Read The Seven Dials Mystery for Free Online Page A

girl guides here -”
    “A rally,” interrupted Bundle.
    “Rally or tally - it's all the same. Some silly word meaning nothing whatever. But it would have put me in a very awkward position - having to refuse - in fact, I probably shouldn't have refused. But Tredwell got me out of it. I've forgotten what he said - something damned ingenious which couldn't hurt anybody's feelings and which knocked the idea on the head absolutely.”
    “Being comfortable isn't enough for me,” said Bundle. “I want excitement.”
    Lord Caterham shuddered.
    “Didn't we have enough excitement four years ago?” he demanded plaintively.
    “I'm about ready for some more,” said Bundle. “Not that I expect I shall find any in town. But at any rate I shan't dislocate my jaw with yawning.”
    “In my experience,” said Lord Caterham, “people who go about looking for trouble usually find it.” He yawned. “All the same,” he added, “I wouldn't mind running up to town myself.”
    “Well, come on,” said Bundle. “But be quick, because I'm in a hurry.”
    Lord Caterham, who had begun to rise from his chair, paused.
    “Did you say you were in a hurry?” he asked suspiciously.
    “In the devil of a hurry,” said Bundle.
    “That settles it,” said Lord Caterham. “I'm not coming. To be driven by you in the Hispano when you're in a hurry - no, it's not fair on any elderly man. I shall stay here.”
    “Please yourself,” said Bundle, and withdrew.
    Tredwell took her place.
    “The vicar, my lord, is most anxious to see you, some unfortunate controversy having arisen about the status of the Boys' Brigade.”
    Lord Caterham groaned.
    “I rather fancied, my lord, that I had heard you mention at breakfast that you were strolling down to the village this morning to converse with the vicar on the subject.”
    “Did you tell him so?” asked Lord Caterham eagerly.
    “I did, my lord. He departed, if I may say so, hot foot. I hope I did right, my lord?”
    “Of course you did, Tredwell. You are always right. You couldn't go wrong if you tried.”
    Tredwell smiled benignly and withdrew.
    Bundle meanwhile was sounding the Klaxon impatiently before the lodge gates, while a small child came hastening out with all speed from the lodge, admonishment from her mother following her.
    “Make haste, Katie. That be her ladyship in a mortal hurry as always.”
    It was indeed characteristic of Bundle to be in a hurry, especially when driving a car. She had skill and nerve and was a good driver, had it been otherwise her reckless pace would have ended in disaster more than once.
    It was a crisp October day, with a blue sky and a dazzling sun. The sharp tang of the air brought the blood to Bundle's cheeks and filled her with the zest of living.
    She had that morning sent Gerald Wade's unfinished letter to Loraine Wade at Deane Priory, enclosing a few explanatory lines.
    The curious impression it had made upon her was somewhat dimmed in the daylight, yet it still struck her as needing explanation. She intended to get hold of Bill Eversleigh sometime and extract from him fuller details of the houseparty which had ended so tragically. In the meantime, it was a lovely morning and she felt particularly well and the Hispano was running like a dream.
    Bundle pressed her foot down on the accelerator and the Hispano responded at once. Mile after mile vanished, traffic was few and far between and Bundle had a clear stretch of road in front of her.
    And then, without any warning whatever, a man reeled out of the hedge and on to the road right in front of the car. To stop in time was out of the question. With all her might Bundle wrenched at the steering wheel and swerved out to the right. The car was nearly in the ditch - nearly, but not quite. It was a dangerous manoeuvre, but it succeeded. Bundle was almost certain that she had missed the man.
    She looked back and felt a sickening sensation in the middle of her anatomy. The car had not passed over the man, but