The Man from Scotland Yard by Zenith Brown & David Frome

Author:Zenith Brown & David Frome
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wildside Press
Published: 2021-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

1.

Mr. Arthurington and Diana Barrett sat in the Barretts’ library, talking about what to do under the circumstances.

“It might be dangerous for them to go there,” Mrs. Barrett was saying. “As you say, you don’t know but that somebody’s got a key to your place. They must have done, Albert, or how could they have got in? They might come back. You don’t know their motive. It’s foolish to take the risk.”

“I spoke to Debenham about it this morning,” Mr. Arthurington said. “I must say they’ve been extraordinarily dilatory. They’ve done very little. I’ve not seen Bull or anyone else. Yet I know that Scotland Yard finishes its jobs, Diana. They don’t give up. My belief is that they’ve shifted the center of the investigation. The secret of it lies somewhere else. My house, I firmly believe, was the merest accident.”

“But the point is, how did he get in your house?”

Mr. Arthurington shook his head.

“It’s a mystery to me, Diana.”

“Then it’s all the more absurd,” Mrs. Barrett said vigorously, “to take Joan and Nancy there when I’d love to have them at Abbey Mill. I’ll even take that frightful Mandle woman in the bargain.”

“Well, we’ll see. I’ve had new locks put on the doors. After all, Diana, we’ve got to live in the place. I’m not going to sell it just because . . .”

Mrs. Barrett shrugged.

“Oh very well. Suit yourself. They can always come to Abbey Mill if they don’t like it. By the way, Joan’s turned out very well. St. John thinks she’s beautiful.”

Arthurington smiled.

“I don’t think she’s beautiful,” he said. “Her eyes are nice, and her hair. Her nose turns up a little. I’ve been trying to get her to eat, but she assures me she’s a perfect thirty-four. Nancy, on the other hand, is quite beautiful.”

“They’re different types. Nancy’s hair is gorgeous. It’s the blackest stuff I ever saw. Taggert Leighton’s rather attracted by her, I thought. It’d be a good match except for the money. She’s only got about four hundred a year.”

“The Leightons are fairly well off. I understand Taggert has a good berth with Applegood’s firm.”

Diana shrugged.

“They’ve got Pamela on their hands. Never get her off without a big dot. Taggert’s capable, of course. But a rich wife would help. Always does.”

“Nancy could do with a rich husband,” Mr. Arthurington remarked. “When does St. John get home, by the way?”

“Not before dinner. The Royal Society of something or other is meeting.” Mrs. Barrett’s tone was indifferent. “Then there’s a vestry meeting tonight. Are you going?”

“If you’ll keep my girls I’d like to.”

“Then dine with us. You and St. John can go over together.”

Mrs. Barrett spoke absently, intent on the lengthening ash of her cigarette. She watched it fall to the floor.

Mr. Arthurington watched her.

“You’re a curious mixture, Diana,” he said, leaning back against the cushions and contemplating her with half-amused interest. “Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Always let your cigarette burn to a long ash, and always sit and watch the ash fall.

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