They Found Him Dead by Georgette Heyer Page B

sir?"
    Jim smiled. "Well, to tell you the truth, I thought it might be my young stepbrother up to mischief. I shouted at him, but he answered me from quite some way off, and I realised it couldn't have had anything to do with him."
    The inspector made a lengthy note in his book and after an appreciable pause said: "Mr. Clement Kane had recently inherited a considerable property. I understand you are the present heir, are you not, sir?"
    "I?" said Jim. "No, you've been misinformed there. I belong to the youngest branch of the family. After my cousin Clement, it would go to the Australian branch."
    "Indeed, sir, is that so?" The inspector seemed interested. "Would you mind giving me the name of the present heir?"
    "Sorry, I'm afraid I can't. My great-aunt would probably know, though. I think it's a female—but I'm not entirely sure. Perhaps you'd like to see Mrs. Kane yourself?"
    "If you please, sir," said the inspector, standing aside for Jim to go before him out of the room.
    In the hall Jim stopped, for Pritchard was standing by the open front door, speaking in a low voice to Joseph Mansell.
    Joseph caught sight of Jim and came forward at once. "Jim! This—this appalling—— 'Pon my word, I don't know what to say! I came round to pay a call on Mrs. Kane and was met by—this shocking news. I—really, I'm so overwhelmed by it—so upset!—— Good God, it's incredible, utterly incredible!" He wiped his face with his handkerchief as he spoke, and Jim saw that his hand was shaking a little. "Pritchard tells me he was shot in his study. I suppose you have no idea who can have done such a dastardly thing?"
    "None at all, sir."
    "No, no, naturally not!" Joe said. "It's inexplicable! I shouldn't have said he had an enemy in the world. Poor fellow, poor fellow!" He became aware of Inspector Carlton at Jim's elbow and gave him a nod of recognition. "This is a terrible business, Inspector. It doesn't bear thinking of. The loss to the firm too! A most able fellow, a splendid man to work with, just like his cousin before him! What a tragedy!" He shook his head and, fetching one of his gusty sighs, said: "I had better go now. I wouldn't dream of worrying Mrs. Kane at such a moment." He glanced uncertainly at Carlton and added: "If there's anything I can do, or—or if you want me, Inspector, you know where you can find me, don't you?"
    "Yes sir. I shall be wanting to ask you one or two questions."
    "Certainly, certainly! Anything I can tell you—only too anxious to be of assistance!" Joe assured him.
    "If you'll wait a minute I'll find out if my great-aunt can see you, Inspector," said Jim.
    The inspector bowed and walked over to study a somewhat gloomy seascape hanging by the front door.
    Jim went into the drawing room, where he found not only Emily, but Oscar Roberts, and Timothy, and Miss Allison as well.
    Emily, having said that she saw no reason why tea should not be served as usual, was seated in her particular chair, eating a slice of bread and butter. Miss Allison, behind the tea table, did not seem to be hungry, but Timothy and Mr. Roberts were following Emily's example.
    "Well?" said Emily, glancing up at her favourite great-nephew. "Have they done yet? Your tea will be cold."
    "Just a moment, Aunt. The inspector wants to ask you a question. May I show him in?"
    Emily said in her most disagreeable voice: "I don't know what he thinks I can tell him. You can show him in if you want to."
    "It's only about the Australian cousin," explained Jim. "He wants to know her name. It is a she, isn't it?"
    "What's that Australian lot got to do with him?" said Emily, opening her eyes to their widest extent.
    "I suppose he feels he must check up on everybody," replied Jim. He opened the door again and turned. "Will you come in, Inspector? Mrs. Kane will see you."
    The inspector, in asking to question Mrs. Kane, was doing no more than his duty, but he came rather diffidently into the room and, confronted by the old lady seated so upright