Загадочные события во Франчесе / The Franchise Affair

“Ah well,” Robert said, “since entertainment came into the country with the cinema, God bless it, an end has been put to witch-hunting.”

“Don’t you believe it. Give these midland morons a good excuse and they’ll witch-hunt with the best. An inbred crowd of degenerates, if you ask me. Here’s your old boy. Well, I’ll be seeing you.”

It was one of Robert’s chief attractions that he was genuinely interested in people and in their troubles, and he listened to old Mr. Wynyard’s rambling story with a kindness that won the old man’s gratitude – and added, although he was unaware of it, a hundred to the sum that stood against his name in the old farmer’s will – but as soon as their business was over he made straight for the hotel telephone.

There were far too many people about, and he decided to use the one in the garage over in Sin Lane. The office would be shut by now, and anyhow it was further away. And if he telephoned from the garage, so his thoughts went as he strode across the street, he would have his car at hand if she – if they asked him to come out and discuss the business further, as they very well might, as they almost certainly would – yes, of course they would want to discuss what they could do to discredit the girl’s story, whether there was to be a case or not – he had been so relieved over Hallam’s news that he had not yet come round in his mind to considering what—

“Evening, Mr.

“No, I want to use your telephone first, if I may.”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

Stanley, who was under a car, poked his fawn’s face out and asked:

“Know anything?”

“Not a thing, Stan. Haven’t had a bet for months.”

“I’m two pounds down on a cow called Bright Promise. That’s what comes of putting your faith in horseflesh. Next time you know something—”

“Next time I have a bet I’ll tell you.

“As long as it’s not a cow—” Stanley said, disappearing under the car again; and Robert moved into the hot bright little office and picked up the receiver.

It was Marion who answered, and her voice sounded warm and glad.

“You can’t imagine what a relief your note was to us. Both my mother and I have been picking oakum for the last week.