Georgette Heyer_Inspector Hannasyde 03 by They Found Him Dead

Author:They Found Him Dead
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Police Procedural, Inspector (Fictitious Character), Mystery & Detective, Hannasyde, General, England, Traditional British, Police, Fiction
ISBN: 9780745172811
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 1937-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

Nine

Sir Adrian walked forward to the door, which stood open, and stepped unhurriedly out into the porch. From a taxi piled with luggage, which seemed to consist mostly of battered tin trunks and canvas hold-alls, a weather-beaten-looking lady of medium height and stocky build had alighted, and was fervently embracing young Mr Harte. Her hat, a battered felt, was set rakishly over a crop of thick grey hair; she wore a coat and skirt of light tweed which needed pressing, heavy brogue shoes, and a handkerchief-scarf knotted round her neck.

‘This is most unexpected, my dear,’ remarked Sir Adrian, advancing towards her.

Lady Harte released Timothy, and greeted her husband in a brisk, cheerful voice. ‘Hullo, Adrian! My dear man, you’re thinner than ever!’ She kissed him vigorously, and turned immediately to direct the activities of the taxi-driver and a young footman. For several minutes her attention was fully occupied, and the air seemed to resound with her incisive commands. ‘Keep the large trunk the right way up, and be careful how you handle the knapsack. I shan’t want the hold-all: you’d better store it somewhere for me. No, wait a moment! I think I packed the python’s skin in it. Leave it in the hall: I’ll unpack it there. Had the luck to stumble on a full-sized python my first day out on safari, Adrian. Beautiful skin, and not much damaged. First shot I fired with the new Grant and Lang, too. S.S.G. shot, of course. I’m thinking of having it stuffed to make a standard for a lamp. No, don’t bring that packing-case into the house: I shan’t want it. One or two rather good heads, Adrian, including a sable. I meant to send them to be mounted when I was in town, but I’ve had so much to think of I forgot. Where’s Jim?’

‘I think he has gone out in his speed-boat,’ replied Sir Adrian. ‘What has brought you back so unexpectedly, Norma?’

‘I’ll tell you all about that in a minute,’ responded his wife. ‘I must see this stuff disposed of first. I see I seem to have brought my canvas bath with me. That was a mistake, of course. I had meant to leave it in town. It had better be put in the garage, or somewhere. Yes, and the canteen: I shan’t want that. I’ve been in such a rush ever since I landed, that I’ve had no time to sort things out yet. However, it doesn’t matter: there’s plenty of room here to store everything.’

‘Mummy, when did you get back?’ demanded Timothy. ‘Do you know Cousin Silas and Cousin Clement have been murdered? Do you know I was actually here when it all happened, mum? Oh, mum, do listen!’

‘I am listening, my pet. Don’t pick that topee-case up by the handle: it’s broken. Yes, Timothy, I know: thrilling for you, darling! You shall tell me all about it presently.’

By this time the footman had been reinforced by the arrival of Pritchard. Lady Harte, announcing that she

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