Read Online Trouble on the Thames by Victor Bridges - Free Book Online Page B

leisurely draw at his cigar-ette. “I have a certain proposition I should like to put before you, but, to begin with, I think that a little preliminary explanation might help to clear the ground. It would give you a better idea of my position in the matter, and probably have some effect on your attitude with regard to my suggestion.”
    â€œPlease yourself; only be as quick as you can.”
    â€œAbout four months ago I had a rather curious and distressing experience.” Sutton drawled out the words with what appeared to be intentioned deliberation. “I was going home late one night when I bumped into a friend of mine. It was that poor devil Medlicot who shot himself a day or two afterwards. By the way, wasn’t he a member of your Club?”
    â€œYes, he used to drop in here every now and then.” Craig spoke with an admirably assumed carelessness. “Struck me as being a pleasant, attractive sort of chap. Terrible affair his shooting himself like that—last thing in the world I’d have expected from a man of his type.”
    â€œSeems to have taken everyone by surprise. Have you any idea what made him do it?”
    â€œMoney troubles of some sort, apparently. I only know what came out at the inquest.”
    â€œPerhaps I can add a little to that. You see, on the night I met him Medlicot was in a pretty queer state. Looked as if he was badly up against it and had been playing around a bit too freely with the whisky. Thought he’d probably land himself in trouble if I didn’t do something about it, so I took him up to my place to give him a chance to cool off. Naval officers can’t afford to be arrested in Piccadilly.”
    â€œVery sporting of you. It isn’t everybody who would be so considerate.”
    â€œAlways delighted to do a pal a good turn. Besides, sometimes it pays one handsomely. In the present case, for instance, if I hadn’t felt sorry for Medlicot and tried to be helpful I shouldn’t have enjoyed the advantage of being—how shall I put it—taken into his confidence.” Sutton paused. “It’s also highly improbable that I should be sitting here at the present moment.”
    â€œI fail to grasp the connection between the two events. I liked Medlicot well enough in a way, but he was never an intimate friend of mine. What was your object in coming to me? If you have any inside information why didn’t you attend the inquest and give your evidence there?”
    â€œI never act hastily: it’s nearly always a mistake. One is so apt to throw away the substance for the shadow.”
    Once again Craig glanced at his watch. “You must forgive me reminding you that I am a rather busy man. Unless you have something really definite—”
    â€œI have. Extremely definite.” Sutton still spoke in the same quiet drawl. “As a result of that little chat with Medlicot, and of certain facts that have come to my knowledge since then, I have arrived at the conclusion that you are playing a highly profitable but, if you don’t mind my saying so, a damned dangerous game. To put it quite frankly and precisely, you are working for the Germans.”
    Except for a slight narrowing of the eyes Craig’s face remained absolutely unaltered.
    â€œI don’t know whether you are mad or whether this is intended to be a joke. If you are playing the fool, I warn you that there are very distinct limits to what I’m prepared to put up with.”
    â€œIt would be a pity if you threw me out before I had finished. You would certainly regret it.”
    â€œI don’t propose to waste my time listening to drivelling nonsense.”
    â€œNo, that would be too much to expect. Perhaps I can simplify matters by giving you a short summary of what I conceive to be the exact situation. If I am doing you an injustice in any particular detail don’t hesitate to correct me.”
    Craig remained silent, still