The Squeaker Page #3

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We've pulled off the job exactly the way

the local rags have described it.

This business had to look real.

Or The Snake would have smelled a rat.

You know, that chap is clever.

- Everything is here, Inspector.

This doesn't happen every day.

- Then it's all right.

Can we go now, Chief?

- Go where?

I hope, you're not serious!

All of you sit down. And not in a bunch.

Just sit down and hope you'll find

a magistrate who will give you a break.

We didn't want to nick all of this stuff.

- You'd better give us an account...

of what you did, not what you intended.

That's what we are paid for to find out.

How do you find your protg

getting along, Frank?

Good, but he didn't turn up to work today.

- Naturally, he didn't.

Why do you say "naturally"?

- Did I say "naturally"? Really?

I meant, he may have caught a cold.

Just you try spending 2 years in prison.

Then your resistance to colds

may not be so unshakeable.

My dear Nancy.

With what will you delight us today?

I thought of Beethoven's Fifth.

Ah, the Fifth, how lovely!

Inspector Elford of Scotland Yard, Madam.

Show him in, James.

How do you do?

Forgive my intruding. I have to ask

Mr Sutton a few important questions.

Oh dear.

- Mr Sutton shall we talk here, or...

I'm sure Mrs Mulford will not mind

if we'll remain here.

Wouldn't it be much nicer, if we sat down?

We will be more comfortable.

Please, Inspector.

- Thank you. Mr Sutton...

Inspector, won't you please be seated?

My aunt really meant her imputation.

Thank you. Mr Sutton, would you mind

telling, when you last saw Thomas Leslie?

When did I see him last'? That was...

- I mean alive!

You mean to say Leslie is dead?

An hour ago at Mulford Quay, one of your

packing crates was accidentally smashed.

Into that crate, someone had packed

a python and a dead body.

Thomas Leslie.

I was hoping, you could explain what

Leslie was doing in that packing crate?

What sort of a question is that,

Inspector? If I could tell you that,

I had also known who murdered him.

- Did you say "murdered", Mr Sutton?

I didn't say anything. I was trying to...

- Just a moment. I've got a question, too.

Is this an official inquiry or what?

- I must first know what function you are.

I'm a friend of this lad.

- I'm afraid, that won't do.

In point of fact, we have every reason

to suppose that my colleague,

Sergeant Leslie... was murdered.

You really mean that you have sent

one of your men into this lady's house?

That's outrageous!

- You'll pardon me, Sir. Our methods...

I complain to your superiors!

- As you wish.

I have good influence on the government.

- Very useful, Sir. Mr Sutton,

one more question and that's all. Is it

reasonable to suppose that the python...

that attacked Sergeant Leslie,

crushed him and caused his death?

No. Normally speaking no. A large snake

like a python will compress it's prey,

until it's ready to eat it. I must add...

- Thank you, that's all.

That's all, I need for now, Mr Sutton.

Please forgive me again the intrusion.

Goodbye.

Sir, I'm happy to have met you.

Goodbye.

Mr Sutton is not here, Madam.

- I know. That's why I came.

Can I rely on you, Brownie?

- But of course you can, Mrs Mulford.

There is every likelihood,

that an inquiry will take place here.

An inquiry?

- Yes. Scotland Yard is convinced,

that someone among us murdered Mr Leslie.

- But, Mrs Mulford.

Whatever anyone may ask you, remember:

I don't want any scandalous reflections

on my husband, Brownie.

His name is never to come into it.

- Depend on me for that, Mrs Mulford.

Thank you, Brownie. You're a good man.

And of course, you haven't seen me.

Good day.

This time, I'll take things into my hands.

And nobody is going to anticipate us.

No, Sir. Nobody.

- Take this please.

"The riddle of the death on Mulford Quay."

That's much better.

That's perfect, Sir.

- Continue.

One of the finest young officers

of Scotland Yard was found...

dead in a packing crate this morning.

- All in capitals. A giant python...

curled around it's poor victim

and crushed young Leslie to death.

What?

- No, I complement you, Sir.

Thank you. What are you reading there,

Harras? Give it here.

"The Guardian!"

- What? There's a mistake somewhere.

This little rag! "The riddle

of the death on Mulford Quay".

"Report by Jos."

"A report by Jos. One of the finest

young officers of Scotland Yard...

was found dead this morning..."

Just one day I'll...

That's hardly worth it, obviously.

I suspected that my 5th husband,

the Duke O'Candy,

had one single hobby:

murder!

And when I saw the open grave

in the cellar I realised...

that the next victim would be myself.

Yes, me... the only person whose

evidences could take him to the gallows.

Oh, it's exciting, Beryl.

What's in the next chapter?

- Revealing that would spoil it.

What will you title it?

Did you decide?

"The Red Killer"

- "The Red Killer", enchanting!

At least tell me one thing.

How does your red killer gets hunted down?

I'm not sure yet.

Very likely, I'll shoot him.

What? You bump him off? No,

that's too good for the this creature.

I'm sure, I have a better idea.

My plan for him is to saw him

into little pieces...

Aunt Nancy!

Who is that in the middle of the night?

- I'm sure that it's your red killer.

Auntie, you can't open the door. No.

- Who will then? James is asleep,

and I see you are anxious to do so.

Please don't go. Call Frank.

How nervous the young ones

are these days. It's curious.

Yes, yes, yes...

I'm coming.

What was that? Who fired that shot?

- Shot?

You really are nervous, my dear.

- But I'm sure, I heard it.

The wind snatched the door out of my hand.

I found this under the door.

Read it for me.

Frank!

"24 more hours, Sutton,

and then you will die.

S.''

Another cheerful "I would look for you",

is it, Mr Sutton?

Do you think that maybe all this

is just an unpleasant joke?

It's unlikely this would be a joke. It's

quite certain:
The Snake took your mamba.

You couldn't be positive of it.

- And how do you say that?

That's my secret, Mr Sutton.

But what's bothering me now

is the question of your security.

How are we going to protect you?

- You think that's really necessary?

Yes. Would you please

let us know every time...

you decide to go anywhere? I mean

to or from your office or your home.

Naturally.

We will be watching you from now on.

As the saying has it:

watching every move you make.

That will be all for the time being.

Many thanks for your visit,

and please not a single word to anybody

that you have been here. Is that clear?

- It's perfectly clear, Inspector.

Goodbye and thank you.

Goodbye, Mr Sutton. Now, what's up?

Here is Mr Green with some curious

information on Leslie's death.

Tell me. I hope you to help us.

By the way, Mr Green,

pathologists always have the last word.

Agree?

In this case, yes.

You see, if you wish to be exact

we should say Leslie died 3 times.

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