Read Online A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer - Free Book Online

face."
    "What sort of hat, Mrs. North?"
    "A Homburg, I think."
    "Light or dark?"
    She hesitated. "I think it was a light one."
    "Did you happen to notice whether he carried a walking-stick?"
    "No. No, I'm sure he didn't."
    "Did he go up to the house?"
    "Yes, he went into Mr. Fletcher's study."
    "Did you hear what happened then?"
    "No. As soon as it was safe to do so I went away, of course. I don't know anything more."
    Hannasyde shut his notebook, and, looking straight across at Helen, said bluntly: "Mrs. North, are you prepared to state that your visit to Mr. Fletcher was not in connection with these notes of yours?"
    "I don't understand. I've told you -'
    "I don't think you've told me the whole truth."
    "I don't know why you should say that, or what you may choose to suspect, but -'
    "I suspect that Mr. Fletcher was threatening to use these notes against you, Mrs. North."
    "That's absurd! I tell you he was a friend of mine!"
    "Yes, you have told me that, but I find it difficult to reconcile that statement with the presence of the IOUs in his safe. If his motives in obtaining possession of them were as chivalrous as you say they were, it would surely have been more natural for him either to have destroyed them, or to have given them back to you?"
    "Are you suggesting that he was trying to blackmail me? It isn't true! Good heavens, what could he possibly want to blackmail me for?"
    "Perhaps he wanted something from you which you were unwilling to give, Mrs. North."
    She flushed. "Oh - ! You've no right to say that! Besides, how could he blackmail me? It isn't a sin to get into debt!"
    "He might have threatened to lay your IOUs before your husband, might he not?"
    "He wouldn't - he wasn't like that!" she said faintly.
    "Where is your husband, Mrs. North?"
    "He's in Berlin. He went last week, and won't be back till next Wednesday."
    Even as the words left her lips he saw her face change. The click of an opening door had sounded. Hannasyde turned quickly. A man had entered the room, and was standing on the threshold, his hand resting on the doorknob, his cool, rather stern grey eyes surveying the group in the middle of the room.

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    Chapter Four

    Hannasyde heard the frightened gasp that came from Helen, and glanced once towards her. She was very white, gazing as though benumbed at the newcomer. It was Sally who spoke.
    "Hullo, John!" she said nonchalantly. "Where did you spring from?"
    John North closed the door, and walked forward. "How do you do, Sally?" he responded. His voice was a deep one, and he spoke with a certain deliberation. He was a well-built man of average height, good-looking, and with a manner quietly assured. Having shaken hands with his sister-in-law, he nodded at his wife, saying: "Well, Helen? Sally keeping you company?"
    "Yes, she's staying here," Helen answered breathlessly. John, what are you doing here? I thought you were in Berlin!"
    "I got through my business there more quickly than I expected." He looked at Hannasyde in a measuring way, and said: "Will you introduce me, Helen?"
    She threw an imploring look at Hannasyde, but said: "Yes, of course. It is Superintendent - oh dear, I'm afraid I have forgotten your name, Superintendent!"
    "Hannasyde," he supplied.
    "Yes, from Scotland Yard, John. Rather a dreadful thing has happened - well, a ghastly thing! Ernest Fletcher has been murdered."
    "That doesn't seem to me to explain the presence of the Superintendent in my house," he said calmly. "May I know what you are doing here, Superintendent?"
    Before Hannasyde could reply Helen had hurried into speech. "Oh, but don't you see, John? The Superintendent is trying to discover someone who might be able to throw any light on the mystery, and hearing that I knew Ernie, he came to see if I could help. Only of course I can't. The whole thing seems absolutely incredible to me."
    His brows rose a little. "Are you making a house-to-house visitation of all Fletcher's acquaintances, Superintendent? Or do you