Halberds

“Hup!” cried the disembodied voice and the ridiculous outfit moved off round the east wing in the direction of the main courtyard of Halberds.

Tied Up in Tinsel Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 1972

She was to think of those few minutes as almost the last spell of general tranquility that she experienced at Halberds.

Tied Up in Tinsel Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 1972

As she walked through the hall and along the passage that led to the library, Troy was struck by the extreme quietude that obtained indoors at Halberds.

Tied Up in Tinsel Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 1972

Did she passionately want to be mistress of Halberds?

Tied Up in Tinsel Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 1972

He had explained in detail to what lengths, and at what enormous expense of time and money, he had gone in the accurate restoration of Halberds.

Tied Up in Tinsel Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 1972

When they reached the turn in the drive where Halberds was fully revealed, Alleyn said that everything had become as clear as mud: Troy had obviously got herself into a film production, on location, of The Castle of Otranto and had been written into the script as the best way of keeping her quiet.

Tied Up in Tinsel Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 1972

The noise out-of-doors was immense: a roar without definition as if all the trees at Halberds had been given voices with which to send themselves frantic.

Tied Up in Tinsel Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 1972

“Are you offering,” Alleyn said lightly, “to give me a breakdown on the inhabitants of Halberds?”

Tied Up in Tinsel Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 1972

Hilary said that when next she visited Halberds she would look down upon lawns and a vista through cypress trees leading to a fountain with stone dolphins.

Tied Up in Tinsel Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 1972

It was the first time Troy had heard Cressida assume an air of authority about Halberds, and she saw that Hilary was delighted.

Tied Up in Tinsel Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 1972