The Red Lodge: A Mystery of Campden HillBridges, Victor
General
The Red Lodge: A Mystery of Campden Hill
Bridges, Victor
Detective and mystery stories; Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction
"You might give the servants a call now, doctor," he said. "Don't
frighten 'em; just say that if they feel up to it I'd like to have a
nice friendly little chat in the study." He dived into his pocket
and once more pulled out his notebook. "By the way, can you tell me
the name and address of the Professor's solicitor? We shall have to
get hold of him the first thing in the morning."
"It's a Mr. Medwin," said Colin. "He lives close by here in Albert
Terrace, but I'm hanged if I can remember his number."
"That doesn't matter," returned Marsden. "I can easily look him up
in the telephone directory."
He jotted down the name, and, replacing the book in his pocket, laid
his hand on Colin's arm.
"There'll be no need for you to stay up any longer," he said. "Both
Humphries and I have got plenty to keep us busy until breakfast time.
You turn in and get some sleep as soon as you've brought down the
servants."
Colin, who was beginning to feel distinctly weary, contented himself
with a nod.
"You'll know where to find me," he said, pointing to his room. "If
there's anything you happen to want just give me a call."
He left his companion at the end of the passage and mounted the
second flight, which led up to the servants' quarters. Somewhat to
his surprise, he found Mrs. Ramsay and the cook, both fully dressed,
standing on the small landing at the head of the stairs.
"We couldn't stop in bed," explained the former, "not after we heard
the bell ring. Oh, sir, what do the police say? Have they----"
"The Inspector wants to have a few minutes' talk with both of you,"
he said. "Of course, if Mrs. Wilson doesn't feel well enough----"
The cook drew herself up with a suggestion of injured pride.
"I know my duty, sir," she remarked. "If the police wishes for my
hevidence they shall have it heven if I drop dead on the carpet, the
same as my poor mother did before me."
There being apparently nothing further to be said, Colin conducted
his charges as far as the study, where he found the two detectives
waiting to receive them. He remained just long enough to make the
necessary introductions, and then, availing himself of Marsden's
suggestion, returned upstairs again to his own room.
Now that his services were no longer needed an irresistible reaction
had suddenly set in. He felt tired out in mind and body, and,
scarcely conscious of anything but an intense desire for sleep, he
threw off his dressing gown, and, for the second time that evening,
clambered thankfully into bed.
* * * * * * * * *
It seemed to him as though he had scarcely laid his head upon the
pillow when he was abruptly aroused by a touch on the shoulder. He
sat up with a start, and, rubbing his eyes, perceived a burly and
familiar figure standing beside him in the gloom.
"Hullo, Inspector!" he exclaimed. "What's the matter? Anything
wrong?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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