The Dead Man Laughs by Gunn Victor

Author:Gunn, Victor [Gunn, Victor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Pulp
Publisher: Collins
Published: 1944-01-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Ominous Interlude

Bill Cromwell did not linger for long at Higham Top after the meal was over.

“Got to get back to town, sir,” he explained, as he shook hands with the new baronet. “A bit irregular, my being here at all. Still, they’ll expect me to make some sort of a report at the Yard. The inspector, here, will carry on – although there’s precious little more to be done.”

They were seen off by Sir Philip and Dr. Trumper, and the latter was at no pains to conceal his satisfaction.

“Of course, you didn’t mean that about dropping out of the case, Mr. Cromwell,” wheezed Catchpole, after the car had reached the road. “Just bluffing them, eh?”

“Yes; in accordance with the line of action we agreed to take,” replied Ironsides. “We’ve left a precious pair behind at that house, inspector.”

“Well, anyway, sir, that little talk of yours ought to have lulled them into a sense of false security. And that’s what we want.”

“Dinglewell…No need to bother your head about Dinglewell,” said Cromwell. “He’s allright. But the others…We shall have to go warily, inspector. We shall have to watch our step.”

“Did you mean what you said about going up to the Yard, sir?”

“Yes. We’ll drop you anywhere you like, and then shoot straight off. Lots of things to do at the Yard,” explained Cromwell. “Make my report…have an uncomfortable ten minutes with my chief…and get some of our fellows into action making inquiries about Brother Philip. I’m not doubting that he stayed at the Dorchester last night – but he didn’t get there until late. I’m more interested in his earlier movements. I’m going to get our chaps to check up on the passenger lists of every Channel steamer – and every cross Channel air liner, too. Before to-night I mean to find out whether this man did actually cross from the continent yesterday…”

“But we know he didn’t, sir.”

“You and I may know it, but we’ve got to have proof,” grunted Cromwell. “Listen, inspector. The Chief may want to keep me on this case. If so, I shall be back in this district to-night. It’ll probably mean consulting your chief constable over the phone, but that won’t be my affair…If I do come back, there’ll be some funny work to be done.”

Johnny Lister, listening to this, smiled a quiet smile. He knew perfectly well that Ironsides had already made up his mind to come back; Ironsides was on to something sizzling hot, and he meant to push it along for all he was worth. Inspector Catchpole, however, was frankly puzzled.

“What do you mean – funny work?”

“Not so funny, perhaps,” amended Cromwell. “Anyway, I’d like you to remain within reach of the Higham St. Andrew police station telephone. I shall probably phone you up in the early evening – and I shall have a lot to tell you.

“All right, Mr. Cromwell – I’ll keep handy,” agreed the other. ‘ But I’m sure you’ll forgive me if I say that I don’t know what the devil you’re talking about.

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.