He smiled. “No, but I thought I’d better prepare you for the explanation which I propose to give now.
“There has been much concern felt here over the disappearance of two local women. They were perfectly respectable and, as far as I am aware, unknown to each other. We don’t know if any harm has befallen them, but if not, it seems quite incredible that neither has got into touch with any of her relatives or friends.
“One factor is common to both these cases, Miss Teatime. The women had registered, not long before their disappearance, with a matrimonial agency here in the town called Handclasp House. I’m not going to be obtuse about this—we do know that you have approached the same organization...”
He paused, as if to invite comment.
Miss Teatime, who had been listening intently, one finger touching her cheek, said simply: “That is quite true.”
“...and naturally we hope that whatever has transpired will have a happy outcome for you. On the other hand, I think you ought to be on your guard.”
“Against disappearing?” There was a twinkle in Miss Teatime’s eye.
Purbright shrugged. “Both the women who did had recently been successful in finding companionship through this agency. The coincidence cannot be ignored. We think it was the same man in each case and that he was responsible for whatever has happened to them.”
“But you must not stretch coincidence too far, must you, inspector? Are you suggesting that this hard working gentleman has now turned his attention to me?”
“I am suggesting nothing,” said Purbright. “But I believe that a plausible and dangerous man is using the agency as a means of finding victims. If that sounds a trifle melodramatic, I’m sorry; it just happens to be the only explanation for what has been going on.”
“Then why have you not found him?”
“Because plausible and dangerous men are also as a rule very clever,” said Purbright, a shade defensively.
“Someone must have seen him in the company of these ladies, surely?”
“No one who had reason to be observant. The accounts we have been able to obtain are sketchy, to say the least.”
“You have no indication at all of his identity, then?”
Suddenly her manner relaxed.
“I’m sorry if I seem to be cross-examining you, inspector. You must see, though, that a mere general suspicion could have terribly unjust consequences. Let me be frank. I have met a gentleman through this bureau you are talking about. He impresses me as being kind and honourable. In due course, I shall doubtless learn more about his background. But the relationship is scarcely likely to prosper if I must now regard him as a police suspect.”
The inspector reflected that in Miss Teatime he, like poor Love, had got rather more than he had bargained for.
“Of course I see your point,” he assured her. “And if I may say so, you certainly don’t impress me as a gullible or incapable person. The fact remains that your—how shall I put it—your qualifications—are exactly those which we could expect to attract the attention of the man we are looking for. For instance, I believe you are not without means...”
“That is so.”
“You are also a newcomer to the district and living on your own.”
“As you can see, Mr Purbright.”
“Yes, well I don’t have to spell this out for you, do I? No policeman in similar circumstances would be doing his duty if he failed to warn you.”
She surprised him with a broad, fond smile.
“Of course not, my dear inspector. I appreciate it. But I must beg you not to worry.”
“I shall try not to,” he said drily.
“Good. Now is there anything else I can do for you? Are you sure you will not have coffee?”
“Quite sure, thank you.” He reached to an inside pocket. “But there is one way in which you can be specifically helpful. This gentleman you say you have met...oh, what’s his name, by the way?”
She hesitated, then shook her head. “I think, if you do not mind, inspector, that I should keep that to myself for the time being.”
“Are you sure you’re being wise?”
“Not unwise, I hope. Ethical, certainly.”
He shrugged. “As you wish. But at least you can tell me if you have received any letters from him.”
“Naturally. That is how these introductions are effected, you know.”
Purbright placed on the table a slip of stiff white paper on which were five or six lines of writing.
“This is a photographic copy,” he explained, “of part of a letter which we are satisfied was written by the man who made contact with the two missing women. Would you mind letting me see one of the letters you have received from your friend?”
“I should have no objection at all, Mr Purbright, but there is not one here for you to see. They were simply formal meeting arrangements. I did not keep them.”
Purbright looked disappointed. “Mightn’t you be able to find something, Miss Teatime? Even an odd piece or two in a wastepaper basket would be enough.”
She smiled. “In an hotel, Mr Purbright, one does not throw letters into a wastepaper basket. One tears them up and consigns them to the toilet.”
“I see. Well, will you take a careful look at this writing and tell me if you notice any resemblance to what you can remember of your friend’s.”
He waited until she had taken out her spectacles, then handed her the slip.
Miss Teatime scrutinized it for nearly a minute. She removed her glasses, replaced them in her bag, picked up the slip and gave it to the inspector.
“Quite, quite different,” she said. “Of that I am perfectly sure.”
The inspector sighed. “At least I seem to have been able to put your mind at rest.”
“Oh, but it was never anything else, Mr Purbright. Not really.”
When the inspector had gone, Miss Teatime had a nice long think. Then she left the table and sought out the young lady in the reception office, whom she asked to recommend a car hire firm that might be able to oblige her at somewhat short notice.
The girl gave her an address in St Ann’s Place. Ten minutes later, Miss Teatime was on her way there, unfollowed by policemen.
The garage manager prided himself on an ability to guess, from his first look at a customer, what kind of a vehicle was likely to be preferred.
He regarded Miss Teatime judiciously while she made her request, then nodded like a store Father Christmas and announced: “Just the very thing for you.”
He led her behind the service bay to an enclosure where about a dozen cars were standing. He went straight to a pale blue Ford Anglia and opened the door.
“Full tank. Key’s in. Just drive away. Lovely.”
He shut the door and motioned Miss Teatime to precede him back to the office where minor formalities could now be disposed of.
To his surprise, she stayed where she was.
“Is this the only car which is available?”