Trouble on the Thames Read Online Free PDF Page A

give me such a good time. Besides, think of all the horrid things people would say if it was broken off now. Oh, I just couldn’t face up to it. I—I’d rather go out and throw myself in the river.”
    â€œBut a thousand pounds! Why, it’s fantastic. How can you possibly get hold of it?”
    â€œI can’t. All I could raise would be five hundred. I could get that by selling Aunt Lucy’s necklace.”
    â€œAnd you would, I suppose?”
    â€œWhy not? What’s an ugly old necklace to me compared with the chance of marrying Julian?”
    â€œEven then it would only be half what he’s asking for.”
    â€œThat’s where I want you to help me. You’re so clever, and you don’t get frightened and rattled like I do. It wouldn’t be the slightest use my trying, but if you were to go and see him and have a talk to him—”
    â€œI!”
    â€œOh, you will, Sally, promise me you will.” With an imploring gesture Sheila caught hold of her sister’s hands. “It’s so terribly important, and there’s no one else I can trust. If you were to let me down—”
    â€œDon’t say any more about drowning yourself, darling, because I don’t believe it.” Sally smiled wryly. “Let’s cut out the sob stuff and come to the point. What you’re suggesting is that I should drop in on this beauty and do a spot of bargaining for you?”
    Sheila wriggled uncomfortably and drew away her hands. “I feel it’s an awful lot to ask,” she murmured.
    â€œWhere does he hang out, and how could one get hold of him?”
    â€œThat’s what makes it so difficult. He—he wants me to drive down to Playford on Sunday night and bring the money to his bungalow. He says he won’t give me the letter otherwise.”
    â€œPlayford? You mean that little place on the river?”
    Sheila nodded.
    â€œBut what’s the idea? Why can’t you meet him in London?”
    â€œI don’t know. I expect he’s afraid I might go to the police, and he thinks he’ll be quite safe down there.”
    Sally remained silent for a moment.
    â€œWhat time was this precious appointment for?” she demanded.
    â€œHalf-past ten, he said. You see how impossible it is? Suppose someone I know saw me going in there and went and told Julian.”
    â€œI imagine he’d be a trifle vexed.”
    â€œHe’d never speak to me again. Besides, what would be the good of it, anyway? That beast Granville knows I’m frightened of him, and if I only brought five hundred he’d just say that there was nothing doing. Now if it were you—”
    â€œWhat’s the name of the bungalow?” asked Sally curtly.
    â€œIt’s called Sunny Bank, and it’s the last one you come to going towards Thames Ferry. It’s some way from any of the others—a small, white place with a red roof and a green fence in front.”
    â€œGosh!” said Sally. “It only wants pink curtains to make it the Ideal Home!”
    Sheila stared blankly for a moment, and then a sudden gleam of hope leaped into her eyes.
    â€œYou mean you’ll do it? You will really?”
    â€œI suppose I’d better.” Sally shrugged. “Can’t say I feel wildly enthusiastic. I still think the right thing would be to tell Mr. Sutton to go to Hell, and then let Julian know all about it. If he had any decency he’d tear up the letter without reading it.”
    â€œHe’s not that sort.” Sheila shook her head decisively.
    â€œWell, you know him best. What I want to make quite clear, though, is that if I agree to tackle the job I’m going to do it in my own way.”
    â€œHow do you mean?”
    â€œI shall tell Sutton you’ll pay five hundred and not a farthing more. He can either accept that and bring the letter here, or if he prefers to go without the money and gratify his spite he