Chapter 4 third chapter

1 Colonel Melchett was in March Benham's office carefully reviewing the report sent by his subordinate: "...the situation is very clear, sir," Inspector Slack concluded, "Mrs. Bantry entered after dinner. Library, she went to bed near ten o'clock. She turned off the light when she left the library, and probably no one else has been in since. The servants went to bed at half-past ten, and Lorimer left the glass in the hall at a quarter to eleven point back to her own room. No one but the third maid heard any unusual sounds, and she heard so many! Moans, eerie shouts, ominous footsteps, God knows what other noises there are. The second maid who lives in the same room with her said that she slept soundly all night and didn't make a sound. It's these storytellers who have caused us so much trouble."

"What happened to the broken window?" "Simmons said it wasn't a pickpocket; it was an ordinary chisel--the normal kind--that wouldn't make much noise. There should be a chisel around the house, but no one could find it. But there is nothing surprising about this. " "Does any of the servants know anything?" "No, sir. I don't think they know. They all seemed startled and flustered. I suspected Lorimer--he was silent--if you know what I mean--but now I look at the There's nothing wrong with that." Melchett nodded.Lorimer's reticence was not surprising.This is often the case with people who have been questioned by the energetic Inspector Slack.

The door opened and Doctor Haydock entered. "I think I should come in and report the general situation." "Yes, yes, just in time. What's the matter?" "Not much. Like you. Smothered. With her own satin sash, looped over the back and strangled the neck. Easy and little effort to do—that is, where the woman had no in case of precaution. There was no sign of a struggle. " "What about the time of death?" "Somewhere between ten o'clock in the evening and midnight." "Can't you be more specific?" Haydock smiled slightly and shook his head.

"I will not risk my professional reputation. No earlier than ten o'clock at night, no later than twelve o'clock midnight." "Which time do you prefer?" "That depends. The fireplace was burning to keep the room warm—this would have continued the rigidity of the body." "Is there anything else to say about her?" "Not much. She's young—seventeen or eighteen, I think. Very immature in some ways, but well muscled and healthy. Her hymen is intact, by the way." The police doctor nodded and walked out. Melchett asked the Governor: "Are you sure no one in Gossington has seen her?"

"The servants were sure of that, and were very outraged by it. They said they would never forget her if they had seen her around." "I suppose so," said Melchett. "Anyone of that type who's within a mile radius of this place will never be forgotten. Just look at that young woman in Blake." "It's a pity it wasn't her," said Slack, "otherwise there would be a clue." "I think this woman must be from London," said the Constable thoughtfully. "I'm afraid there won't be any clues in the vicinity. If so, we'd better report the case to the Metropolitan Police. The case should be solved by them." not us."

"She must be here for a reason," Slack said.He tried to add: "Captain Bantry and Mrs. Bantry must know something—of course I know they're your friends, sir—" Colonel Melchett gave him a hard look and said sternly, "You can rest assured that I will take every possibility into consideration. Every possibility." He went on: "I thought you had seen the missing persons list. gone?" Slack nodded.He took out a printed sheet of paper. "It's all here. Mrs Saunders, reported missing a week ago, black hair, blue eyes, thirty-six years old. Not her - and, besides her husband, everyone knows she eloped with a guy from Leeds —for money. Mrs. Barnard—she was sixty-five. Pamela Reeves, sixteen, disappeared from her home last night after a Girl Scout convention, dark brown hair combed With braids, five foot five—”

①Pamela's pet name. ——Annotation. Melchett said angrily, "Stop reading the silly details, Slack. This isn't a school girl. I don't think—" The phone rang. "H-y-yes, March Benham Police Headquarters-what? Wait a minute-" He wrote quickly while listening.When he spoke again, his tone changed: "Ruby Keane, eighteen years old, professional dancer, five feet four inches tall, slim, fair hair, blue eyes, nose turned up, wearing a white metal An evening dress and silver sandals. Is that so? What? Well, without a doubt, I am sure.I'll send Slack over right away. "

He put down the phone and looked at his subordinate excitedly. "I think we've got it this time. It was a call from Glenshire Police (Glenshire is an adjoining county)." "A girl is missing from the Majesty Hotel in Danemouth." "Danemouth," said Inspector Slack, "is about the same." Danemouth is a very large and fashionable seaside resort not far from the sea. "It's only eighteen miles or so from here," said the Chief of Police. "The missing girl is a dancer at the Majestic Hotel or something. The managers were very upset when she didn't show up last night. Not seen this morning." She disappears, so another girl or someone else gets scared. Sounds a bit confusing. Slack, you'd better get off to Danemouth right away, and report to Superintendent Harper when you get there and work with him .”

2. Going out to handle cases is the most suitable for Inspector Slack.Drive fast, rudely silence those who are eager to tell him, and interrupt the conversation on the grounds of urgency.All of these are essential to Slack. In unbelievably short time he was in Danemouth, reported to police headquarters, and had a brief interview with the distraught and anxious hotel manager, who left him with a haunting memory. Consolation - "Before we start to move, we must first make sure that the dead is the girl." Then he and Ruby Keane's closest relatives drove back to Madge Benham. He made a brief phone call to March Benham before leaving Danemouth, and though the Chief Constable was not surprised by his presence, he was not prepared for the brief "This is Josie, sir."

Colonel Melchett stared coldly at his subordinate.He felt that there was something wrong with Slack's nerves. The young woman who just got out of the car hurried forward to make a rescue. "That's my professional name," she explained, showing a set of big, white, beautiful teeth. "Raymond and Josie, my partner and I call ourselves that, and of course everyone in the restaurant I'm Josie Josephine Turner and that's my real name." Colonel Melchett regained his composure. He invited Miss Turner to take a seat, casting a quick professional glance at her. It was a good-looking young lady, probably closer to thirty than twenty, and her appearance depended more on grooming than on actual features.She seemed capable, good-natured, and sensible.She was by no means the glamorous type, and yet she was attractive.Her make-up was discreet and she wore a custom dark suit.Although she looked distressed, the Colonel did not think she was particularly distressed.

She sat down and said, "It's so horrible it's unbelievable. You really think she's Ruby?" "I'm afraid you'll have to tell us that. It might make you very sad." Miss Turner asked uneasily: "Does she—she—look terrible?" "I'm afraid I'll surprise you." He offered her his cigarette case, and she gratefully accepted one. "You—do you want me to see her right away?" "I'm afraid it's best that way, Miss Turner. Look, we'd better ask you when we're sure. You think we'll get this over with as soon as possible, won't we?" "it is good." They drove to the funeral home. After a while, Josie came out, her face was very ugly. "Yes, it's Ruby," she said in a trembling voice. "Poor boy! My God, that's so strange. There's no..." She looked around eagerly—"Is there any gin?" No gin, but brandy.Miss Turner regained her composure after swallowing a little.She said bluntly:—"Surprised to see such a thing, poor little Ruby! Men are pigs." "You think a man did it?" Josie looked a little surprised. "Isn't it? Well, I mean—of course I think—" "What special man do you remember?" She shook her head vigorously. "No—I can't remember. I don't know anything. Of course Ruby wouldn't let me know if—" "what if?" Josie hesitated. "Well—if she—has a relationship with someone else." Melchett gave her a sharp look and didn't say until he was back in his office, "Miss Turner, I want you to tell me everything you know." "Of course. Where do I start?" "I need to know the girl's full name and address, her relationship with you, and everything you know about her." Josephine Turner nodded.Melchett was even more convinced now that she wasn't particularly in pain.She was surprised, sad, that's all.She said it effortlessly, "Her name is Ruby Keane—that's her professional name. Her real name was Rosie Legge.Her mother and my mother are cousins.I know her all too well, but not quite, if you know what I mean. I have a lot of cousins ​​- some in business, some in show business.Ruby was somewhat trained in dance. She did a good job last year in fairy tale drama and so on. Although the level is not high, those local troupes are also very good.Since then she has worked as a backup dancer in luxurious ballrooms in Brixwell, South London.It's a decent ballroom, and it takes good care of the girls, but it doesn't make much money. ’ She paused. Colonel Melchett nodded. "That's me. I've been a dance and bridge hostess at the Majesty Hotel in Danemouth for three years. It's a good job, it pays well, and it's fun to do.When the guests arrive I greet them - think about them, of course - some like to be alone, others are lonely and looking for something to do.My job is to bring like-minded people together to play bridge, get young people to dance together, things like that.It takes a little tact and experience. " Melchett nodded again.He was sure the woman in front of him was good at what she did; she was friendly, pleasant, and he thought she was smart. "Besides," Josie went on, "we do a few show dances with Raymond every night. Raymond Starr—he's a tennis player and a dancer. Well, here's the thing, this year One day in the summer I slipped on a rock while swimming and sprained my heel badly." Melchett had noticed that she was walking with a slight limp. "Of course I won't be able to dance for a while, it's going to be difficult. I don't want the restaurant to replace me. There's always a risk," her gentle blue eyes hardened and sharp in an instant; Struggling Women - "Know they're going to ruin your career. So I thought of Ruby and recommended her to my manager. I went on to host, organize bridge, etc. Ruby just did the dancing. If you know what I mean , I want to control it within my own circle." Melchett said he understood, "That's it, they agreed. I called Ruby and she came. This was an opportunity for her, bigger than anything she'd ever done. It's about It was a month ago." Colonel Melchett said, "I see. She's doing well, isn't she?" "Oh, yes," said Josie casually, "she's doing a good job. Although she doesn't dance as well as I do, Raymond is great, and he leads her well, and she's beautiful—slim, Fair-skinned, innocent. Just a bit overdone with makeup—I always say that about her. But you know what girls look like these days. She was eighteen, and girls that age wear makeup and overdo it.This is not appropriate in a place as high-end as Zun Huang Hotel.I always criticize her for this and force her to lighten up her makeup. " "Is she popular?" Melchett asked. "Oh, yes. Ruby doesn't complain much, I tell you. She's kind of dull. She's easier with older people than younger." "Does she have any special friends?" The woman in front of him looked at him knowingly. "Not the kind you're referring to, anyway, as far as I know. But if there was, she wouldn't tell me." For a moment Melchett wondered why Ruby didn't tell her—Josie didn't seem like a strict discipline enforcer.But all he said was, "Now you describe to me the last time you saw your cousin." "Last night, she and Raymond were supposed to have two show dances - one at ten-thirty and one at midnight. They finished the first dance. After that, I saw Ruby and the guy who was staying at the hotel A young man was dancing. I was playing bridge with some guests in the lounge. There is a glass wall between the lounge and the ballroom. That was the last time I saw her. Just after midnight, Raymond came in a hurry. He asked Where is Ruby, said it was time for her to play, and haven't seen her yet. Honestly, I was really pissed! Girls like to do this stupid thing, make the manager angry, and then fire them! Me and He went to her room together, but she wasn't there. I noticed that she had changed. The dress she wore when she danced—a pink, bubbly, swinging dress—draped over a chair. Usually she always wears this dress, except on a special dance night—Wednesday. "I don't know what happened to her. We got the band to play another foxtrot—and when there was no Ruby, I told Raymond I'd show dance with him. We picked one that was easier. and cut it short--that's what hurts me enough. My heels are all swollen this morning. But Ruby hasn't come back yet. We stay up till two o'clock. She pissed me off. " Her voice trembled slightly.Melchett could hear her genuinely angry.For a moment it seemed to him that her reaction seemed unnecessarily strong.He felt that the other party was consciously hiding something.He said, "You called the police this morning when Ruby Keith hadn't come back and the bed hadn't been moved?" He already knew from Slack's brief phone call at Danemouth that this was not the case.But he wanted to hear what Josephine Turner would say. She didn't hesitate."No, I didn't," she said. "Why not, Miss Turner?" She looked at him honestly and said, "If you were in my position, you wouldn't either." "You don't think so?" Josie said: "I have to think about my job. The worst thing a restaurant can do is a scandal - especially something that involves the police. I thought nothing would happen to Ruby. Not at all.I think she's lost her head over some young man.I think she'll come back safe and sound - I'm going to give her a good scolding when she gets back!What a stupid girl of eighteen. " Melchett pretended to read his notes. "Oh, by the way, a Mr. Jefferson called the police. Is he a guest staying at the hotel?" Josephine Turner answered curtly, "Yes." Colonel Melchett asked: "Why did Mr. Jefferson call the police?" Josie was holding on to the cuff of her blouse, looking embarrassed.Colonel Melchett sensed again that there was something she was not expressing.She said very angrily, "He's a disabled person. He—he's very excitable. I mean, because he's disabled." Melchett didn't take the subject further.He asked, "Who was that young man you last saw dancing with your cousin?" "His name is Bartlett. He has been at the hotel for about ten days." "Are they on good terms?" "It should be said that it is not special. As far as I know." There was a strange tinge of anger in her voice again. "What did he say?" "He said Ruby went upstairs to put on her powder after the dance." "At this moment she changed her clothes?" "Probably." "That's all you know? After that she—" "Disappeared," Josie said. "That's right." "Does Miss Keith know anyone from St. Mary's Meade? Or anyone around?" "I don't know. Maybe. There are a lot of young people coming from all over the Majesty Hotel in Danemouth. Unless they happen to mention it, I have no idea where they live." "Have you ever heard your cousin mention Gossington?" "Gossington?" Josie looked very confused. "Gossington House." She shook her head. "Never heard of it." Her tone was sure. "Gossington House," explained Colonel Melchett, "is where her body was found." "Gossington House?" She stared. "Strange!" thought Melchett to himself. "Strange!" he exclaimed. "Do you know a Colonel or Mrs. Bantry?" Josie shook her head again. "Or a Mr. Basil Black?" She frowned slightly. "I think I've heard the name. Yes, I must have—but can't remember anything about him." Diligent Inspector Slack passed a torn-out notebook to his superior.It read in pencil: "Colonel Bantry dined at the Majesty last week." Melchett looked up and met the Inspector's eyes.The chief of police blushed.Slack is a hard-working and caring police officer, whom Melchett deeply dislikes.But he could not ignore such a provocation.The Inspector was silently accusing him of protecting his friend-- of protecting "the camaraderie." He turned to Josie, "Miss Turner, if you don't mind, I would like you to come with me to Gossington Mansion." Melchett barely heeded Josie's murmur of agreement, looking at Slack coldly and contemptuously.