Read The Ledbury Lamplighters for Free Online Page B

enquired Ravenscroft.
    â€˜I have none. If Edith is – was – able to make the old man happy, then that is all that matters.’
    â€˜And did she? Did she make him happy?’
    â€˜I believe so – as far as I can tell. I really must go now, Inspector. If you will excuse me, there are a number of patients I have to visit today,’ said Andrews, rising from his seat.
    â€˜Of course, Doctor. Please accept my apologies for detaining you for so long. You have been most helpful.’
    â€˜Glad to have been of assistance. You know where I am if you need to call on me.’
    â€˜Oh, one final question, Doctor. You mentioned Catherwood. Is he a patient of yours?’ asked Ravenscroft, standing up and shaking the doctor’s hand.
    â€˜No. I have never had cause to attend to the gentleman in a professional way.’
    â€˜Thank you, Doctor.’
    As Andrews left the room, Crabb closed his notebook. ‘Well, sir, it seems as though we have quite a lot to go on – a former business partner who was on bad terms with the deceased, a son who disliked his father, a young bride married to a man much older than herself, and a number of criminals who had cause to see him dead. Doctor Andrews was quite informative.’
    â€˜Indeed, Crabb, but I sense that this crime will not be an easy one to solve. This room was crowded last night when Montacute was poisoned. There must have been well over two hundred people, any one of whom had the opportunity to slip poison into the glass when the lights went out. I have no doubt that there were a number of people who would have liked to have seen the old man dead – but only one of them who was prepared to go as far as murder.’
    â€˜Where do we start, sir?’ asked Crabb, eager to begin the investigation.
    â€˜I asked the manager of the Feathers to provide us with a list of all those who attended the ball here last night,’ said Ravenscroft, reaching into his pocket and drawing out some sheets of paper, which he passed over to his constable.
    â€˜Rather a lot of them, sir,’ replied Crabb, looking down at the list of names.
    â€˜One of those names could well be our murderer, but we must also remember that when the lights went out, practically anyone could have either left or indeed entered the room completely unobserved. Our murderer may not even be on that list.’
    â€˜You and Mrs Ravenscroft are on the list. No sign of anyone called Catherwood.’
    â€˜That is not surprising. If Mr Catherwood was an old enemy of Montacute, and is a recluse, as the doctor stated, then he would not have been invited,’ replied Ravenscroft.
    â€˜Perhaps we should start with him first?’ suggested Crabb.
    â€˜No, I think we can leave Mr Catherwood until later. I suggest that we begin our investigations by paying our respects to the family at The Gables.’
    Â 
    A few minutes’ walk brought the two men to the lodge gates of The Gables. As Crabb opened the wrought-iron gate and was about to enter, a voice suddenly called out from behind the hedge, ‘Can I beassistance to you, gentlemen?’
    â€˜I certainly hope so,’ replied Ravenscroft.
    The speaker, who emerged into view, was a tall, thick-set, middle-aged man dressed in tweeds and a cloth cap, carrying a rifle under his arm. ‘Who the devil are you, then? This is private property.’
    â€˜My name is Inspector Ravenscroft and this is Constable Crabb. We are here to investigate the murder of Mr Montacute.’
    â€˜Oh, I’m sorry, I did not notice your constable’s uniform. Bad business,’ muttered the man.
    â€˜Indeed – and you are?’ asked Ravenscroft.
    â€˜Rivers. Gamekeeper.’
    â€˜Mr Rivers. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Perhaps you would not mind if I asked you a few questions as we walk up to the house?’
    â€˜If you wish.’
    â€˜Were you at the Lamplighters’ Ball last