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Authors: Robert Warr
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first-class conspirator because I had no idea until I went down to dinner that this whole party had been arranged so that I could be introduced to our relatives. I will take a few minutes to describe some of them for you.
Arlesford is owned by Sir Henry Thompson, a retired general. He is married to Aunt Emily’s sister, Lady Amelia. The General is a delightful, grandfatherly man in his seventies who carries himself as well as a man half his age. His main occupation in life is breeding Springer Spaniels. He prides himself in producing the ‘perfect companion for the sporting gentleman’ and I gather that the Arlesford Spaniels are well regarded.
Lady Amelia is a pleasant, slight woman but after a few minutes discourse, it was obvious that she has a shrewd mind and runs Arlesford. She asked after Ma and Pa and was quite well acquainted with the doings of our family.
Richard Thompson is a tall man in his late forties. He has a distinguished and courtly bearing and if I had not known that he was a detective I would have assumed him to be an academic of some type. There is an air of old sadness about him, a grief caused by the death of his young wife during her first pregnancy. Apparently, he has become somewhat of a social recluse. He should remarry since he is one of the finest men with whom I have ever conversed.
Aunt Amelia made an especial point of introducing me to James Thompson, one of the younger men. He is tall , dark-haired and very fashionable, although I think he is rather vain about his moustache. James walks with a pronounced limp following an accident he suffered whilst serving in the Army. He is extremely charming and I found myself laughing unreservedly at some of his stories.
Sunday
When the maze was planted, some of the dead ends were laid out as charming little arbours, where one can sit quietly. I had just settled myself in one of these and was about to write in this journal when I was joined by a Spaniel who sat down in front of me. A name tag depended from his collar and from that, I ascertained that his name was Snuffles. He is Inspector Thompson’s dog and, I have been assured, a prime example of an Arlesford Spaniel.
I don’t know what came over me but I soon found myself telling him about my troubles and I would swear that he understood my every word.
Snuffles of the River
I had taken the trouble to call in and see my uncle at a time when I knew that he would be busy. I had a strong desire to discuss Lady Victoria, whom I had recently met, with one of my friends and Snuffles I knew would be discreet. There was also a good chance that he would be in a talkative mood and willing to share some more of his reminiscences.
I waited impatiently until my uncle’s man, Short, had left the room , having brought me a drink and the paper. Then Snuffles came over and sat on the rug by my feet.
‘Well, young fellow, I can see that you are very keen to tell me something and I would presume you want some more advice about your social life?’ he said, cocking his ears in a questioning fashion.
‘No Snuffles, I don’t need any advice. Lady Victoria and…’ I had hardly begun telling him of my good fortune when he barked loudly and then growled. I was so taken aback that I stopped talking.
‘Thank you ,’ Snuffles said. ‘If all you wish to do is to prattle about a woman who would, and I quote, “get rid of that smelly old dog” if she lived here, then you have chosen the wrong interlocutor. If, however, you wish to discuss something more pleasant, like violent crime, then I am your dog.’
For a second I felt like telling Snuffles his fortune and striding from the house in a justified rage. On second thoughts, I realised that Snuffles did have a very good point. Lady Victoria didn’t really like animals, which was a minor blemish to an otherwise perfect character. I also couldn’t bear the thought of lowering his opinion of me by acting like an
Arlesford is owned by Sir Henry Thompson, a retired general. He is married to Aunt Emily’s sister, Lady Amelia. The General is a delightful, grandfatherly man in his seventies who carries himself as well as a man half his age. His main occupation in life is breeding Springer Spaniels. He prides himself in producing the ‘perfect companion for the sporting gentleman’ and I gather that the Arlesford Spaniels are well regarded.
Lady Amelia is a pleasant, slight woman but after a few minutes discourse, it was obvious that she has a shrewd mind and runs Arlesford. She asked after Ma and Pa and was quite well acquainted with the doings of our family.
Richard Thompson is a tall man in his late forties. He has a distinguished and courtly bearing and if I had not known that he was a detective I would have assumed him to be an academic of some type. There is an air of old sadness about him, a grief caused by the death of his young wife during her first pregnancy. Apparently, he has become somewhat of a social recluse. He should remarry since he is one of the finest men with whom I have ever conversed.
Aunt Amelia made an especial point of introducing me to James Thompson, one of the younger men. He is tall , dark-haired and very fashionable, although I think he is rather vain about his moustache. James walks with a pronounced limp following an accident he suffered whilst serving in the Army. He is extremely charming and I found myself laughing unreservedly at some of his stories.
Sunday
When the maze was planted, some of the dead ends were laid out as charming little arbours, where one can sit quietly. I had just settled myself in one of these and was about to write in this journal when I was joined by a Spaniel who sat down in front of me. A name tag depended from his collar and from that, I ascertained that his name was Snuffles. He is Inspector Thompson’s dog and, I have been assured, a prime example of an Arlesford Spaniel.
I don’t know what came over me but I soon found myself telling him about my troubles and I would swear that he understood my every word.
Snuffles of the River
I had taken the trouble to call in and see my uncle at a time when I knew that he would be busy. I had a strong desire to discuss Lady Victoria, whom I had recently met, with one of my friends and Snuffles I knew would be discreet. There was also a good chance that he would be in a talkative mood and willing to share some more of his reminiscences.
I waited impatiently until my uncle’s man, Short, had left the room , having brought me a drink and the paper. Then Snuffles came over and sat on the rug by my feet.
‘Well, young fellow, I can see that you are very keen to tell me something and I would presume you want some more advice about your social life?’ he said, cocking his ears in a questioning fashion.
‘No Snuffles, I don’t need any advice. Lady Victoria and…’ I had hardly begun telling him of my good fortune when he barked loudly and then growled. I was so taken aback that I stopped talking.
‘Thank you ,’ Snuffles said. ‘If all you wish to do is to prattle about a woman who would, and I quote, “get rid of that smelly old dog” if she lived here, then you have chosen the wrong interlocutor. If, however, you wish to discuss something more pleasant, like violent crime, then I am your dog.’
For a second I felt like telling Snuffles his fortune and striding from the house in a justified rage. On second thoughts, I realised that Snuffles did have a very good point. Lady Victoria didn’t really like animals, which was a minor blemish to an otherwise perfect character. I also couldn’t bear the thought of lowering his opinion of me by acting like an
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