Death on the Nile – Agatha Christie
“Millions she’s got …. Going to spend thousands on the place. Swimming pools there’s going to be, and Italian gardens and a ballroom and a half of the house pulled down and rebuilt . . .” “She’ll bring money into the town,” said his friend.
He was a lean seedy-looking man. His tone was envious and grudging.
Mr. Burnaby agreed.
“Yes, it’s a great thing for Malton-under-Wode. A great thing it is.” Mr. Burnaby was complacent about it. “Wake us all up proper,” he added.
“Bit of a difference from Sir George,” said the other.
“Ah, it was the ‘orses did for him,” said Mr. Burnaby indulgently. “Never ‘ad no luck.” “What did he get for the place?” “A cool sixty thousand, so I’ve heard.” The lean man whistled.
Mr. Burnaby went on triumphantly: “And they say she’ll have spent another sixty thousand before she’s finished!” “Wicked!” said the lean man. “Where’d she get all that money from?” “America, so I’ve heard. Her mother was the only daughter of one of those millionaire blokes. Quite like the pictures, isn’t it?” The girl came out of the post office and climbed into the car.
As she drove off the lean man followed her with his eyes.
He muttered: “It seems all wrong to me—her looking like that. Money and looks–it’s too much! Ifa girl’s as rich as that she’s no right to be a good-looker as well. And she is a good-looker… Got everything that girl has. Doesn’t seem fair…” ii
Extract from the social column of the Daily Blague.
“Among those supping at Chez Ma Tante I noticed beautiful Linnet Ridgeway. She was with the Hon. Joanna Southwood, Lord Windlesham and Mr.
Toby Bryce. Miss Ridgeway, as everyone knows, is the daughter of Melhuish Ridgeway who married Anna Hartz. She inherits from her grandfather, Leopold Hartz, an immense fortune. The lovely Linnet is the sensation of the moment, and it is rumoured that an engagement may be announced shortly. Certainly Lord Windlesham seemed very pris!”
Death on the Nile – Agatha Christie 2/263 | Previous page | Next page |