White Wig (Paul Rivington Book 2) by Gerald Verner

Author:Gerald Verner [Verner, Gerald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Published: 2019-06-26T22:00:00+00:00

17

A Job for Bob

Paul spent the evening quietly, lounging comfortably in his favourite armchair, and smoking with half-closed eyes, only moving to consume the excellent dinner that his cook provided, and returning to his original position immediately after the meal. The more that he thought over the idea that had obtruded on his consciousness like the sudden switching on of a light in a dark room, the more convinced he became that it was the right one. It explained several things that were otherwise unexplainable. At the same time, there still remained a great deal that must be fitted in. But he was certain that he was on the right track, although the bridge between suspicion and certainty was a long one. He went to bed at last, still thinking over the problem, and when at seven-thirty his early morning tea was brought he had come to a definite decision regarding his next move.

Immediately after breakfast he put through a telephone call to Mr. Robin. The inspector had just arrived, and he listened with interest to what his friend had to say, although Paul carefully refrained from mentioning the person on whom his suspicion centred.

‘I’ll come along in about an hour and a half, Paul,’ he promised. ‘There are one or two things I’ve got to see to here first, and then I’ll be along.’

The detective hung up the receiver and filled in the time while he was waiting for Mr. Robin’s appearance by making notes of his conclusions concerning the Blue Moon mystery. He had barely finished these when the inspector was announced. He looked tired and rather harassed.

‘I’ve been up before the Assistant Commissioner,’ he explained when Paul commented on this. ‘He wants to know how the case against Lonsdale is going, and seems to think that we’ve been rather slow. In a nutshell, what he wants is this. We’ve either got to bring a definite charge against him and get him committed for trial, or release him altogether.’

Paul’s face was grave. ‘If you release Lonsdale,’ he said earnestly, ‘you’ll be an accessory to murder!’

Round Robin stared at him. ‘I don’t get you,’ he muttered. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean this,’ said Paul. ‘At the present moment Richard Lonsdale is safe. But once the charge of murder against him is definitely withdrawn, and he is released, his life will be in danger. As I see it, this plot not only involves the murder of William Hooper, but the death of Richard Lonsdale as well to make it successful. If that death is brought about by the law, all well and good, but if it isn’t — if the law refuses to hang Lonsdale — then the person at the back of this business will have to take more drastic steps.’

‘Who do you think this person is?’ asked Mr. Robin quickly.

Paul shook his head. ‘I’d rather not say at present,’ he said. ‘Let’s call him Mr. X.’

‘Well, I don’t see how we can hold Lonsdale much longer,’ said Mr. Robin.

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