long before she trailed off pressing a hand could shift to her eyes Miss Marple did not press her further instead she allowed the silence to linger and in that silence the maid betrayed another clue her hands to sing the edge of her apron her eyes darting not toward the door but towards the desk something about that desk unsettled her Miss Marple observed the hesitation before the words not always kind it suggested

8:16more than pastoral concern it suggested knowledge of grievances she remembered then the sharp glance exchanged between Mr. Denham and Mrs. Ellison at the garden party the glance quickly concealed by afternoon she had walked the length of the village her knitting bag at her side her steps unheard she noticed how Mrs. Hopper avoided mentioning Mr. Denham altogether how can a Bradger spoke too loudly of his respect for the man and how young Clara Simmons flushed deeply when asked if she'd ever visited the Denham house each fragment by itself seemed trivial but to Miss Marple they were threads of the same cloth she thought of the glass on the desk of Alice's nervous glances of the vigorous careful words they pointed not to the certainty of accident nor to the knee conclusion of a natural death but to the beginning of something darker that evening as she sat by her fire with her netting Miss Marple considered her next step she had not yet formed a conclusion but she had the beginnings of a map of faint outline of connections and motives she knew the police would soon decide upon a suspect eager for resolution yet she also knew human nature too well to be content with appearances in Rose Hill beneath its charming surface secrets

9:19waited to be uncovered and Miss Marple patient and observant had already begun to see where the first cracks lay president Barack Obama Virginia we are counting on you Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to raid the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years but you can stop them by voting yes by April 21st help put our elections back on a level playing field and let voters decide not politicians vote yes by April 21st paid for by Virginians for fair elections access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees but I don't really need it inflation is killing me but who cares big retailers and making record profits that's why we support the Durban Marshall credit card bill see things in credit unions help small businesses make payroll this bill would cut the vital resources they need while increasing mega store profits they deserve it don't they tell Congress stop the Durban Marshall money grab for corporate

10:23mega stores paid for by the electronic payments coalition the morning air in Rose Hill was cool and damp a thin mist hanging low over the hedgerers and culling lazily across the village green for once the jeet stillness of dawn did not bring comfort instead of pressed upon the cottages like in a market wait by eight o'clock the first villages were already was spring to one another the post office and bakery the police had made progress in their inquiries a suspect had been taken aside for questioning it was the may Alice news of her detention traveled through the narrow lanes faster than the baker's first trade bread some greeted it with satisfaction for her she not been the one to raise the alarm and it she not behaved so nervously since others pitted her shaking their heads at the cruelty of fate for she was only a girl no more than 20 and had always been considered decent and hard working i miss s lsn's tea room the speculation was already fierce i knew it miss s harpernance triumphantly to her table of listeners i said from the very first that her tears were too dramatic mark my words a guilty conscience weeps the loudest miss s lsn frowned but said nothing Clara Simmons sitting quietly nearby bit her lip and look down into her

11:26teacup the kernel overhearing struck his cane upon the floor nonsense a servant girl lacks the cunning for such a crime this is the work of a calculating mind still his voice faltered softening a fraction appearances are against her appearances indeed for Alice had been the last serve mr denim she had brought the cordial into the library set it upon the desk and later discovered the body to the police these facts won't need circle motive could be invented later perhaps a grievance over wages perhaps a foolish theft discovered evidence mattered less when suspicion was convenient miss marple listened to all this without interruption she sat in her usual place by the window her knitting resting quietly in her lap to anyone watching she seemed more interested in her needles than in gossip around her yet she noted carefully the eagerness with which ms s harper pressed her opinion the discomfort of young Clara the kernels forced certainty that afternoon she called upon inspector graves a practical man who had been dispatched from the county town he was not unkind but preferred matter settled quickly we must act in the evidence

12:28at hand miss marple he explained as they stood outside the denim residence the mid-admit she was alone in the room before the body was discovered the gloss bears her fingerprints there is no sign of forced entry no indication of a stranger it is straightforward miss marples blue eyes regarded him with polite patience and yet she said softly human behavior seldom straightforward inspector might I ask has it not struck he was peculiar that a guilty servant would call attention to herself by summoning help immediately the inspector shifted a touch impatient fanick perhaps people do strange things when cornered indeed murmured miss marple and people also do strange things when innocent she did not argue further for she knew argument rarely persuaded instead she returned home her mind occupied not with Alice's supposed guilt but with the details others had overlooked the position of the papers on the floor the fainstain upon the edge of the desk the expressions of those who had crowded into the library that first afternoon all these were stored carefully like stitches and her knitting forming a pattern others could not yet see meanwhile the village

13:30mood grew darker neighbors avoided the denim houses though gild were contagious children were kept close indoors miss s harper declared it a disgrace that such a girl had been trusted in a respectable household the vicar prayed publicly for mercy and guidance though his voice betrayed unease Alice herself was seen only once escorted by constable to the station for further questioning her pale face and trembling hand spoke of fear yet in her eyes they flickered something more complex bewilderment perhaps or the desperate hope that someone might believe her that evening miss marple sat before her fire her knitting needles moving in slow rhythm she recalled of the mage she had known in other villages girls called in scandals they had not created blamed for troubles not of their making simply because they were powerless to assist accusation human nature she reflected was fond of simple answers and the weakest were always a simplest answer she poured herself a cup of tea and considered the small details once more why had the cordial been served in the library and not in the drawing room as was usual why had mr denim a man known for his exacting habits allowed papers to fall entirely at his feet

14:31and why had to made glance not at the body but at the desk when she spoke of the dreadful moment these were not the actions of a guilty girl they were the faint outlines of another truth still hidden beneath the surface by the close of the stay the official word was clear the police intended to pursue charges against Alice pending further evidence the village ever eager for closure prepared to accept it but miss marple gazing into her fire whispered to herself words no one else would hear it will not do no it will not do it all the news of Alice is arrest settled heavily upon the village but rather than silence in speculation it seemed only to stir it more the tidy picture painted by the police that a nevice made a poisoned hamster and betrayed herself through tears was accepted by some would groom satisfaction yet for others especially those with sharper memories of quarrels and slates the explanation did not sit comfortably miss marple spent her morning walking along the hedgerows and cottage paths knitting bag over her arm to a casual actually appeared engaged only in her stitches but she paused at doorways exchanged dental words with neighbors and listened with quiet attention to the tones in which this spoke for invillages she knew secrets did not

15:34shout the whispered the trembled at edges of ordinary speech and they revealed themselves most often when people believed no one was listening at the vicar she found ms. Alden the vicar's wife tending a basket of laundry the woman's hands moved briskly but her voice betrayed an ease poor girl shimmering her meaning Alice I cannot believe she could be capable of such wickedness and yeah well there were quarrels enough with mr. denim he was not always easy miss marple would her error of mild curiosity let the silence linger ms. Alden sighed I dare say you heard about his dispute with Colonel Bradshaw lamboundaries I believe there were angry words oh quite heated the colonel has a temper though he means no harm still I wonder if the inspector has been told a little later ms. marple called at the tea room this she encountered young Clara Simmons who looked pale and restless with gentle persistence ms. marple cooks her into conversation Clara has taded then whispered I ought not to speak but I cannot keep it in mr. denim had been pressing my uncle for a payment of alone quite a large sum I think

16:38uncle swore he would find a way but I know he was desperate if mr. denim threatened exposure well who can say what a desperate man might do ms. marple did not press her further though she stored away every word by afternoon she stopped at the grocers where the gossip was livers this she heard another tale that ms. Ellison the dignified mistress of the tea room had once been seen in earnest conversation with mr. denim in the churchyard the witness claimed she had looked both angry and distressed some hinted at money again others at more delka matters that could not be spoken allowed in a shop everywhere ms. marple walked the picture of mr. denim became clearer he was not merely a respectable gentleman failed by sudden illness he was a man he had entangled himself into dispute both financial and personal he had pricked the pride of Colonel Bradshaw placed in bearable pressure upon Clara's uncle and carried on some private quarrel with ms. Ellison such a man might command outward respect but beneath that surface he left the trail of resentment the news of Alice is arrest settled heavily upon the village but rather than silencing speculation it seemed no need to stir it more the tidy picture painted by the

17:40police that a novice made it post in term asso and betrayed herself fruitiers was accepted by some with room satisfaction yet for others especially those with sharper memories of quarrels and slights this donation did not succumbly ms. marple spent up morning walking along the hairdress and caught her to pass knitting bad over her armed a casual eye she appeared and aged only in her stitches but she paused at doorways exchanged gentle words with neighbors and listened with quiet attention to the tones in which his book for invillager she knew secrets did not shut they whispered the trembled at the edges of all the news beach and they revealed themselves most often when people believed no one was listening at the wicked shifan mrs. old and the vikas wife tenting a basket of laundry the woman's hand moved briskly but her voice betrayed and he's pergol she murmured meaning Alice I cannot believe she could be capable of such wickedness and yet well there were quarrels enough with mr. denim he was not always easy mrs. marple with her air of mild curiosity let the silence linger mrs. olden side I dare say you heard about his dispute with Colonel bratcher lenn boundaries I believe there were angry words oh quite heated the colonel has a temper though he means no harm still I wonder if the inspector has been told a little later mrs.

18:42marple called at the tea room there she encountered young Clara Simmons who looked pale and restless with gentle persistence mrs. marple coaxed her into conversation Clara hesitated then whispered I ought not to speak but I cannot keep it in mr. denim had been pressing my uncle for repayment of alone quite a large sum I think uncle swore he would find a way but I know he was desperate if mr. denim threatened exposure well who can say what a desperate man might do mrs. marple did not press her further though she stored away every word by afternoon she stopped at the grocers where the gossip was livelist this she heard another tale that mrs. elison the dignified mistress of the tea room had once been seen in her honest conversation with mr. denim in the church yard the witness claimed she had looked both angry and distressed some hinted at money again others at more delicate matters that could not be spoken aloud in a shop everywhere mrs. marple walked the picture of mr. denim became clearer he was not merely a respectable gentleman felled by sudden illness he was a man who had entangled himself in disputes both financial and personal he had put the pride of Colonel Bradshaw placed in bearable pressure upon Clara's uncle

19:45and carried on some private choral with mr. s. elison such a man might command out would respect but beneath that surface he left a trail of resentment by the end of the day the village seemed to hum attention people who once greeted one another cheerfully now spoke in guarded tones friendship strained under the weight of suspicion at the post office to women argued openly about whether ours is guilt was credible the voices shot with mold and curiosity at the in and lowered the voices when strangers entered for fear of repeating to it must end in her pie sitting room mrs. marple lay its side her nid and reflected upon what she had gathered human nature she thought was consistent people revealed themselves not in their presentations of innocence but in a small ways this ought to distance themselves from guilt to no part of having to insist and upon his respect for mr. denim Clara's uncle though she had not named him directly it's shown signs of fear whenever money was mentioned and mrs. elison's title it composed a suggested knowledge she would rather do bear it the police satisfied with this often suspect looked no further it mrs. marple knew better for behind every polite curtain of russell summoners the secret that connected directly to the death man in the library the question was not whether mr. denim had enemies but rather this enemy has chosen to act at night the village slept in his little barred at nothing shuffles were drawn tightly and more than one has half touched alive burning laid the appearance

20:47of farm and fattish rose help was a village of secrets now and secrets once and huddle could never again be neatly put away mrs. marple sat by a lamp and needles moving with steady rhythm in a mind the pattern was becoming clearer Alice was no more than a third useful to this who wasted the matter settled prickly but the real tapestry was woven of pride desperation and long nest resentment she knew it would not be long before one of this rags would fray in reveal the truth beneath the church bells it gets a strut nine in the village of rose up against recess stubborn though the world outside remained green and peaceful with sparrows darting along the hedgerows and the smell of fresh bread drifting from the bakers oven the hearts of its people were far from tranquil the death of mr. denim had unsettled the village but the continued attention of Alice had sharpened the air with an ease in the tea room forces buzzed like bees mrs. hopper was more strident than ever insisting the maids guilt was beyond doubt well others less certain exchange anxious glances Colonel bratchel's bumentones could be heard half the street away proclaiming that the police had the matter well in hand yet evenly carried a stiffness that betrayed is discomfort miss marple however pass quietly through the scene offering polite greetings as she made her way toward the denim residence she had after all promise the cook

21:51that she would bring over a recipe for seed cake and such promises must be honored no one faulted odd that she might call again upon the household in mourning president baraka obama virginia we are counting on you republicans want to steal enough seats in congress to raid the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years but you can stop them by voting yes by april 21st help put our elections back on a level playing field and let voters decide not politicians vote yes by april 21st paid for by virginians for fair elections access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees that i don't really need it inflation is killing me but who cares big retailers are making record profits that's why we support the derby marshal credit card bill see things in credit unions help small businesses make payroll miss bill would cut the vital resources they need while increasing mega store profits

22:52they deserve it don't they tell congress stop the derby marshal money grab for corporate mega stores paid for by the electronic payments coalition the library does stood open when she arrived and though the air of tragedy still lingered the room had been put back into some order the papers were stacked neatly upon the desk the glass had been removed for examination and the heavy curtains were drawn against the morning light yet miss marbles eyes accustomed to observing the small shifts in human behavior were quick to note the tightness often concealed more than it revealed as she set down her recipe card upon the table her gaze lingered upon the carpet a faint indentation in the thick pile caught her attention it lay just beyond the corner of the rug near where the chair had been moved on the day of the garden party the mark was square edged as if made by a small box or case something heavy enough to leave its memory upon the floor yet now there was nothing there miss marble bent her movement slow and then i'm sure as though examining her knitting back her fingers brushed lightly over the impression confirming it shape a box certainly perhaps of wood or metal why had it been placed there and more importantly why was it

23:54gone at that moment made Alice was led into the room by a constable for further questioning her face was pale her hands trembling miss marble greeted her kindly with none of the suspicion the girl had grown accustomed to my dear you must be quite tired of all this she said gently i only wonder did mr den and keep a small case here in the library something about the size of her writing box Alice's eyes widened a lift parting as if she might speak then quickly pressed together again she shook her head yet her glance betrayed her it darted not toward miss marble but toward the desk lingering a fraction too long the constable cleared his throat impatient with interruptions and led the girl away but miss marble had seen enough a missing box a nervous glance and a silence too deliberate to be innocent these were not coincidences later as she walked home along the lane miss marble starts turned over the matter what might such a box have contained ladders perhaps personal dangerous ladders or financial papers the sort that could ruin reputations if her field

24:56she recalled the whispered hints of desks of corals over money of msess elisons troubled encounter in the church showed a box of documents could bind these threads together i'd if it had vanished then someone had taken it deliberately knowing that within it lay the truth of motive that evening miss marble attended even song at the church she noticed claw simmons in the pew across from her fidgeting with her purr boke her eyes down gas she noticed Colonel Bradshaw bowing his head a little too stifly his lips pressed tight and silent discomfort and she noticed msess elisons absence explained away by a neighbor as a touch of nerves each observation was tucked away quiet as stitches in her knitting each one part of her pattern when the service ended miss marble lingered by the church of gate speaking softly with the vicar a sad business he said gravy one cannot help but pray for a swift conclusion miss marble nodded yes but swiftest is not always the same as truth is it the vicar looked trouble but he did not reply as she walked home beneath the fading light miss marble considered again the missing box it was a small thing easily overlooked by those eager to close the matter but to her spoke volumes

26:00someone had been in the library not merely to kill but to remove someone had wished not only for mr denun's death but for the silence of whatever secrets he kept locked away at the time she reached her cottage miss marble was certain of one thing alice was not the key to this mystery she was merely the thread pull forward to distract from the true design a real answer lay in the vanished box and in the head and face of those who had reason to seek and she set aside her net and back and pulled herself a cup of tea in a quiet of her parlour she spoke aloud as if to the empty chair across from her the truth will come my dear it always does and it is never quite what people expect the following morning brought with it a brisk wind scatter and dry leaves across rose hills quiet lanes and rattling the shutters of cottage is not yet opened for the day though the aircar at the centre of woodsmoke and do there was a restless energy that hung about the village the death of mr denun had ceased to feel like a singular tragedy it had instead become the pulse of every conversation every whisper behind lace curtains every side long glance exchanged at the grosser's counter miss marble having risen early tended to a small garden before making her way toward the post office it was a habit she kept collecting the daily paper and exchanging polite greetings with mr finch the post muster

27:00who knew the life of the village more intimately the most moroming miss marble he said sliding the newspaper across the counter the inspectors been about again asking after telegrams seems he's quite fixed on timing as though the very minutes might unpick the crime indeed miss marble replied mildly slipping the paper into her back but minutes you know can be as misleading as gossip sometimes it is not when something is done but why that tells us the truth mr finch chuckled though uneasily he was aware as many were that miss marbles woods had a way of reaching further than idle chatter on her walk back miss marbles path crossed with miss is elison the woman looked drawn her eyes shattered her hands clutch tightly together as if in constant prayer when miss marble inquired gently after her health miss is elison forced to smile oh it is only fatigue these terrible events weigh heavily on one's spear but the smile faulted almost at once she excused herself hastily and walked on leaving miss marble thoughtful miss is elison's distress was too sharp too persistent to be explained by village nose alone by midday word had

28:03reached the village the dean's vector was to hold a further inquiry to the denim residence the principal villagers were invited or compelled to attend miss marble with her quiet authority in an obtrusive presence found herself there as well the gathering took place in the drawing room colonel barrage arrived first punctual as always his moustache bristling and his cane tapping against the floorboards laris Simmons came next pale and anxious her fingers working nervously at her shell miss is elison entered last accompanied by her son who kept his eyes firmly fixed upon the floor the inspector began by reviewing the established facts but his questions soon took a shopper edge mr denim was known to keep private papers financial records correspondence yet when the desk was examined certain items appeared to be missing i ask you plainly did any of you remove them there was a silence broken only by the faint taking of the mantle clock then colonel barrage declared his throat i resent the implications sir my dealings with mr denim were of a purely social nature if the man had debts or entanglements there were no

29:03concern of mine miss marble's keen eyes noticed how his hand tightened on his cane the knuckles whitening at an aisle too forceful she thought a man accustomed to command need not purchase so loudly unless he fidd discovery laris Simmons spoke next her voice faltering i'd i hardly knew mr denim only through village events if he had papers i never saw them yet her gaze flickered toward miss s elison a swift betraying glance that suggested knowledge and spoken miss s elison that rigid her litz pressed into a thin line at last she said quietly it is in kind to torment us so a good man is dead must we not read repetitions with suspicion the inspector regarded her sharply madam a must follow the evidence wherever it leads miss marble said nothing though within her mind the threads were weaving together colonel bradge was aggression clara's fear miss s elison's concealment all pointed not to innocence but to secrets jellously guarded when the gathering dispersed miss marble contract to walk beside clara's Simmons in her gentle and threatening manner she observed it as such a strain is it not when one carries more than one

30:06can manage secrets come way upon the heart roughly my dear clara flushed gallard i don't know what you mean but the tremor in her voice the way her hands clutched her shoulder trade her miss marble only smiled timely saying no more for she knew that silence often pride opened doors more effectively than questions that evening as the lump-like load softly in her palm miss marble reflected on what she had seen lies as surface like stones beneath shallow water bradge was financial dealings clara's fearful silence miss s elison's troubled conscience yet the shape of the crime was not complete it was as though she were knitting a patent with missing stitches a design obscured until the final three was placed she poured herself a cup of tea settled into her chair and whispered softly into the quiet room they are all hiding something but which of these lies is worth killing for the rain came without warning by late afternoon dark clouds had rolled in from the downs pressing low and heavy over rose hail the s smelled of damp earth and smokers the first dropped battered against the cottage windows villageers hurried indoors shutting out the chill but inside each home the tension of the past week remained no one could speak of anything except the murder of mr denim miss marble settled in her small pile a watch

31:06the rain streaking the glass she had just finished writing a note to her niece when a knock sounded at the door opening it she found clara's Simmons pale and trembling beneath the search show miss marble clara whispered her voice broken me i come in without hesitation miss marble guided her to the halfway the fire burn low but warm she fetched a blanket and poured a cup of tea allowing the young woman time to gather herself at length clara's subsets i did and her story came halting before the cannot bear it any longer she said everyone suspects poor Alice but it is not she i know it and yet i'm so afraid so terribly afraid miss marble regarded her with quiet compassion my dear figure is heavier when one tries to carry it alone you must tell me what it is he no clara's hands twisted in her lap it is about mr denim he had papers letters they were not as they belong to miss his else and she confided in me once when she feared he might use them against her i think i think she paid him to keep them hidden the words hung in the air heavy with implication miss marble did not interrupt only not a gently to encourage her but then clara continued the night of the fate i saw miss s Alice in the library she looked distraught i thought she might have been pleading with him i dared not tell anyone i could not bring myself to but now with Alice

32:10arrested it feels unbearable to stay silent i confession broke into subs once more miss marble padded her hand you have done ready to speak my dear secrets such as these left to fester composing more lives than one as clara calmed miss marble's mind worked swiftly if miss s Alice and had indeed been blackmail then a missing box might have contained as very letters such a motive was clear enough desperation shame the fear of ruin but was it strong enough to drive one to murder the storm raged outside as the evening wore on miss marble sat in thoughtful silence after clara departed her knitting and touched upon her lap she reflected on miss s Alice's pale face her evasions her sons quite unease she thought of Colonel Bradshaw sharp denial and of the inspectors certainty in Alice's guilt yet clause confession had shifted the ground beneath her feet the next morning brought a gathering at the church hall where the inspector addressed the village he spoke of progress of evidence being reviewed but miss marble noticed the unease in his tone for all his determination he too sensed that the matter was not so straightforward as the villagers dispersed

33:13miss s Alice and lingered her gloftown strumbling as she adjusted her hat miss marble approached her gently my dear miss s Alice and she sits softly sometimes the burdens we carry are lighter when share to fun holds too tightly to secrets they may consume more than one intense for a moment miss s Alice and s Alice filled with tears her composure cracking but then with visible effort she gathered herself offering only a faint smile before hurrying away yet miss marble that seen enough the strain was rude and plenty upon her face that evening words broke quickly miss s Alice and had collapsed at home over tumble what the dovetetown nervous exhaustion of village buzz with speculation but miss marble listening quietly to the chatter knew it meant only one thing the weight of guilt weather of action of silence was finally too much for miss s Alice and to bear alone in her cottage miss marble whispered to herself the druss presses hardest of unless who try most to conceal it and sin concealment will no longer be possible the September sun returned after the storm cast in a deceptive calm over Rosehill the cottage is stood bright beneath their climbing roses and the village green gleam fresh with rain yet within the village is the tension only sharpened miss s Alice and collapse had stood speculation to fever pitch some said it was guilt others whispered blackmail and still others with the hint of cruelty declared that her nerves had

34:14simply failed miss marble sitting in her knee parlor with her netting for otherwise she understood better than most that a human heart pressed by fear rarely breaks without reason she believe miss s Alice a new more of mr denims death than she had yet admitted but to force a confession outright would serve little good no what was required now was patience in a trap set with the quietest of hans access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees but i don't really need it inflation is killing me but who cares big retailers and making record profits that's why we support the Durban Marshall credit card bill see things in credit unions help small businesses make pay roll miss bill would cut the vital resources they need while increasing mega store profits they deserve it don't they tell congress stop the Durban Marshall money grab for corporate megastores paid for by the electronic payments coalition you're jamming your favorite song and while you aren't missing a beat you could be missing a signal from your body it's an SOS from your kidneys and it doesn't sound like music at all it's silent high blood pressure

35:16type two diabetes and other risk factors can quietly stress the kidneys leading to negative impacts on the heart that's why you should ask your doctor about a simple urine test called uacr most miss the signal for hidden kidney disease and related heart risk you shouldn't visit detect the sos.com today to learn more the inspector remained convinced of Alice's guilt opportunity motive and evidence he declared firmly when miss marple paid a polite call at the station the glass was in her care she had access to the room and she was found nearby i ground you she's a timid creature but desperation can drive the timid to desperate acts miss marple listen nodding but her eyes softened with mild approach forgive me inspector but i have often found that desperation more commonly for us the strong willed the timid are more apt to suffer in silence he frowned unused to being contradicted by an elvoli spinster yet said nothing further miss marple departed her thoughts already turning to the quiet plan she had begun to weave that afternoon she visited Colonel Bradshaw under the predicts of delivering a jar of her well-known mommally the colonel received

36:19her stiffly is man of brosk yet when she gently inquired about his investments mentioning almost as an aside the rumor of dates and connection with mr den m he read and and stammered in a way wholly uncharacteristic of his military poise miss marple talked the observation away like a drop stitch to be picked up later her next call was upon miss sess ellison the woman pale from her collapse lay upon the drawing room sofa her son attending her with anxious devotion miss marple expressed sympathy offering quiet words of comfort then as though idly she remarked it is remarkable how small things are so easily overlooked a box for instance left in a library corner one wonders what might become of it if someone wished a titan miss s ellison's hand trembled spilling a little of the tea her son had just bored she murmured some faint denial but her color drained visibly miss marple made no further mention content to let the silence do its work that evening she set her plan in motion she invited several of the villagers Colonel Bradshaw Clara Simmons and young mister ellison among them for tea at her cottage the gathering appeared no more than a kindly neighbor's attempt at comfort and trouble times yet miss marple prepared

37:23carefully ensuring the conversation would drift as naturally as the turning of the tide toward mister denims death she began with a knockuse remarks gardens the weather and you him chosen by the vicar until gradually she observed the group relax then with her needles clicking softly she said in her mild way it is curious how certain things vanish at the most inconvenient moments I once lost a button box that contained a most important token I thought had gone forever yet a turn up in quite a surprising place there was a pause Clara glance novicely at miss s ellison who stiffened Colonel Bradshaw shifted in his chair his cane tapping restlessly against the floor miss marple continued still mild still seemingly harmless in fact she added I should not be surprised if mister denims missing box were to appear again things have a way of returning you know sometimes when one least expects them the silence deepened miss s ellison's breathing grew labored as some placing a steady hand upon her shoulder the Colonel's jaw clenched his eyes outing toward the doors of calculating an escape miss marple poured more tea and troubled

38:24she spoke of nothing further but she had seen what she needed the fear in miss s ellison's eyes the anger in Bradshaw's clenched fist the strain upon young ellison's face the trap had been set not with accusation but with suggestion in time one of them would stumble into it one her guest departed miss marple stood by the window watching her figures retreat into the twilight her nittingly and finished on her lap but her thoughts were sharp and clear they are all entangled she murmured softly but only one hand poured the poison and it will not remain hidden much longer the next morning dawn crisp and bright the sword of mourning that seemed to mock the unease grouping rose all the bells from the church shine cheerfully but the villages gathered with an easy anticipation at the denum residence summoned but inspected for what he promised would be a conclusive discussion most came reluctantly curiosity battling with dread Colonel Bradshaw arrived first his cane striking sharply against the floorboards his jaw set as though he faced a battle line miss s ellison entered with her son her complexion pale eye shadowed plurus him and slipped and quietly her hands twisted in a hand could she from till in newly tore alice the accused made sad trembling beside a constable her gaze dotting novicey

39:27from one village to the next and then quite unobtrusively miss marple took her seat by the fire she seemed only a kindly old lady her nitting bag by her side her expression mild yet as the inspector began to speak it was she to whom the villagers ice turned almost without realizing it the inspector cleared his throat we have gathered sufficient evidence to proceed the case against alice amends is compelling forgive me inspector miss marple interrupted softly her tone was courteous but a coward to wait that silence the room compelling perhaps but mistaken the inspector bristled but miss marple continued before he could object you see she said folding her hands neatly in her lap the matter of mr denum's death was never about opportunity many had that nor was it truly about means the poison could have been placed by any who approached the library no it was about motive and the silence surrounding a very particular box at this miss s ellison's face blanche and colonel brudger shifted uncomfortably in his chair miss marple's eyes kind but unyielding rested on them both that box contained letters

40:32private letters belonging to miss s ellison mr denum the oddly respectable has taken to keeping them intending to use them for his own advantage of form a blackmail in truth miss s ellison distressed and desperate visited him on the night of the face she pleaded but she did not told no her heart is far too gentle her conscience too heavy to have pouted at such a deep miss s ellison steers brind over her son place in an arm protectably around him miss marple press on have I steady the colonel period because his investments probably just have placed him at them as they have mister denum's knowledge she feared expose a field ruin his temper sharp as man and brusper to his courage for all his bluster is not the courage of stealth he would have struck up and in and are not plotted in poison tunnel brudger flust scarlet but did not speak and so miss marple continued to calm at last to the one who had both the means and the result the one who moved silently taffy insurance suspicion would fall upon another mister elison in you of your mother's letters you feared whether exposure would mean not only for her reputation but for you and stunning it was who ended the library the night if you poured the poison into mister denum's glass and when it was stunning to remove the box thinking to bay the matter forever the room out to gasp's exclamation quies of disbelief miss s ellison plus to sons arm her face dricken is stared at miss marple it spotted gallored raining from his cheeks that is absurd there is better but there is first wave of miss marple's reply was calm

41:34the rug told me the indentation left by the missing box showed it had been moved after the chair was disturbed not before that meant it was taken after the murder only one he knew what lay was in with think to remove it and when i hinted the other night that the box might reappear it was not miss s ellison or the canal who betrayed themselves it was the son his hand upon his mother shoulder tightened at the mention fear not compassionate gripped him young elison's composure broke his voice trembled as he cried i had no choice he would have ruined her he would have destroyed everything our name our life i only meant to frighten him but he laughed he mocked his words to solve into solbs his shoulder shaking miss s ellison collapsed against her chair her face hidden in her hands the inspector gave a sharp order and the constable stepped forward placing a firm hand upon the young man's arm the villagers sat in stunned silence unable to reconcile the quiet youth with a dreadful crime miss marple still seated by the fire drew her knitting from her back her needles click softly as she murmured murder you see is never so simple as it appears

42:36it is rarely the hard and criminal more often the desperate soul who believes wrongly that one act can preserve all the whole dare but the truth however painful always finds its way through the days that followed the shock and revelation at the denim residence passed under a cloud that no sunshine could dispel rose hill once a village of gentle rhythms and kindly gossip now bore the heavy weight of scandal neighbors who had once greeted each other with cheerful nods now exchanged hushed words clans is full of pity or suspicion the calm surface of village life had been cracked and though the truth had been laid bare at the echoes of the crime lingered miss s ellison remained secluded in her home attended faithfully by her servants and her doctor the weight of her sons were crime seemed to have crushed her spirit she was seen no more in the church pure shit once frequented nor in the lens where she used to pause and offer a kindly word our curtains remained drawn and though the villagers spoke sympathetically they did so with an air of caution it was after all a terrible thing for a respectable lady to be so entangled in disgrace Colonel Bradshaw walked about with even greater stiffness than before his keen striking the ground with sharp authority yet miss marble noticed that the

43:39colonel spoke less loudly now his boom in confidence subdued it was as though the shadow of suspicion that had once touched him had left behind a permanent mark he bowed to miss marble politely when across paths but he did not linger for conversation flora simmons by contrast seemed doubly lightened for confession to miss marble difficult though it had been had freed her from the crushing weight of silence she moved with the new stedonus though her eyes still betrayed sorrow when she spoke of Alice for Alice though released from suspicion could not yet shake the village whisper's innocence proved is not always restored innocence believe she had returned to her position but her smile was thin her laughter hastened as though she feared it might be thought and see me as for the inspector he carried himself with the determined brismis of a man who would not acknowledge defeat yet when he encountered miss marble in the church out one afternoon he doffed his hat with more humility than before you were right madame he admitted stiffy i was misled by what seen the most obvious fact miss marble inclined her head her expression kindly is a common error inspector one must always remember people light knitting form patterns if a stitch appears to plain it may be precisely where the floor lies the inspector gave a right smile though his pride would allow no more and screwed away

44:42life and rose hill attempted to resume his course the bells rang for sunday service the children played upon the green and the bakers lows filled the air with a comforting scent yet beanie that all there was an unease sense that innocence once lost can never quite be reclaimed miss marble in her cottage returned to her knitting the days grew shorter the evening's cooler but her mind remained sharp and reflective she thought often of young elison whose desperate i had brought such a ruin she pityed him for his crime had been born not of cruelty but a fear of losing what he held most and yet pity could not excuse murder she sipped her tea her needles clicking softly it is a curious thing she murmured to herself how one believes a crime will end fear but instead it breeds only greater ones people imagine they can silence the truth yet the truth is rather like ivy it creeps back however often one cuts it down outside the village returned to its gentle murmurings but rose hill would not soon forget the lesson of mr denim's death and the miss mob asked for no thanks those with wisdom enough to see knew it was her acquired eyes her gentle words and her understanding of human weakness that

45:45had brought the truth to life the September evenings grew cool and quiet the last roses fading in the gardens of rose hill as autumn krypton the village had begun outwardly at least settle once more into its customary rhythm the bakers still placed his loaves upon the counter at dawn the vicks still walked the lanes with his gentle nod of greeting and the children still played in the fading light upon the green yet to those with attentive ears the tone of the village had changed the laughter was softer the gossip more restrained as though everyone carried within them the memory of how swiftly shadows might fall miss marbles had in her parlour her knitting spread neatly across her lap the fire burned low casting a warm go upon the familiar room she had received that morning a letter from her knees full of cheerful chatter about lend and life miss marbles mild as she read it but when she laid aside her thoughts turned once more to the events that had so shaken her a little village she thought of miss is allyson whose health remained fragile and whose dignity though defended by the sympathy of her neighbors could never be quite restored she thought of Alice the maid still working in quiet humility yet carrying the scarves suspicion and dusty place upon her she thought of Colonel Bradshaw whose bluster no longer

46:47rang with the same authority and she thought with sorrow of young mister allyson whose fear had driven him to enact the destroyed everything he had sought to protect miss marbleside softly her needles pausing oh it is always the same she murmured one imagines murder to be the work of villains cold blooded cunning creatures set apart from ordinary folk yet time and again it proves otherwise it is not monsters but men and women much like ourselves those who love too strongly fear too greatly or hate too bitterly who commit the darkest deeds she poured herself a cup of tea the steam curling gently in the lamply she reflected on how swiftly the village had turned suspicion upon Alice her ready to had been to believe the worst of one who was powerless to defend herself it was a reminder miss marble thought of how dangerous it is to judge upon appearances and how often the truth lies into quiet details are volupt by most the mental clock struck the air outside the church bells answer with a calm familiar chime miss marbles set down her cup and resumed her knitting the needles clicking softly steadily as if marking the passage of time itself her eyes twinkled faintly for though the tragedy of mister denims death had weighed heavily

47:49upon rose hill she knew that life in its stubborn fashion would go on gardens would bloom again face would be held upon the green and the gossip of villagers would turn to new subjects but always beneath the gentle surface there would remain secrets quiet hidden waiting and miss marble with her sharp mind concealed behind mile manners and knitting needles would be there to see them the sense the tale of mister denims murder in rose hill a reminder that evil rarely comes from strangers but more often from the fears and frailt as of those closest to us miss marble has once again shown that truth though hidden will always rise to the surface but this will not be her last case for wherever human nature dwells mystery and folly are never far behind and that is the end thank you for listening and i will see you in the next one hi this is Alex Cantrowitz i'm the host of big technology podcast a long time reporter and an on air contributor to cmbc and if you're like me you're trying to figure out how artificial

48:53intelligence is changing the business world and our lives so each week on big technology i bring on key actors from companies building a i tech and outsiders trying to influence it asking where this is all going they come from places like in video microsoft amazon and plenty more so if you want to be smart with your wallet your career choices and meetings with your colleagues and at dinner parties listen to big technology podcast wherever you get your podcasts every day the world gets a little weirder and a lot more awesome cool stuff daily takes a look at everything from mining and space to the latest in the fight against cancer to how AI is basically changing everything it's all the cool stuff you didn't know you needed to know join us for cool stuff daily as we take a quick look at science tech and the wait what stories that make you sound way smarter at dinner subscribe to cool stuff daily now because the future is happening fast and it's way too fun to miss