Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/27

16 "And didn't know his job. It slipped along the bone and missed everything."

Sir Lawson turned the thing over. "A woman's hatpin. About half a woman's hatpin."

"Fresh fracture. Broke as it was pushed in."

"They're a wild lot," said Sir Lawson, and smiled. "You have no nerves, Fortune?"

"I believe not, sir."

"This ought to be the making of you. You want shaking up. You must stay in the house. By the way, who's in the house?"

"The Archduchess, of course"

"Ianthe. Yes. Aunt's in a mad-house. Ianthe. Yes. Crazy on motoring. Drives her own car. And have you see Ianthe—since?" Sir Lawson nodded at the body on the bed.

"She is very excited."

"Is she really?" Sir Lawson laughed. "Is she, though? How surprising!"

"She is surprising, sir."

"What? What? Be careful, my boy. Handsome creature, isn't she?"

"Yes, sir." Reggie declined to be amused. "The Archduke Leopold is staying with them."

"Leopold. He's the dandy entomologist. He's tame enough. Well, he's the head of the house after this fellow. Better tell him." He blinked at Reggie. "You have nurses you can trust? Well, we'll stay in the room till one comes, my boy. Our friend of