Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery by Anthony Berkeley Read Free Book Online Page A

been a governess, a shop assistant, a waitress and a parlourmaid.”
    “Good God!” Anthony breathed.
    The girl laughed suddenly with genuine amusement. “Oh, you needn’t pity me for the last. That was the best of the lot. I can’t think why I didn’t try it sooner. Governessing was the worst I think; but they do work waitresses rather hard, I must admit. Well, that sort of thing went on for three years, as I told you; and then I was dismissed from my proud position of parlourmaid by an irate lady because her husband wanted to kiss me and was tactless enough to try with the door open. I boxed his ears for her, but apparently that wasn’t enough, so I was turned out, with a month’s wages in my bag. I’d just come to an end of them and was beginning to wonder rather desperately where the next was to come from, when I got a letter from Elsie – Mrs Vane, you know.”
    Anthony nodded. “Your cousin?”
    “Yes; her mother was my mother’s sister. I’d never seen her in my life – hardly even heard of her, in fact – but to my astonishment she said that she’d heard I was having rather a rough time and, as she had plenty of money of her own, would like to extend a helping hand, so to speak. Anyhow, the upshot was that she invited me to come and live here, nominally as her companion and with a quite generous salary.”
    “Jolly decent of her,” Anthony commented.
    The girl glanced at him rather queerly. “Yes, wasn’t it? And very extraordinary too. But there was something more extraordinary to come. A day or two after I had arrived she broke the news to me quite casually that she had made a new will that morning leaving all her money and everything else unconditionally to me – ten thousand pounds or more, to say nothing of her jewellery. As you can imagine, I was absolutely astounded.”
    “I should think so. But how topping of her!”
    “Very,” said the girl drily. “But you see the position it puts me in – combined with my excellent grandfather. Rather – difficult, to say the least, isn’t it? And the trouble is that I’ve simply nobody to advise me. The solicitor who managed my affairs is dead; George – Dr Vane – is – well, he’s not the sort of person one could talk to about this sort of thing; nor is Miss Williamson, his secretary. I’m absolutely alone.” She tossed her cigarette out over the sea and laughed a little bitterly. “So now perhaps you can understand why I’m ready to take into my confidence the very first person who comes along – though even that doesn’t excuse my howling on his shoulder, I’m afraid.”
    “It’s a perfectly damnable position,” growled Anthony. “I’d like to wring that inspector’s neck. But one thing’s perfectly clear. You must talk all this over with my cousin. He’ll help you if anyone can, and I’m sure he won’t use anything you tell him for the Courier without your consent.”
    The girl nodded slowly. “Ye-es, perhaps that would be best. Roger Sheringham, you said, didn’t you? I’ve read some of his books. I think he must be rather a nice person.”
    “He is. He’d talk the hind leg off a dead mule, but he’s a thoroughly decent chap. Got a half-blue at Oxford, you know. Well, look here, I was to meet him on these cliffs about this time; supposing if I dash off and collect him and bring him along right away? I don’t think we’ve any too much time to waste, you know.”
    “You’re awfully kind, Mr Walton,” said the girl gratefully. “I shall lie awake for hours tonight cursing myself for being such a perfect pig to you when you first arrived.”

chapter five
Roger Takes Up the Cudgels
    On the whole Roger was feeling not a little pleased with himself as he emerged on the top of the cliffs once more after his interview with Inspector Moresby. That the inspector had one or two facts up his sleeve (and probably highly important facts at that) was not a matter for doubt; on the other hand Roger had