The Golden Box by Crane Frances

Author:Crane, Frances [Crane, Frances]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: llinois, Mystery
Publisher: Rue Morgue Press
Published: 1942-05-25T18:00:18+00:00

Chapter 25

When I came down next morning it was another lovely day. The ground mist had lifted early and the sun shone again on warm golden-browns, mauve grays, and bright greens. Peg was already getting breakfast. She was dressed to go out, all but a hat and gloves, just as I was. Mary hadn’t come back so we sat down to coffee and toast and orange juice in the kitchen. Bill had gone to work at seven o’clock.

“You’re sticking by Pat, aren’t you?” Peg asked. I said I was, and told her about the funny doings last night. She frowned and asked, “Listen, Jean, he knows what he’s doing, doesn’t he?” I moved an eyebrow and said I was quite sure he did. “About this money,” she said then, and slapped her jacket pocket. “I’m carrying it on me, see! I guess I’d better deposit it. Then Ernest can’t stop payment, at least. I’m the church treasurer this year and no one in the church needs to know about the money for a few days, if Pat wants to keep it secret, but at the same time I don’t want everybody being double-crossed by Ernest Fabian canceling the check.” I could see her point. “Also, I’m going to that inquest. Nora’s not. Mike won’t let her. Bill’s let out of serving on the jury, and some one of us ought to be there, just in case.”

The phone rang. There was an extension in the kitchen. “It’s thevet,” Peg said, with her hand over the mouthpiece. “He wants to know what about Toby. Says he’s all right and should he bring him home. I’d leave him there another day or two, Jean.”

“All right,” I said.

She told the doctor to keep the cat till we called for him, and came back to the table. The phone rang again. “Let me get it this time,” I said, and answered. “Long distance for Miss Jean Holly,” the operator said. I said, “Go ahead.” She said, ““We want Miss Jean Holly.” I said, “Speaking.” “You’re Miss Holly?” she said, still doubting it apparently. I wanted to kid her then but I just said, “Yes.” She put the call through as if reluctantly. “Hello, Jean,” a voice said. It was Patrick Abbott’s. “I’ll be along about ten minutes to ten. Coming with me?” I said, “Yes.” “Will you tell Peggy, please, to go ahead and deposit that check? Suggest she’s down there when the bank opens.” I said that she had the same idea already. “Fine,” he said. “Be seeing you,” he said. I heard his receiver click.

“Where are you calling from?” I asked, but it was too late. I jiggled the receiver and asked the operator, who vowed that she had no idea where the call had come from. I went back to the table and reported the conversation to Peg.

“Long distance? But where from?” Peg asked.

“The operator said she didn’t know.”

“Like fish she doesn’t!” Peg said. She bounced over to the telephone and asked the girl what I had asked her and the girl said promptly, “St.

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