Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/78

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THE SLEEPING COMPANION
67

another cup was brought for Mr. Ford; Mr. Ford and she had both drunk their coffee. Miss Bolton—why, no, Miss Bolton had not. Miss Bolton had been very gay, and in doing a few steps of a dance had upset her coffee.

"No more questions, sir." The large solicitor sat down smiling.

The coroner was visibly unable to understand him, and made a great business with his papers. It was now long after tea-time. "I suppose we shan't finish to-day, gentlemen?" the coroner suggested.

"Quite impossible, sir," said the large solicitor cheerfully. "I have some long medical evidence. Dr. Fortune, Miss Bolton's physician. The first medical man who saw the lady. The first medical man who saw Miss Weston."

The court rose. Reggie, with Gordon at his heels, went out by the solicitor's door and found Superintendent Bell waiting for him. "Now are you playing the game, doctor?" said Superintendent Bell sadly.

"For keeps," Reggie laughed. "Come and dine with me. Bring Mordan. He's so genial."

"We do have to take these little things so seriously," the Superintendent murmured.

But a party of four, the Superintendent and the large Inspector, Reggie and the little Jew, packed themselves into a taxicab and drove into town.