The Rodriguez Affair (1970) Read Online Free Page B

were, as he discovered when he counted them, no fewer than twenty. It was a nice round number, very, very nice indeed.
    He picked up one of the diamonds and weighed it in his hand. He was not an expert on precious stones, but he knew enough to realise that this little lot was almostcertainly worth several thousands of pounds.
    “Well, well, well,” he muttered, “Sentimental value, eh, Harry?” A lot of people could get sentimental about things of that description.
    In fact, when he came to think about it, he was not altogether devoid of sentimentality himself.
    He put the diamonds back in the chamois leather bag, tied the string and dropped the bag into his jacket pocket
    After that he rang up the police and reported that his flat had been broken into.
     
    Detective Superintendent Alletson himself came along.
    “You took your time about letting us know,” he said. It sounded like an accusation.
    “I didn’t come straight back,” Cade said.
    Alletson grunted; he did not look particularly pleased with life. He might have looked less pleased if he had known that Cade was withholding information.
    “Anything missing?”
    “As far as I can tell, nothing at all.”
    “You wouldn’t have any idea about what the intruders were looking for, I suppose?”
    “It’s anybody’s guess.”
    “I’m asking you to guess,” Alletson said.
    “I haven’t a clue.”
    Alletson winced. “I never did care for that expression. Do you think this business could have had any connection with that visit Mr. Banner paid you yesterday evening?”
    “I don’t see how it could.”
    “Well, put it this way. Suppose those two men whowent to the hotel with Banner last night couldn’t find what they were looking for in his room, and suppose they found your address in his notebook and decided maybe he’d left what they wanted in your keeping. Then suppose they waited until you were out of the way and then gave this place a going-over. How does that sound to you?”
    “It’s an interesting theory,” Cade said. Alletson was certainly no fool. Which was not really surprising, since he would hardly have reached his present rank in the C.I.D. if he had been.
    “But you still can’t suggest what the object of the search was?”
    “No,” Cade said.
    Alletson grunted again; the grunt managed to convey a certain amount of disbelief. He looked at the bookcase. The three volumes of Prescott were still lying on the floor where the intruders had thrown them.
    “It must have been something that could have been hidden in a bookcase; otherwise they would not have pulled out the books.”
    “Plenty of things could be hidden in a bookcase.”
    Alletson regarded him with a certain amount of disapproval. “You’re not being very helpful, are you?”
    “I’m doing my best,” Cade said.
    “God keep me from your worst.”
    “Have you found those two men?”
    “This is London. It’s a big city.”
    “I suppose you’ve checked with the airlines, that sort of thing? People coming in from Venezuela.”
    Alletson gave him a sour look. “Are you trying to teach me my business, Mr. Cade?”
    Cade gathered that Alletson had checked. He also gathered that if Alletson had picked up any information he was not going to hand it round to all and sundry.
    “By the way,” Cade said, “I’m thinking of taking a trip down to Venezuela myself.”
    Alletson’s chin jerked up. “For what purpose?”
    “I’m a journalist. I might pick up a story.”
    “You wouldn’t be thinking of carrying out some kind of private investigation, would you?”
    “What makes you think I should wish to do that?”
    “Some people always think they can do better than the police. Fancy themselves a lot of little Sherlock Holmses.”
    “I don’t even fancy myself a little Sexton Blake.”
    “Frankly, I’d rather you didn’t go just yet,” Alletson said. “I may need you here.”
    “Are you telling me I’m not to leave the country?”
    “I’m not in a position to