The Grim Maiden by Brian Flynn

Author:Brian Flynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dean Street Press
Published: 2021-06-09T00:00:00+00:00

3

THE LAST LETTER OF THE ALPHABET

Anthony welcomed Andrew MacMorran into his private room of the “Black Horse”. MacMorran’s face, hitherto clouded, cleared when he saw Anthony waiting for him. Anthony grinned at him as they shook hands.

“No deception, Andrew. It’s the man himself. Same gentleman going the other way. Unharmed and free from the scars of conflict. But sit down. I’ve prevailed on the management to serve a couple of lunches in here for us. As I indicated when we were last together. While we’re disposing of the grub, I’ll talk to you. Tales of far Kashmir, old man. I’ll give ’em a ring.”

Anthony rang the bell and his lunches were duly brought, the table laid and the meal started. The inspector stated that he had not yet been as far as ‘Christopher’s’—he had not had the time. Anthony told the story of his visit to Trevor at Middleton Hall and of the arrangements Trevor had made with him. MacMorran listened attentively until Anthony had finished the account.

“Well, there you are, Andrew,” said the latter. “What do you make of it? That the answer’s a lemon?”

MacMorran grunted. “The whole affair seems crazy to me. Let’s have a look at that file of papers Trevor gave you. It’s on the cards that I may be able to make something of them.”

Anthony handed him the file. The inspector turned them over carefully. “Zancomi’s, Stratford-upon-Avon; Zappelli’s, Dudley; Zaruni’s, Kidderminster; Zerusti’s, Banbury; Zinkomi’s, Bicester . . . yes, they appear to be in alphabetical order. All restaurants, or eathing houses, I presume, from the tenor of your conversation with Trevor. It’s a racket of some kind, of course. That goes without saying. And your job is to collect the doings in each instance. But what are these various café proprietors dubbing up for? That’s the question that bothers me. Counterfeit notes that have been supplied to them by Trevor? From Middleton Hall, which he’s using as H.Q.? Seems to me that’s something like it.” He looked extremely grave as he spoke. “I feel that I’m groping in the dark, Mr. Bathurst, and I don’t cotton on to that position at all. Don’t like it! It definitely disturbs my peace of mind when I’m in that condition. How do you feel about it yourself?”

“Much the same as you do, Andrew. Only more so. At the same time, I think my way is fairly clear, don’t you?”

“You mean to go ahead as you’ve been directed and see what comes of it?”

“That’s the idea. Don’t you think it’s a perfectly sound one?” Anthony waited for MacMorran’s answer. It came.

“Don’t suppose you can do better. As things stand. Keep your eyes open though, all the time, and let me know at once anything you think I should know. I’ll leave that to your judgment. What will you do? Contact the various people in the order they are here?”

He tapped the file of papers with his forefinger. Anthony nodded.

“Yes, I don’t think I can do better than that. I propose to work in the order they are there.

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