“Quicker than that,” snapped Goodall, “and stand no nonsense from anybody.”
Anthony gave him a glance of approval. Then watched Clegg depart with heavy and important tread. “Tell Mr. Charles Stewart we should like to speak to him for a moment,” he called to the Sergeant as he made his way towards the hall—“you’ll find him close handy.” Goodall then came forward. “I want Mr. Stewart,” he said. “He promised that I should interview Miss Lennox and the late Mr. Stewart’s secretary—also I’m afraid I’ve been keeping him waiting.”
“Would you mind postponing the interviews for a little while, Inspector?” asked Anthony. “I’ve another suggestion to make.”
“Let’s hear it then.”
“Please yourself, of course,” proceeded Anthony—“have them in now by all means if you consider it very important. But what I was going to suggest was this. I should very much like to have a look at this Museum Room of Mr. Stewart’s. I’ve got a shrewd idea that it won’t prove to be entirely unprofitable.”
Goodall thought for a moment and then signified his agreement. “Very well, Mr. Bathurst—that will suit me very well—I can see the others later.”
As he spoke Charles Stewart returned.
“That trifling matter of the Museum Room, Mr. Stewart,” exclaimed Anthony. “Did you remember to get that little catalogue from Mr. Llewellyn that you promised me? If you did I should like to go in there and have that tour of inspection I discussed with you last evening.”
Stewart made an exclamation of regret. “My apologies, Mr. Bathurst, it slipped my memory—but I’ll soon rectify that.” He touched the bell. “Mr. Llewellyn,” he said as the secretary appeared, “didn’t you compile for my father some time ago a catalogue of the contents of the Museum Room?”
Anthony watched the secretary’s face with the utmost intentness as he replied. “Yes, Mr. Charles. That is so! Your father was very keen on having it done.”