Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Preparing for a Car Accident

Bobby had been working with Badger in London for a week.He had received several enigmatic letters from Frankie, most of them so scribbled that Bobby couldn't understand them and had to guess at the meaning.In short, the letters generally said that Frankie had a plan and asked Bobby to do nothing until he heard from her.Which was good, because Bobby certainly didn't have time for anything else.Ever since the hapless Badger succeeded in tying Bobby in one form or another to his business, Bobby had been busy trying to get out of the terrible mess his friend seemed to have gotten into. Meanwhile, the lad kept a tight watch.The effect of the eight morphine pills made the recipient especially suspicious of food and drink, and forced him to carry a military service pistol, which made him especially sick.

It was only when Frankie's Bentley roared into the Seagull's garage and parked outside the garage that Bobby began to think that all this was a terrible nightmare.He came out in greasy work clothes.Frankie was in the driver's seat, with a rather sullen-looking young man beside him. "Hello, Bobby," said Frankie, "this is George Arbuthnot. He's a doctor, and we'll need him." Bobby flinched slightly when he met George Arbuthnot for a brief hello. "Are you sure we're going to need a doctor?" he asked. "You're a little pessimistic, aren't you?"

"I'm not saying we should need him in his line of business," said Frankie. "I need him for a project I've embarked on. Now, is there a place we can talk?" Bobbiron looked around. "Well, go to my bedroom," he said uncertainly. "Excellent," said Frankie. She got out of the car and followed Bobby up a few steps with George Arbuthnot into a bedroom that couldn't have been smaller. "I don't know," said Bobby, looking around suspiciously, "if there's room to sit." no.The only chair was apparently covered with all of Bobby's clothes.

"It's a bed to sit on," said Frankie. She plopped down on the bed, and George Arbuthnotch followed, and the bed seemed to groan in protest. "I've got to get it all sorted out," said Frankie. "First of all, we need a car. Any one you have here will do." "You mean, you need to buy one of our cars?" "good." "That's very kind of you, Frankie," said Bobby gratefully, "but you don't have to. I really know the difference between not embarrassing my friends." "You've got it all wrong," said Frankie, "that's not the case at all. I see what you mean, like buying those frightening coats and hats from a friend who's just started a business. It's a nuisance, but it has to be done. But it's nothing like that, I really need a car."

"How about a Bentley?" "This car is useless." "You're crazy," said Bobby. "No, I'm not crazy. Bentleys don't work for what I want to do." "What do you use the car for?" "Crush." Bobby snorted and put his hands to his head. "I don't seem quite right this morning." George Arbuthnot spoke for the first time, in a low, melancholy voice: "She means she's going to have an accident." "How did she know there was going to be an accident?" asked Bobby angrily. Frankie sighed annoyedly and said, "I don't know what's going on, we seem to be on the wrong head. Now sit down and listen, Bobby, and try to get what I have to say. I see you seem to have very low intelligence." , but if you really pay attention, you should understand."

After a moment she went on: "I'm after Bassington-French." "Listen, it's wonderful!" "Bassington-French, Bassington-French to whom we are particularly concerned, lives at Merowe Court, Staveley, Hampshire. The place belongs to his brother. Our Bassin Dun-French lives with his brother and wife." "Whose wife?" "His brother's wife, of course. That's not the point. It's how you or I, or both of us, sneaked into the house. I scouted out the terrain. Staveley is only a small village, and when strangers stop there, It was particularly striking. It was something that couldn't be done easily. So I devised this plan. Here's what was about to happen: Miss Frances de Winter, driving nonchalantly, crashed near the gate of Merowe Court The car was totally wrecked, Miss Frances was not completely wrecked, she was taken to the house, she was in shock from the bumper, and obviously immobile."

"Who said that?" "George. Now you see where George comes into play. We can't risk a doctor we don't know saying I'm fine, or maybe a few busybodies come and take me to some local hospital, that won't work .It should go like this: George happens to be driving there (you better sell us a used car), sees the crash, jumps out and does his job. 'I'm a doctor, everyone stand back.' (If anyone goes to Standing back.) 'We must carry her into the house, is this Merowe Court?' That will do. I must make a thorough inspection. I was picked up in the best available room, Bassington One The French were either sympathetic or vehemently opposed, but in either case George held them to their knees. George made an examination and made a judgment call. Luckily, the situation was not as serious as he thought , the bone is not broken, but the bruise is very dangerous. I must not move for two or three days, and I can go back to London after two or three days. So George left, and it was my turn to curry favor with the family."

"Then what is my role?" "You don't need to do anything." "But listen to me..." "My dear little friend, think about it, Bassington-French knows you, he's never met me, and I'm in a very good position because I have a title. You see how useful that is. I not only Merely a young wandering woman admitted to the house for mysterious purposes, and I am an earl's daughter, and therefore to be held in high esteem. George is a real doctor, and nothing arouses suspicion at all." "Oh! I think this is pretty good." Bobby looked a little unhappy.

"I think this is a well-planned plan." Frankie said proudly. "So I don't do anything?" asked Bobby. He still feels hurt, much like a dog that loses a bone unexpectedly.He thinks it's because he's so stupid that he's been replaced now. "Of course you do, dear. You're going to grow a beard." "Alas: I grow a beard, me?" "Yes, how long will it take?" "Two or three weeks, I think." "My God! I didn't expect it to be so slow. Can't you grow faster?" "No. Why can't I wear a fake one?"

"It looks so fake, it will roll up, it will take off, or it will smell like gum, etc. Even so, I still believe that there is a kind of beard that you can glue on one by one. It can be said that it is absolutely reliable. Affordable to check. I think a theater wig maker would do it for you." "He's probably going to think I'm avoiding justice." "It doesn't matter what he thinks." "Once I have a beard, what am I going to do?" "Put on a chauffeur's uniform and drive the Bentley to Steverley." "Oh, I see." Bobby beamed.

"You understand my idea," said Frankie, "that no one ever sees a driver on the road, they see another. Bassington-French has only seen you anyway. A minute or two, and he's definitely too nervous about switching pictures in time to get a good look at you. To him, you're just a young fool playing golf. It's not like the Caymans sitting across from you with you Talking, studying you hard. I bet Bassington-French wouldn't recognize you without a beard when he saw you in a chauffeur uniform. The only thing he could have thought was, your picture The face reminds him of someone, nothing more than that. As for the beard, it should be absolutely solid. Tell me, what do you think of the plan?" Bobby mulled over the plan in his mind. "Really, Frankie," he said generously, "I think it's pretty good." "In that case," said Frankie cheerily, "let's go buy a car. Why, I see George broke your bed." "That's all right," said Bobby graciously. "The bed isn't particularly firm." They went downstairs to the garage.A nervous-looking young man with a short chin greeted them there with a polite smile and a vague "ha, ha, ha" sound.There was a marked displeasure in his eyes looking in the same direction, which slightly marred his plain features. "Hello, Badger," said Bobby, "don't you remember Frankie?" Badger obviously couldn't remember, but he smiled kindly anyway. "The last time I saw you," Frankie said, "you were in a mud hole, head down, and we had to hold your feet and pull you out." "No, not really?" said Badger. "Well, it must be in Wales." "Yes," said Frankie, "in Wales." "I've always been a . . . a . . . unpleasant rider," Badger said. "I'm still . . . still." He said sadly again. "Frankie wants to buy a car," said Bobby. "Two," said Frankie, "and George has to have one. He's wrecked his car now." "We could rent him one," said Bobby. "Okay, let's take a look at our...inventory," Badger said. "These cars look very stylish," said Frankie, dazzled by the bright red and green hues. "They look fine," said Bobby grimly. "It's a second...two...used Chrysler at the right price," Badger said. "No, not this one," said Bobby. "Whichever she buys has to go at least forty miles." Badger shot his partner a reproachful look. "This Stand looks a lot better when it's dying," Bobby mused. "But I see it's only going to get you there. This Essex is a bit too expensive for the job, and it crashes." At least two hundred miles before." "Okay," said Frankie, "I want the Stand." Badger pulled his accomplice aside. "What... what... what price do you see?" he asked in a low voice. "I don't want to make your friend too... too... difficult. How about ten... ten pounds?" "Ten quid is all right," said Frankie, joining in the discussion. "I'll pay it now." "Who is she really?" Badger asked in a loud whisper. Bobby whispered back to him. "Before this, I only found out for the...first...time that people with...sealed...titles can pay in cash." Badger said with respect. Bobby followed the other two out to the Bentley. "When is this going to happen?" he asked. "The sooner the better," said Frankie, "we think tomorrow afternoon." "Well, can't I go? I'll put on a beard if you like." "Of course not," said Frankie. "The beard fell off by mistake and might screw things up. But I don't see why you Can't you be a biker? Put on a hat and glasses. What do you think, George?" George Arbuthnot spoke a second time: "Very well, the more the merrier." His voice was even more melancholy than before.