Faintley Speaking

ink-smudge on his nose indicated that he was busy with composition.

‘I’ve sold a short story,’ he said, ‘and do you know what I’ve based it on?’

‘I couldn’t begin to guess, sir, unless on the tale of Miss Faintley’s mysterious parcel. And that being so —’

‘I’ve told you all I know,’ said Mandsell hastily, ‘so I didn’t see why I shouldn’t make use of the idea. It couldn’t possibly matter to anyone else.’

‘I’m not so sure of that, sir. After all, the fact remains that you accepted this parcel from Hagford, delivered it to Tomson in Miss Faintley’s name, did not get a receipt, and then we learn of the death of Miss Faintley, to whom the parcel was addressed.’

‘You can’t say it was the result of what I did… her death, you know. She was killed on holiday. There’s nothing on earth to connect her death with the parcel.’

‘Not necessarily, sir, I agree, but, so far as we can see, these parcels were a bit of a mystery. You wouldn’t care to hazard a guess what was in the one you carried?’

‘I haven’t a clue. I wish I had. I’m pretty sure it was wooden – it was very firm, you know, not just brown paper and string – and I know it was rather like a photograph, but that’s as much as I can tell you.’

‘You acted very rashly, sir, in deciding to undertake this little commission. Tomson is by way of being a marked man.’

‘Yes, but I couldn’t know that. What I did was more or less as a joke.’

‘Very likely, sir. We are quite prepared to accept that explanation. But now, sir, this walk you took on a very wet, unpleasant evening.’

‘Yes, I was worried. I was rather exercised in my mind about my royalties.’

‘In other words, you were on the rocks, sir. That’s what we understand from your landlady. Then, suddenly, on the following day, you found yourself in a position to pay her four pounds.’

Mandsell, who had not thought fit to disclose this fact, looked apprehensive.

‘Well, that wasn’t very much, was it?’ he said belligerently.

‘You wouldn’t care to tell me how you came into the possession of the four pounds, sir?’ The Inspector’s voice was persuasive but his eye was keen.

‘I didn’t steal it, if that’s what you mean!’

‘Of course I don’t mean that, sir. We know where it came from, and you would do better to trust us. Now, about you and Miss Faintley and the telephone conversation. Haven’t you any idea at all as to the identity of the gentleman that walked away down Park Road just before you arrived at the telephone- box?’

‘Not a clue. It was raining hard, you know, and, as I think I told you, his coat-collar was pulled right up and his hat right down. I’d hardly have recognized him if he’d been my best friend.’

‘You knew all about Tomson, at the drapery shop, of course, sir?’

‘Never saw him in my life until I handed in that parcel. Had to remember where the shop was, as a matter of fact.’

‘We’ve had our eye on him for some time. We think he may be a receiver of stolen goods.’

‘I thought he might be, too, but it wasn’t any business of mine. I simply collected the parcel and handed it over.’

‘Thus carrying out the wishes of an unknown voice on the telephone… and in a public call-box at that?’

‘I know it sounds silly, but it seemed a good idea at the time.’

‘The gentlemen who get those kind of good ideas, sir, are apt to end up in trouble. Now, sir, I suggest that we are not being frank with one another. If I lay my cards on the table I shall expect to see your hand, too. I have reason to believe that you were bribed by Tomson to forget all about getting a receipt for Miss Faintley’s parcel.’

‘He gave me five pounds, and I took it. It wasn’t as though I knew the first thing about Miss Faintley or where to contact her,’ said Mandsell, giving way at last, ‘but I did not take the money as a bribe. I shall pay it back.’

‘Well, sir, as to that, we must take your word for it. But if you should decide to give us a little more information, well, I don’t mind saying we could do with it. This is a funny kind of business, and those that help the authorities won’t find reason to regret it. Could I have the name and address of your publishers, sir?’

‘Certainly. Here’s the letter they sent me, but, honestly, I can’t help you. I certainly would if I could.’

‘Many thanks, sir. You’ll hear from us again in due course, when we’ve pushed the inquiry further forward.’

‘Is that a threat, may I ask?’

‘We don’t threaten people, sir. But the law is the law, and the law is against murder, so, if you should remember anything else, sir —’

‘There’s nothing more to remember, and… well, I needn’t have come to you, you know!’

‘We quite appreciate that, sir, but murder’s a very nasty business to be mixed up in.’

‘Look here,’ said Mandsell desperately, ‘I don’t know much about the law, but I’ve told the truth as far as I see it. Damn it all, I’ve even admitted now that I took the five pounds that miserable little tradesman offered me! All the same, it isn’t my business if some wretched, unknown female chooses to get herself bumped off! I own to calling for the parcel. I didn’t know then what was in it and I don’t know now. It might have been a silly thing to do. I daresay it was. But I did it without thinking. I own, too, that I ought not to have accepted the five pounds, but I was desperate for money, turned out of my digs, and with nowhere to go and nobody to turn to. I meant to pay back the money… I knew it was a fishy business… and I still mean to return it. I’m only waiting for my royalties to