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Page 45
"There are sure to be people who will say they did, later on.
There was never a missing man yet but a dozen people come forward
who swear to have seen him at a dozen different places at the
same time."
Cayley smiled.
"Yes. That's true. Anyhow, he wants to drag the pond first."
He added dryly, "From what I've read of detective stories,
inspectors always do want to drag the pond first."
"Is it deep?"
"Quite deep enough," said Cayley as he got up. On his way to the
door he stopped, and looked at Antony. "I'm so sorry that we're
keeping you here like this, but it will only be until to-morrow.
The inquest is to-morrow afternoon. Do amuse yourself how you
like till then. Beverley will look after you."
"Thanks very much. I shall really be quite all right."
Antony went on with his breakfast. Perhaps it was true that
inspectors liked dragging ponds, but the question was, Did
Cayleys like having them dragged? Was Cayley anxious about it,
or quite indifferent? He certainly did not seem to be anxious,
but he could hide his feelings very easily beneath that heavy,
solid face, and it was not often that the real Cayley peeped out.
Just a little too eager once or twice, perhaps, but there was
nothing to be learnt from it this morning. Perhaps he knew that
the pond had no secrets to give up. After all, inspectors were
always dragging ponds.
Bill came in noisily.
Bill's face was an open book. Excitement was written all over
it.
"Well," he said eagerly, as he sat down to the business of the
meal, "what are we going to do this morning?"
"Not talk so loudly, for one thing," said Antony. Bill looked
about him apprehensively. Was Cayley under the table, for
example? After last night one never knew.
"Is er--" He raised his eyebrows.
"No. But one doesn't want to shout. One should modulate the
voice, my dear William, while breathing gently from the hips.
Thus one avoids those chest-notes which have betrayed many a
secret. In other words, pass the toast."
"You seem bright this morning."
"I am. Very bright. Cayley noticed it. Cayley said, 'Were it
not that I have other business, I would come gathering nuts and
may with thee. Fain would I gyrate round the mulberry-bush and
hop upon the little hills. But the waters of Jordan encompass me
and Inspector Birch tarries outside with his shrimping-net. My
friend William Beverley will attend thee anon. Farewell, a long
farewell to all--thy grape-nuts.' He then left up-centre. Enter
W. Beverley, R."
"Are you often like this at breakfast?"
"Almost invariably. Said he with his mouth full. 'Exit W.
Beverley, L."
"It's a touch of the sun, I suppose," said Bill, shaking his head
sadly.
"It's the sun and the moon and the stars, all acting together on
an empty stomach. Do you know anything about the stars, Mr.
Beverley? Do you know anything about Orion's Belt, for instance?
And why isn't there a star called Beverley's Belt? Or a novel?
Said he masticating. Re-enter W. Beverley through trap-door."
"Talking about trap-doors--"
"Don't," said Antony, getting up. "Some talk of Alexander and
some of Hercules, but nobody talks about--what's the Latin for
trap-door?--Mensa a table; you might get it from that. Well, Mr.
Beverley,"--and he slapped him heartily on the back as he went
past him--"I shall see you later. Cayley says that you will
amuse me, but so far you have not made me laugh once. You must
try and be more amusing when you have finished your breakfast.
But don't hurry. Let the upper mandibles have time to do the
work." With those words Mr. Gillingham then left the spacious
apartment.
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