The Erotic Memoirs of Ambrose Horne by Chrissie Bentley

Author:Chrissie Bentley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Xcite Books
Published: 2010-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

The Strange Case of the Reluctant Smuggler

The evening fog was rolling in, as Ambrose Horne finally took his leave of the dock, pulling up the collar of his military greatcoat to keep out the chill, and thrusting his hands into the deep pockets.

‘I think a drink is in order?’

His companion, the short, portly figure that could not have disguised its profession if its life depended upon the deception, glanced up at him. ‘A drink is definitely in order,’ Inspector Toynbee replied. ‘And then, perhaps, you will be good enough to explain the meaning of this charade?’

Horne remained silent for a moment, as though uncertain whether to be amused, or affronted, by the policeman’s remark. He chose, at length, to be amused. ‘I will explain,’ he said, ‘but only because you are too dunderheaded to have figured it out for yourself. No wonder little boys take such delight in knocking policemen’s helmets off their heads. It’s worth the telling off, just to see the look of confusion on their faces.’

Now it was Toynbee’s turn to fall silent. It had not been his idea to involve Horne in this investigation; neither had it been his decision to allow the man free rein across every aspect of the case. And now that it was all over, and the felon was on a trans-Atlantic steamer to freedom, Toynbee couldn’t help but wonder just what the point of the entire affair was? Dash it all, it really was the most confounded business; and, as the two men turned one dark corner after another, and another welcoming public house disappeared into the night behind them, it was clear that it was not over yet.

Horne finally halted at a most unprepossessing doorway, the single opening in the towering grey wall that had risen up before them. ‘Our journey’s end, Inspector,’ he remarked with just a hint of that unctuousness that Toynbee found so infuriating. ‘A little off the beaten track, but I think you will find its diversions worthwhile.’

He produced a key from his breast pocket and, for a moment, Toynbee thought they had simply arrived at one of Horne’s own abodes – apparently, he had several, each one leased to another of his many aliases. That impression, however, was dismissed the moment they entered the building.

Three liveried man-servants stood attentively in the hallway, one sweeping away the visitors’ coats and hats, another holding a second door open, a third falling into step behind them as Toynbee blinked in the sudden splendour and brilliance of the room they were entering – a vast ballroom, around which any number of couples disported in states of undress that the Inspector himself could scarcely believe.

Drawing himself up to his full height, puffing out his chest, Toynbee turned to Horne with an expression of absolute fury – that was deflated the moment he caught the detective’s eye, followed his glance and found himself face-to-face with three of his own superiors from Scotland Yard, themselves revelling in the embrace of any number of lithe young women.

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