The Firebird Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page A

must tell me the truth or I cannot help you.’
    She looked down into her cup. ‘He is my father and I love him dearly, but he does have a secretive side.’
    â€˜Secretive? In what way?’
    â€˜He has never disappeared before, but sometimes he has gone away for days at a time on business.’
    â€˜That can’t be too unusual,’ Mr Doyle said.
    â€˜It’s not. He says he is in the import and export trade.’
    â€˜But you doubt this? Why?’
    â€˜He…he…’ Scarlet burst into tears.
    Mr Doyle looked embarrassed. Jack was unsure what to say so he produced a handkerchief and gave it to the young lady.
    â€˜Thank you, young man,’ said Scarlet.
    â€˜Uh, actually, I’m fourteen,’ Jack said, trying to draw himself up to full height.
    â€˜Quite grown up.’
    Jack set his jaw. ‘Quite.’
    â€˜I do apologise,’ Scarlet said. ‘My father has tried to shelter me from the world and I have lived much of my life in books.’
    â€˜I enjoy reading too,’ Jack said.
    â€˜I am a great fan of the Brinkie Buckeridge books,’ Scarlet said, brightening.
    â€˜Brinkie who?’
    â€˜Brinkie Buckeridge,’ Scarlet said, ‘by Baroness Zakharov.’
    â€˜Ah.’ Mr Doyle turned to Jack. ‘They are a series of romantic adventure books. The heroine, Brinkie Buckeridge, invariably faces her nemesis, and sometime love interest, Wilbur Dusseldorf.’
    â€˜I have just finished reading The Adventure of the Five-Headed Duck ,’ Scarlet said. ‘Have you read the books, Mr Doyle?’
    â€˜Not as yet,’ he said. ‘Now...back to your father.’
    Scarlet sighed. ‘It’s a terrible thing to doubt your own father, but I have always suspected him of leading a double life.’
    â€˜What brought you to that conclusion?’ asked Mr Doyle.
    â€˜He often comes and goes at all hours. Sometimes he is absent for days and weeks at a time, yet he keeps up an illusion of it all being part of his business.’
    â€˜And you think it is not?’
    â€˜On more than one occasion I have checked his passport and not found any stamps indicating travel to other countries. He has received visitors at odd hours. Whenever I ask my father about his late-night callers, he denies their existence.’
    Jack was beginning to feel like a loose cog. ‘Blimey. That does sound strange.’
    â€˜He came home last week with a cut above his eye. He told me he had fallen and hit his head.’
    â€˜And you did not believe him?’ Mr Doyle said.
    â€˜It’s always possible,’ Scarlet admitted. ‘But after the incident he began to take other precautions. He placed extra locks on all the doors and windows and told me not to go out at night.’
    â€˜Miss Bell,’ Mr Doyle began.
    â€˜Please call me Scarlet.’
    â€˜Scarlet, it is important you do not jump to conclusions. There may very well be a logical explanation for everything that has occurred.’
    â€˜Such as?’
    â€˜Your father may have formed a relationship with a woman and not told you for fear of hurting your feelings. They may have argued—possibly violently. It has been written that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. He feared for your safety, hence the new locks on the doors.’
    â€˜All the more reason to worry about his absence,’ Scarlet said. ‘Oh please, Mr Doyle. Please help me. The police have given no assistance at all.’
    â€˜I will help you.’ Mr Doyle bowed his head. ‘We will journey to your home today.’
    Scarlet Bell thanked him. The detective turned to Jack.
    â€˜Can you pack a small bag for yourself, in case we are gone overnight. I have one ready. We will meet on the balcony in five minutes.’
    Mr Doyle left to speak to Gloria about rearranging his diary. Jack gave Scarlet a quick nod and hurried to his room. Packing his bag only took a moment. He