The House Of The Bears Read Online Free

at murder.’
    ‘You can’t-’
    ‘I can’t prove it. I shall have a damned good try.’ He stood staring at her, frowning. ‘I don’t yet know how.’
    ‘I don’t see what you can do about it,’ protested Drusilla.
    That’s simple. I shall tell the police.’
    Drusilla could find nothing to say.
    ‘I’m not sure that I ought to wait until morning,’ said Palfrey. ‘But I don’t think anything can be altered. The soft wood certainly can’t be hardened. I’d better wait. And we’d better get to bed,’ he added, with a lighter note in his voice. ‘As you say, my sweet, I may be entirely wrong, and I hope I am.’
    ‘I’ve been thinking,’ said Drusilla.
    She stopped at the sound of a tap on the door. Palfrey looked round and the tap came again. ‘Come in,’ he called, and stood waiting expectantly.
    Morne appeared, still fully dressed. His forehead was furrowed; the hand by his side was clenched, as if he were exerting himself to retain his composure. He looked at Palfrey without speaking, and closed the door behind him. He walked to the fireplace slowly, steadily, then turned and stood with his back to it. He was trying to speak, but the words would not come. Something in his manner was frightening. Drusilla looked sharply at Palfrey, who stood grave-faced by the door.
    At last Morne said: ‘I am sorry to behave like this, Dr. Palfrey; my sister has reminded me that a Dr. Palfrey won some renown in Europe during the war.’ He paused. ‘He was engaged on Secret Service work. Are you that Palfrey?’
    Palfrey waved his hand. ‘As a matter of fact, yes.’
    ‘Why did you come here?’
    Palfrey said: ‘Halsted asked me to come for a consultation.’
    ‘Will you give me your word that there is no other reason for your visit?’ demanded Morne. ‘I am serious, Dr. Palfrey. It is a matter of great importance. Have you told me the truth?’

 
2:   THE BAYING OF DOGS
    Palfrey eyed the man levelly as he replied: ‘Risking considerable dislocation of my work, I agreed to come here to see Dr. Halsted’s patient. The patient has disappeared. I had no other purpose in coming, and I am sorry that the weather prevents me from leaving tonight.’
    Morne said: ‘No other purpose?’
    ‘None at all. The possibility wouldn’t occur to you if you weren’t overwrought,’ said Palfrey. ‘You ought to get to bed,’
    After a pause, Morne said: ‘Why do you say that the patient has disappeared?’
    ‘Hasn’t he? And hasn’t Halsted?’
    Drusilla raised a hand, as if to remonstrate with him. Palfrey deliberately avoided catching her eye. Morne raised both clenched hands in front of him.
    ‘I did not know the patient was going to leave. I was out this morning when he left. My daughter told me that he had gone. I know nothing more about it than that, Dr. Palfrey.’
    ‘I am concerned about a great deal that has happened here.’
    ‘I don’t understand you.’
    Palfrey said deliberately: ‘If your daughter dies, in my opinion it will be a matter for police investigation.’
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘I mean I think the wood of the gallery was tampered with,’ said Palfrey.
    ‘What grounds have you for saying that?’
    ‘An inspection of the wood of the balustrade,’ said Palfrey. ‘Have you inspected it?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Will you do so with me?’
    ‘I will,’ said Morne. He moved at once towards the door.
    In the gallery, Palfrey indicated the soft wood. Morne examined it closely, giving it his whole attention.
    Palfrey said: ‘No other part of the rail is soft like that. The rest has been properly oiled. The first thought that sprang to my mind was that the wood was worm-eaten. That would be unusual – if this part were touched, other parts would be also – but it was possible. But there are no worm-holes; nothing suggests that the wood just rotted.’
    ‘How could it be softened?’ demanded Morne.
    ‘I don’t know. I only know that it was. The police will consult experts.’
    ‘I