The Bachelors by Muriel Spark

Author:Muriel Spark [Spark, Muriel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-11-12T19:48:56+00:00

Chapter IX

I CAN’T help feeling sorry for little Patrick Seton,’ said Matthew Finch. ‘That widow and her friends seem to be ganging up on him in a most unpleasant way.’

‘I’m sorry for him too, in a way,’ Ronald said.

‘He’s half Irish,’ said Matthew.

‘The thing is: about this letter.’

‘It sounds like Alice’s friend, Elsie,’ Matthew said. ‘I’ll see Elsie this afternoon.’

‘It may be destroyed by now.’

‘I doubt that,’ Matthew said. ‘Alice is a sentimental girl’

‘It’s hardly a sentimental letter.’

‘What does it say?’

‘Get the letter back and you’ll find out.’

‘I know I’m to blame for this, I shouldn’t have told Alice you had it,’ Matthew said. ‘I’m a foolish fellow, you know.’

‘Where will you see Elsie?’

‘I’ll go round to the coffee bar. She’s always on duty on Saturday afternoons. I’ve got to see my cousin later, but—’

Ronald’s telephone rang. Martin Bowles said, ‘I say, Ronald. I thought it best to have Fergusson told that the letter had been stolen. I hope you—’

‘Who’s Fergusson?’ Ronald said.

‘The detective-inspector who keeps his eye on Patrick Seton. He says he’ll be seeing Seton about it and doesn’t seem to be worried about getting it back, that is, if Seton has it. I hope you agree that was the best course. If it comes out in court—’

‘Yes, it was quite the most sensible thing to do,’ Ronald said. ‘I’m much relieved.’

‘Sure you don’t mind? If it comes out in court that you—’

‘No, I don’t mind a bit. In fact I’m glad. I ought to have done something of the kind straight away. The police should be informed of a theft of this kind. Only, in these particular circumstances. I doubt if Seton actually has the letter. His girl’s got it, we think.’

‘Who’s we?’

‘I’ve just been discussing it with Matthew Finch. As you know, he’s a friend of the two girls in question.’

‘Which two girls?’

‘Seton’s girl and the other girl, her friend, the one we think stole the letter for Seton’s girl.’

‘I really can’t make out who these girls are, Ronald. What has Matthew Finch to do with this?’

‘Well, you know I was indiscreet enough in the first place to tell him I was working on the letter. And he was indiscreet enough to tell Elsie, and—’

‘Who’s Elsie?’

‘She’s the other girl who’s a friend of Seton’s girl. I told you’

‘Yes, but I didn’t make notes. Look, Ronald, you can’t conduct a case like this.’

‘I’m not conducting the case.’

‘If it comes out in court that you’ve committed these indiscretions, you won’t blame me, will you?’

‘No,’ Ronald said.

‘I expect Fergusson will want to see you,’ Martin said. ‘A nice chap. Straight with you if you’re straight with him.’

‘What the hell are you talking about?’

‘Now, Ronald, don’t be—’ Ronald hung up. ‘Some detective-inspector is going to find the letter,’ he said. ‘So let’s forget it.’

‘I’ve got you into trouble,’ Matthew said. ‘My sister thought probably this would happen when I told her about the letter—’

‘Where are you lunching? I haven’t done my shopping yet, what with one thing and another.’

‘I’ve got you into trouble with my talk,’ Matthew said.

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