The Shadow of Treason Read Free Page B

supper could be provided, if ordered in advance. But, on the whole, Emily encouraged her guests to be independent.
    A key member of Emily’s staff was George Fowler, handyman and general helper. And it was he who answered the doorbell when it rang that afternoon. There was a conversation in the hall, and then George returned to the kitchen.
    ‘Bloke asking if there’s a room to let,’ he announced. ‘Number six will be coming vacant, won’t it? D’you want me to show him?’
    Emily knocked back the last of her tea. ‘No, I’ll deal with it. You get on with fixing that tap in the scullery.’
    The visitor was a dark-haired young man, neatly dressed, with a moustache. Probably a business type. He looked like a suitable Cavendish resident. Emily had never quite lost her theatrical abilities and, recognizing a good potential customer, she put on her most winning smile and a warm but business-like voice.
    ‘Good afternoon,’ she proclaimed. ‘You’re enquiring about a room?’
    ‘Yes,’ said the man. ‘I’ll be working in this area for the next few weeks. War work, you know. I saw your advert in the local paper.’
    ‘We’re always pleased to accommodate people on war work,’ said Emily. ‘But I’m afraid there’s nothing available at the moment. There’s a very nice room coming free next Monday though.’
    ‘That might do. Can I see it?’
    ‘By all means. There’s no one in there at present. But there’s some clearing up to be done.’
    She led him to the staircase, where the upright at the foot of the banisters was topped by an electric lamp in the shape of a flaming torch. The young man seemed affable, and made conversation as they walked up two flights of stairs.
    ‘Nice spot, here by the river.’
    ‘Yes indeed,’ purred Emily. ‘We get very good air.’
    ‘I read in the paper that some chap who was staying here got killed. Road accident or something.’
    ‘Yes. Poor Mr Jefferson. That was a great tragedy. Actually,it’s his room that’s becoming available. We rarely have vacancies at this time of the year.’
    ‘Oh.’ The young man looked slightly uneasy. ‘Dead man’s shoes, eh?’
    Emily hurried to reassure him. ‘I don’t think the bad luck will rub off. I’m afraid it seems that Mr Jefferson had been drinking.’ She sighed. ‘The police have only just given us permission to clear his room.’
    ‘That’s all right. It’ll be cleared by Monday, will it?’
    ‘Oh, certainly. It’ll be emptied and cleaned over the weekend. Here we are.’
    She unlocked a door at a corner of the second floor and opened it. ‘This is one of our best rooms. You have windows on two sides.’
    ‘That’s good,’ said the man. ‘I like a lot of light.’
    He crossed the room and opened the windows in turn, peering out of each with interest. ‘Nice view from this one.’
    ‘Oh yes. On a clear day you can see right across the river into Kent. And there are always lots of ships out there.’
    ‘I’ll bring my binoculars.’
    ‘As you can see, there are plenty of drawers and cupboards. If you need more room, there’s extra storage space allocated in the basement.’
    The man seemed interested. ‘Oh. Did the other chap use that?’
    ‘No, he didn’t. Why do you ask?’
    ‘Er … well, I’ve got a lot of stuff. So I may need that basement bit. I … er … I was going to ask you to check it was clear before I moved in.’
    Emily gave a small deprecating laugh. ‘We wouldn’t need reminding. I have a very efficient staff here.’
    ‘Yeah, of course, sorry.’ As an afterthought, the man went and sat on the bed. ‘Nice comfy mattress.’
    ‘I think you’ll find everything in good order here, Mr … er …’
    ‘Mason. My name’s Mason. What’s the charge?’
    ‘Twenty-five shillings a week, payable in advance. Weprovide breakfast. And we need seven days’ notice when you leave. Otherwise we have to charge for the full week.’
    ‘Fair enough,’ said the man. ‘Right. I’ll let