Murder on the Salsette by Edward Marston

Author:Edward Marston [Marston, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2022-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

His visit to the second-class dining saloon was a productive one. While he was still mystified by Lois Greenwood’s apparent rebuff, Dillman was glad that he had decided to forsake an evening meal in first class once more. At least he did not have to pose as a steward and tramp the corridors on this occasion. Instead he was extremely well fed in congenial company. Dining in second class not only gave him a chance to get to know Guljar Singh better, it enabled him to watch Sylvester Greenwood. Nothing about the man’s behaviour suggested that he was capable of committing a serious crime. To all outward appearances, Greenwood was essentially a family man, affectionate towards his wife, attentive to the needs of his daughter, and clearly taking pride in both. Dillman also noted the ease with which Greenwood was able to hold a conversation with the people around him.

Looking at him now, it seemed incredible that the Englishman had stabbed a man to death, and Dillman had to remind himself that Greenwood had lied to him earlier. He was also the same man whose eyes had burned with hatred when they fell on Dudley Nevin, inducing visible fear in the civil servant. Dillman was determined to find out the true nature of the relationship between them.

Guljar Singh broke off from his meal to lean across to his friend.

‘The other day,’ he said, ‘you asked me about Gurkhas.’

‘That’s right,’ agreed Dillman. ‘Why?’

‘You are dining with some of them, Mr Dillman.’

‘Am I?’

‘Yes. Look at the far end of the other table.’

Guljar Singh used a bony finger to point at three men, who, like him, were eating food that met with the rules of their religion. All three of them were young men in their twenties, bearded, wearing turbans and tribal dress, and having the weathered look of mountain warriors. There were other Indians in the room, and several Arabs, but the trio stood out because of the intensity with which they were discussing something, and the way in which they were excluding everyone close to them from the debate. Their faces were serious, their gestures emphatic. The detective was bound to wonder if one of the men was missing his kukri.

‘Never pick a fight with a Gurkha,’ advised Guljar Singh.

‘I’ve no intention of doing so.’

‘They are fearsome soldiers. They fight to the death.’

‘I know of their reputation in the British Army.’

‘They are a loyal people.’

‘Loyal to whom, Mr Singh?’

‘Whoever they pledge themselves to,’ said the old man.

Dillman’s eyes flicked back to Greenwood. Unlike his daughter, he had not even glanced in Dillman’s direction and appeared to be unaware of his presence. What he did do, however, was to keep Lois under close scrutiny, showing a fatherly concern that the detective took for a means of control. Greenwood had the look of a man who would react badly if he knew that his daughter had been roller-skating at night under the stars. Dillman realised how brave Lois must be to defy her father.

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