夜雨聆风And another thing, sir. He—or she—must know that we’re checking upon everybody.”
“And that takes time,” said Rydesdale with a sigh. “It means checkingwith the East, with India. Yes, it’s a long tedious business.”
“So that’s another reason for—hurry. I’m sure, sir, that the danger isvery real. It’s a very large sum that’s at stake. If Belle Goedler dies—”
He broke off as a constable entered.
“Constable Legg on the line from Chipping Cleghorn, sir.”
“Put him through here.”
Inspector Craddock, watching the Chief Constable, saw his featuresharden and stiffen.
“Very good,” barked Rydesdale. “Detective-Inspector Craddock will becoming out immediately.”
He put the receiver down.
“Is it—?” Craddock broke off.
Rydesdale shook his head.
“No,” he said. “It’s Dora Bunner. She wanted some aspirin. Apparentlyshe took some from a bottle beside Letitia Blacklock’s bed. There wereonly a few tablets left in the bottle. She took two and left one. The doctor’sgot that one and is sending it to be analysed. He says it’s definitely not as-pirin.”
“She’s dead?”
“Yes, found dead in her bed this morning. Died in her sleep, doctor says.
