The telephone bell rang. The silent Bunter, whom the other two had almost forgotten, padded across to it.
«It's an elderly lady, my lord,» he said, «I think she's deaf — I can't make her hear anything, but she's asking for your lordship.»
Lord Peter seized the receiver, and yelled into it a «Hullo!» that might have cracked the vulcanite. He listened for some minutes with an incredulous smile, which gradually broadened into a grin of delight. At length he screamed, «All right! all right!» several times, and rang off.
«By Jove!» he announced, beaming, «sportin' old bird! It's old Mrs. Thipps. Deaf as a post. Never used the 'phone before. But determined. Perfect Napoleon. The incomparable Sugg has made a discovery and arrested little Thipps. Old lady abandoned in the flat. Thipps's last shriek to her, “Tell Lord Peter Wimsey.” Old girl undaunted. Wrestles with telephone book. Wakes up the people at the exchange. Won't take no for an answer (not bein' able to hear it), gets through, says, “Will I do what I can?” Says she would feel safe in the hands of a real gentleman. Oh, Parker, Parker! I could kiss her, I reely could, as Thipps says. I'll write to her instead — no, hang it, Parker, we'll go round. Bunter, get your infernal machine and the magnesium. I say, we'll all go into partnership — pool the two cases and work 'em out together. You shall see my body to-night, Parker, and I'll look for your wandering Jew to-morrow. I feel so happy, I shall explode. O Sugg, Sugg, how art thou suggified! Bunter, my shoes. I say, Parker, I suppose yours are rubber-soled. Not? Tut, tut, you mustn't go out like that. We'll lend you a pair. Gloves? Here. My stick, my torch, the lampblack, the forceps, knife, pill-boxes — all complete?»
«Certainly, my lord.»
«Oh, Bunter, don't look so offended. I mean no harm. I believe in you, I trust you — what money have I got? That'll do. I knew a man once, Parker, who let a world-famous poisoner slip through his fingers, because the machine on the Underground took nothing but pennies. There was a queue at the booking office and the man at the barrier stopped him, and while they were arguing about accepting a five-pound-note (which was all he had) for a twopenny ride to Baker Street, the criminal had sprung into a Circle train, and was next heard of in Constantinople, disguised as an elderly Church of England clergyman touring with his niece. Are we all ready? Go!»
They stepped out, Bunter carefully switching off the lights behind them.
* * *
As they emerged into the gloom and gleam of Piccadilly, Wimsey stopped short with a little exclamation.
«Wait a second,» he said, «I've thought of something. If Sugg's there he'll make trouble. I must short-circuit him.»