The Riddle of Sphinx Island by R. T. Raichev Read Free Book Online Page A

Times . Earlier on you snapped at the milkman.’ Antonia took a sip of coffee. ‘You shooed Dupin off the sofa.’
    ‘I always shoo Dupin off the sofa. The milkman is a fool. He doesn’t seem to know the difference between half fat and full fat … There is nothing wrong with craving instant gratification, nothing at all. Children crave instant gratification. So did Ava Gardner and J.F. Kennedy. Joan Collins craves instant gratification, if an article in the Enquirer is to be believed. It’s a common enough condition. I am surprised that you should be making such a song and dance about it.’
    ‘I had no idea you read the Enquirer .’
    Payne picked up the letter from the top of the pile that lay on the table between them. ‘Look at this. Major and Mrs Payne . When was the last time we got a letter addressed to both of us? Written with a pronounced old-world formality with a stylo that looks as though it’s been dipped in blood.’
    ‘Let me see … This isn’t blood. Can’t be … It’s some purplish ink, isn’t it?’
    ‘Looks like blood to me.’ Payne held the letter close to his nose and sniffed at it.
    ‘Who’s it from?’
    ‘No sender’s address. Looks ominous. May be anonymous. I don’t recognise the writing – do you?’
    ‘No. Looks like someone who’s been taking calligraphy lessons and is showing off.’ Antonia put down her cup. ‘Why don’t you open it? Come on, open it.’
    Payne cocked an eyebrow. ‘Instant gratification, eh?’
    ‘Very well, don’t open it then.’ Antonia started buttering a piece of toast.
    There was a pause. Payne picked up The Times . ‘I can’t understand the way the crossword man’s mind works. Yesterday one clue read, “This turn is rather offensive” – four letters – and the solution given today is “star”!’ He looked up. ‘How and in what way can a star turn be offensive?’
    ‘A star turned becomes “rats” … We don’t get many letters these days, have you noticed?’
    ‘Would I be stating the obvious if I pointed out that’s because we conduct all our personal correspondence via email?’
    ‘We get bills of course. The Inland Revenue seem to be particularly interested in me. They seem to suspect I am earning millions from my books, which I am not .’ Antonia’s eyes kept going back to the letter, which Payne had propped up against the silver sugar bowl. ‘I wish I were. I am not popular enough.’
    ‘Popular taste is not to be encouraged. Down with Brown and Rowling, says I.’
    ‘Do you think my books are an acquired taste?’
    ‘Your books seem to divide public opinion if a website called brillread.com is anything to go by. Some of the so-called readers who leave postings on it give the impression of being markedly deficient in flair or literary taste altogether. You do have some discerning aficionados, though.’
    ‘Not many. Not enough.’
    Payne reached for the letter and held it up, squinting at the stamp. ‘Posted in Torquay … How very interesting … That’s not too far from Sphinx Island … So the killer is on the island … Wouldn’t you say?’
    ‘I wouldn’t. I don’t believe there is a killer. I think you should open the letter now. We might as well see what it’s about. It may be a fan letter. Someone who is fascinated by our detective work, if one could call it that.’
    Payne slit open the envelope and took out a single sheet.
    He stroked his jaw with his forefinger as he read.
    His expression changed. He lowered the sheet.
    ‘What is it, Hugh?’
    ‘I’d rather you saw for yourself. Otherwise you’ll say I am making it up. I am sick and tired of being accused of making things up.’ Payne tossed the letter across the table. He crossed his arms.
    Antonia read aloud:

    Dear Major and Mrs Payne,
    I fancy you consider yourselves experts at solving murder mysteries that are too subtle and intricate for our thick-headed police? Let us see, clever Major and Mrs Payne, just how clever