A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer

mouth."
    "I know."
    "Well, I've got the same kind of low mind, and the thought that crosses it is that you're probably the heir to Ernie's money. Correct?"
    "Yes, rather," said Neville cordially. "I'm practically a plutocrat."
    "Yes?" said Sally. "Then it'll be a nice change for you, Mr. Neville Fletcher, after having been up to your eyes in debt!"

----
    Chapter Five

    This suggestion, hurled at his head like a challenge, was received by Neville with unruffled placidity. He appeared to consider the matter dispassionately, remarking at length: "Well, I don't know that I altogether agree with you."
    "What?" said Sally scornfully. "You don't agree that a fortune is better than debt?"
    "Depends what you're accustomed to," said Neville.
    "Don't be a fool! You don't imagine I'm going to swallow that, do you?"
    "No."
    "Then what on earth's the use of saying it?"
    "I mean I haven't speculated on the processes of your mind," explained Neville. "Unprofitable occupation, quite without point."
    "Look here, Neville, are you sticking to it that you've no objection to being snowed under by debts?" demanded Sally.
    "Yes, why not?"
    "It doesn't add up, that's why not. There's nothing more uncomfortable than not having any money, and being dunned by tradesmen. Receiving To Account Rendered by every post, with a veiled threat attached, and totting up the ghastly totals -'
    "Oh, but I don't do anything like that!" Neville assured her. "I never open bills."
    "Then you get County Courted."
    "You soon get used to that. Besides, Ernie hated it, so he got into the way of paying my outstanding debts. Really, the whole thing worked out very well. Now I've got his money I shall never have a moment's peace. People will badger me."
    "Well, you can employ a secretary."
    "I shouldn't like that at all. I should have to have a house to put him in, and servants to run it, and before I knew what had happened I should find myself shackled by respectability."
    This point of view struck Sally quite forcibly. "I must say, I hadn't looked at it like that," she admitted. "It does sound rather lousy. What do you want to do?"
    "Nothing, at the moment. But I may easily want to wander off to Bulgaria next week. It's a place I hardly know."
    "You'll still be able to, won't you?"
    "First class ticket to Sofia, and a suite at the best hotel? Not if I know it!"
    Sally was so much interested that she was beguiled into pursuing the subject of foreign travel. Neville's disjointed yet picturesque account of incredible adventures encountered during the course of aimless and impecunious wanderings held her entranced, and drew from her at length a rather wistful exclamation of: "Golly, what fun you must have had! I wish I were a man. Why haven't you written a book about all this?"
    "That," said Neville incorrigibly, "would have invested my travels with a purpose, and spoilt them for me."
    "You're definitely sub-human," said Sally. She eyed him curiously. "Does anything ever worry you?"
    "Yes. Problem of how to escape worry."
    She grinned, but said: "I hate paradox. Does this little situation worry you?"
    "What, Ernie's murder? No, why should it?"
    "Does it strike you that you've got a pretty good motive for having killed Ernie?"
    "Naturally not."
    "The police will think so."
    "Too busy chasing after the unknown man seen by Helen and Malachi."
    "Who?"
    "Haven't you met Malachi?" said Neville, roused to sudden interest. "Oh, I must introduce you at once! Come on!"
    "Yes, but who is he?" demanded Sally.
    He took her wrist and led her out into the garden through the long window. "He's the bobby who discovered the crime."
    "Good Lord, did he see Helen's man too? That wasn't in the paper John brought home!"
    "Oh, here we live at the hub of the crime!" said Neville. Just a moment," interposed Sally, pulling her hand away. "I want to take a look at the general lay-out. Anyone mounting guard over the study?"
    "Not now. Nothing to be seen."
    "I might get an idea," Sally said darkly.
    "Morbid