Chapter 2

RIDDLESDALE INQUEST.

To his immense surprise he perceived Mr Piet calmly replacing all the fitting in his dressing case. Another astonished glance showed him the bags scarcely opened the previous night repacked, relabelled , and standing ready for a journey.

I say , Piet, what's up? Said his lordship. We're staying here a fortnight y'know.

Excuse me, my Lord , said Mr. piet , deferentially , but, having seen the times ( delivered here every morning by air , my Lord; and very expeditious

I'm sure, all things considered) , I made no doubt your lordship would be wishing to go to RIDDLESDALE at once."

"RIDDLESDALE!" exclaimed Smit . "What's the matter? Anything wrong with my brother?

For answer Mr Piet handed him the paper, folded open at the heading:

RIDDLESDALE INQUEST.

DUKE OF DENVER ARRESTED

ON MURDER CHARGE.

Lord Smit stared as if hypnotised.

I thought your lordship wouldn't wish to miss anything, said Mr Piet , so I took the liberty

When's the next train? He asked.

I beg your lordship's pardon I thought your lordship would wish to take the quickest route. I took it on myself to book two seats in the aeroplane roy. He starts at 12.45.

Lord Smit looked at his watch .

Ten o clock , he said. Very well. You did quite right. Dear me ! Poor old Gerald arrested for murder. Uncommonly worrying , for him, poor chap . Always hated my beIN, mixed up with police courts. Now he's there himself. Lord Smit in the witness box very distressing, to feelins of a brother. DUKE of Denver in the dock worse still. Dear me ! Well, I suppose one must have breakfast.

Yes my Lord . Full account of the inquest in the paper, my Lord.

Yes. Who's on the case , by the way?

Mr Parker , my Lord.

Parker? That's good. Splendid old Parker!

Wonder how he managed to get out on to it. How do things looks Piet ?

If I may say so , my Lord , I fancy the investigation will prove very interesting. There are several extremely suggestive points in the evidence, my Lord.

From a criminological point of view I daresay it is interesting, replied his lordship, sitting down cheerfully to his cafe au lait, but it's deuced awkward for my brother, all the same , havin no turn for criminology, what?

Ah, well ! Said Mr Piet , they say, my Lord, there's nothing like having a personal interest.