1464205817 by Miles Burton

Author:Miles Burton [Burton, Miles]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Published: 2015-12-09T22:00:00+00:00

XIII

Before attempting to arrange these further facts in their proper places, Arnold decided to pay one more call. He took the tube to Hampstead and went to Mrs. Wardour’s house. On presenting his card, he was informed that Mrs. Wardour was at home and would see him.

He would have had no difficulty in recognising her as Sir Wilfred’s daughter. Her features resembled his, and she had that typical hardness of expression which seemed to be a characteristic of the Saxonby family. She received Arnold without any surprise.

“I have heard of you before, Inspector,” she said. “You have been down to Mavis Court, inquiring about my father’s death, I believe?”

“That is correct, Mrs. Wardour,” Arnold replied. “Now I am going to invoke your help in my investigation.”

“You are welcome to what help I can give you, but I know very little about the matter, since I was abroad at the time. But of one thing I’m perfectly certain. My father never shot himself, whatever people may say.”

“Would you mind telling me what makes you so certain?”

“My knowledge of my father’s character, and of his views upon suicide. It was a subject upon which he felt very strongly. He held that suicide, under any circumstances whatever, was a crime unpardonable both in this world and the next. Besides, even if he had acted against his principles, a thing which I have never known him do, there was absolutely nothing to make him wish to end his life.”

“He had no worries with regard to business, Mrs. Wardour?”

“The business has never been so flourishing as it is now, and everything is running perfectly smoothly. I can assure you that he can have had no worries, whether about business or anything else.”

There was a short pause before Arnold spoke again. “You realise that the alternative to suicide is a very grave one, Mrs. Wardour?”

“Of course I do. My father was murdered. I realised that as soon as I heard what had happened. And I expect the police to bring his murderer to justice.”

“They will do their best, you may rest assured of that. But can you give me any reason why any one should have murdered Sir Wilfred?”

“I would not have believed that anybody would have done such a thing. No doubt you are aware that several people will benefit by my father’s will?”

“You refer, no doubt, to his employees?”

Mrs. Wardour shrugged her shoulders impatiently. “Oh, yes, they get a few small sums, of course. But there is one person who gets a legacy out of all proportion. How my father was persuaded into such a thing, I can’t imagine.”

“Who is that person, Mrs. Wardour?” Arnold asked innocently.

“My cousin Olivia. Twenty-five thousand pounds! Why, it’s monstrous! My father burdens himself with a girl who is practically a pauper, gives her a home and keeps her in every luxury, and then, when he dies, leaves her all that money. What Richard will say when he hears of it, I don’t know.”

“Surely you are not suggesting

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