The Mystery of the Magic Circle - M. V. Carey [11]
Beefy sat down. “Mr. Gray, I’m afraid there’s going to be a delay in issuing the cheque for the advance on Miss Bainbridge’s memoirs,” he said. “I’ve looked through the manuscript and found several anecdotes which might cause legal problems. In one place, for example, there’s the statement that a Hollywood director was a wizard. I know that the director is dead, but his heirs could sue. So I’m asking my attorney to look at the manuscript. In the meantime, Miss Bainbridge might give us the names of people who could back up her statements. And the addresses, of course.”
“We certainly can’t give you any addresses,” said Marvin Gray. “Miss Bainbridge doesn’t keep in touch with any of the old crowd.”
“Well, perhaps you’d know how we could get in touch with some of the people,”
said Beefy. He was looking harassed and uncomfortable. “You’ve read through the manuscript, I’m sure, so …”
“No,” said Marvin Gray, “I haven’t read it. Miss Bainbridge gave it to me only yesterday afternoon. I couldn’t help you anyway. I never was friends with any of those people. I was the chauffeur then, remember?”
“How about her secretary?” said Beefy hopefully.
“Clara Adams?” Gray looked surprised. “She hasn’t left this property in years.”
Beefy looked stumped, so Jupe came to his rescue. He looked around eagerly and asked, “Aren’t we going to see Miss Bainbridge?” His voice was naive and somewhat brash.
“Miss Bainbridge doesn’t see anyone but myself and Clara,” said Marvin Gray.
“Even if she was used to having visitors, she wouldn’t want to see anyone today. She’s upset about the theft of her films. She’s upstairs resting, and Clara is with her, and I’d appreciate it if you kept your voice down.”
“I’m sorry,” said Jupe. He looked around curiously. “Miss Bainbridge is really a recluse, huh?” he said. “Doesn’t anyone live here besides you and Clara Adams and Miss Bainbridge? Aren’t there any servants?”
“We live very simply,” said Gray. “Servants aren’t necessary.”
“I saw you on television this morning,” said Jupe. “Is it true that Miss Bainbridge doesn’t watch TV?”
“It’s true,” said Gray. “I watch, and I tell her about any news I think will interest her.”
“It sounds kind of lonely,” said Jupe. “Doesn’t she see anybody at all? Don’t you see anybody? I mean, don’t you get tired of just being here all the time? And Clara Adams — doesn’t she get tired of it?”
“I don’t think so. I enjoy my own company pretty well, and Clara is completely devoted to Miss Bainbridge. I am, too, of course. Extremely devoted.”
Jupiter turned to Beefy.
“You see?” he said. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”
Gray looked at Beefy in a questioning way. “You were worried?” he said. “Why?”
“Well, Beefy said on the way up here he was kind of nervous,” said Jupe. “He figured if anyone knew where Miss Bainbridge’s manuscript was, they might try to swipe it the way they swiped her films, and hold it for ransom. If you told anyone where it is …”
“Now who would I tell?” said Gray.
“Sounds like you wouldn’t tell anybody,” said Jupe, “unless maybe somebody called …”
“We have an unlisted number,” said Gray. “People don’t call. And we only use the telephone when it’s absolutely necessary.”
“Gosh, the kids at school aren’t going to believe this,” said Jupe. The stocky boy stood up. “May I wash my hands?” he asked.
“Of course.” Gray pointed to the door. “Go straight back through the hall and past the stairs. There’s a lavatory next to the kitchen.”
“Thanks,” said Jupe, and he went into the house.
The hall seemed dim after the sunlight on the porch. The living-room on the left was sparsely furnished with straight-backed wooden chairs. The dining-room on the right had a rude wooden table and backless benches. The wide staircase was uncarpeted. Jupe found the lavatory beyond it. He went in, closed the door, turned on the water, and opened the medicine cabinet above the sink. There was nothing there but a jar which had some dried leaves in it.