Johnny Swanson - Eleanor Updale [77]
‘Of course I do. He’s the one who sent me back to Wales. He said it was for my own good. But my uncle didn’t want a child in the house, and he was scared that I was bringing germs with me. So as soon as I caught a cold, he put me in here and then he moved away. Do I remember that doctor? If it wasn’t for him I’d never have been dumped here. I wish he was dead.’
‘He is dead, Olwen,’ said Johnny. ‘I’ve been trying to tell you about it ever since I got here. Dr Langford was murdered.’
‘Serves him right.’
‘Olwen! How can you say that? He was a nice man. He was good to me, and I know he must have thought he was doing the best for you.’ Johnny told Olwen about the murder. ‘Anyway,’ he said, drawing his explanation to a close, ‘Dr Langford’s wife is here. She’s calling herself Mrs Morgan, and she’s the person I’ve been looking for.’
‘So?’ Olwen was still dazed by her own news.
‘Mrs Langford’s in trouble, Olwen. We have to help her. There’s a man called Dr Howell. He’s the real murderer, and he’s holding her prisoner.’
‘Dr Howell?’ Olwen was shocked. ‘But he’s really kind. He didn’t make a fuss at all when the nurse told him I’d taken his coat. I think she was really disappointed. She says she’s going to report me to Professor Campbell instead.’
‘Who?’
‘Professor Campbell. He’s in charge of the whole hospital. The nurse said she’ll recommend a very severe punishment.’
‘I’m sorry about that, Olwen, but if you ask me, Dr Howell’s only pretending to be pleasant. Mrs Langford seemed really scared of him. Your problem with Professor Campbell isn’t nearly as serious as what he might do to her.’
‘But what’s that got to do with me? Or you, for that matter?’
‘I told you. Everyone thinks my mother killed Dr Langford. She’s in prison, and only Mrs Langford can put her in the clear. If she doesn’t, do you know what will happen to my mother?’
‘Just think yourself lucky you’ve got a mother,’ snarled Olwen. ‘I haven’t. Not any more!’ She started crying, and Johnny knelt down on the wet floor to try to comfort her.
‘I know,’ he said, ‘and I’m truly sorry. But if I don’t do something to stop it, my mother will be found guilty. Do you know what that means? It means that they’ll hang her. They’ll make her stand with a noose round her neck and then they’ll open a trapdoor so that she falls through and is strangled by the rope. Her body will be left swinging there, dead, and afterwards she’ll be buried in an unmarked grave. And then I won’t have a mother either. Is that what you want? I’m sorry you’ve lost your family, but why should I lose my mother too? You must be able to imagine how that will make me feel.’
Olwen’s voice softened. ‘I dare say I can.’
‘Then help me.’
‘How? What on earth can I do? I’m stuck here scrubbing the floor.’
‘We’ve got to call the police. And we must go to that man – that Professor Campbell you talked about. We can tell him the truth about Dr Howell. But the police first. We need a telephone. Do you know if they have one here?’
‘There must be one in the office, I suppose. I don’t know. I’ve never been in there.’
‘But you know where the office is, don’t you?’
‘Of course I do.’
‘Well, show me, please. I’ve got to meet Mrs Langford there after the pantomime’s started. If I get there first I can use the phone before she comes. And while I’m doing that, you can find Professor Campbell and tell him that Mrs Langford – Mrs Morgan – is in danger. Say that he’s got to protect her from Dr Howell.’
Olwen tried to protest: ‘He won’t take any notice of me. If that nurse has already told him about the coat, he’ll think I’m just trying to get out of trouble.’
Johnny was desperate. ‘But he might believe you. Olwen, you’re my only hope. There may not be time for me to phone the police and find Professor Campbell. I don’t even know what he looks like. Please. Do this for me, and when we’ve dealt with Dr Howell – or even if it all goes wrong and I get caught – I’ll tell the professor everything that’s happened to you. I promise. I’ll make sure