Death in Ecstasy. Ngaio Marsh

unhappy love affair, do you know?’ pursued Alleyn.

      Father Garnette did not answer for a moment. Then he said sadly:

      â€˜Ah, Inspector Alleyn, we speak in different languages.’

      â€˜I didn’t realize that,’ said Alleyn. ‘Can you translate my question into your own language, or would you rather not answer it?’

      â€˜You misunderstand me. Cara Quayne was not concerned with earthly love; she was on the threshold of a new spiritual life.’

      â€˜And apparently she has crossed it.’

      â€˜You speak more faithfully than you realize. I earnestly believe she has crossed it.’

      â€˜No love affair,’ said Alleyn, and wrote it down in his notebook. ‘Was she on friendly terms with the other Initiates?’

      â€˜There is perfect loving kindness among them. Nay, that does not express my meaning. The Initiates have attained to the third plane where all human relationships merge in an ecstatic indifference. They cannot hate for there is no hatred. They realize that hatred is maya – illusion.’

      â€˜And love?’

      â€˜If you mean earthlah love, that too is illusion.’

      â€˜Then,’ said Alleyn, ‘if you follow the idea to a logical conclusion, what one does cannot matter as long as one’s actions spring from one’s emotions for if these are illusion – or am I wrong?’

      â€˜Ah,’ exclaimed Father Garnette, ‘I knew I was right. We must have a long talk some day, my dear fellow.’

      â€˜You are very kind,’ said Alleyn. ‘What did Miss Wade mean when she said: “All that sort of thing should have been kept out”?’

      â€˜Did Miss Wade say that?’

      â€˜Yes.’

      â€˜I cannot imagine what she meant. The poor soul was very distressed no doubt.’

      â€˜What do you think Mrs Candour meant when she said she knew something dreadful would happen and that she had said so to M. de Ravigne?’

      â€˜I did not hear her,’ answered Father Garnette. His manner suggested that Alleyn as well as Mrs Candour had committed a gross error in taste.

      â€˜Another question, Mr Garnette. In the course of your interviews with Miss Quayne can you remember any incident or remark that would throw any light on this matter?’

      â€˜None.’

      â€˜This is a very well-appointed hall.’

      â€˜We think it beautiful,’ said Father Garnette complacently.

      â€˜Please do not think me impertinent. I am obliged to ask these questions. Is it supported and kept up by subscription?’

      â€˜My people welcome as a privilege the right to share in the hospitalitah of the Sacred Flame.’

      â€˜You mean they pay the running expenses?’

      â€˜Yes.’

      â€˜Was Miss Quayne a generous supporter?’

      â€˜Dear soul, yes, indeed she was.’

      â€˜Do you purchase the wine for the ceremony?’

      â€˜I do.’

      â€˜Would you mind giving me the name of this wine and the address of the shop?’

      â€˜It comes from Harrods. I think the name is – let me see – “Le Comte’s Invalid Port”.’

      Alleyn repressed a shudder and wrote it down.

      â€˜You decant it yourself? I mean you pour it into the silver flagon?’

      â€˜On this occasion, no. I believe Claude Wheatley made all the preparations this evening.’

      â€˜Would you mind telling me exactly what he would have done?’

      â€˜Certainly. He would take an unopened bottle of wine from a cupboard in my room, draw the cork and pour the contents into the vessel. He would then make ready the goblet.’

      â€˜Make ready – ?’

      Father Garnette’s expression changed a little. He looked at once mulish and haughty. ‘A certain preparation is necessarah,’ he said grandly.

      â€˜Oh, yes, of course. You mean the flame that appeared. How was that done? Methylated spirit?’

      â€˜In tabloid form,’ confessed Father Garnette.

      â€˜I know,’ cried Alleyn cheerfully. ‘The things women use for heating curling-tongs.’

      â€˜Possiblah,’ said Father Garnette stiffly. ‘In our ritual, Inspector Alleyn, the goblet itself is holy and blessed. By the very act of pouring in the wine, this too becomes sacred – sacred by contact with the Cup. Our ceremony of the Cup, though it embraces the virtues of various communions in Christian churches, is actually entirely different in essentials and in intention.’

      â€˜I was not,’ said Alleyn, coldly, ‘so mistaken as to suspect any affinity. Having filled the flagon Mr Wheatley would then put it – where?’

      â€˜In that niche over there on our right of the sanctuarah.’

      â€˜And what is the procedure with the methylated tablet?’

      â€˜Prior to the service Claude comes before the altar and after prostrating himself three times, draws the Sacred Cup from its Monstrance. As he does this he repeats a little prayer in Norse. He genuflects thrice and then rising to his feet he – ah – he –’

      â€˜Drops in the tablet and puts the cup away again?’

      â€˜Yes.’

      â€˜I see. Mr Bathgate tells me the flame appeared after you laid your hands over the cup. How is this done?’

      â€˜I – ah – I employ a little capsule,’ said Father Garnette.

      â€˜Really? What does it contain?’

      â€˜I believe the substance is known as zinc – ah – ethyl.’

      â€˜Oh, yes. Very ingenious. You turn away for a moment as you use it perhaps?’

      â€˜That is so.’

      â€˜It all seems quite clear now. One more question. Has there, to your knowledge, ever been any form of poison kept on the premises of this building?’

      Father Garnette turned as white as his robes and said no, definitely not.

      â€˜Thank you very much. I greatly appreciate your courtesy in answering so readily. I hope you will not mind very much if I ask you to wait in the – is that a vestry over there? It is! – in the vestry, while I see these other people. No doubt you will be glad to change into less ceremonial dress.’

      â€˜I shall avail myself of the opportunitah to regain in meditation my tranquilitah and spiritual at-oneness.’

      â€˜Do,’ said Alleyn cordially.

      â€˜My subconscious mind, impregnated with the word, will flow to you-wards. In all humilitah I believe I may help you in your task. There are more things in Heaven and earth, Inspector Alleyn –’

      â€˜There are indeed, sir,’ agreed the inspector dryly. ‘Have you any objection to being searched before you go?’