Part 6 (1/2)

And 'e never turned up?

No.

'Ow was it you came rus.h.i.+ng into the Mitre, then?

Mrs. Cutler was appalled. Into the Mitre? Did you really, Molly? I am ashamed of you.

Someone told me later that he had gone there.

Who told you?

A girl I met. Flora Robinson. She saw him go there from his uncle's shop. I ... couldn't understand it. I had waited an hour for him that evening. I felt I had to see him at once. I was going to call him out. ...

Not 'ardly wise, that wouldn't 'ave been, Miss, observed Sergeant Beef philosophically. Men don't never take kindly to being called out of anywhere like that by a woman. ...

Mrs. Cutler spoke icily. Perhaps you will limit your observations to the unpleasant matter in hand, she said.

Beef seemed to remember himself. Certainly, Ma'am, he said. And there isn't nothink else you can tell me, Miss Cutler? he asked.

She shook her head. I don't think so. Except that whoever Alan has killed it must have been in self-defence, or in a fight or something. It wasn't in his nature to do a cowardly act. Of course, I know you never liked him, Sergeant. ...

Did he tell you that?

Yes. He thought you had a down on him. Ever since you arrested him that time.

Oh, he did.

Well, that's what he thought. He used to sayof course I don't suppose he meant anything by itthat he'd get his own back on you some day.

I see. Well, he seems to have done it. He's given me a myst'ry to solve as'll very likely end in my getting into trouble. 'Owever. ...

Miss Cutler did not seem to have been listening. There was one other thing, she said. He spoke of being followed.

Followed? gasped the Sergeant.

Yes. He didn't give any details, and I thought it was his imagination. But he said he was being followed.

M'm, said Beef as he picked up his hat, that's funny. And again, after a long, thoughtful pause, That's funny.

CHAPTER VI.

STRANGELY ENOUGH, Sergeant Beef seemed elated by the interview.

Looks to me, he chuckled, as though I was right about this, and they was wrong. Beef's they always meant his superiors. This isn't going to be no easy case, after all. We've got the murderer, I admit. But that's not everythink. We've got to find the murder. It's the cart before the 'orse, as you might say.

He was marching along briskly, and our direction was towards Braxham High Street. I did not feel nearly so comfortable about his coming interview with the old couple, for his bludgeoning way of asking questions might hurt them more than he knew. But it was from them that we should probably find out most of young Rogers' movements yesterday, and hence make progress.

The shop was closed, and Beef knocked heavily on the door. In a few moments old Rogers stood before us.

Go easy with Mrs. Rogers, Sergeant, he whispered. She's taken it very much to heart.