The Murder of Caroline Bundy by Alice Campbell

Author:Alice Campbell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dean Street Press
Published: 2022-04-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Neil was still puzzled and annoyed over this interview when, early next morning, he repaired to Stoke Paulton. Natasha, in her refusal to face facts, was either wilfully obstinate, or else over-anxious to find scapegoats—an unspoken conclusion which must have communicated itself to her, for she had grown silent and aloof. However, here he was, bent on a personal investigation. If nothing came of it, it would not be his fault.

Tilbury himself opened the door, and though his eyes lit eagerly at sight of Neil, he seemed unduly careworn for one just come into an unexpected fortune. Overcome by his new responsibilities, perhaps, or apprehensive of what public opinion would say, but if a third element lurked behind his ill-concealed nervousness, it was impossible to tell.

“I was hoping you’d come, sir,” he babbled hospitably.

“Poor Miss Bundy wouldn’t want you to interrupt your work, and I needn’t tell you ’er wish is law. Con and me was saying only this morning as ’ow you was to look on this ’ouse as your own. Your old room’s ready for you, if and when you choose to use it.”

Unable to keep his eyes from the band of crape on the other’s arm and the strange trembling of his hands, Neil thanked him, adding that for the present he would stick to the existing arrangement. A moment later, shut in the study, he stationed himself by the window till he saw Crabbe go past, then signalled and whispered a few cautious words. In half an hour’s time he was back in his car, waiting in the lane behind the estate. Here he was joined by the butler, to whom, as they drove off, he broached the subject of Tilbury’s recent illness.

“I’d rather not be seen talking to you,” he explained. “For obvious reasons, but I want you to give me a detailed account of what happened here last Friday evening.”

“Yes, sir, I guessed it was that. The lawyer, Mr. Powyss, has already taken me over the same ground, and so has Miss Braselton. I’ll tell you just what I told them—and God knows,” he added with sudden vindictiveness, “I wish I could make it different!”

This did not sound hopeful, and the story which followed was even less so. The bailiff, it seemed, had complained of cramps off and on all day, though he made light of his indisposition and did not give in till late in the afternoon—in fact, directly after the telephone call from Miss Bundy.

“And, by the way, sir, did you notice how quick he was to get to that telephone? It’s my place to answer it, not his, but he’d taken off the receiver before you could say wink. When I saw him in the hall I left him to it, but it crossed my mind he’d been waiting and listening, ready to jump to the line, if you understand me.”

“Yes, I, too, thought he might have been expecting Miss Bundy to ring up, but I don’t see that we can make anything of that.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.