The Toff on Fire Read Online Free PDF

limit, along Millaway Street towards Piccadilly Circus. At nine-ten there was a loud explosive noise coming from the direction of Hill Street, upon investigation this proved to be a window slamming as a result of a broken sash-cord, the breaking glass of which accounted for the explosive sound. We had quite a storm about then. At ten-nineteen a smell of smoke from the direction of …”
    He went on, briskly and confidently, as if he were reporting to his sergeant. Esmeralda watched and listened, fascinated; and the constable, in his early thirties, was not at all bad-looking. Nor was he unaware of Esmeralda’s gaze.
    Rollison gave him full marks but wished that he would hurry; it would not be long before John or Jane Wylie came to investigate.
    â€œâ€¦ at one o’clock, approximately, a two-stroke motorcycle was heard to approach the vicinity from Piccadilly, and three or four minutes later the engine was switched off. Later, the motor-cycle was seen turning out of Gresham Ter—out of this street, sir, driven by a man with a female passenger—” the constable paused, grinned, and had second thoughts. “With a girl on the back. I personally checked every street door in the Terrace subsequent to that, sir, and every ground floor window. There was no indication of anything wrong. At two-o-three …”
    Three minutes later, he finished, coughed, and looked mildly self-conscious; obviously he was even more aware of Esmeralda’s glowing eyes.
    â€œThat was wonderful,” breathed Esmeralda, in a quivering voice, “it really was. Thank you very much indeed.”
    â€œPleasure’s mine, miss,” the constable said. “Anytime.”
    â€œFrom this night on I shall sleep sounder whenever I know you’re on duty, Jim,” Rollison said, and proffered cigarettes. “I know you can’t smoke now, but that’s a large helmet you’re wearing.” The constable scooped, gratefully. “Now we’d better go and tell the others that we can’t find the pencil,” Rollison said to Esmeralda, “or they’ll think we’ve eloped. Good night.” He took Esmeralda’s arm firmly and led her away, and the policeman did not move until the door had closed on them. “Esmeralda,” went on Rollison with deep feeling, “you could be the ruin of that young man’s life.”
    â€œRolly darling,” cooed Esmeralda, “I don’t care how many babies there are, I think you’re a genius. No wonder you’re so famous! That couple on the motor-cycle did bring the baby here, didn’t they?”
    â€œIt’s possible.”
    â€œAnd the way you wormed it out of the policeman was absolutely gorgeous,” went on Esmeralda, marvelling. By then, they were half-way up the stairs. “Without giving him the faintest idea that anything had happened here, too. Of course I can understand why you mustn’t allow anyone to learn about this,” she continued, becoming earnest and conspiratorial. “You needn’t worry about me. I’ll keep mum, but you might find it difficult with John and Jane. Especially Jane. She has rather a thing about there being one law for the rich and one for the poor, you know, and the fact that it would cause a dreadful scandal and get in all the newspapers if it leaked out, wouldn’t stop her. You’re going to have your work cut out to convince her that the baby isn’t yours,” declared Esmeralda, “that’s about the only way you’ll keep her quiet. Jane’s a wonderful Aunt and I’m very fond of her, but she’s got such an uncomfortable conscience.”
    Rollison looked thoughtfully down upon the golden head.
    â€œWhereas you just have a mind,” he observed. “I wouldn’t like to be the man who marries you, my Esmeralda. Now let’s go and do battle with Aunt Jane.”
    As they went up, he wondered a little