Dance to Your Daddy

'The legal position? Oh, you mean consult grandfather's lawyers. Yes, I could do that, I suppose. They are the people who pay me my allowance.'

'I do not know whether that constitutes them your guardians under the terms of your grandfather's Will. Technically, of course, you are of age, but doubtless conditions will have been laid down for their guidance. That can be discussed later. As you will have guessed, I have sent Laura out on an errand, which will take her the rest of the morning to execute, so that you and I may have plenty of time for a chat.'

'What about?'

'Laura's niece told her of the conversation you had in her parents' house in Solihull.'

'Yes, I'm sorry about that. I'm afraid I interrupted her school work.'

'That is not my concern. Why did you confess to her that Romilly's story of your having thrown various articles into the sea was a true one?'

'Oh, that? I thought it might interest her.'

'It did. Where did you obtain the monkey?'

'Oh, I didn't, of course, or the cat or the baby doll.'

'How old were you when Willoughby became Felix Napoleon's secretary?'

'How old? I don't remember. I suppose I was about fifteen. We weren't living in Carlisle then. Grandfather never stayed long in one hotel. He said the staff got used to you, and the service became unsatisfactory and they thought they wouldn't get as much in tips as they did from people coming and going.'

'How old were you when Felix Napoleon adopted you?'

'I was ten when my father died.'

'Did you ever meet Hubert, Willoughby's brother?'

'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 séance.'

'Oh, that! How did you know about the séance? 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 séance 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 séance 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 séance.'

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

'What did Judith wish Felix Napoleon to tell her?'

'I don't know. The séance broke up. I broke it up. I snatched the toy trumpet out of the medium's hand and dashed out of the house and flung the trumpet and the medium's tape-recorder into the sea.'

'I thought it was a transistor radio set.'

'Oh, no, it was a tape-recorder. As soon as I saw it, I knew there was going to be trickery.'

'Indeed? What trickery did you suspect?'

'That Romilly had secretly taped some talk of grandfather's about the Will, and that I was not to have the money, but it was to be divided among Romilly, Willoughby and Hubert.'

'But a recording of such a conversation would have no significance, since Felix Napoleon had left a valid Will.'

'They wanted to prove that I had used undue influence. They intended to upset the Will, you see.'

'I think you must be mistaken. They would never have thought that such a means would be tolerated by the courts.'

'That lot would do anything for money. I think, if you'll excuse me, I'll write to Humphrey and Binnie to find out whether they will have me. You did say you had their address?'

'There is one other thing,' said Dame Beatrice. 'Who was the other young woman who lived with Felix Napoleon Lestrange?'

(2)

'So what was the upshot?' asked Laura.

'Nothing emerged that I did not know or had not guessed. She denied all knowledge of Felix Napoleon's young paramour.'

'A bit silly of her. Maiden modesty, just plain ignorance-no, it couldn't be either of those. On her own admission she went to bed with Tancred at Galliard Hall.'

'Yes, it seems she did,' Dame Beatrice agreed.

'I should think the best plan would be to get Hubert over here, and confront Romilly with him. Then we could at least note their reactions.'

'Yes. My good opinion of Rosamund was not enhanced by our interview.'

'I didn't think your opinion of her was good. Didn't you say...'

'Yes, I did. I think I must go and see Judith.'

'She won't tell you anything to Romilly's detriment.'

'We shall have to find that out.'

'You'll look out for yourself, won't you? They seem an odd lot at Galliard Hall. Do I go with you?'

'It depends upon whether Humphrey and Binnie agree to take Rosamund unto themselves. That is the first consideration.'