“And very nicely timed,” Roger remarked, glancing out of the window. “We shall be at Victoria in five minutes. Well, thanks very much for telling me like that, Alec. And now let us proceed madly to forget all about it, shall we?” “There’s one thing that’s been worrying me rather,” Alec said slowly. “Do you think I ought to tell Barbara?” “Good heavens above, no!” Roger shouted, staring at his companion in dismay. “What on earth would you want to tell her for? She’d only be overcome with shame that you knew anything about her mother’s shortcomings; and the fact that you’d killed a man more or less on account of her would simply make her wretchedly miserable. Of course you mustn’t dream of telling her, you goop!” “I think you’re probably right,” Alec said, gazing out of the window. The train began to slacken speed, and the long, snaky Victoria platforms appeared in sight. Roger stood up and began to lift his suitcase off the rack. “I think we might stay up in town this evening and do a dinner and a show, don’t you?” he said cheerfully. “I feel as if I want a little relaxation after my strenuous mental efforts of the last two days.” Something seemed to be troubling Alec. “You know,” he said awkwardly, “somehow I can’t help wondering. Are you really sure, Roger, that it wouldn’t be best for me to go and tell the police? I mean, it isn’t as if they’d have me up for a murder or anything like that; nothing worse than manslaughter, I should imagine. And I daresay I should get off altogether on the self-defence idea. But are you sure it isn’t really the right thing to do?” Roger gazed down at his companion with disfavour. “For heaven’s sake, Alec, _do_ try sometimes not to be so disgustingly conventional!” he said scornfully. The End Transcriber’s Notes “The Layton Court Mystery” was first published anonymously in 1926, the author being identified only as “?”. This transcription follows the text of the edition published by Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc. in 1929 (which identifes the author as Anthony Berkeley). The following alterations have been made to correct what are believed to be unambiguous errors in the text: * “enploymemt” to “employment” (Chapter XIV); * “Alter all” to “After all” (Chapter XVI); * “acquiesence” to “acquiescence” (Chapter XXV); * “whoseever” to “whosoever” (Chapter XXVIII); * “overwheleming” to “overwhelming” (Chapter XXVIII).