2 The Affair of the Mutilated Mink

Author:James Anderson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-02-28T21:48:24.968000+00:00

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The stable clock was striking four forty-five when a white Bentley swept up the now slush-covered drive of Alderley and skidded to a halt outside the great front door, with a fanfare on its horn. The driver - a dark, sharp-faced man, with a toothbrush moustache - jumped out and opened the rear door. The man who emerged was tall and broad-shouldered. The driver ran up the steps in front of him and rang the doorbell just a few seconds before it was opened by the imperturbable-as-ever figure of Merryweather. The tall man strode in without being invited.

He was wearing a stylish full-length vicuna motoring coat, a grey Homburg hat, grey suede gloves and grey spats. He had a large Roman nose, piercing dark eyes, and an upturned waxed moustache. He removed his hat to reveal curly black hair, saying as he did so, 'Allgood of the Yard. Kindly inform your master that I have arrived.'

Merryweather turned. 'Oh, here is his lordship, sir.'

The Earl bustled forward, Wilkins at his heels. 'Chief Superintendent Allgood?'

'St. John Allgood, yes. Of Scotland Yard.' He pulled off his gloves and held out his hand. 'How do you do, Burford? We haven't met, but I believe we have several mutual friends — Tubby Charrington, Pongo Smith-Smythe, Bertie Bassington.'

'Oh, yes, yes, of course. Delighted to meet you, my dear chap. How de do?'

Allgood snapped his fingers, and his driver hurried forward and helped to divest him of his coat. Under it Allgood was wearing a superbly cut grey pinstripe suit, with an Old Etonian tie. 'Understand you've been having a spot of bother here, Burford.'

'You could put it like that.'

'Ah, well, we'll soon clear that up.'

'I sincerely hope so. I don't know what you'd care to do first . . . ?'

'First I must meet the local man and get the facts. I take it he's around somewhere.'

Wilkins, on whose face had appeared an expression closely resembling that on Lord Burford's when he had met Rex Ransom, cleared his throat nervously. 'That's me, sir.'

Allgood stared. 'You? Oh, I didn't realise. Don't exactly look the part, do you?' He chuckled, revealing a great many large and very white teeth. 'Wilkins, is that right?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Right. Where can we talk?'

'Well, his lordship has kindly given us the use of the small music room.'

'Excellent.' He turned back to the Earl. 'I'll talk to you in due course, Burford. And the rest of your household.'

'Oh, yes, of course. If there's anything you want . . . ?'

'Yes, tea; China, please. And muffins.' He addressed his driver: 'Chalky, bring my cases in and take them up to my room.'

'Yes, guv.' Chalky hurried out.

Lord Burford looked a bit taken aback. 'Oh, er, you stayin'?'

Allgood turned slowly to face him again. 'I thought that was understood. It's the usual thing in cases like this. Much more convenient. Means the trouble gets cleared up far quicker. Only be for a couple of nights. Of course, if it's not possible, I suppose there's a hostelry of some sort in the village.

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