Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen

Chief Inspector Davy was pacing up and down the CID, humming to himself in a way that reminded one of Bumblebee.Everyone knew that this was his unique behavior, so they didn't pay special attention to it, but some people expressed this opinion: "'Daddy' is stealthily preying again." He strolled at last to the office of Inspector Campbell, who was sitting behind his desk with a bored expression.Inspector Campbell was an ambitious young man who found most of his work extremely dull.Yet he was able to handle the work assigned to him, and with some success.The superiors who appreciate him feel that he has done a good job, and he always encourages him by saying some words of praise from time to time.

"Good morning, sir." Inspector Campbell greeted "Pop" respectfully as he entered his domain.Of course he called Chief Inspector David "Daddy" behind his back like everyone else, but he wasn't qualified enough to call him that in person. "What can I do for you, sir?" he asked. "La, la, long, long," the Chief Inspector hummed, a little out of his wits. "My name is Miss Gibbs, why do they have to call me Mary?" Campbell's question unexpectedly brought him back to reality from a memory of a musical comedy in the past. He pulled up a chair and sat down. down.

"Busy?" he asked. "not too busy." "There's a disappearance. Something about a hotel. What's it called? Bertram. Is that right?" "Yes, sir. Bertram's Hotel." "Breaking Prohibition? Soliciting prostitutes?" "Oh no, sir," said Inspector Campbell, somewhat shocked to hear Bertram's Hotel being associated with such a thing, "very nice quiet old-fashioned place." "Is it now?" said Pop, "yes, is it now? Well, that's funny, really." Inspector Campbell didn't know why this was funny.He didn't want to ask, because everyone knew that since the mail robbery, the upper echelon had been very grumpy.And for those criminals, the heist was a marvelous success.He looked at Father's large, fat, heavy, clumsy face and wondered -- he had doubted it several times before -- how Chief Inspector Davy got to where he was now, and how he was in the department. That's why it's so highly rated. "It might have been all right in his day, I suppose," thought Inspector Campbell, "and once this dead branch is cleared, there will be plenty of up-and-coming fellows to go up." But the dead branch began another Half of a song is humming, one sentence here and another sentence there.

"Tell me, kind stranger, is there anyone else like you in the family?" intoned "Father," and then suddenly, in a falsetto, "some, you never knew, kind sir, and more Lovely girl. Oh no, I got the gender wrong. "Floradora." That was a good show, too." "I think I've heard of it, sir," said Inspector Campbell. "Your mother sang it to put you to sleep when you were lying in the cradle, I think so," said Chief Inspector Davy. "Then what happened to Bertram's Hotel? Who's gone? What?" If you don't see it, why don't you see it?"

"A priest named Canon Penny, sir. An elderly priest." "Quite a boring case, eh?" Inspector Campbell smiled. "Yes, sir, in a way, it's pretty dull." "What does he look like?" "Canon Pennyfather?" "Yes. I suppose you have a description of him, don't you?" "Of course," Campbell read, flipping through the papers. "Five foot eight. Messy white hair—hunchbacked..." "He disappeared from Bertram's Hotel—when?" "About a week ago—November nineteenth." "They're only just reporting it now. Deliberately stalling, aren't they?"

"Well, I think the general consensus is that he'll show up." "Any thoughts on that?" asked Father, "has this respectable pious man eloped with a church deacon's wife? Either he's had a drink on the sly, or embezzled the church fund? Or is he That kind of ungrateful old thing, likes to do such things?" "Well, from what I know, sir, I think it's the latter. He's done things like this before." "What? Disappeared from a decent western suburban hotel?" "No, it's not like that, but he doesn't come home as often as one would expect. Sometimes he goes to stay with friends on a day when they don't invite him, or on a day when they do. He didn't go again. Things like that."

"Yeah," said Father, "yes. That sounds all right, and natural, and according to plan, doesn't it? You said exactly what day he disappeared?" "Thursday, November 19th. He was supposed to attend a meeting at—" He bent down to study the papers on his desk. "Oh, by the way, at Lucerne, the Biblical Historical Society. English translation. I think it's actually a German society." "At Lucerne? The old chap—an old chap, I suppose?" "Sixty-three, I understand, sir." "The old chap wasn't there, is that so?" Inspector Campbell pulled the papers forward, and told Papa the certainties they had established so far.

"It doesn't sound like he's going off with a choir boy," remarked Chief Inspector Davy. "I'm sure he'll turn up," said Campbell, "but of course we've got to investigate. Are you—er—particularly interested in this case, sir?" He could hardly conceal his interest in it. curious. "No," said David thoughtfully, "no, I'm not interested in the case. I don't see anything interesting in it." There followed a pause which contained the words of Inspector Campbell's "So what?" He was well trained for it so he could hear the questioning tone.

"What I'm really interested in," said "Pop," "is the date. And Bertram's Hotel, of course." "It's been run very well, sir. No problem there." "Very well, I'm sure," said Father.He added thoughtfully: "I'd like to take a look at this place." "Certainly, sir," said Inspector Campbell. "Whenever you like. I was thinking of going there myself just now." "I'd better go with you," said "Pop," "I can't take the liberty of going, I mustn't do that. But I just want to see the place, and you missing archdeacon—whatever he is —gives me a good excuse. You don't have to call me 'sir' there—you put on airs and I'm just your squire."

Inspector Campbell became interested. "Is there anything you think might be connected there, sir? Something else which might be connected?" "So far, there's no reason to think so," said Father, "but you know what it is. People always have a—I don't know what to call—strange notion, don't you think?" , Bertram's Hotel, for some reason, sounds almost too good to be true." He started imitating Bumblebee again, humming "Let's go to the beach together". The two detectives set off together.Campbell looks sprightly in his casual suit (he's in superb shape), while Chief Inspector Davy looks quite out of the country in his tweed coat.They both complement each other.Only the shrewd eyes of Miss Gorringe—she looked up from the register—recognized and appreciated their attire.Since she had personally reported Canon Pennyfather missing and had already spoken to a lesser police officer, she had expected something like this.

She whispered something to an eager-looking female assistant near her inconspicuously, who stepped forward to deal with general inquiries and services, while Miss Gorringe walked softly along the counter to He moved a little to the side and looked up at the two men.Inspector Campbell put his card in front of her, and she nodded.Looking at the huge figure in the tweed coat behind him, she noticed that he had leaned slightly to the side, observing the lounge and the people sitting in it.Seeing such a lively and educated upper world, his face showed a kind of innocent pleasure. "Come to the office, please?" said Miss Gorringe. "It will be more convenient for us to talk there." "Okay, I think that would be great." "You've got a nice place," the big fat, awkward-looking man turned to her. "Cozy," he added, looking approvingly at the fire, "good old-fashioned comfort." Miss Gorringe smiled happily. "Yes, that's true. We take pride in making our customers comfortable," she said.She said to the assistant again, "Would you go on, Alice? The register is over there. Mrs. Jocelyn will be here soon. She'll want to change rooms as soon as she sees hers, but you'll have to explain to her." We are really overcrowded. If you have to, you can show her room 340 on the third floor and ask her about that. That room is terrible, I'm sure she will think about it when she sees it The room is satisfying." "Yes, Miss Gorringe. I'll do that, Miss Gorringe." "Also, remind Colonel Mortimer that his spotting glass is here. He asked me to keep it for him this morning. He must take it with him." "Yes, Miss Gorringe." When these tasks were completed, Miss Gorringe looked at the two men, came out from behind the counter, and went to a mahogany door, which looked ordinary and bore no writing on it.Miss Gorringe opened the door, and they entered a small, rather shabby-looking office.All three sat down. "I have heard that the missing man is Canon Penney Father," said Inspector Campbell.He looks at the records. "I have Sergeant Wardle's report here. Perhaps you can tell me in your own words how it happened." "I don't think the disappearance of Canon Pennyfather is in the usual sense that people use that word," said Miss Gorringe. "I think, you know, he met somebody somewhere, some An old friend or something, and then maybe follow him to the mainland for some kind of academic conference or reunion or something like that—his whereabouts are so erratic." "Have you known him long?" "Oh, yes. I think he's been living here for--let me see--well, at least five or six years." "You've been here some time yourself, ma'am," interrupted Chief Inspector David suddenly. "I've been here, I think, fourteen years," said Miss Gorringe. "Nice place," repeated Davy. "Canon Pennyfather usually lives here when he's in London? Is that so?" "Yes. He comes to us often. He writes early to make reservations. He knows better on paper than in real life. He has reservations from the 17th to the 22nd. During that time He was going out for a night or two, but he explained that he wanted to keep his room while he was gone, which he often does." "When did you guys start worrying about him?" Campbell asked. "Well, we're not actually worried. It's embarrassing, of course. You know, his room has been released since the twenty-third, and that's when I realized—not at first—that he hadn't been released from Lu Gano is back..." "My records say Lucerne," Campbell said. "Yes, yes, I think it was indeed Lucerne. Some kind of archaeological conference. Anyway, when I realized he hadn't come back here yet and his luggage was waiting for him in his room, that made things a little bit easier." Very difficult. You know, our rooms are always fully booked at this time of year, and someone else wants to take his room. The Honorable Mrs. Saunders, who lives in Lyme Regis, always lives That room, and then his housekeeper called and she was worried." "The housekeeper's name is Mrs. McRae. I heard it from Archdeacon Simmons. Do you know her?" "Never met, just talked to her a few times on the phone. She's a very trustworthy woman, I think, and has been with Canon Penney Father for some years. She's naturally upset. I think she and Simmons The archdeacon has been in touch with close friends and relatives, but they have no idea of ​​the whereabouts of Father Canon Penny. For he knew that the archdeacon was going to visit him, and Mr. Canon did not come home, which seems natural. Very strange—in fact, it still is.” "Is this Mr. Canon always so absent-minded?" asked Father. Miss Gorringe ignored him.This huge man, probably the sergeant of the entourage, seemed to her too eager to express himself. "Now," continued Miss Gorringe in a weary voice, "now, I have learned from Archdeacon Simmons that Mr. Canon did not attend the Lucerne meeting at all." "Did he send any message that he wasn't going?" "I don't think--not from here. No telegram or anything. I don't really know anything about Lucerne--our side is all I really care about. I see it in the evening papers--I'm About his disappearance, they didn't mention he was staying here. Hope they don't. We don't need the press here, our customers won't like it. If you can keep them away from us, Inspector Campbell , we would be very grateful. I mean, it doesn't look like he disappeared from here." "Is his luggage still here?" "Yes. In the luggage room. If he hadn't been to Lucerne, did it occur to you that he might have been hit by a car? Or something like that?" "Nothing like that happened to him." "It looks really, really weird," said Miss Gorringe, with a little interest instead of boredom. "I mean, it does make one wonder where he might have gone and why?" "Father" looked at her understandingly. "Of course," he said, "you're only thinking about it in terms of the hotel. Naturally." "I understand," said Inspector Campbell, looking over his records again, "that Canon Pennyfather left here at six-thirty in the evening on Thursday, the nineteenth. Leaving here in a taxi and asking the doorman to tell the driver to go to the 'Temple of Athena' club." Miss Gorringe nodded. "Yes, he ate at the 'Temple of Athena' club - Archdeacon Simmons told me that's where people last saw him." When she shifted responsibility for seeing Mr. Canon last from Bertram's Hotel to the Temple of Athena Club, she sounded reassuring. "Well, it's good to get the facts straight," said "Pop" softly in a low voice, "and we've got it figured out now. He's gone with his little blue BOAC (British Overseas Airways) bag —whatever he was carrying—it was a blue BOAC bag, wasn't it? He didn't come back when he left, that's what happened." "Then you see, I can't really help you much," said Miss Gorringe, going to get up and go back to work. "Looks like you can't help us," said "Pop," "but someone else might," he added. "other people?" "Of course, yes," said "Pop," "perhaps a clerk." "I don't think anyone would have known anything, or they would have reported it to me." "Well, maybe, they may or may not have. I mean, if they knew exactly what was going on, they would have told you. But I think more about what he might have said whats the matter." "What kind of thing?" said Miss Gorringe, looking perplexed. "Oh, just casual words that might give us some clues. Like 'I'm going to meet an old friend tonight, who I haven't seen since we met in Arizona. ’ or something like that. Or, ‘I’m going to spend a week next week with my niece, who’s going to be confirmed.’ You know, clues like that can be helpful to the absent-minded. They show that What's going on in a man's head. It could be that, after dinner at the 'Temple of Athena', he gets into a taxi and thinks 'Where am I going now?' And there it is - say, The confirmation in his head—he thought he was going there." "Oh, I see what you mean," said Miss Gorringe doubtfully. "That doesn't look very likely." "Well, one's luck is unpredictable," said Father cheerfully, "and there are some guests here, too. I reckon Canon Pennyfather knows some of them, since he's been around here quite often. " "Oh, yes," said Miss Gorringe, "let me think about it. I saw him talk to—yes, Mrs. Selina Hartz. And the Bishop of Norwich. I think They're old friends. They've been at Oxford together. And Mrs. Jameson and her daughters, they're from the same country. Oh yes, a lot of people." "You know," said "Pop," "he might have talked to one of them. He might just mention something inconsequential that would give us a clue. Of the people who still live here Anyone else know more about Mr. Canon?" Miss Gorringe frowned and thought. "Well, I think General Radley's still here. And there's an old lady from the country--she told me she lived here when she was a girl. Let me see, I can't remember Her name, but I can find it out for you. Oh yes, Miss Marple, that's her name. I think she knows him." "Well, we could start with those two. Also, I think there's a waitress." "Oh, yes," said Miss Gorringe, "but Sergeant Wardle has asked her." "I know. But maybe not from that angle. How about the waiter serving at his table? Or the head waiter?" "That's Henry, of course," said Miss Gorringe. "Who's Henry?" asked "Pop." Miss Gorringe looked almost shocked.It was impossible for her to know anyone who didn't know Henry. "Henry has been working here for who knows how many years," she said. "You must have noticed him serving tea when you came in." "Like a celebrity," David said, "I remember noticing him." "I don't know what we'd do without Henry," said Miss Gorringe affectionately. "He's really wonderful. He sets the tone for the place, you know." "Perhaps he'll be willing to serve me tea," said Chief Inspector Davy. "Muffins, I see he has them. I'd like another good muffin meal." "If you like, of course," said Miss Gorringe, rather dryly. "Shall I order two teas for you in the drawing room?" she continued, turning to Inspector Campbell. "Then..." As soon as the Inspector began to speak, the door opened suddenly, and Mr. Humphreys appeared like a ghost. He looked startled, and then looked suspiciously at Miss Gorringe.Miss Gorringe explained. "These gentlemen are from Scotland Yard, Mr Humphreys," she said. "Inspector Campbell," said Campbell. "Oh, yes. By the way, I suppose you must be," said Mr. Humphreys, "in connection with Canon Pennyfather? Very unusual. I hope nothing happened to him, Poor old chap." "So am I," said Miss Gorringe, "such a respectable old man." "An old school," said Mr. Humphreys approvingly. "Seems like you've got quite a bit of old school here," remarked Chief Inspector Davy. "I think we have, I think we have," Mr Humphreys said, "yes, in many ways we really are survivors." "We have our own regulars, you know," said Miss Gorringe, in a tone of great pride. "The same people come back here year after year. We have a lot of Americans. Bostonians and Washingtonians." .very quiet and cultured." "They like our British atmosphere here," said Mr. Humphreys, smiling, showing his white teeth. "Father" looked at him thoughtfully.Inspector Campbell said: "Are you quite sure that no message from Mr. Canon has been received here? I mean, maybe someone got it and forgot to write it down or pass it on." "Telephone messages are always very carefully recorded," said Miss Gorringe dryly. "I cannot conceive of the possibility that a message should not have reached me or been passed on to the proper person on duty." She stared at him. Inspector Campbell looked taken aback. "We've actually answered these questions before, you know," said Mr. Humphreys, also coldly. "We've told your sergeant—I can't think of his at the moment—what we know. name." "Daddy" moved his body and said in a homely way: "Well, you know, it looks like it's starting to get serious. It looks like it's not just inattentiveness. So, I thought, we'd better have a chat or two with the two people you mentioned at the outset— General Radley and Miss Marple." "You want me to—arrange an interview with them?" Mr. Humphreys looked displeased. "General Radley's ears are very bad." "I don't think it's necessary to make this too formal," said Chief Inspector Davy. "We don't want to upset people. You can safely leave that to us. Just point out the two people you mentioned. That would be all right. Just a chance, you know, in case Canon Pennyfather mentioned some project of his, or someone he was going to meet in Lucerne, or who was going to Lucerne with him. Whatever Anyway, it's worth a try." Mr. Humphreys seemed to be a little more relaxed. "Is there anything else we can do for you?" he asked. "I'm sure you know we want to help you in any way you can if you really understand how we feel about any news coverage." "Very understanding," said Inspector Campbell. "Plus I've got to talk to that housemaid," said Father. "Of course, if you like. I doubt she'll be able to tell you anything." "Probably not. But there may be some details—Mr. Canon's opinion on a letter or an appointment. Never know." Mr. Humphreys glanced at his watch. "She doesn't come to work until six," he said. "Third floor. Maybe, during this time, how about you have some tea first?" "Very good." "Father" said immediately. They leave the office together. Miss Gorringe said: "General Radley will be in the smoking-room, the first room on the left-hand side of the passage. He will sit by the fire and read The Times, I think," she added cautiously, " He's probably sleeping, you really don't want me to..." "No, no, I'll play it by ear," said Father. "Where's the other one—the old woman?" "She's sitting there by the fire," said Miss Gorringe. "The one with the fluffy white hair who's knitting?" said Father, looking at it. "It's almost like being on stage, isn't it? A popular aunt." "Grandaunts don't look like that much these days," said Miss Gorringe, "not even grandmothers, great-grandmothers, if you speak of them. We had a Marchioness of Barlow here yesterday, and she was a great-grandmother. To be honest, I didn't know it was her when she came in. Just came back from Paris. Her face was smeared with rouge and white powder, like a mask, and her hair was dyed light silver gray, I think It was a dummy, but it looked good." "Well," said "Pop," "I prefer the old-fashioned one myself. Well, thank you, ma'am." He turned to Campbell. "I'll take care of this, okay, Sir? I know you have an important appointment." "Okay," said Campbell, who caught his message, "I don't think there's going to be much to gain, but it's worth a shot." Mr. Humphreys walked towards his closet, saying: "Miss Gorringe—come here just a moment, please." Miss Gorringe followed him in and closed the door. Humphries walked up and down the room.He asked sternly: "Why do they want to see Rose? Waddell has asked all the questions." "It's just routine, I suppose," said Miss Gorringe suspiciously. "You'd better talk to her first." Miss Gorringe looked a little surprised. "But, Inspector Campbell is sure..." "Well, I'm not worried about Campbell. It's the other guy, do you know who he is?" "I don't think he gave his name. I suppose he's a sergeant, but he looks like a bumpkin." "Like a country bumpkin? The devil would believe it," said Mr. Humphreys, no longer concerned with his own manners. "That's Chief Inspector Davy. He's a real old fox. They think highly of him in the police station. I wonder what he's doing here, sniffing around and pretending to be a nice country fellow." Man. I don't like that." "You can't do it for..." "I don't know what to make of it, but I tell you I don't like it. Did he ask you to see anyone else besides Rose?" "I think he intends to speak to Henry." Mr. Humphries laughed.Miss Gorringe laughed too. "We needn't worry about Henry." "No, not at all." "Anyone who knows Father Canon Penny?" Mr. Humphries laughed again. "I hope he has a good time talking to old Radley. He'll have to shout and get nothing of value. He's welcome to find Radley and that ridiculous old hen, Miss Marple. Anyway. , I don't really like him sniffing around here..."