скачать книгу бесплатно
‘What’s that?’ she asked.
Temple placed her drink in front of her and added soda to his whisky.
‘What puzzles me is the reason why you are so anxious to tell me all this?’
The girl smiled.
‘The Duchess of Mapleton has several influential friends at the Home Office. Last week, she told me that you were being called in on the case. She was rather worried because she thought you’d be sure to get on to the dope business. So I suggested that I should take you into our confidence and leave the rest to your discretion. I said that according to Who’s Who, you had been educated at Winchester and Oxford, and that seemed to pacify the old dear.’
Temple laughed.
‘I’m sure I couldn’t wish for a more intelligent partner,’ he declared, sincerely. ‘But I really think you should allow me to come with you tonight.’ The girl shook her head most emphatically.
‘No, no—that would ruin everything. I’m not aiming at a showdown in the Bombay Road. I just want to discover the identity of the leader. After that, it ought to be plain sailing.’
‘As a precaution, Miss Cartwright, would you mind telling me the number of the house in Bombay Road?’
‘Why, of course, it’s 79A. But promise you won’t interfere in any way. If I can pull this off myself, it’ll be a feather in my cap.’
‘It’ll be a complete head-dress,’ Temple assured her, with a twinkle in his eye. ‘But I would like to add a word of warning.’
‘Well?’ she smiled.
‘Don’t be too certain about the plain sailing. My own experiences have always lain amongst some very rough seas.’
Rita picked up her handbag and tucked it under her arm.
‘I’ve been lucky so far,’ she said, lightly. ‘Maybe my luck will hold.’
But there was a look in her pale blue eyes which seemed to doubt her words.
Sir Graham Forbes stirred his coffee and reflected that Paul Temple and Steve had changed very little since the days when they had joined him in the relentless pursuit of the Front Page Men. If anything, Temple was perhaps a trifle more sunburnt and had possibly lost a little in weight.
During dinner they had talked mainly of Paul Temple’s visit to the United States, and Forbes had many questions to ask concerning the F.B.I, and other officials whom he knew out there. It was not until he had half-drained his cup of coffee that Forbes suddenly demanded: ‘What did you mean exactly by that postscript?’
Temple knocked the ash off his cigar and frowned thoughtfully. At length, he said:
‘Out in the States, Sir Graham, I was attached to the “C” branch of the M.O.I.’
‘I gathered you were up to something of that sort from what Colonel Randall told me,’ nodded Forbes.
‘While we were there,’ Temple continued, ‘the newspapers started spreading their front pages with a story about this fellow called The Marquis. At first, I thought the whole business was grossly exaggerated, but one evening about a week ago I received a special radio message from the Home Secretary’s office that rather changed my ideas, and I knew then …’ He hesitated.
‘You knew then that, to put it mildly, things were getting pretty serious.’
Paul Temple smiled in some relief as he realised that Forbes knew rather more than he had anticipated. ‘I didn’t particularly want to leave the States, Sir Graham. It was interesting work out there – always something moving, and I was beginning to show some results. But I could hardly ignore that message.’
Sir Graham placed his cup on the table and leaned forward.
‘The Home Secretary had a very good reason for sending for you, Temple,’ he declared quietly. ‘I realised a month ago that you were the only man for certain aspects of this job. We need your help, Temple, that’s the long and short of it. We need your help pretty badly.’
Temple and Steve exchanged an understanding glance.
Temple said: ‘I’m very relieved to hear all this from you, Sir Graham. You know I’ve never had any desire to intervene in any of your cases, and I’ve no intention of doing so now if—’
‘Don’t talk nonsense, darling,’ interrupted Steve, refilling Sir Graham’s cup. ‘You know perfectly well that you have every intention of intervening. And you still haven’t answered Sir Graham’s question about Rita Cartwright.’
‘Yes,’ said Forbes, ‘I want to hear more about that young lady.’
Temple scratched a match and applied it to his cigar.
‘I’ve only a few sketchy sort of facts, Sir Graham, but I gather that Rita Cartwright is a girl who always wanted a career that was “different.” So, heaven help her, she became a sort of private inquiry agent. She’s had a certain amount of luck, including a commission to inquire into one of The Marquis murders. The next time I see her however, I intend to advise the—’
‘There’ll be no next time,’ put in Forbes gloomily. ‘The body of Rita Cartwright was picked out of the Thames last night. A few hours later, it was identified by a young fellow named Roger Storey.’
Temple wrinkled his forehead. ‘That name’s familiar.’
‘Yes, he’s Lady Alice Mapleton’s fiancé. Rather an interfering young devil, but we let him down lightly as a rule. The poor fellow’s had a bad time. They were to have been married in a few months.’
‘There’s one thing I haven’t mentioned about Rita Cartwright,’ said Temple, slowly. ‘When she left me last night, she was going to keep an appointment with the leader of a dope-running organisation …’
Sir Graham looked up quickly. ‘Eh? Where?’
‘At 79A Bombay Road. I’m given to understand that she has been going there for several weeks.’
Sir Graham was plainly impressed, and going over to the telephone, dialled a number and gave some rapid instructions.
‘I’m afraid your men won’t find very much there,’ said Temple, as Sir Graham replaced the receiver.
‘Oh – why?’
‘Isn’t it obvious that Rita Cartwright met The Marquis last night? And I have an idea he’s much too clever to leave any clues behind.’
‘M’m, maybe you’re right,’ murmured Forbes, biting hard on the stem of his favourite pipe. For a few minutes they smoked in silence, each busy with his thoughts. Steve went into the dining-room to make up the fire. After a while, Forbes said: ‘There are certain aspects of this case which remind me of the Carson blackmail affair! And talking of the Carson business, what’s happened to Sammy Wren? He was pretty deeply concerned in that set-up.’
‘Oh yes,’ agreed Temple, ‘I remember Sammy Wren.’
‘I’ve been thinking quite a lot about him just lately,’ continued Forbes. ‘As a matter of fact, I told Bradley to pick him up about a fortnight ago, thought he might be able to give us a line on this case. But he doesn’t seem to be around his old spots. Sam’s a queer little devil, but he covers a lot of ground. Seems to know everybody and everything. Probably knew Bradley was after him, and thought we’d caught up on him over some job or other.’ He paused as he noticed Temple was smiling, and asked, ‘Have I said anything funny?’
‘I’m sorry,’ apologised Temple, ‘I was just thinking about The Golden Cage.’
Forbes was obviously mystified. ‘The Golden Cage?’
‘Yes, it’s a public house near the Elephant and Castle. D’you know it, Sir Graham?’
‘No, I can’t say I do.’
‘It’s in one of those narrow back streets,’ Temple explained. ‘You’ll find it’s frequented by quite an old friend of yours.’
Forbes removed his pipe and slowly smiled. He realised that Paul Temple was referring to the illusive Sammy Wren.
CHAPTER V (#ulink_b7f2c820-6006-51b3-8258-8518a405d9b0)
No Beer for Sammy Wren (#ulink_b7f2c820-6006-51b3-8258-8518a405d9b0)
UNLESS you knew the district fairly well, you could easily pass The Golden Cage without noticing that it was a licensed house. True, there was a sort of drab signboard over the front door, but the paint had long since faded and the lettering was quite indistinct. However, this in no way deterred the supporters of this little hostelry, who were emphatic in their insistence that no better beer was to be found south of the river.
Paul Temple agreed with their verdict. He had discovered The Golden Cage years ago when seeking material for his second novel. Someone had told him that it was a popular rendezvous for members of the criminal fraternity. He had discovered that this was an exaggeration, but, by way of compensation, he also discovered that the Extra Special home-brewed beer which was so much in demand actually tasted of hops. Temple had never forgotten the tang of that rich brown beverage.
‘So this is where you used to spend your leisure moments, Mr. Temple,’ said Steve, jokingly as they settled in a murky corner of the Smoke Room. The room was crowded with that strange mixture of humanity peculiar to the Elephant and Castle neighbourhood. There were only two other women present, but the regulars did not seem to notice Steve, who was wearing, especially for the occasion, an inconspicuous costume and a somewhat shapeless felt hat.
Temple laughed at his wife’s remark, lighted a cigarette, and retorted: ‘Don’t be silly, darling. All my leisure moments were spent with an exotic blonde from Pimlico. Didn’t I confess all that before you married me?’
‘It must have slipped your memory, darling!’
‘In that case, I’d better buy you a drink. What would you like?’
‘A dry Martini,’ decided Steve, promptly.
‘Not here, it isn’t done,’ he reproved her. ‘We’ll begin with two pints of their Extra Special.’
‘One and a half – in case I don’t like it.’
He beckoned to the barmaid, who was standing with her back to Steve, engaged in lively repartee with a group of young men. As she swung into view, he recognised her at once.
‘God bless my soul, if it isn’t Dolly Fraser!’ he exclaimed.
The girl’s heavily made-up features showed the merest trace of fear before they resumed their former brazen expression.
‘The name’s Smith – Betty Smith,’ she answered, sullenly.
Temple smiled whimsically.
‘Not one of the Shropshire Smiths?’ he demanded, with the merest flicker of an eyelid in Steve’s direction.
‘And what if I am one of the Shropshire Smiths?’ challenged the girl, with a toss of her coppery hair.
‘Would it, in that case, be too much to ask you to bring us a tankard and a glass of your Extra Special?’ demanded Temple, politely.
‘Special’s off – been finished months ago,’ replied the girl, brusquely, pushing back a lock of hair. ‘I’ll bring you some Old Ale if you like. That’s the best we’ve got.’
‘Thank you, that would do nicely,’ said Temple, suavely. With an insolent lift of the shoulder, the barmaid vanished. When she was out of earshot, Steve asked: ‘Do you know that girl, or was that merely a sample of your sales talk?’
Temple grinned.
‘I know her all right. Her name is Fraser – Dolly Fraser. She was one of the shining lights of the Reagan crowd a few years ago. One of the most useful decoys in the game – she’s quite an actress in her way.’
He spoke in a carefully modulated tone, but apparently he was overheard by a tall, thin man who could not find a seat, and was leaning against a partition nearby.
‘That’s quite right, Mr. Temple,’ confirmed the stranger. ‘Her name is Fraser, and she was with the Reagan mob about two years ago when they pulled off the Charteris kidnapping.’
Temple and Steve swung round. The newcomer suddenly found a high stool and perched himself on it, apparently quite at ease.
‘Forgive me if I am intruding, but I couldn’t help overhearing your remark, Mr. Temple. My name is Ross – Inspector Ross of the C.I.D. I think we met just before you sailed for America.’
‘Why of course, Inspector! I’m afraid I didn’t recognise you,’ said Temple, pleasantly. ‘Have you met my wife?’ When the introductions were complete, Temple invited the Inspector to join them in a drink, but he shook his head regretfully.
‘No thanks, Mr. Temple. I’ve had my allowance. I really ought to have been home hours ago. This is an off-duty visit.’
‘All the more reason for a little relaxation,’ urged Temple, but Ross would not be persuaded to change his mind, and eventually bade them good night. ‘I’m keeping an eye on Dolly Fraser,’ he assured Temple in an undertone just before he turned to go.
‘Is he one of the new people at the Yard?’ asked Steve, when the lanky form had disappeared.
‘No. He’s been there for longer than I care to remember. He used to be attached to the Fingerprint Department till Bradley took over. I don’t think they get on very well together. Anyhow, Forbes decided to transfer Ross; gave him a sort of roving commission, and he’s turned up trumps several times. He has the reputation of being a pretty shrewd sort of fellow.’
By this time, Dolly Fraser had returned, and was placing their beer on the table. As Temple fumbled for half-a-crown, she seemed about to speak, hesitated, then finally ventured:
‘I’m sorry I was rude just now, Mr. Temple. It was that Ross – he’s always hanging round here – gets on my nerves. Why can’t he leave me alone?’
‘Take it easy, Dolly. No harm done,’ smiled Temple.
‘It was silly of me to say my name’s Smith. I’ve done nothing to be ashamed of,’ she added with a touch of defiance.
‘Of course you haven’t.’
‘I knew you’d spotted me the moment you came in,’ she continued, rather nervously. ‘And what with Ross being there as well – it sort of got under my skin.’
‘You thought we’d come to get you for adulterating the Extra Special,’ suggested Temple, and Dolly laughed. Then her eyes narrowed slightly, and she could not suppress the curious tone in her voice.
‘This is the first time you’ve been here for ages, Mr. Temple. I suppose you wouldn’t be looking for somebody special?’
Temple eyed her, disarmingly.
‘Why of course, Dolly. I’m waiting for an old friend of mine. You remember Sammy Wren.’
‘Sammy Wren!’ she echoed, thoughtfully. ‘I haven’t set eyes on him for ages.’ She paused, then added, significantly: ‘Nothin’ wrong, I hope?’
‘Nothing at all,’ he assured her. ‘Just a small matter of business. Now, how about having a drink with us?’
‘Well, I think a pink gin would calm me down a bit,’ Dolly admitted, now much more at ease. She returned almost immediately with the drink and Temple’s change. Then she fulfilled two more orders and presently drifted over to their table once more.
‘So you haven’t seen Sammy Wren lately,’ said Temple.
‘Not for a week or two, maybe more. He used to be in ’ere every day at one time.’
‘Is that so? With alcohol taxed as it is, Sammy must be doing pretty well.’
‘Maybe,’ she replied, indifferently. ‘He never tells me his business, and I’m sure I’ve no wish to know.’
