Suspects—Nine Read Online Free PDF Page A

picked out in red, hanging weapons, some odd-looking carvings and other curios, photographs of distant cities, a rare skin or two upon the floor, all spoke of travel. Bobby noticed, too, hanging over the mantelpiece, in a prominent position, a broad-bladed, slightly-curved, formidable-looking knife: He wondered if that were the knife Lady Alice was said to have wrested from the hand of an Arab who had attacked her and with it to have dealt the intruder his death blow.
    She saw him looking at it and for a moment her steady, expressionless gaze wavered. There was a box of cigarettes on the table. She took one of the cigarettes and pushed the box over to him with a gesture of invitation.
    â€œWell, Mr, Detective-Sergeant Bobby Owen,” she said, “what do you want?”
    â€œOh, thank you,” said Bobby, helping himself to a cigarette and allowing to appear no trace of surprise, slightly disconcerted though he was to find himself thus recognized. Then an explanation occurred to him as he remembered Martin in the entrance hall and Lady Alice’s remark that her ’phone had rung. Evidently Martin had used the house ’phone to warn Lady Alice of Bobby’s arrival; and that meant both that Martin was in fact in Lady Alice’s employ, and that there was something Martin knew which made him think it possible Scotland Yard might be interested in her activities.
    Interesting deductions, Bobby thought. He said lightly,
    â€œOh, a detective-sergeant only on duty and I’m not on duty now. I suppose Mr. Martin told you my name?”

CHAPTER III
PLODDING ALONG
    It was now Lady Alice’s turn to try not to show herself slightly disconcerted. Bobby thought she was distinctly less successful than he hoped he had been, for her pale eyes flashed at him a sudden look and the thin line of her close-pressed lips parted for a moment to show her strong and even teeth. It was as though the look flashed a demand to know how he knew that, as if the thin lips had parted to let escape a breath of astonishment. Then almost at once her features assumed again their usual harsh expression and Bobby knew they would betray to him her thoughts no more. He wondered if it was because her self-control were less perfect than it seemed, or because her surprise had been so complete, or because there was something in her connection with Martin it was pressingly important to conceal—especially from a policeman—that she had been less successful than himself in concealing her feelings.
    â€œSit down,” she said, jerking her head at a chair. “You saw Martin as you came in, didn’t you? He said he saw you. I suppose you know who he is?”
    â€œI have come across him once or twice,” Bobby answered carefully. “Please understand that I know nothing against him. So far as police records are concerned, his is perfectly clear. But I think I may say that in my personal opinion it would be wise to exercise considerable caution in any dealings with him.”
    â€œJust put that in plain English, please,” ordered Lady Alice. “Official rigmarole makes me sick.”
    â€œOfficial rigmarole,” retorted Bobby, “is the official way of exercising the considerable caution I suggested.”
    â€œYou mean Martin’s a scoundrel?”
    â€œIf I said so, it would probably be actionable,” Bobby pointed out. “I merely suggest caution in dealing with him and I’m afraid I must ask you to let it go at that.”
    â€œI can take care of myself,” retorted Lady Alice.
    â€œOh, yes,” agreed Bobby. “You’ve only to look round this room to see that,” He paused and looked thoughtfully at the cigarette he had accepted, “You know,” he said, “it’s an odd thing, but I can assure you half the cases that we get, have to do with people quite capable of looking after themselves.”
    Lady Alice permitted herself a contortion of her