Danger of Defeat by Edward Marston

Author:Edward Marston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2023-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Before he could contact Pegasus Costumes, Clifford Burge was pounced on by Claude Chatfield. The superintendent demanded to know where he had been and what he had discovered. Burge managed to convince him that progress of sorts had been achieved, but that much more needed to be done. Once he had escaped from Chatfield, he rushed to a telephone. He rang Beatrice Naylor’s number and managed to catch her as she was about to leave the building and lock up for the night.

‘I was hoping that you would still be there,’ he said.

‘This is quite early for me, Sergeant Burge,’ she said. ‘I often stay here until eight or nine. There’s so much to do.’

‘I just wondered if you’d found out anything else about that actress you mentioned.’

‘Yes, I have, as it happens. I found a review of the production of Pride and Prejudice in an old copy of The Stage. That’s a weekly publication that’s become the voice of British theatre. Hold on a moment and I’ll get it.’ The line went silent for the best part of thirty seconds, then she was back. ‘Here it is,’ she said, before clearing her throat. ‘Everyone knows that the major protagonists in Jane Austen’s most famous novel are Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy. That was not the case in last night’s performance. It was dominated by Elizabeth’s mother, the redoubtable Mrs Bennet. Miranda Darnell gave such a brilliant portrayal of the character that she stole the show.’ I agree wholeheartedly,’ said Beatrice. ‘In those days, Miranda was a gifted actress. Now, I’m afraid, she’s just a poor, old woman, ignored by the profession she served so well.’

‘She may also be a poor, old woman who drifted into crime,’ he reminded her.

‘That’s true. You’ll have to forgive me for being sentimental about her. If she really is the person whom you’re after, I’ll be shocked and disappointed. But I hope you catch her soon.’

‘You may be able to help me to do that, Miss Naylor. We can try to track her down but you’re likely to find her more quickly than we can because you know the world that she moved in.’

‘I’ll give you all the help I can, Sergeant Burge,’ she said, ‘but it may take time. London is a very large city with plenty of hiding places. It won’t be easy to find the one that Miranda is in.’ She clicked her tongue. ‘What a shame! She made the part of Mrs Bennet her own. The only place she can play it now is in the shop of a gullible jeweller in Shadwell.’

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