80
u might be active."
"His valet reports him disappeared. He had a dinner engagement last night. Didn't come home to dress for it. Didn't come home at all. He went out after lunch yesterday, and hasn't been seen since."
Reggie sat down. "One of your larger cigars would do me, good, Lomas," he said, and helped himself. "Oh, Mr. Lomas, sir, this is so sudden. Cousin Herbert was feeling nervous, no doubt. But why this dramatic exit? What gave Cousin Herbert cold feet yesterday? "
Superintendent Bell coughed. "I was wondering, sir, if Mr. Fortune had taken any steps on his own with regard to Herbert. To alarm him, so to speak."
" Nary step. Why the blazes didn't you watch him? "
"After all, sir, we've not a thing against him."
"Not now?"
"Well, sir, it's not criminal to disappear. But I don't mind saying it's odd, quite odd."
"Oh, I expect Geoffrey and the angel wife murdered him too. Just to round it off, Lomas, old thing."
"You're very merry and bright," Lomas grumbled. "I wish you'd tell me how this helps us. Why should he bolt now?"
"There is another unknown quantity somewhere," Reggie admitted.
The telephone claimed Lomas. He took it up, and his face was eloquent as he listened. He put it down again very gently. "Afraid you're right out of it, Fortune. Herbert Charlecote didn't bolt. Herbert Charlecote has been found drowned in the Basingstoke Canal."
"Good Lord, sir!" the Superintendent exclaimed.
"Pretty conclusive, what?" Lomas shrugged.
"And why the Basingstoke Canal?" said Reggie placidly. "Lots of nice places to drown in nearer home. I ask you, why the Basingstoke Canal?"
Lomas and his Superintendent looked at each other. "It really is a crazy case," Lomas said slowly, "I don't quite -- "
Reggie jumped up. "Oh, come on. Let's go and look at him. My car's outside. Where is he?"
"Woking. Half a minute." Lomas rang his bell and turned to his papers.
So Reggie went down