Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/114

Rh "Not me. Tell Miss Dauntsey," Cranford said.

Outside in their car, "What's the verdict, doctor?" Gordon said.

"He's telling the truth," Reggie said.

"Fancy!" And they became technical.

On the day of the inquest Reggie went down to Prior's Colney, but the inquest he did not attend. The Hon. Stanley Lomas noticed that, and remarked on it with surprise to Donald Gordon. It was the one thing in a successful day which gave Mr. Lomas concern. But at the close of that day Mr. Lomas, going back to the inn for his car and his tea, found Reggie eating buttered toast. "I envy you. Fortune, don't you know." Lomas sat down beside him.

"Oh, Mr. Lomas, sir," Reggie mumbled. "Go along with you."

"I envy your stomach," Lomas explained, put up his eyeglass and surveyed the buttered toast more closely. "O Lord! And after a bad day too! You've heard the verdict. What? Wilful murder against Cranford."

"And all is . And hooroar for Scotland Yard. And you shall pay for my tea."

"It was the pistol did for him you know." Lomas smiled as a man who can afford to smile.

"Childhood's years are passing o'er us," Lomas," Reggie murmured. "Soon our schooldays will be done. Cares and sorrows lie before us, Lomas.