The Affair of the Mutilated Mink Read Online Free PDF Page B

of wider road that ran past the entrance to the drive leading up to the house. He twisted the throttle grip, leaning over so that the wheels of the sidecar actually left the ground.
    One thing, however, which he had not allowed for was the heavy overnight frost that had resulted in icy roads. Until he'd reached the village he'd been travelling on main roads, on which grit had been laid. But this twisting, little-used lane had not been treated.
    Suddenly Hugh felt the bike start to slip from under him. The next moment he found himself rolling over and over on the road. It seemed as though he was never going to stop. But eventually he did, and when his head had cleared he sat dizzily up.
    After a few seconds he decided he wasn't hurt and got unsteadily to his feet. Suddenly he no longer felt cold. He walked over to his cycle and sidecar, which were apparently undamaged. Hugh tried to get the contraption upright. But it was heavy and his feet kept slipping on the still icy surface.
    He was making another attempt when he heard a car approaching from around the bend. It had the deep-throated roar of an expensive sports model. Hugh started to run towards the bend. But his feet went from under him again. By the time he'd scrambled up, a long, low scarlet drop-head tourer had appeared round the curve.
    Hugh yelled and waved his arms. He saw the driver brake and the car start to skid. Hugh threw himself to one side, and in a graceful spin the sportscar's nearside rear wheel went over the front wheel of the motorcycle.
     
    * * *
     
    Paul felt the bump and a horrible crunching clatter. Then the car had stopped and there was a great calm. He got hastily out and saw that the front wheel of the motorcycle was badly buckled. The driver, only his nose showing between goggles and scarf, was standing on the grassy shoulder, staring mutely at the wreckage.
    Paul walked towards him. 'I say, old man, I'm most frightfully sorry—'
    Without taking his eyes from his injured machine, the motorcyclist raised both arms skywards in a gesture of fury and shouted, 'You reckless imbecile!'
    Paul said, 'Now, steady on. I only—'
    ' You only ? You only wrecked my—' He looked at Paul for the first time and stopped short. ' You ?' he said.
    Paul felt a sudden chill of alarm. He said, 'What?'
    'Carter! What are you doing here?'
    'I'm afraid I don't—'
    The other suddenly tore off his goggles and scarf, and Paul's eyes widened. 'Quartus! Hullo. I didn't recognise you in that get- up.'
    'I said, what are you doing here?' Hugh snapped. His face was white.
    'I'm on my way to Alderley.'
    'I gathered that, you fool. But just why are you on your way there?'
    Paul frowned. 'I've been invited for the weekend.'
    Hugh was breathing hard. 'By Geraldine?'
    'Yes, of course.'
    'The little beast!'
    'Look here, don't you speak about Gerry like that.'
    'What's it to you how I speak about Gerry?'
    'I think a lot of her. I won't stand by and listen to her insulted.'
    'Then don't stand by. Clear off. I'll stay here and insult her to my heart's content.'
    Paul swallowed and managed to control himself. He said, 'I'm sorry about the bike.'
    'So am I!'
    'But I'm not really to blame—'
    'Not to blame! I suppose you think my machine dived under your car — decided to commit suicide!'
    'I came round the bend and it was in the middle of the road.'
    'A driver should be prepared for obstructions in the road. He shouldn't drive so fast that he can't stop if—'
    'Oh, for Pete's sake! Normally I could have stopped, but the road's icy—'
    'The road's icy! He's telling me the road's icy! Why do you think I came off?'
    'I wouldn't know,' Paul retorted. 'It could have been sheer incompetence — or, to judge from your manner, drunkenness. However, I have no wish to continue arguing. Although I admit no legal liability, I'm naturally prepared to pay for the repairs—'
    'I don't want your confounded charity.'
    'As you wish. But if you change your mind, the offer stands. Now, as the bike