Henry Gamadge 10 Somewhere in the House by Elizabeth Daly

Author:Elizabeth Daly [Daly, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781937384432
Publisher: Felony & Mayhem Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Garth

NORDHALL WRAPPED THE head of Nonie tightly up in its newspapers and stood looking around the library. He said: “Don’t suppose the Clayborns want this souvenir, but neither do I.” He went over to a black-oak cabinet, opened it, and stuffed the parcel in on top of some old atlases. Then he came back, picked up his papers and the cardboard box, and said: “Let’s go.”

The big hall was empty, silent, and dimly lighted, the light filtering through coloured glass globes upheld by a bronze figure on the newel post. As Nordhall and Gamadge reached the foot of the stairs, a face with the reddish-purple glow of the lamps on it leaned over the balustrade just at the turn of the landing.

“Lieutenant Nordhall…”

“Yes?”

Garth Clayborn came farther down the flight, his hand on the rail. He said: “Would there be any objection if I got out of this place for a breath of air?”

Nordhall stood looking up at him. He said: “None that I know of, if you can keep clear of the Press. I don’t want you talking to newspapermen and getting your picture taken. Not yet.”

“I can keep clear of them. It’s the best thing I do,” said Garth, laughing, “keeping clear of people I don’t want to see. I’ve had plenty of practice.”

“Bet you have.” Nordhall studied him. “But these fellers—once they get you backed up against a wall, you talk before you know you’re talking.”

“I’ll go out the back way.”

Nordhall asked: “Did you think they hadn’t found the back way? We have two men out there, just to start with.”

“I’ll get by.”

“Would you just as soon wait until a little later, Mr. Clayborn? I have some evidence to put before the family, and you’re a member of it and one of the heirs of the estate. You ought to hear what I have to say.”

“All right.” Garth’s furtive, amused face showed curiosity. “What kind of evidence?”

“You’ll know right away if you’ll go up to the sitting-room with the rest of them.” Nordhall waited a moment, and then asked: “Where did you think of going to?”

“I thought I’d have a walk and a bite of supper somewhere. I wouldn’t look up any of my friends or go to my club. I wouldn’t drop in anywhere I’m known.” Garth added, his narrow face serious: “This thing gets on your nerves.”

“It would on mine, in your place.”

“First I didn’t quite take it in; too pulpy,” said Garth, coming down the stairs until he stood beside Nordhall. “Now I’m beginning to see how it’ll look in the papers, with those pictures they take. I’d like to get out of this morgue for an hour or so and forget about it. After all, it does happen to be my birthday.”

“It’s hard on you two young people, mighty tough. Does Miss Elena Clayborn want to go out too?”

“She’s worrying about her father. But I—nobody in the place cares anything about me, except perhaps Uncle Van; and he only cares because I’m the only Clayborn that can hand down the name.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.