“Not at all,” answered Hannasyde, on whom, for all his apparently disinterested attitude, not one gesture or inflexion of the voice had been lost. “If you would like to speak to Mr Carrington alone, I can wait outside.”
“Oh, lord, no! It isn't private!” Kenneth assured him. “It's only about Arnold's money. I am the heir, aren't I, Giles? Damn it, I must be! He can't have upset Father's Will. Well, can I have some of it in advance? I must have some new shirts, for one thing, and I can't get them on tick since Arnold said he wouldn't be responsible for my debts, blast him! Also, Maxton's have sent me a stinker to say if I don't settle their account they will have to take steps. And if taking steps means jug, I can't possibly be jugged for at least another fortnight, because I'm working on a picture. So do you mind coughing up some of the needful?”
It was quite impossible to stem this tide of disastrous eloquence. After one quick, warning frown, Giles abandoned his attempt, and heard his client out in silence. Mr Charles Carrington, his elbows on the arms of his chair, and his fingertips lightly touching, sat watching the Superintendent, quite unperturbed. When his nephew paused for breath, he turned his head, and said with something of his son's mildness: “How much do you want, Kenneth?”
“I want five hundred pounds,” replied Kenneth promptly. “Three hundred is absolutely urgent, and if it won't run to five, I could make three do. But I want a hundred to buy a ring with, and another hundred for splurging about. I can buy a ring for a hundred, can't I, Giles?”
“Several, I should think,” replied Giles.
“Must be diamonds,” explained Kenneth. “Large, flashy ones. You know: the kind of thing which makes you want to vomit. It's for Violet. I haven't given her one yet, and that's the deluded wench's taste. I wouldn't put it above her to hanker after a ruby tiara once I touch Arnold's millions, bless her vulgar little heart!”
Giles intervened. “We'll talk it over later. I can lend you some money to tide you over. Is that all you came about?”
“That's enough, isn't it?” said Kenneth. “Murgatroyd's got it into her head that the bailiffs will storm the place at any moment. I can't see what on earth it matters as long as they don't get in our way, but she won't listen to reason, and, as a matter of fact, I daresay they would be a bit of a nuisance. Because we've only got one sittingroom, you know.”
“All right, I'll come along this evening and arrange something,” promised Giles. “Meanwhile Superintendent Hannasyde wants to ask you some questions.”
“I just want to know what your movements were on Saturday evening,” said Hannasyde pleasantly.