Part 6 (1/2)
”'The body of Lord Wilmersley was found at seven o'clock this morning floating in the swimming bath at Geralton. It was at first thought that death had been caused by drowning, but on examination, a bullet wound was discovered over the heart. Search for the pistol with which the crime was committed has so far proved fruitless. The corpse was dressed in a long, Eastern garment frequently worn by the deceased. Lady Wilmersley's bedroom, which adjoins the swimming bath, was empty. The bed had not been slept in. A hurried search of the castle and grounds was at once made, but no trace of her ladys.h.i.+p has been discovered. It is feared that she also has been murdered and her body thrown into the lake, which is only a short distance from the castle. None of her wearing apparel is missing, even the dress and slippers she wore on the previous evening were found in a corner of her room. Robbery was probably the motive of the crime, as a small safe, which stands next to Lady Wilmersley's bed and contained her jewels, has been rifled. Whoever did this must, however, have known the combination, as the lock has not been tampered with. This adds to the mystery of the case. Lady Wilmersley is said to be mentally unbalanced. Arthur Edward Crichton, 9th Baron Wilmersley, was born--' here follows a history of your family, Cyril, you don't want to hear that. Well, what do you think of it?”
asked Campbell.
”It's too horrible! I can't think,” said Crichton.
”I don't believe Lady Wilmersley was murdered,” said Campbell. ”Why should a murderer have troubled to remove one body and not the other?
Mark my words, it was his wife who killed Wilmersley and opened the safe.”
”I don't believe it! I won't believe it!” cried Cyril. ”Besides, how could she have got away without a dress or hat? Remember they make a point of the fact that none of her clothes are missing.”
”In the first place, you can't believe everything you read in a newspaper; but even granting the correctness of that statement, what was there to prevent her having borrowed a dress from one of her maids? She must have had one, you know.”
”No--no! It can't be, I tell you; I--” Cyril stopped abruptly.
”What's the matter with you? You look as guilty as though you had killed him yourself. I can't for the life of me see why you take the thing so terribly to heart. You didn't like your cousin and from what you yourself tell me, I fancy he is no great loss to any one, and you don't know his wife--widow, I mean.”
”It is such a shock,” stammered Cyril.
”Of course it's a shock, but you ought to think of your new duties. You will have to go to Geralton at once?”
”Yes, I suppose it will be expected of me,” Cyril a.s.sented gloomily.
”Peter, pack my things and find out when the next train leaves.”
”Very well, my lord.”
”And Guy, you will come with me, won't you? I really can't face this business alone. Besides, your legal knowledge may come in useful.”
”I am awfully sorry, but I really can't come to-day. I've got to be in court this afternoon; but I'll come as soon as I can, if you really want me.”
”Do!”
”Of course I want to be of use if I can, but a detective is really what you need.”
”A detective?” gasped Cyril.
”Well, why not? Don't look as if I had suggested your hiring a camel!”
”Yes, of course not--I mean a detective is--would be--in fact--very useful,” stammered Cyril. Why couldn't Guy mind his own business?
”Why not get one and take him down with you?” persisted Campbell.
”Oh, no!” Cyril hurriedly objected, ”I don't think I had better do that.
They may have one already. Shouldn't like to begin by hurting local feeling and--and all that, you know.”
”Rot!”
”At any rate, I'm not going to engage any one till I've looked into the matter myself,” said Cyril. ”If I find I need a man, I'll wire.”
Campbell, grumbling about unnecessary delay, let the matter drop.
Two hours later Cyril was speeding towards Newhaven.