11 - Ticket to Oblivion Read Online Free PDF Page A

taken, Sir Marcus,’ said Colbeck. ‘We’ve questioned the stationmaster and a porter at Oxford station and spoken to the man who loaded your daughter’s luggage at Shrub Hill station. What we need now is more detail than you were able to include in your telegraphs.’
    ‘What sort of detail?’
    ‘Why was your daughter going to Oxford? Had she made the same journey many times before? How long did she expect to be away? What might she be doing during her stay?’
    Sir Marcus answered the questions with suppressed irritation. Since he was unsure how long Imogen and her maid would remain in Oxford, it was clear that he’d taken little interest in the arrangements. He explained that hiswife was indisposed and thus unable, for the very first time, to accompany their daughter. Catching Leeming’s eye, Colbeck saw that he’d registered that important fact. When he finished, Sir Marcus struck a pose with his hands on his hips.
    ‘Well?’ he asked. ‘Is there anything else you wish to know, Inspector?’
    ‘I did wonder why you felt it necessary to describe your relationship with the OWWR in your telegraphs.’
    ‘I wanted you to know that I don’t only speak as a concerned parent. I felt that my presence on the board would secure the attention of the Railway Detective and not,’ he added with a scornful look at Leeming, ‘of some blundering nonentity.’
    ‘My achievements, such as they are,’ said Colbeck, modestly, ‘would have been impossible without the help and expertise of the sergeant. Essentially, we operate as a team, deserving equal credit.’ Leeming shot him a grateful smile. ‘We have two requests, Sir Marcus. The first is that we’d like to interview the coachman who drove your daughter and her maid to the station.’
    Sir Marcus was dismissive. ‘That won’t be necessary,’ he said. ‘I’ve already spoken to Tolley. You won’t learn anything from him that I haven’t already told you.’
    ‘Nevertheless, we would like to meet the fellow. We’re likely to ask him questions that might never have occurred to you.’
    ‘What sort of questions?’ asked the other, suspiciously.
    ‘If you wish to know that,’ said Colbeck, ‘you’re welcome to be present.’
    There was a considered pause. ‘Very well,’ said SirMarcus, grudgingly. ‘You can speak to Tolley, if you must. But you said that you had
two
requests.’
    ‘The second is of a more delicate nature, Sir Marcus.’
    ‘Go on.’
    ‘Well,’ said Colbeck, ‘I wondered if we might be permitted to take a look at your daughter’s bedchamber.’
    ‘Indeed, you may not!’ exploded Sir Marcus. ‘I find the very notion both impertinent and distasteful. My daughter disappeared on a railway line, Inspector. You’ll not find her hiding upstairs in a wardrobe.’
    ‘If my suggestion was offensive, I apologise.’
    ‘It was offensive and wholly improper.’
    ‘Then I ask you to forgive me,’ said Colbeck, getting to his feet and signalling that Leeming should do likewise. ‘You have a beautiful library, Sir Marcus. I see that you’re an admirer of Shakespeare’s sonnets.’
    ‘I never have time to read poetry,’ snarled Sir Marcus with something akin to disgust. ‘Whatever gave you the idea that I did?’
    ‘That chair by the window is placed to catch the best of the light. I assumed that it’s your chosen place for reading. On the table beside it is a copy of the sonnets.’
    ‘Well, I certainly didn’t put it there – and neither did my wife. Lady Burnhope has even less interest in poetry than I. Really, Inspector,’ he chided, ‘I wish you’d ignore our reading habits and concentrate on finding our daughter.’
    ‘We’ll speak to the coachman at once,’ said Colbeck.
    Sir Marcus tugged at a bell pull. ‘One of my servants will take you to him.’
    ‘Thank you, Sir Marcus – and thank you for putting your trust in us. I have no doubt that we’ll find out exactlywhat happened to your daughter and her maid.