CHAPTER ONEEVIDENCE OF DISLIKE SHORT of murdering the man, I don't think there's any-thing we can do,' said Paul. 'Well, then let's kill Uncle Lionel,' suggested Peter~dly. 'We'll take a show of hands on that,' Paul declared.'Hands up all in favour of murdering the monster.' 'Darling,' murmured Barbara, 'one of these days someoneis going to take you seriously.' 'That hasn't happened in thirty years,' observed Roger,drily. 'I don't see why it should start now.' 'Poor Punchinello,' sighed Paul. 'I am the beginning andthe end of tragedy, and my public laughs at me.' ~But we,' Peter told him, 'are not your public.' 'A prophet has no honour in his own country.' 'America loves you, isn't that enough?' demandedPeter. Paul Briscoe looked at his cousin, his lips pursed in a half-smile which did not touch his eyes. Barbara, his wife, eyedhim a little anxiously, knowing that the gibe had stung.There was no telling what Paul would do or say when hisvanity was piqued. Roger, Peter's brother, stepped into the breach. 'Aren't we getting away from the subject?' he asked. 'There speaks the man of common sense,' said Paul, toBarbara's relief. 'We are. The subject is murder.' 'It isn't,' said Roger. 'It's Uncle Lionel and the familydislike of him.'