wonder if she’s simply a figment of your lively imagination — then she can come forward and save your life.’
Browne was intense. ‘Ad must never know about her.’
‘Come now,’ said Colbeck, speaking man to man, ‘let’s be frank, shall we? Miss Goss has made no secret of the profession she follows and you seem to accept quite happily the fact that there are many other gentlemen in her life while you’re absent. By the same token, she will surely know that you don’t behave like a Trappist monk during the long periods when you’re apart. In short, I don’t think she’ll be surprised at your interest in another woman.’
Browne raised his head. ‘Yes, she will — very surprised.’
‘Why do you think that?’
‘The young woman was her daughter.’
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
When they arrived in Exeter, the first thing they did was to carry their bags into the refreshment room. The long journey had left them tired and hungry. Caleb Andrews and Madeleine sat at a table and ordered a pot of tea and some cakes. Dorcas Hope soon brought everything across on her tray.
‘Are you staying in Exeter long?’ she asked, unloading the items carefully on to the table.
‘We don’t know,’ said Andrews. ‘It all depends on my daughter’s fiance.’
‘He came here to lead a murder investigation,’ added Madeleine.
‘Oh, you must mean Inspector Colbeck,’ said Dorcas, brightly. ‘He’s such a handsome gentleman, isn’t he? We’ve seen a lot of the inspector here.’
‘Do you happen to know where he’s staying?’
‘Yes, he and the sergeant are at the Acland Tavern in Sidwell Street.’
‘Then that’s where we ought to go, Maddy,’ suggested Andrews.
‘There’s no need,’ said Dorcas. ‘I can save you the journey.’
‘How can you do that, miss?’
‘Inspector Colbeck will soon be here. I sent word to him that I’ve at last remembered, you see. And since I can’t leave here for several hours, the inspector will have to come to me.’
‘This is all very mystifying,’ said Madeleine.
‘It’s connected to the investigation.’
‘Go on.’
‘Well,’ said Dorcas, ‘it’s all to do with a diary that Mr Heygate — he’s the stationmaster who was murdered — left behind. They searched the house but couldn’t find it anywhere. Then Peter came to our rescue.’
‘Who is Peter?’
‘He’s Mr Heygate’s canary. I’m looking after him.’
‘You’re not making much sense, young lady,’ said Andrews.
‘I’m coming to the interesting bit,’ said Dorcas, hands on hips. ‘When I cleaned Peter’s cage, I found the diary hidden inside it under a false base. And what do you think? I also found over two hundred pounds in banknotes.’
Andrews laughed. ‘Is this some kind of joke?’
‘No, sir — it’s as true as I’m standing here.’
‘It is,’ confirmed Vesey from behind the counter.
‘Do you see why I said that Peter came to our rescue?’
‘No, I don’t,’ said Andrews.
‘Neither do I,’ admitted Madeleine. ‘Is this diary going to be of help in the investigation?’
‘It is now that my memory has been jogged. That’s the whole point.’
‘So the case relies on the assistance of a canary?’
‘The owl is far more important.’
‘Saints alive!’ exclaimed Andrews. ‘We’ve stumbled into an aviary.’
‘Let me explain,’ said Dorcas.
‘I think you’ve explained enough,’ suggested Vesey. ‘Why don’t you leave our customers to enjoy their r — r- refreshments and t-t-take further orders?’ He indicated the three people who’d just come into the room. ‘I’m sorry about that,’ he went on as the waitress moved over to the newcomers. ‘Miss Hope gets r-r-rather excited. She was a good friend of Mr Heygate, so she’s very involved in the case.’
Madeleine gave an understanding smile but her father was more interested in sampling one of the cakes. She poured tea for both of them, then added milk and sugar to her cup. Colbeck’s letters had said nothing about a canary and an owl. She looked forward to getting a clearer explanation of their role in the investigation. Meanwhile, she stirred her tea then reached for a cake.
‘I feel better already,’ said Andrews, munching away. ‘I’m completely safe here. Mrs Young can’t come and spread lies about Binnie.’
‘You promised to forget both of them, Father.’
‘I’m trying to do that, Maddy, but they keep popping into my mind.’
She nibbled her cake. ‘Robert is going to have a shock.’
‘And a very pleasant shock it will be.’
‘I do hope so. He must know that I didn’t come here to hamper him in any way. I just wanted to see him.’
‘And I just wanted
‘She belongs in your past, Father, and so does Mrs Langton.’
‘You’re right as always, Maddy. I’m happier without either of them.’ He looked around. ‘I’ve never been here before. What do you think there is to see in Exeter? Apart from an owl and a canary, that is.’
‘There’s only one thing I want to see,’ she said, ‘and that’s Robert.’
‘His last letter said that they’d made an arrest. The case is solved.’
‘Then why did he warn me that he’d have to stay here for a while? No, I think there are still a number of things to clear up.’
Eating their cakes and drinking their tea, they were able to relax. They’d already noticed the marked difference to London. Instead of a vast, bustling metropolis that stretched in all directions, they were now in a provincial city with expanses of open countryside visible. It was altogether quieter and less frenetic than life in the capital. Madeleine marvelled at her own boldness in coming to Exeter. She’d acted on the spur of the moment and been able to involve her father. He’d been an irritable travelling companion but had cheered up now that they’d reached their destination. Like him, she felt strangely liberated.
Madeleine was just reflecting how small and uncluttered the station was compared to the London termini when an express train arrived for a short stay before continuing on to Plymouth without any further stop. Passengers poured out, many of them in need of refreshments before they rejoined the train. The room was so full of people that neither Madeleine nor her father realised that they included Colbeck and Leeming who’d walked into the station as the express juddered to a halt. Vesey and Dorcas worked at full stretch to answer the needs of their customers. As most of them chose to sit at tables, very few people were left standing.
Madeleine finally noticed two familiar faces and leapt to her feet.
‘Robert!’ she cried out.
Colbeck was torn between delight and amazement. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I came to see you, of course.’
‘And so did I,’ said Andrews.
Wanting to embrace her, Colbeck had to restrict himself to a kiss on the cheek while in public. He then shook her father’s hand warmly. Leeming also gave them a cordial welcome, asking what the weather was like in London. The refreshment room was too crowded for them to have a proper conversation, so they stepped outside.
‘This is a wonderful surprise,’ said Colbeck, grinning. ‘I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you. However,’ he went on, ‘I am still heavily involved in the investigation, so you’ll have to excuse me for a while.’
‘Of course,’ said Madeleine. ‘We didn’t come to interfere.’
