‘Mrs. Moon’s had a letter!’ said Larry, and gave a low whistle. ‘Well, that rules her out then. That leaves only Nosey and Miss Tittle.’
‘Let’s watch for Mr. Goon,’ said Bets. So they watched. He came cycling up the drive and dismounted by the front door. Mrs. Hilton let him in. The children stood at the top of the stairs, but Mrs. Hilton, worried and puzzled, did not even see them.
‘I sent for you to say that Mrs. Moon has now had one of those unpleasant letters,’ said Mrs. Hilton. ‘She is naturally very upset.’
‘Well, Madam, I may tell you that I’ve had one too, this morning!’ said Mr. Goon. ‘It’s getting beyond a joke, this is. I found mine in the letter-box this morning. Course, it may have been delivered in the dark of night, probably was. Making fun of the Law like that. Things have come to a pretty pass if the Law can be treated like that!’
‘It’s very worrying,’ said Mrs. Hilton. ‘I can’t imagine anyone wanting to send you that kind of letter, Mr. Goon.’
‘Ah, no doubt the wrong-doer knows I’m on their track,’ said Mr. Goon. ‘Thinks to put me off, no doubt! Tells me I’m a meddler and a muddler! Ah, wait till I get me hands on them!’
‘Well - come and see Mrs. Moon,’ said Mrs. Hilton. ‘Please handle her carefully, Mr. Goon. She’s almost hysterical.’
Obviously Mr. Goon couldn’t handle a hysterical person, judging by the angry voices soon to be heard from the kitchen. The door opened again at last and Mr. Goon came out into the hall, looking extremely flustered, to find Mrs. Hilton, who had retired to the drawing-room.
‘And that’ll teach you to come pestering and accusing a poor, innocent woman!’ Mrs. Moon’s voice came from the kitchen. ‘Pestering me yesterday like you did - and me struck all of a heap today!’
Mr. Goon heard next about the red-headed butcher-boy, who had so mysteriously ridden up and left no meat, and had apparently departed without being seen.