Read Kazuo Ishiguro for Free Online Page B

have noticed anything.
    Then eventually I heard the sound of a shoe scraping on stone somewhere near the entrance to the garden. By then it was starting to seem unnatural that I should remain on my belly for such a long time, and in any case, I had exhausted the investigations I could usefully carry out in such a posture.
    Moreover, I had not entirely forgotten I was lying at almost the exact spot where a murder had been committed, and that the murderer was still at large. A chilly sensation passed through me as I clambered to my feet, and dusting my clothes, turned to face the intruder.
    The sight of Sarah Hemmings did of course rather surprise me, but I am sure nothing unusual showed on my face. I had set my features to convey annoyance, and I would suppose that is what she saw, for her opening words to me were: ‘Oh! Didn’t mean to spy on you. But it seemed too good an opportunity. To watch the great man at his work, I mean.’
    I searched her face carefully, but could detect no sarcasm.
    Nevertheless, I kept my voice cold as I said: ‘Miss Hemmings.
    This is most unexpected.’
    ‘I heard you were here. I’m spending a few days with my friend in Pemleigh. It’s only just up the road.’
    She paused, no doubt expecting me to respond. When I remained silent, she showed no sign of being perturbed, but instead came walking towards me.
    ‘I’m quite a good friend of the Emerys, did you know?’ she continued. ‘Awful business, this murder.’
    ‘Yes, awful.’
    ‘Ah. So you too believe it to be murder. Well, I suppose that sort of clinches it. Do you have a theory, Mr Banks?’
    I gave a shrug. ‘I’ve formed a few ideas, yes.’
    ‘It’s too bad for the Emerys they didn’t think to ask you for help when it all first happened last April. I mean to say, bringing Celwyn Henderson on to a case like this! What did they expect? That man should have been put out to pasture long ago. Just shows you how out of touch people get living out here. Anyone in London could have told them all about you, of course.’
    This last remark did, I have to confess, intrigue me somewhat, so that after a moment’s hesitation, I found myself asking her: ‘Excuse me, but told them what, exactly?’
    ‘Why, that you’re the most brilliant investigative mind in England, of course. We could all have told them that last spring, but the Emerys - it’s taken them this long to cotton on.
    Better late than never, perhaps, but I suppose the trail’s gone rather cold for you by now.’
    ‘As it happens, there are some advantages in coming to a case after some time has elapsed.’
    ‘Really? How fascinating. I always thought it was essential to get there quick, to pick up the scent, you know.’
    ‘On the contrary, it’s never too late to, as you put it, pick up the scent.’
    ‘But isn’t it so depressing, how this crime’s eaten away at people’s spirits here? And not just the household. It’s the whole of Shackton that’s started to rot. This used to be a happy and thriving market town. Now look at them, they barely meet each other’s eyes. This whole business has dragged them down into a mire of suspicion. I tell you, Mr Banks, if you can solve this thing, they’ll remember you here for ever.’
    ‘Do you really think so? That would be curious.’
    ‘No doubt about it. They’d be so grateful. Yes, they’ll be talking about you here for generations.’
    I let out a short laugh. ‘You seem to know the village well, Miss Hemmings. And I thought you spent all your time in London.’
    ‘Oh, I can only take so much of London, then I’ve just got to come away. I’m not a city girl at heart, you know.’
    ‘You surprise me. I always thought you were much drawn to city life.’
    ‘You’re quite right, Mr Banks.’ A note of resentment had come into her voice, as though I had tricked her into a corner.
    ‘Something does draw me to the city. It does have its… its attractions for me.’ For the first time, she turned away