Dennis Wheatley - Duke de Richleau 04 by Three Inquisitive People

Author:Three Inquisitive People [People, Three Inquisitive]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-03-09T12:14:41+00:00

undertake the inquiry. It was doubtless one of the big people in the West End, and I am tolerably well acquainted with them all. I feel they may answer even an authorized inquiry more freely if it is made by someone with whom they have had dealings before.”

“I can get the name from Eaton,” Mr. Schatz agreed, “when I see him in the morning before the inquest, but I don’t see this leads us anywhere. The knowledge that Lady Shoesmith sold her pearls five years ago, or that they were stolen from her last week, doesn’t strengthen our position in any way.”

De Richleau shrugged his elegant shoulders. “Possibly you’re right; but in this case we have so little to go upon, that even the points which have no direct bearing should, I feel, be followed up, in the hope that further information may come to light.”

“In that case,” Simon picked up the necklace again, “don’t you think it would be worth while to try and find out who made this?”

“The fake—sure,” Rex nodded. “That’s the other half of the same question.”

“If Lady Shoesmith pawned, or sold her pearls, or even has the originals put away somewhere for safe keeping, the copy will, I expect, have been made to the order of her jeweller,” the Duke pointed out.

“But if we find the maker,” suggested Simon, “and he was not instructed by the jeweller, or Lady Shoesmith herself, then he was probably instructed by the thief. D’you mind if I take them.” As he spoke he slipped the necklace into his pocket.

Mr. Schatz looked highly disapproving. “I don’t quite think ...” he began. “You know I ought to take them along to the Yard right away.”

“Oh—I see.” Simon narrowed his eyes and smiled. “D’you think so? I’ll give you a receipt for them if you like. As a matter of fact Richard gave them to me—I think you saw him do so at the Club—I passed them on to you for safe keeping, now I’m relieving you of them again.”

“We ought to hand it in, Aron, but if you’ve any special purpose in retaining possession of it”—Mr. Schatz spread out his plump hands—”well, I’ve got my client to think of.”

“In a way I have. You see, I know a lot of funny people.”

Simon stooped his head and laughed nervously into the palm of his hand. “I’d like to show this to one or two of them, just on the off chance, you know.”

“All right, in that case I think we’d better forget you ever gave it to me at all.” Mr. Schatz looked round the table. “But I don’t see the point in all this, I think you’re both wasting time.”

“If the real necklace was stolen we might have a bit of luck and trace the thief,” Simon replied. “But I feel with the Duke that we shouldn’t neglect any line of inquiry.”

“I cannot possibly see how anything which you may find out can have anything to do with the murder,” said Mr.

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