Read Online Hide the Baron by John Creasey - Free Book Online

go all out to rub us up the wrong way, Mr. Mannering?”
    Mannering said: “It just happens, Superintendent! I’ve no evil intent.” He was pleasantly conversational. “Take this case. Garfield telephoned me, said that he wanted to see me on a highly confidential matter, and made an appointment for this afternoon. I came without knowing what had happened. While I’m at his house, his secretary tells me, in confidence, that Garfield told her to give me this box which is said to contain miniatures. That makes her the agent of my client, and if I have to respect his confidence, I have to respect hers.
    What do you expect me to do – tell you everything, without considering the client’s interests? What would you think of me, if I did?”He chuckled. “What do you think of the genus squealer?”
    As if reluctantly, Aylmer smiled back.
    â€œI see what you mean. And you didn’t know about this box and these miniatures before?”
    â€œI did not.”
    â€œHmm. Well, they’ve gone, anyway.” Aylmer ruminated. “With a bit of luck we’ll catch the beggars soon, though. Recognise them?”
    â€œThey were strangers to me.”
    â€œAccording to Miss Woburn, they were going to run her over so that she couldn’t describe them,” Aylmer said. “Then you turned up—how they missed hitting you, I don’t know!” He paused. “Well, you scared ’em off, and put a bullet through a rear tyre, so they had to crowd into one car. Sure you didn’t recognise them?” he repeated abruptly.
    â€œQuite sure.”
    â€œWell, you’d better keep your eyes open, they looked as if they meant business!” Aylmer’s smile wasn’t at all amused. “What made you turn back on the road?”
    â€œI first thought that if anyone was going to try to hold Miss Woburn up, it would be further down the road—you know the spot where the new road’s been cut through the hill. I was on top of the cut, looking down, and saw the two cars pass. When no other traffic came along in the other direction for ten minutes, I started to get uneasy. I drove back, and saw the man with the red flag. He hadn’t been there when I passed. My cue.”
    â€œI see,” said Aylmer heavily. “And Miss Woburn had told you about the box, so you half-expected trouble. Who d’you think knew?”
    â€œI wondered who might guess that Garfield told Miss Woburn what to do if anything stopped him from doing it himself.”
    â€œI was talking to Superintendent Bristow of the Yard last night. You were mentioned, and he said there wasn’t a situation you couldn’t talk yourself out of.” Aylmer sounded rueful. “All I can say is, they’re murderous devils and that girl owes her life to you. What are you going to do now?”
    â€œWhat I’d like to do is talk to George Merrow,” Mannering said thoughtfully. “Is he well enough yet?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, that leg’s giving him trouble,” Aylmer demurred. “Haven’t talked to him properly myself yet. He says he doesn’t know a thing.” Aylmer sniffed. “Can’t tell, with you smooth types. When are you going to see Miss Woburn again?”
    â€œAs soon as she’s better. No one’s going to worry her much now,” Mannering said; “the pair whom she can recognise won’t ask for trouble. I may come down tomorrow afternoon some time—now I’ll get back to Town, if that’s all right with you.”
    â€œYes, I’d much rather the Yard had you to worry about,” Aylmer said dryly. “I must say they’ve got your measure.”
    Mannering chuckled.
    His car was parked on the verge fifty yards away. Aylmer walked to it with him, as if anxious to make sure that this time he did really leave. He was soon driving along the narrow road, seeing the police and the cars getting