Dance to Your Daddy

'Oh, yes. I told you. He conducted grandfather's funeral service and came back to the hotel to hear the Will read.'

'Did you know that he went to Italy?'

'Italy? No, I had no idea of that. To live, do you mean? But he's a clergyman.'

'He went out to take charge of an English church.'

'Oh, so that's why he didn't come to Galliard Hall.'

'I think he did not come to Galliard Hall for an equally cogent reason. I do not think he was invited.'

'Oh, but Romilly said...'

'And others said something different.'

'You don't need to believe that man Luke. He's an awful creature. Anyway, Romilly may have been telling lies about Hubert, mayn't he? I expect he knew he'd gone to Italy, so, of course, he wouldn't have invited him.'

'My information is that he did not invite Willoughby, either.'

'But how can you be sure? After all, Willoughby's body wasn't all that far from the house when Romilly and Judith found it. You know, I've been wondering about that. Do you think they knew where to look?' She gave the last three words considerable and conspiratorial emphasis.

'I think it more than likely,' said Dame Beatrice, giving her a hard look. 'That does not prove that they killed him.'

'Well, one mustn't say so, I suppose. Do you know when he'll be brought to trial?'

'Romilly? It may not come to that. He is remanded in custody and will make a second appearance before the magistrates in about a week's time.'

'I don't understand these things. I thought he was in prison for killing Willoughby, and would be brought to trial. You see, it's very important to me that Romilly should be locked up for the rest of his life. It is the only thing, except his death, which would make my own life safe.'

'Yes. Your present plan, then, is to stay with Humphrey and Binnie, if they are willing to have you, and if your grandfather's lawyers agree. Have you any plans for the more distant future, in case they do not see their way to having you as a permanent guest?'

'I expect I shall marry Tancred.'

'When I saw Tancred last, he seemed very well satisfied with his present domestic arrangements.'

'You mean he's living with a girl?'

'So it seemed to me.'

'Has she any money?'

'I did not think to ask.'

'You're being sarcastic. If she hasn't any money, I shall have an advantage over her. I like Tancred. He's kind and I think he's very clever. With my money he could write as much poetry as he wanted to, and he wouldn't have to work for a living.'

'Does he work for a living?'

'I think he's in advertising. I think he writes rhymes for soaps and cereals and things. He told me something about it the night he slept with me at Galliard Hall.'

'Tell me about the toy trumpet.'

'The toy trumpet?'

'The one which was used at the seance.'

'Oh, that! How did you know about the seance? Did Romilly tell you?'

'Yes, he mentioned it. It seems that it made him very angry.'

'How could it? It was his idea, his and Judith's, and they both were present at it.'

'And the nurse?'

'What nurse?'

'The nurse who suggested that the seance should be held.'

'There wasn't any nurse. Why should there be? There was the medium, of course, and Judith and Romilly and me. That was all.'

'I see. So Romilly and Judith suggested that the seance should be held?'

'Judith, actually. At least, I think it was her idea. She wanted to call up my grandfather.'

'Did this thought alarm you?'

'It didn't alarm me, but I didn't think it right to meddle in such matters.'

'But you attended the seance.'

'I had no choice. They made me do it. They said it wouldn't be any good without me, so I had to go.'