Crime at Tattenham Corner by Annie Haynes Read Free Book Online Page B

departed. Stoddart looked across at Harbord.
    â€œIs this your mysterious lady of the Wood and the handbag?”
    As he spoke the door opened. “Miss Burslem, sir – Miss Pamela Burslem.”
    â€œSir John’s daughter! Show her in at once,” the inspector ordered. He drew in his lips as he looked across at Harbord.
    Miss Burslem was ushered in in a moment – a tall, slim girl, in a short skirt and with the shingled hair of the period. She looked essentially modern. She glanced at Stoddart, who had risen and put his pipe down, and from him to Harbord.
    â€œWhich of you is in charge of the case?” she inquired abruptly. “The case of my father’s murder I mean?”
    â€œI am,” Stoddart answered. “And Mr. Harbord,” with a wave of his hand at the young man, “is my very capable and tried assistant.”
    â€œOh!”
    Miss Burslem took the chair nearest her. “Have you found out who is guilty?” she demanded unceremoniously.
    â€œNot yet,” the inspector said. “I understood that you were in Italy, otherwise –”
    â€œSo I was in Italy,” Miss Burslem said abruptly. “You didn’t expect me to stay there quietly when my father was murdered, I suppose?”
    â€œNo, but I was afraid that you might not have got home in time –”
    â€œWe are not living in the days of stage-coaches and sailing boats,” the girl said scornfully. “I flew, of course. Reached Croydon this morning and motored straight on.”
    It was evident to the inspector at a glance that the girl was tired and overwrought. Unlike her stepmother, she did not look as if she had been crying. Instead, her grey eyes were bright, hard and tearless.
    â€œBut I will not rest until my father’s murderer is punished,” she cried impatiently, “and I can tell you who he is – Sir Charles Stanyard, and if my stepmother would speak the truth –”
    â€œHush! Hush! my dear young lady,” the inspector said in real alarm. “Do you know that you might bring grave trouble upon yourself by making such a statement?”
    â€œYou mean that Stanyard might bring a libel against me?” Miss Burslem said more quietly. “Now, I am not going to turn hysterical on your hands. Don’t be afraid. But” – she pressed her lips together and looked at him squarely in the face before she continued – “I mean my father’s murderer to be found and brought to justice if I spend every penny I possess. That is why I came to you at once, as soon as I arrived. Don’t think of expense; I am going to offer a reward – oh, a very big reward – the biggest perhaps that has ever been offered, to bring the guilt home –”
    The inspector held up his hand. “Miss Burslem, everything will be done that can be done. As for money” – he shrugged his shoulders – “that will make no difference. Common justice for the rich as well as for the poor demands that Sir John’s murderer should be found and punished. With regard to offering a reward, it may be useful. But I must tell you that no member of the police force is allowed to take it.”
    â€œWell, if you stand for British justice –” retorted Miss Burslem more equably. “Can’t you see the whole thing? Lady Burslem was engaged to Sir Charles Stanyard when they never thought he would come in to the title and the estates. Then she met my father, who fell foolishly, madly in love with her. She threw over Captain Stanyard and married my father. Do you know that she was twenty-one and he was forty-two when she married him? Is it likely that she would care for him?” with the fine scorn of youth for middle age. “And my father’s death meant heaps of money for Sir Charles Stanyard. It meant that Perlyon won the Derby instead of Peep o’ Day, and they say he was on his colt to any amount. Oh, he knew