Charters and Caldicott by Stella Bingham Read Free Book Online Page A

Caldicott?’
    â€˜Is that all you have to say, Charters?’ said Caldicott indignantly.
    â€˜As I’ve already said, you’ve caught me at an inconvenient time. Goodbye, Caldicott.’
    â€˜Goodbye, Charters,’ said Caldicott, hurt as well as angered by Charters’ inexplicable attitude. He put the phone down.
    At the other end of the line, in his cosy cottage, Charters also replaced his receiver. He sighed, then spun round in his swivel chair to face, once again, the chauffeur Caldicott had correctly identified as Helen Appleyard’s accomplice. He was holding a revolver aimed straight at Charters’ heart.
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CHAPTER 4
    In spite of his uniform and a fittingly obsequious manner, the chauffeur managed to exude a kind of seedy menace more suited to a small-time crook. ‘Very good,’ he said as Charters put the phone down.
    â€˜That’s as may be,’ said Charters.
    â€˜You were sensible.’
    â€˜I was prudent.’
    â€˜Prudent, then. Now you prudently unlock that trunk.’ Jock Beevers’ battered and rope-bound trunk had been dragged down as far as the half-landing of the open staircase. Charters had evidently disturbed the chauffeur before his job was finished.
    â€˜You clearly have something to learn about the English language, Mr...? You are English, aren’t you?’ Getting no reply, Charters went on, ‘Prudence is the virtue of caution. As a cautious man, I’m unlikely to turn over the contents of Colonel Beevers’ trunk to an armed intruder without credentials.’
    The chauffeur was unimpressed. ‘I’ve already scratched your nice parquet landing getting it so far. If I have to drag it out to the car it’s going to cause a lot more damage.’
    â€˜French polishing is no problem in these parts,’ Charters said airily. ‘We’re blessed with some very fine craftsmen. Moreover, dragging that trunk out will take time – a commodity you don’t possess.’
    â€˜I’ve all the time in the world – time to tie you to that chair and persuade you – no, that’s not the right word either – to hand over those keys.’
    â€˜I think not. That telephone call just now was from my friend Mr Caldicott.’
    â€˜Clairvoyant, is he?’
    â€˜We’ve been in many tight spots together, he and I. We’ve therefore evolved a system of speaking in code.’
    â€˜So when you say he’s ringing at an inconvenient time, that’s a signal for him to dial 999,’ the chauffeur sneered, not believing a word of it. ‘Something of the sort.’
    â€˜Pull the other one, it’s got bells on.’
    Right on cue, they heard the siren of an approaching police car. The chauffeur, startled, dashed to the window as the car, its roof light flashing, drew up outside the cottage. Charters, who couldn’t have been more surprised if Concorde had landed on his front lawn, pulled himself together with difficulty. ‘You see,’ he said smugly. Yet even with help at hand, Charters, no coward, made no attempt to stop the chauffeur as he fled through the back door. Nor did he mention his intruder to the two policemen standing on his doorstep.
    â€˜Good evening, Mr Charters, sir,’ said the sergeant. ‘Sorry to make such a racket but it’s the only way we could get through them sheep. That lane’s jam-packed with the beggars.’
    â€˜They roll over the cattle grid, you know – sheep have more nous than is generally appreciated. Come in, Sergeant Bellows. Constable – what can I do for you?’
    â€˜We’re on an errand for Scotland Yard, sir,’ said Bellows, preceding his constable into the cottage. ‘An Inspector Snow. Says he’s already had discussions with you and he’d like us to take possession of a trunk.’
    â€˜Oh, yes. A moment, Sergeant Bellows. Let me shut the back door,’ said Charters,