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By Root 655 0

he’d got something to sell and was I a buyer? “What do you mean?” I said. He said: “How much will you — or the family generally — pay me for the definite proof that Robert Underhay, reported dead in Africa, is really alive and kicking?” I asked him why the devil we should pay anything at all? And he laughed and said, “Because I’ve got a client coming this evening who certainly will pay a very substantial sum for proof positive that Robert Underhay is dead.” Then — well, then, I’m afraid I rather lost my temper and told him that my family weren’t used to doing that kind of dirty business. If Underhay was really alive, I said, the fact ought to be quite easy to establish. Upon that I was just stalking out when he laughed and said in what was really rather a queer tone, “I don’t think you’ll prove it without my co-operation.” Funny sort of way he said that.’

‘And then?’

‘Well, frankly, I went home rather disturbed. Felt, you know, that I’d messed things up. Rather wished I’d left it to old Jeremy to tackle after all. I mean, dash it all, a lawyer’s used to dealing with slippery customers.’

‘What time did you leave the Stag?’

‘I’ve no idea. Wait a sec. Must have been just before nine because I heard the pips for the news as I was going along the village — through one of the windows.’

‘Did Arden say who it was he was expecting? The “client”?’

‘No. I took it for granted it was David Hunter. Who else could it be?’

‘He didn’t seem in any way alarmed by the prospect?’

‘I tell you the fellow was thoroughly pleased with himself and on top of the world!’

Spence indicated with a slight gesture the heavy steel tongs.

‘Did you notice these in the grate, Mr Cloade?’

‘Those? No — I don’t think so. The fire wasn’t lit.’ He frowned, trying to visualize the scene. ‘There were fire-irons in the grate, I’m sure, but I can’t say I noticed what they were.’ He added, ‘Was that what — ’

Spence nodded.

‘Smashed his skull in.’

Rowley frowned.

‘Funny. Hunter’s a lightly built chap — Arden was a big man — powerful.’

The Superintendent said in a colourless voice:

‘The medical evidence is that he was struck down from behind and that the blows delivered with the head of the tongs were struck from above.’

Rowley said thoughtfully:

‘Of course he was a cocksure sort of a bloke — but all the same I wouldn’t have turned my back with a fellow in the room whom I was trying to bleed white and who’d done some pretty tough fighting in the war. Arden can’t have been a very cautious sort of chap.’

‘If he had been cautious very likely he’d be alive now,’ said the Superintendent dryly.

‘I wish to God he was,’ said Rowley fervently. ‘As it is I feel I’ve mucked things up thoroughly. If only I hadn’t got on my high horse and stalked off, I might have got something useful out of him. I ought to have pretended that we were in the market, but the thing’s so damned silly. I mean, who are we to bid against Rosaleen and David? They’ve got the cash. None of us could raise five hundred pounds between us.’

The Superintendent picked up the gold lighter.

‘Seen this before?’

A crease appeared between Rowley’s brows. He said slowly:

‘I’ve seen it somewhere, yes, but I can’t remember where. Not very long ago. No — I can’t remember.’

Spence did not give the lighter into Rowley’s outstretched hand. He put it down and picked up the lipstick, unsheathing it from its case.

‘And this?’

Rowley grinned.

‘Really, that’s not in my line, Superintendent.’

Thoughtfully, Spence smeared a little on the back of his hand. He put his head on one side, studying it appreciatively.

‘Brunette colouring, I should say,’ he remarked.

‘Funny things you policemen know,’ said Rowley. He got up. ‘And you don’t — definitely do not — know who the dead man was?’

‘Have you any idea yourself, Mr Cloade?’

‘I only wondered,’ said Rowley slowly. ‘I mean — this fellow was our only clue to Underhay. Now that he’s dead — well, looking for Underhay is going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack.’

‘There’ll be publicity, Mr Cloade,’ said Spence. ‘Remember that in due course a lot of