The Dartmoor Enigma by Basil Thomson Page A

was fined five pounds. I suppose you’ll give him time and facilities for finding the money?”
    â€œHe’ll have all the time he wants,” replied Carstairs grimly, “but as for facilities…”
    â€œAre you still of the opinion that he was guilty of the murder?”
    â€œI am.”
    â€œThat’s rather unfortunate, Mr. Carstairs, because I shall want to use him as a principal Crown witness against the real murderer when we have found him.”
    Carstairs, looking more obstinate than ever, emitted a short laugh.
    â€œYou may remember,” continued Richardson, “that when I came down here you gave me to understand that I was to have a free hand in investigating this case, and now I find that this is not to be so—that one of the chief obstacles is likely to be yourself. I shall have to reconsider my position.”
    â€œWhat do you mean by that, Mr. Richardson? Haven’t I done everything in my power to help you? But you can’t expect me to neglect my own duties as Superintendent of this division and let a man who is clearly guilty of murder go free and abscond?”
    â€œThis puts me in a very difficult position, Mr. Carstairs. I have already got some way in the case. I have found the writer of the anonymous letters; I have one or two promising clues which I haven’t communicated to you because you gave me to understand that you wished me to take entire responsibility, and now you want to take things out of my hands. I’m really sorry to have to give up the case, but in view of your attitude there seems to be no other course. I must return to London to-night and leave you to carry on.”
    â€œCome, come, we don’t want to fall out at this stage. You can’t shake my opinion that Pengelly is the guilty man, but how can I bring it home to him without your help?”
    â€œOh, of course before I go I’ll leave you copies of all the statements I have taken…”
    â€œYes, but if you go back and report to your Chiefs that you are throwing up the case because I’m obstructing you, how shall I look when they write to the Chief Constable? I don’t want to butt in. You mustn’t think that. I want nothing more than to help you. What do you want me to do?”
    â€œI want you to let Pengelly go up to the quarry—in custody, of course, as far as the quarry gates—and to let him get about among his mates and speak to the manager about getting an advance on his wages. Then, if he can raise the money to pay his fine, I want you to let him get back to work. You can make what arrangements you like with the foreman about letting you know if he leaves.” The Superintendent’s face fell. “I shouldn’t be urging you to do this, Mr. Carstairs, if I didn’t feel sure that you’ll be grateful to me afterwards. Then, if you like to work the case with me, I shall be only too glad.”
    â€œVery well, Mr. Richardson, I’ll do as you say, but I’d like you to remember when you’ve cleared up the whole case that my instinct was right from the first. What’s the next step you propose to take?”
    â€œI propose to see the manager of the Duchy Hotel in Duketon.”
    â€œThen you’ll want the car; it shall be ready for you at any hour you name.”
    Arrived at the Duchy Hotel, Richardson ordered a sandwich and a glass of beer in the bar parlour and asked the waitress to tell the manager that he wished to see him. Scenting sensational gossip, the manager lost no time in obeying the summons. He entered the room on tiptoe and shut the door carefully behind him.
    â€œI thought it must be you. Now, tell me what I can do for you?”
    â€œWhen I called on you last time, Mr. Tovey, I told you that we were police officers, but I don’t think I told you to what police force we belonged. We have come down from Scotland Yard.”
    The manager purred with satisfaction at being the