know. I think there was some idea about Florian’s being one of the flowers of the forest, or something. Oh, I
‘What do they say?’ Dame Beatrice gently enquired.
‘That he sent Florian the poisoned chocolate-cream. I know he didn’t!’
‘So do I. We have guessed where that came from.’
‘You mean Aunt Opal or Aunt Ruby. But how are you going to prove it?’
‘I doubt whether it is capable of proof,’ admitted Dame Beatrice, in the same gentle tone.
‘Then what about Bernie?’
‘He has a formidable grandmother on his side.’
Binne giggled.
‘She
‘I wonder whether I could have a word with your brother?’ she asked.
‘He’s a bit under the weather these days,’ said Binnie, ‘but I expect he’ll see you if you want him to. I’ll go and rake him out.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Pursuit of a Delft Blue
‘I winna spare for his tender age,
Nor yet for his hie hie kin;
But soon as e’er he born is,
He sall mount the gallows pin.’
« ^ »
Florian was perfectly willing to talk to Dame Beatrice.
(‘Thinks he got the better of my cautions but not foolish husband,’ said Laura later).
Florian, his wolfish smile even more pronounced than before, received Dame Beatrice graciously.
‘Oh, hullo again,’ he said. ‘Very nice of you to come.’
‘I am not so sure about that,’ said Dame Beatrice. ‘What made you say that Bernardo Rose sent you the poisoned chocolate-cream?’
Florian’s smile faded. He stared at her.
‘Why, who else could have sent it?’ he demanded. ‘It
Dame Beatrice did not dispute this. She asked:
‘What made you guess it was poisoned?’
‘Guess it was poisoned? But I didn’t! Of course I didn’t!’
‘Why did you present it to the barmaid?’
‘An act of kindness and goodwill, that’s all.’
‘It must have been, since you yourself are said to be fond of all kinds of sweetmeats.’
‘I’m fond of girls, too. I thought Effie would like the stuff, and that’s the reason I gave it to her.’
‘Yet you suspected that it contained poison.’
‘No, no! You’ve got it all wrong. I didn’t suspect it contained poison. I would never have thought of such a thing. But when the girls died and the chocolate-cream was suspected, I guessed Bernie had sent it.’
‘Why should he want to kill you?’
‘I don’t know, except — well, there might be two reasons, I suppose. He knows I’m opposed to the marriage and then — well, there
‘’Aren’t we all? — and Mr Rose is half Jewish and half Dutch, I believe. Incidentally, since you say you suspect him, have you any theory as to where he procured the poison?’
Florian stared at her again, then shook his head.
‘No idea,’ he said decisively. ‘I dare say he’s in with all sorts of shady people, both here and abroad, who could get him anything he wanted, and no questions asked. All those trips to the Continent are not only in connection with the diamond business, I’ll bet. I wouldn’t put it past him to smuggle dope.’
‘That is a very serious charge!’
