Fatal Venture by Freeman Wills Crofts Read Free Book Online Page B

then six other names, invented names except for my own. Put my own second. Put them in a column, you know. Add someone imaginary as treasurer and yourself as secretary. On the other side put ‘Temporary Offices’, and give Malthus’ address and telephone number. That all necessary to make it look right?”
    Bristow controlled his satisfaction at this turn of events. “I think so,” he replied. “If I spot anything missing, I’ll add it.”
    “Make a decent job of it. Quiet but businesslike, you know. When can you have it ready?”
    “A day or two, I should think.”
    “I shall want it at ten o’clock on Wednesday morning in your office.”
    Bristow nodded. “I’ll see to it.”
    “You’ll need to or we’ll be disappointed. Have you a printer that does your firm’s work?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “Very well, get on to him at once. See the boss himself; don’t be put off with any Tom, Dick or Harry in the office. Put up any blessed yarn you fancy. Tell him money’s no object and to work his darned box of tricks all night if necessary. Get it done without fail.”
    In spite of his satisfaction at having so completely hooked Stott, Bristow found it hard to control his temper. Since he left school, he had not been treated as anyone’s message boy, and he didn’t like it. However, this was not the moment to stand on his dignity. He nodded coolly and stood up.
    “Ten o’clock in my office the morning after next?” he said. “Right. I’ll expect you.”
    “I’ll be there,” Stott promised, “and with any luck friend Malthus will get what he’s asked for.”
    No difficulties about time were raised by the printers, and when Bristow reached his office on the Wednesday a packet of 1,000 sheets of tastefully printed letter paper was waiting for him. He had only wanted one, but thought that a smaller order might be suspicious. He was pleased with his effort, which looked entirely convincing.
    At ten exactly Stott was shown in.
    “Got the paper?” he asked, without further introduction. “H’m, that looks all right. Now, see,” he went on, before Bristow could speak, “can you type?”
    “Slowly. But I can get a girl in.”
    “Don’t bother about any girl. Type this yourself,” and he handed over the draft of a letter. It read:
    October 3rd, 1937
    Messrs The Lilac Star Steamship Co, Ltd.
    Cockspur Street, SW1
     
    Purchase of SS Hellenic
    D EAR S IRS
    With reference to the negotiations which have passed between us, culminating in the granting to us of an option on the purchase of the SS
Hellenic,
I am instructed to inform you that at a board meeting held today, it was decided to complete the purchase immediately. We are enclosing our cheque for £125,000 (one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds sterling) herewith, and would be obliged if you would kindly make arrangements to hand over the ship as early as convenient, as there is little time to carry out the alterations we require, before putting her into commission.
    Yours faithfully.
    Secretary.
    Stott was in a much better humour than a couple of days earlier. “Sign that, Mr Secretary,” he chuckled as he watched Bristow’s face. Then he took a paper from his pocket. “I’ve a good cheque to go with it,” he observed, handing it over.
    Bristow metaphorically sat up and rubbed his eyes. It was a Lloyds cheque and it was filled in to read: “Pay Messrs Lilac Star Steamship Company Limited One hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds sterling (£125,000),” and was signed, “Home Waters Cruising Limited. J Mottram Stott, director.”
    “Countersign that as Secretary,” Stott added, “and it’ll look darned good.”
    “How in Hades have you done it, Mr Stott?” Bristow demanded as he wrote his name.
    Again Stott chuckled. “Quite simple,” he returned contentedly. “I called at my bank yesterday and opened an account under the heading ‘Home Waters Cruising Limited’ and paid a hundred and twenty-five thousand into it. It’ll