Verity Sparks, Lost and Found Read Online Free Page A

the newspaper advertisements?”
    “Yes,” said Daniel. “You’d think, by now, someone would have replied.”
    “To tell you the truth, Verity, our idea of setting up a Confidential Inquiry Agency in Melbourne isn’t going so well,” said SP. “In London, we knew all sorts of people who could help us – policemen, journalists, even pickpockets. Here, we know no one. The lawyers use their own contacts, and besides, we don’t have a record of success. We just have this one case, and it seems to be going nowhere …” He broke off as Papa came through the drawing room door to bid us goodnight.
    “You look splendid, Pierre,” said Judith.
    So he did, in his black suit, white waistcoat and starched shirt. He had a new flower in his buttonhole, his grey hair and beard were carefully brushed and he carried a cape lined with red silk.
    “You also smell splendid,” laughed Judith as she offered her cheek for him to kiss. “Cologne and gardenia, how lovely.”
    “May I ask where you’re going, Pierre, looking like such a toff?” said SP.
    “The Melbourne Club. Mr Rowland has invited me as his guest.”
    “You and I only get invited to the Army and Navy Club – not nearly so high-toned,” said SP, looking across at Daniel and laughing.
    “There’s an old Russian proverb,” said Papa, brushing an imaginary speck off his shirtfront. “The goose is no friend to the pig.” His eyes twinkled as we all tried to work out its meaning. “The English, I think, say something about ‘birds of a feather’, do they not?” He turned as he reached the doorway. “Daniel, I have not forgotten what you asked me. And Verity,
chérie
, don’t wait up. I will be late.”

    What had Daniel asked Papa? I wondered. Daniel didn’t keep me in suspense.
    “Pierre has lots of business contacts in Melbourne, and he’s promised to help me find a job,” he said. He looked across the table at Judith. “Rather important, now that I’m to become a family man.”
    “And give up on the Confidential Inquiry Agency altogether?” I said. “What about the Ecclethorpe case? What about SP?”
    “Don’t worry, Verity,” said SP. “I’ll manage.”
    “But what can I do to help?” Even without my teleagtivism, I had a remarkable memory, and my powers of observation made me a most valuable assistant. At least, that’s what Professor Plush said. And since he was founder of the Confidential Inquiry Agency and expert on both detection and psychical phenomena, that should be good enough for anyone.
    “Well, you see, Verity …” SP turned red and tugged at his collar as if it was too tight. “Well, as a matter of fact, I don’t … I mean, it isn’t that we don’t want you, but …”
    “SP, what are you trying to tell me?”
    “The fact is, Verity,” said Daniel, “Pierre isn’t keen for you to continue with inquiry work.”
    I frowned but said nothing, and Daniel went on, “He hasn’t forbidden it, but …”
    “But why?”
    “He doesn’t think it’s suitable work for a young–”
    “
Young lady
,” I said bitterly. If I heard those two words again, I was going to scream.
    “Listen to me, Verity,” said SP. “Pierre has suffered greatly. His first wife passed away. He lost your mother in a fire and he thought he’d lost you as well. Then Alexander died, in the most terrible circumstances. But, amazingly, he found you again, and though it must seem like he wants to wrap you in lamb’s wool, he’s only anxious to keep you safe. Be patient with him.”
    Judith patted my hand. “Pierre really does want what’s best for you.”
    “Oh!” I said crossly. “Why doesn’t anyone listen to what I think is best for me?”
    The three of them looked sympathetic, but I knew Papa. Kind and lovable and stubborn as an ox. There would be no more detective work if Papa was set against it.
    Judith was sleepy, so soon after, they all said goodnight. I stayed in the drawing room. I was glad they’d gone, for I didn’t feel