sir.â Catto was on surer ground now that he had a specific instruction, and turned to leave. But wondering how he could knock at the door and still not show out.
âJust a minute,â said Hardcastle. âHave any of you learned anything from your informants about Goslingâs fencing activities?â
âNot yet, sir.â
âDonât forget,â growled Hardcastle.
Henry Catto was far more confident when he was out of the DDIâs presence. He rang the bell of Hannah Villiersâs apartment and waited.
Having passed the hurdle of Mrs Villiersâs maid, Catto was eventually shown into the drawing room.
âIâm a police officer, madam,â said Catto. âDetective Constable Catto,â he added, producing his warrant card.
âCaptain Villiers isnât here, if thatâs who you want,â said Mrs Villiers with a sigh. âHeâs visiting his lady friend, and Iâve no idea where she lives.â
âIâm sorry, madam, but I donât know anything about a Captain ⦠who did you say?â
âThere were two policemen here on Monday. Havenât you come about the same thing?â
âNo, madam, Iâm merely warning people in the area that there have been a number of thefts locally by a man pretending to be from the water board. He usually asks the householder to go upstairs and turn on the bathroom taps while he pretends to check the downstairs pipes for leaks. While sheâs doing that, he steals whatever he can lay his hands on and makes off.â
âOh, I see. Thank you, officer. Iâll be on my guard, and Iâll inform my servants.â
âIf any suspicious characters should call, madam, donât admit them, and call a constable.â
âThank you,â said Hannah Villiers again, and rang for Elsie to show Catto out.
Just to guard against the possibility of Mrs Villiers mentioning his visit to her neighbours, Catto called at the apartments on either side of Mrs Villiersâs and warned them against the fictitious water board official. That done, he made his way to nearby Battersea police station and sent a message to Sergeant Marriott.
âA message from Catto, sir. He called at Mrs Villiersâs place and she told him that Haydn Villiers was visiting his lady friend, but that she didnât know where she lived. It looks as though Annabel Powellâs forgiven him after all. If thatâs where heâs gone.â
âI just hope Catto didnât blow the gaff,â said Hardcastle, as ever reluctant to give praise, even when it was due.
âHeâs a very reliable officer, sir.â Marriott was always finding himself in the position of defending Catto against what he saw as the DDIâs unjustified criticism.
âSo you say, Marriott, so you say.â Hardcastle put on his hat and coat, and took hold of his umbrella. Finally, he took his pipe from the ashtray and thrust it into his pocket. âWeâll pay another visit to Annabel Powell and have a word with young Villiers.â
âBut he might have another lady friend who lives somewhere else, sir.â
âJudging by the cut of young Villiers, I wouldnât mind betting heâs got a whole stable of fillies in London, Marriott,â said Hardcastle. âBut if thatâs the case, weâll know soon enough.â
Hardcastle beat a loud rat-a-tat on the lionâs head knocker of Annabel Powellâs Elm Park Gardens house. To his amazement, the door was opened by Haydn Villiers himself.
âWhat on earth are you doing here, Inspector? Itâs not very convenient at the moment.â
âI donât suppose it is, Captain Villiers, but I have something of vital importance to tell you.â
âYouâd better come in, then.â Reluctantly, Villiers showed the two CID officers into the drawing room.
âWho was that at the door, Haydn darling?â Annabel Powell, wearing the
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