Detection Unlimited by Georgette Heyer

Author:Georgette Heyer [Heyer, Georgette]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Mystery
ISBN: 9780755108862
Goodreads: 1309052
Publisher: House of Stratus
Published: 2010-03-14T18:30:00+00:00

'Whatever for?' demanded Carsethorn, staring.

'To get her to talk. She looked like the sort that shuts up like a clam the instant you start to ask a few straight questions, and this I will say for the Chief: to hear him getting people to tell him every last thing he wants to know, and a lot more besides, is a downright education!'

'I can see he's got a way with him,' agreed the Sergeant. 'Sickening, none of those bullets matched! Seems to me we're back where we started.'

To this Harbottle vouchsafed no more than a grunt, and as he saw Mrs. Midgeholme bearing down upon them, the Sergeant effaced himself.

Mrs. Midgeholme, like Colonel Scales, wanted the Chief Inspector. Unlike the Colonel, she expressed her dissatisfaction at not finding him. She said that she particularly wished to drop a word in his ear.

'Well, madam, if you care to step across the road to the police-station, you can tell me whatever it is you wish the Chief Inspector to know, and I'll see he does know it,' offered Harbottle.

Mrs. Midgeholme betrayed an unflattering reluctance to accept him as a substitute. 'I'd rather speak to the Chief Inspector,' she said.

'Just as you wish, madam,' said Harbottle, unmoved.

'When do you expect him back?' she asked.

'I couldn't say at all, madam.'

'Oh, dear, that's most awkward!'

Major Midgeholme, who was looking harassed, said: 'We ought to be getting along, Flora, or we shall miss the 'bus. Really, you know, I don't think it's necessary for you to meddle in what isn't our business!'

This intervention was, in the Inspector's opinion, unfortunate, for it had the effect of strengthening Mrs. Midgeholme in her resolve. 'No, Lion!' she said firmly. 'It is every citizen's duty to help the police as much as they can. Besides, I think it only right that he should be put on his guard. If you're quite sure there's no chance of my being able to see the Chief Inspector himself, I suppose I'd better give you a message for him,' she added, to Harbottle. 'Don't wait for me, Lion! I shall come out on the later 'bus.'

She then accompanied the Inspector to the police-station, informing him on the way that only her sense of duty had brought her to Bellingham, one of her more valuable bitches having produced her first litter during the night. Without receiving the smallest encouragement, she then described in enthusiastic detail the puppies, adding some useful tips on the correct feeding and care of brood bitches. To all of which the Inspector said, as he ushered her into Hemingway's temporary office: 'Yes, madam?' He then put forward a chair for her, and himself sat down behind the desk, drawing a sheet of official paper towards him, and unscrewing the cap from his fountain-pen.

'Of course, I'm not making a statement, exactly,' said Mrs. Midgeholme, impressed by these preparations. 'Not that I mind having what I say taken down.'

But in the event the Inspector found it unnecessary to take any notes at all.

'As soon as I found out what was going on,' said Mrs.

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