But he did also know the officers; or at any rate
the Admiral. I said that the body was covered with green scum, but it might just as
well have been seaweed. Admiral Craven was murdered to silence him about the way in
which he was swindled. Do you know who’s likely to come in for it? His report ought
to be ready in an hour or so. His real job is running me down and knocking me out
for good, if he can.
It is possible, indeed, that it was a false
moustache.
It’s the only safe place to meet - if anything is
safe by this time.
I knew him well when we were children; we used to
play over there on the sands. As for suicide, it’s rather a responsibility to
suggest it, and rather improbable too.
The grizzled lawyer laughed with grim good humour.
I hear the Admiral is expected home soon. His sulks and my father’s temper sometimes
led to quarrels; but what are quarrels?
I supposed some great grief that’s no business of
mine had broken him up.
He’s not gay and free and
whats-its-name.
But Dr Straker here has - What is the matter. He
just stiffened; grew dull and dumb, like a dead man walking about.
There were some big black clouds, but I notice that
not a drop of rain fell. It may be my duty to question him at once.
It is possible, on the other hand, that even if it
was not false it was forced.
One would like to know - about his property, for
instance. But the dirty devil swears he’ll succeed yet; shoot me and run off with my
- never mind.
There is no harm in having ambitions; but he had
ambitions and called them ideals. The moment that man asked where it was found, I
was sure he knew were it was found.
Dr Straker was a remarkable man, even to look at.