The Glass Cage by Colin Wilson

Author:Colin Wilson [Wilson, Colin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Detective Novel, Who Dun It, Murder Mystery
ISBN: 9780904247329
Publisher: Random House
Published: 1966-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

It was shortly after three o'clock when they came back to Butler's room. It looked so unchanged from when they left that it was hard to believe what had happened. Butler went immediately to the telephone and dialed. He said, "Hello. Directory inquiries? Sorry to bother you at this time, but it's urgent. I'm trying to trace a man called Sundheim, Gaylord Sundheim, and I think he may have a new number. . . Oh, in the last month, perhaps. Thank you, miss."

He laid the phone on his knee and took out a cigarette. "It's worth trying, anyway. . . Hello. . . Yes. Ex-directory? Ah, I see. I didn't know that. It's rather urgent. Wouldn't it be possible to let me have the number?. . . No, of course, I understand. You're sure it's the right Sundheim? What are his initials? G. G.? Yes, that's him, with the address in Chelsea? Not in Chelsea? Could you tell me where? Well, just what area he's in now. . . No, I see. Of course not. . . Thank you. Good night."

He hung up, grinning. "He's in London. You heard? Ex-directory, though. I tried to find out the area. I should have said Kensington. Never mind. We know he's in town."

Reade stretched, yawning. "I think I'll go and sleep. I'll be able to think better tomorrow."

"Have a drink first. I think we deserve one."

"Not for me. I couldn't bear any more whiskey tonight."

"I shan't sleep without one."

Reade glanced at the bottom shelf of the drink cupboard. "Why do you keep so many directories?"

"Oh, they're old ones. I keep intending to throw them out."

Reade bent down and peered at the spines of the worn directories. He pulled out one labeled April, 1959. He said, "May as well check, anyway." The directory fell open; he saw that it was the right page and felt a prickle of tension, which he suppressed. He ran his finger down the column: Sunderland, Sundfelt. He said, "Here's a Sundheim. Mrs. Beatrice M. Sundheim. Berkeley Mews, Edwardes Square, W.8. Phone Western 4927."

"Marvelous! That could be a relation, perhaps his mother. . ."

"That sounds likely to me. The form of her name -- Beatrice M. Sundheim -- sounds American. You notice that most entries in the directory either give initials, or the Christian name only -- hardly ever a Christian name and initial."

"Yes, you're right. That's typical American. So it could be his mother. . . In fact, it all fits! She's probably a widow. Father dead. And what's more, I'd like to bet she died about two years ago, when he attempted suicide. . ."

Butler reached for the telephone. "I'm going to try again. And hope I don't get on to the same operator. Hello, inquiries?" He grinned at Reade, placing his hand over the mouthpiece for a moment. "It's a man this time. . . Hello, I wonder if you could give me the telephone number of G. G. Sundheim, Berkeley Mews, Edwardes Square, W.8. . . I can't find it in the book.

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