Part 32 (2/2)

Well, didn't I have reason? After all . . .

And you got it?

There was a pause, after which Miss Smythe seemed to think that it would be best to speak the truth.

He did give me a little present, she admitted.

And you gave him back his letters?

Smythe turned on Mrs. Walker. That's you again, she said. What business was it of yours?

But Stute was not going to allow arguments.

Did you? he repeated.

Well, yes.

When?

Before we left her house.

What did he do with the letters?

Burnt them.

Where?

On that Common place. I made him stop. I was getting b.u.mped to death on the back of that awful machine. I wasn't used to that sort of thing. If any gentleman has wanted to take me anywhere . . .

That'll do. So you stopped on the Common?

Just for a moment. There was nothing in it.

In what?

Oh, go on. You know what I mean. We only stopped for two ticks.

But long enough for him to burn the letters?

Yes. He put petrol over them. Well, he didn't want to go home with them in his pocket. Then he walked back to the motor-bike.

And rode into Braxham?

Well, not quite. He would wait just outside for a time.

Why was that?

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