Missing or Murdered by Robin Forsythe Page A

disappeared voluntarily. Should we discover that this is the case, he wants us to avoid pursuing a course that would only result in the publication of a scandal that might be diplomatically hushed. You see he’s a loyal servant to his Chief. He wants to put up a smoke barrage to hide his lordship from the high explosive shells of the idle mischief-maker.”
    â€œH’m,” ejaculated Inspector Heather, raising his glass to the light, “is that all?”
    â€œIt looks very strange to me. There’s Walter suggests a mysterious woman in the case; Farnish is as close as an oyster; Grierson wishes to avoid a scandal. A conspiracy, Heather, a conspiracy—can’t you see they are all giving us the gentle hint to leave matters alone for the sake of their master? They are all loyal men—trusted servants—with blameless characters. What do you think?”
    The inspector opened his eyes wide. “By Jove, Mr. Vereker, I believe you’ve scored an inner.”
    â€œMerely a light-hearted suggestion, Heather, but it gives a substantial line of inquiry—it’s my first generalization to-day. I don’t know how many I have already made from the data I have in hand. I have an unbridled passion for generalizations.”
    â€œBy the way, who’s the woman in the case that Walter suggests?” asked the inspector.
    â€œOh, he has a story of a visit by some veiled lady six months ago. I was quite pleased to hear that there was a veiled lady in the case—I felt all along that she was a sine qua non. Well, she handed in a note for Lord Bygrave. Walter took in the note, which Lord Bygrave opened in his presence. Walter says that Bygrave started violently. An interview followed, and when the lady took her departure Lord Bygrave was in an extremely agitated state. Knowing how imperturbable my friend always was, this information strikes me as significant.”
    â€œWe must investigate this thoroughly,” remarked Inspector Heather, distinctly impressed.
    â€œFrom the point of time, it’s most important,” suggested Vereker.
    â€œHow?”
    â€œDidn’t you say that Lord Bygrave carried out some transaction with bearer bonds six months ago?”
    The inspector brought his short, thick fist down on the table with a thud. “You knew all about this lady before I told you of the bearer bonds, Mr. Vereker?” he asked sharply.
    â€œI did, and put two and two together at once. He gave the bearer bonds to the lady.”
    â€œWell, I’m damned!” exclaimed the detective. “You’re shaping uncommonly well, sir.”
    â€œNot well enough to have discovered the lady, Heather, or even her name. It would seem that the correct thing to do now is to discover the lady. Then we could get a move on.”
    â€œI wonder why Walter never mentioned the lady’s visit to me.”
    â€œI’ve told you, Heather: he doesn’t want to start an inquiry which would involve his master in any scandal.”
    â€œJust so—that fits in with your idea of a conspiracy. Not an impossible contingency either, Mr. Vereker, not at all impossible!”
    Vereker laughed heartily. “I could concoct you a thousand similar possibilities, inspector, but the night’s getting old.”
    â€œThe night’s always young when the port’s old,” remarked Heather, glancing at the bottle appreciatively.
    â€œBrilliant, Heather, brilliant! You couldn’t have said that on a poor vintage. By the way, before we turn in there’s one little thing I should like you to see.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” asked the inspector.
    â€œOh, something up in the study, come along now.”
    Inspector Heather rose and followed Vereker up to the study. Having switched on the light, the latter carefully closed the door and led his companion over to the writing-table on which still lay Lord Bygrave’s bundles of papers and