Our Lady of Pain Read Online Free PDF

heaved a sigh of relief. The only other diners were an elderly couple.
    Daisy shook out her napkin. “I hope the food’s not too bad,” she said. “I really don’t think a dump in a backwater like this can afford a good cook.”
    The meal came as a pleasant surprise. They started with a good vegetable broth followed by poached haddock and then tucked into a large dish of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. The dessert was spotted dick with custard.
    “Goodness,” said Daisy when they had finished. “Can’t wait to get upstairs and take me stays off.”
    The elderly lady and her husband exchanged shocked glances.
    “Do be quiet, Daisy,” hissed Rose. “You’re drawing attention to us.”
    But it was a relief to be back in their rooms again and to be able to undress and climb into their respective beds.
    Rose’s last thought before she fell asleep was of Harry. He would be so angry with her.

So, naturalists observe, a flea
Hath smaller fleas that on him prey;
And these have smaller fleas to bite ’em,
And so proceed ad infinitum.
  — JONATHAN SWIFT
    “You what?”
    Kerridge shifted uneasily but stared defiantly at the head of Scotland Yard, Sir Ian Wetherby.
    “The lady’s maid, Thomson, thought that Miss Duval might have been expecting a visit from a royal personage.”
    “Drop that line of investigation immediately, do you hear?”
    “Yes, sir. But this is murder.”
    “Leave it alone. Why are you fiddling about with this? Lady Rose Summer is found standing over a body with a gun in her hand. Arrest her.”
    “Her lawyer is Sir Crispin Briggs. He would point out we hadn’t a case. Jewellery was stolen. The fingerprints on the gun are those of Lady Rose, but also there are other fingerprints as well.”
    “I am surprised Hadshire let you fingerprint his precious daughter.”
    “We lifted her fingerprints from her office desk and typewriter.”
    “I still think she’s done it. Probably had an accomplice. Go and interview her again. I still think we have a good case against her but I will leave it to your discretion.”
    Meaning, thought Kerridge, that if I make a mistake, it’s all my fault.
    So on the morning of Rose’s flight, Kerridge fought his way through the questioning press to the earl’s front door and knocked loudly. He had taken the precaution of telephoning to say he was coming. The door opened a crack and then wider as Brum recognized the visitor. A babble of questions shouted by the press followed Kerridge indoors.
    “Pray inform his lordship that I wish to speak to Lady Rose again.”
    Brum went off up the stairs. Kerridge waited a long time. Brum finally came back down and said, “His lordship is now prepared to see you.”
    The earl was seated in the morning room with Lady Polly. “I think it necessary to interview Lady Rose again.”
    “You’ll need to wait till Briggs gets here.”
    The door opened and Brum reappeared. “My lord, Hunter informs me that neither Lady Rose nor Miss Levine are in their rooms and they have taken luggage.” Hunter was Rose’s lady’s maid.
    He was followed by an agitated Matthew Jarvis. “The money’s gone from the safe, my lord. This note was lying in it.”
    The earl took the note and scrutinized it. It was from Daisy. It said bluntly, “We have run away. The money will be replaced when we return. Yr. Humble and Obedient Servant, Daisy Levine.”
    “Get Cathcart!” howled the earl.
    “This is very bad, my lord,” said Kerridge. “Sir Ian Wetherby already considers Lady Rose to be guilty. Her running away will only confirm it.”
    “Captain Cathcart,” announced Brum in tones of doom.
    “That was quick,” said the earl. “I’ve only just told Matthew to get you.”
    “I was already on my way.” Harry looked round at the strained faces. “What’s up?”
    “Lady Rose has run away,” said Kerridge.
    “How could she be so stupid?” raged Harry. “If the press gets to hear of this, she’ll be as good as hanged in