Have His Carcase

‘He was. But I don’t somehow think Horrocks is quite the man to read villainy en someone’s face. I should say he was quite satisfied with the regrettable practice of typecasting. I’ve got something at the back of my mind, Inspector, and I can’t seem to get it out.’

The Inspector grunted and tripped over a packing-case as they emerged into the purlieus of Wardour Street.

Chapter XXIV. The Evidence Of The L.C.C Teacher

‘Such lily-livered, meek humanity.’

— Death’s Jest-Book

Monday, 29 June; Tuesday 30june

Paul Alexis was buried on the Monday, with many flowers and a large crowd of onlookers. Lord Peter was still in London with the Inspector, but he was suitably represented by Bunter, who had returned from Huntingdonshire, that morning and, ever efficient, had brought with him a handsome. wreath, suitably inscribed. Mrs Weldon was chief mourner, supported by Henry in solemn black, and the staff of the Resplendent sent a representative contingent and a floral emblem in the shape of a saxophone. The leader of the orchestra, an uncompromising realist, had suggested that the effigy of, a pair of dancing-pumps would have been more truly symbolic, but general opinion was against him, and there was, indeed a feeling that he had been actuated by professional jealousy. Miss Leila Garland made her appearance in restrained and modified weeds, and affronted Mrs Weldon by. casting an enormous bunch of Parma violets into the grave at the most affecting moment and being theatrically overcome and carried away in hysterics. The ceremony was fully reported, with photographs, in the National Press, and the dinner-tables of the Resplendent were so crowded that evening that it became necessary to serve a supplementary dinner in the Louis Quinze Saloon.

‘I suppose you will be leaving Wilvercombe now,’ said Harriet to Mrs Weldon. ‘It will always have sad memories for you.’

‘Indeed, my dear, ‘I shall not. I intend to stay here until the cloud is lifted from Paul’s memory. I know positively that he was murdered by a Soviet gang and it’s simply a disgrace that the police should let this kind of thing go on.’

‘I wish you would persuade my mother to leave,’ said Henry. Bad for her health to hang on here. You’ll be leaving yourself, I expect, before long.’

‘Probably.’

There seemed, in fact, to be little for anyone to stay on for. William Bright applied to the police for leave to depart and was accorded it, subject to an undertaking that he would, keep them informed of his whereabouts. He promptly retired to his lodgings at Seahampton, packed up, and started a trek northwards. ‘And it’s to be hoped,’ said Superintendent Glaisher, ‘that they’ll keep an eye on him. We can’t follow him through, all the counties in England. We’ve nothing against him.’

Wimsey and the Inspector, returning to, Wilvercombe on the Tuesday morning, were greeted with a piece of fresh information.

‘We’ve pulled in Perkins,’: said Superintendent Glaisher.

It appeared that Mr Julian Perkins, after leaving Darley and being driven to Wilvercombe in his hired car, had taken the train to: Seahampton and resumed his walking-tour at that point. About twenty miles out’ he had been knocked down by a motor lorry. As the result he had lain speechless and senseless for nearly a week in the local hospital. There was nothing in his travelling-pack to indicate his identity, and it was only when he began to sit up and take notice that anything was known about him. As soon as he was well enough for desultory chat, he discovered that his fellow-patients were discussing the Wilvercombe inquest, and he mentioned with a feeble sense of self-importance, that he had actually been in contract with the young lady who found the body. One of the nurses then called to mind that there had been a broadcast inquiry for somebody called Perkins in connection with that very case. The Wilvercombe police were communicated with, and P.C. Ormond had been sent over to interview Mr Perkins,