The Affair of the Thirty-Nine Cufflinks

by James Anderson

  'What's the matter?'

  'If Mother was - was murdered, the murderer's got to still be in the house, hasn't he?'

  'Oh, I don't think—'

  'But your burglar alarm. The Earl was saying earlier that no one can get out without setting it off.'

  Gerry bit her lip. It was, of course, true.

  'Suppose he's in here?' Dorothy said, fearfully.

  'I'm sure he's not.'

  'But why not? We must search. Will you look under the bed?'

  'Of course.'

  She walked across to the bed and knelt down, while Dorothy went to the large wardrobe, stopped and took a deep breath, before reaching for the knob. In spite of her airy manner, Gerry did feel a slight frisson of apprehension as she lifted the bedspread and lowered her head. Just suppose . . . ? But all was clear. She stood up at the same moment as Dorothy, with obvious relief, firmly reclosed the wardrobe door.

  'Nothing,' Gerry said, 'and there's nowhere else in here he could be.' The rest of the furniture consisted of a dressing-table and stool, a bedside table, one easy and one upright chair.

  'I expect you think I'm terribly silly.'

  'No, I should have thought of it.'

  Dorothy sat on the bed, meticulously removed her shoes, then put her legs up and lay down.

  'Can I get you some brandy?' Gerry asked.

  'No, really, thank you.'

  'Or just a glass of water?'

  'Nothing at all just now, thank you.'

  'I'll stay with you.'

  'There's really no need.'

  'I want to.'

  'Well, if you're sure. You're very kind.'

  Gerry sat down herself in the easy chair. Her mind was in a whirl and she did not know what to say. Should she offer sympathy and commiserations? It hardly seemed adequate. Would apologies be more in order? Did any blame attach to her family? On two occasions they had had guests murdered under their roof. Now it had happened again. Was there anything she or her parents could have done to prevent it? Gerry closed her eyes. She suddenly felt very, very tired - something she was not at all used to.

  Meanwhile, Lord Burford was explaining to a shocked Timothy what had occurred. Within a few seconds, they were joined by Gregory, Jean Mackenzie and finally by Tommy, to all of whom the situation had to be explained anew. Each of them, it seemed, had been woken by the crash and had got up to investigate.

  'What the dickens caused that noise?' the Earl muttered. 'There's nothing in there' — he pointed into Clara's room—'to account for it.'

  'I can tell you that,' said Gregory. 'I was closest to it. Tremendous noise. The door of your art gallery's open, and I looked in. It was that old suit of armour you've got in there. It's fallen over - pieces scattered all over the place.'

  Lord Burford looked totally bewildered. 'Why on earth should he have gone in there? There's no way out that way. And he surely couldn't have knocked it over accidentally.'

  Before anyone could answer him they saw a sudden moving splash of colour at the far end of the main corridor. It was Stella and Penny, one in a sky-blue and the other a pink dressing-gown. They hurried towards the group, Stella calling out urgently: 'Have you caught him?'

  The Earl stared at her. 'You saw him?'

  'Yes, he was in my room.'

  'In your room?' It was Timothy who reacted first. He looked really concerned. 'Did he attempt to harm you?'

  'No. Something woke me, I opened my eyes and could just see the outline of a person poking about by the dresser. I yelled out something and he made a bee-line for the door.'

  'Thank God. But what a terrifying experience for you!'

  'It was all over too quick to be terrifying, really. I kept on shouting, he ran out and I lost sight of him. I jumped out of bed and ran to the door. I was still shouting at the top of my voice - I read once that if you surprise a burglar it's best to make as much noise as you can - but he'd disappeared. Then Penny emerged.'

  Penny said: 'I didn't see him. I just came out to see what Stella was shouting about. We decided the best thing to do was wake Daddy. Then, when we got to his room, we saw you all. What is happening?'

  The Earl put his hands to his head. 'Will somebody please tell them? I can't go through it all again.'

  Timothy drew the two girls aside and started talking to them in a low voice. Penny gave a little scream. Stella remained silent, but her eyes widened in horror.

  The Countess said urgently: 'George, we can't stand here all night like this. We must do something.'

  'Yes, yes, of course. Losin' my grip a bit, I'm afraid. Just all too damn familiar. Doctor, first, I suppose, then the police. Lavinia, could you telephone them?'

  'Of course.'

  'I'll have to organise a search of the house. I'll rouse Merryweather, and he can wake the footmen. There are three of them, but it's still going to take some time.'

  Gregory said: 'Well, you can count on me to help.'

  'Yes, me too,' Tommy said eagerly.

  'Oh, thank you. Well, William, Benjamin and Albert are all strapping lads, and even Merryweather's no weakling, so we should be able to handle him.'

  Timothy turned away from the girls and was obviously about to speak. But before he could do so, Gregory addressed him directly.

  'You'll probably be advised to keep out of it, dear cousin. I mean, you're not exactly a strapping lad, are you?'

  Timothy's face remained expressionless but his complexion noticeably darkened. He moved towards Gregory and held out his hand. 'I appreciate your being so concerned for my safety.'

  Clearly taken aback, Gregory hesitated for a second before taking the proffered hand.

  Nobody afterwards could say precisely what happened next. With the speed of a striking cobra, Timothy pulled Gregory towards him, turned, put his left arm round Gregory's neck, bent his knees and drove back with his hips. The larger man's feet left the ground, he performed a graceful somersault in the air and the next second had landed on his back with a thump that shook the floor. Timothy said quietly: 'I have been practising ju-jitsu for a number of years, and am a 3rd Dan.'

  As Gregory clambered awkwardly to his feet, the others gazed at Timothy speechlessly, the two girls with something like awe. 'Zowie!' Stella murmured under her breath, then softly to Penny: 'Did you know he could do that?'

  Penny, wide-eyed, shook her head. She whispered: 'He goes to a gym twice a week, but I thought he just did physical jerks and things.'

  'He's quite a guy, your pa.'

  Meanwhile, as though nothing had happened, Timothy was addressing the Earl. 'Naturally, I will take part in the search. You are convinced, I take it, that this villain is still on the premises.'

  'Urn - what? Er . . .' He was uncertain whether or not to make any comment about what had happened, then decided it was better not to. 'Can't see any other explanation. I explained about our security system. Merryweather locked up at about ten thirty - he always reports to me as soon as he's done so - at which time the alarm automatically switches on. So the fellow must have got in before that. Now, we'd better search in pairs: each of us go with one of the servants. You three chaps better follow their leadin', as they all know the house like the backs of their hands. I don't suppose any of you ladies feel like goin' back to bed?' He looked in turn at Jean Mackenzie, Stella and Penny. There was a vigorous shaking of heads.

  'Right, then, I suggest you all go downstairs with Lavinia. Stay together and you should be quite safe. Now I suppose I've got to wake Merryweather and tell him the news.'

  Chapter Nineteen

  Gerry jumped to her feet as a light knock came at the door, and Dorothy opened her eyes. Gerry hurried to the door. 'Who is it?'

  'Me.' It was the Earl's voice.

  She opened the door. 'What's happening?' she asked.

  He kept his voice low. 'We've just completed a search of the house. There's no sign of an intruder.'

  Gerry's eyes widened. 'Are you sure?'

  'Absolutely. We've looked in every room, eve
ry recess, in every cupboard, under every bed. Even the secret passage.'

  'And he's certainly not in here.'

  'That's what I was going to ask you. It suddenly occurred to me.'

  'I checked under the bed and Dorry in the wardrobe. I suppose the alarm system could be faulty. I mean, nothing's absolutely infallible, so he could have got out.'

  'Possible, I suppose. No doubt the police will check it.'

  'You've called them?'

  'Your mother will have done so by now.'

  'Where is everybody?'

  'Downstairs. I'm just going to join them. I need a drink. Er, you'll stay here, I suppose?'

  Gerry was about to answer when Dorothy joined them in the doorway.

  'How are you, my dear?' asked the Earl.

  'All right, thank you.'

  'Forgive my mentionin' it, but you haven't phoned your sister, have you?'

  Dorothy shook her head. 'I explained to Gerry, she was going to a party this evening. I meant to phone about half-past twelve. I think she would have been back by that time. But then - it all happened. Er, what time is it?'

  Lord Burford glanced at his watch. 'Just gone one thirty.'

  'She's sure to be in bed by now.'

  'But she'd want to be woken, wouldn't she?'

  'She wouldn't hear the phone. It's in the hall, and neither Aggie nor I can hear it in our rooms. Mother's is the only bedroom it can be heard from. Of course, if you think I should try . . .'

  'Well, it wouldn't do any harm, if you feel up to it.'

  'Oh yes, I'll come down now.'

  On the way downstairs, Gerry said: 'She'll have been wondering why you haven't phoned.'

  'Yes, I expect so.'

  'I wonder why she didn't call here.'

  'I don't think she knows your number, actually.'

  'Oh, and of course, we're ex-directory, so she couldn't get it from Enquiries. Stupid of me. And it's so easy, too: Alderley One.' She thought that to keep chatting away about trivialities might help a little to take the other girl's mind off the horror of the situation, but wasn't really hopeful.

  She took Dorothy to the telephone room and waited outside while she made the call.

  Lord Burford went to the drawing-room, where he found all the guests gathered. The women had been told about the result of the search, and everybody was looking rather grim as the full implications of this sank in.

  Lord Burford crossed to the Countess. 'Did you get through all right?'

  She nodded. 'Dr. Ingleby was out on a confinement, but his wife will notify him immediately he returns. I told her there was no great urgency, as there is nothing he can do. I also spoke to P.C. Dobson in the village — not going into any great detail. He was going to inform the County Police Headquarters in Westchester and then cycle here. I told him, too, that there was no hurry, as I knew you would want to complete the search before having to set off the alarm.'

  'Quite right, my dear. Thank you.'

  'And George - I'm so sorry. You were against this little house party from the start, I know. I talked you into it. And your worst fears have been realised. I feel very much to blame. But who could have anticipated that something like this could happen, again?'

  'No need to blame yourself, Lavinia. I went along. Heaven help me, I went along.'

  * * *

  Dorothy came out of the telephone room in about three minutes. 'No reply.'

  'Well, at least you can tell her you tried. What do you want to do now? Come into the drawing-room with the others?'

  'No, I think I'd like to go back up to my room.'

  'Come on, then.'

  'No, Gerry, there's no need for you to come with me.'

  'Oh, but I don't mind, honestly.'

  'No, really, you've been marvellous, but I would like to be on my own for a while.'

  'If you're certain. Do you want anything?'

  'A cup of tea would be nice.'

  'All right, I'll have some sent up.'

  'Thank you very much.'

  'Oh, and don't be startled if you hear an alarm bell shortly. We'll be opening the door to let the doctor and police in.'

  'Of course.'

  Dorothy ascended the stairs. Gerry watched her until she disappeared from sight, then pulled the cord of the nearest bell. Merryweather arrived within seconds. He was fully dressed and as immaculate as ever.

  'Merry, will you have some tea sent up to Miss Dorothy, please?'

  'Certainly, my lady.' He started to turn away.

  'And Merry, thank you. For taking all this so wonderfully in your stride, I mean. Please thank all the servants. I'm so sorry you're having to go through it all again.'

  'That is quite all right, your ladyship. I, for one, am becoming quite accustomed to these occurrences.'

  Gerry joined the others in the drawing-room. For the next ten minutes, conversation was virtually non-existent. When one had said how terrible it was and how inexplicable three or four times, there seemed nothing more to say.

  At last there came the sound of the doorbell. The Earl heaved himself to his feet. 'That'll be Ingleby or Dobson.'

  He went out to the great hall, where Merryweather was approaching the front doors. He unlocked and unbolted them, and pulled one open. Immediately a deafeningly loud clanging shattered the silence.

  It was Dobson who was standing in the porch.

  'Come in, Constable,' Lord Burford shouted above the din.

  'Thank you, my lord.' He removed his helmet, carefully and unnecessarily wiped his feet and entered.

  The Earl went up to him and spoke loudly into his ear. 'Come into the morning-room. Won't be so loud in there. It is morning, after all.'

  He led the way and when he had shut the door behind them the noise was considerably muffled. 'What did my wife tell you, exactly?'

  'Just that a lady had been found dead, my lord, and that it looked as though foul play might be involved.'

  'I think that's pretty definite. Her name is Mrs Clara Saunders. She's a distant cousin of mine.'

  Dobson took out his notebook and slowly wrote down the name. 'She would have been one of the mourners at the funeral, my lord?'

  'Yes, she was the dead lady's daughter-in-law. D'you want me to go on?'

  'I don't think there's much point, my lord. Better to wait until the CID arrive and give them all the details.'

  'So, what do you want to do?'

  'I had better inspect the remains, my lord. There is not much else that I can do.'

  'Very well, I'll take you up.'

  They had just reached Clara's room when the alarm bell blessedly fell silent.

  The Earl opened the door. 'Nobody's touched anything, other, obviously, than the knob and the light switch.'

  Dobson went into the room, looked down at Clara's body for a quarter of a minute and then came out. He took out a pocket watch, glanced at it, put it away and wrote in his notebook, saying as he did so: ' Viewed remains of victim at 2:10 a.m. Right, my lord, I'll just wait here until CID arrive.'

  'You don't happen to know who the investigating officer's going to be, do you?'

  'It'll depend who's available, my lord.'

  'Yes, of course. I do hope it's—' He broke off. 'Never mind.'

  He went downstairs again.

  Chapter Twenty

  It was just twelve minutes later when they heard the sound of car tyres on the gravel outside. Again the Earl went into the Great Hall. But this time when Merryweather opened the doors two men were standing there. The first was rather plump, had a drooping black moustache and a melancholy expression. He was wearing a raincoat and black bowler hat. With him was a tall, strongly built, brown-skinned young man.

  Lord Burford gave a sigh of relief. 'Wilkins! I'm so glad it's you.'

  Detective Chief-Inspector Wilkins came in, removing his bowler hat. 'Why, thank you, my lord. That is extremely gratifying.' He had a surprisingly deep and somewhat mournful voice, and did not sound in the least gratified. 'It's not often people ar
e pleased to see me. And I must say this is like coming home, if I may make so bold.'

  They shook hands. The Earl looked at the younger man. 'Detective-Sergeant Leather, isn't it? How are you?'

  'Well, my lord, thank you.'

  He turned back to Wilkins. 'How much have you been told?'

  'Very little, my lord. Just that there has been another regrettable incident here. Murder, I believe.'

  'Yes.'

  Wilkins made a tutting sound. 'Dear, dear. Most unfortunate. Well, I can't say that I'm surprised.'

  The Earl stared at him in astonishment. 'You're not? You mean you expected us to have another murder?'

  'I wouldn't go that far, my lord. But twice I have been called to investigate murders here. You know the old saying, "Never two without three." '

  'Bit superstitious, isn't it?'

  'I am superstitious, my lord, I admit it. But I don't think that particular saying is superstitious. Two unusual occurrences in the same place, or involving the same person or persons, might well suggest some underlying cause leading to a third.'

  'The only underlyin' cause I can think of is that blasted gypsy's curse. I'm startin' to think there might be somethin' in it. Otherwise, it's such an incredible coincidence.'

  'Perhaps not, my lord. Let's wait and see.' He lowered his voice. 'And may I ask, my lord, do you have any film stars here this time?'

  'No, nobody like that.'

  'Or oil millionaires?'

  'No, just relatives. One of them's an MP.'

  'Really?' He seemed to perk up a little.

  'Thinkin' of your memoirs, were you?'

  He was amazed to see the Chief Inspector actually blush, but before he could reply two more men appeared in the doorway. One was carrying a small case and the other a camera and a large accessory bag.

  'Perhaps my fingerprint man and photographer could be shown the deceased, my lord?'

  'Yes, of course. Oh, and one of the other guests reported an intruder in her room, lurking by the dressing-table. I don't know whether he'll want to check in there as well.'