A Man Lay Dead. Ngaio Marsh
has stayed here regularly for many years and has always been on excellent terms with my servants.’
‘They tell me the dagger is of Russian origin.’
‘Its history is Russian, its origin Mongolian,’ said Sir Hubert. He briefly related the story of the knife.
‘H’m,’ said Alleyn. ‘Scratch a Russian and you use a Mongolian knife. Had your servant seen this delightful museum piece?’
‘Yes. He must have seen it. Now I come to think of it, he was in the hall when Rankin first produced it.’
‘Did he comment on it in any way?’
‘Vassily? No,’ Handesley hesitated and turned to Nigel and Angela. ‘Wait a moment, though. Didn’t he say something when Tokareff was holding forth about the knife and its association with a bratsvo?’
‘I think he did,’ said Nigel slowly. ‘He made some remark in Russian. Doctor Tokareff said, “This peasant agrees with me,” and you, sir, told Vassily he could go.’
‘That is how it was,’ agreed Angela.
‘I see. Rum coincidence that the knife, your butler, and your guest should all be of the same nationality.’
‘Not very odd,’ said Angela. ‘Uncle Hubert has always kept up his interest in Russia—especially since the war. Charles was familiar with his collection of weapons and brought this horrible thing down specially for Uncle Hubert to see.’
‘Yes. Is the dagger interesting from the point of view of the collector?’
Handesley winced and glanced at Angela. ‘It interested me enormously,’ he said. ‘I offered to buy it.’
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