Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

The inspector was all politeness. "Pardon me, Lady Whitehaven. May I have a word?"

Hugh had never seen Augusta so frightened, but she had not lost her queenly manner. "I'm afraid I can't spare the time, officer," she said coolly. "I have to board a ship that is sailing tonight."

"I guarantee the Aztec won't leave without you, my lady," the inspector said smoothly. He glanced at the porters and said: "You can put those down for a minute, lads." He turned back to Augusta. "Mr. Pilaster here claims you have in your possession some very valuable snuffboxes that belong to him. Is that so?"

She began to look less alarmed--which puzzled Hugh. It worried him, too: he was afraid she might have something up her sleeve. "I don't see why I should answer such impertinent questions," she said arrogantly.

"If you don't, I shall have to look through your bags."

"Very well, I do have the snuffboxes," she said. "But they belong to me. They were my husband's."

The inspector turned to Hugh. "What do you say to that, Mr. Pilaster?"

"They were her husband's, but he left them to his son Edward Pilaster; and Edward's possessions are forfeit to the bank. Lady Whitehaven is trying to steal them."

The inspector said: "I must ask you both to come to the police station while these allegations are investigated."

Augusta looked panicky. "But I can't miss my sailing!"

"In that case, the only thing I can suggest is that you leave the disputed property in the care of the police. It will be returned to you if your claims are verified."

Augusta hesitated. Hugh knew it would break her heart to part with so much wealth. But surely she could see it was inevitable? She had been caught red-handed and she was lucky she was not going to jail.

"Where are the snuffboxes, my lady?" said the inspector.

Hugh waited.

Augusta pointed to a suitcase. "They're all in there."

"The key, please?"

Again she hesitated; again she gave in. She took out a small ring of luggage keys, selected one, and handed it over.

The inspector opened the case. It was full of shoe bags. Augusta pointed to one of the bags. The inspector opened it and drew out a light wooden cigar box. He lifted the lid to reveal numerous small objects carefully wrapped in paper. Selecting one at random, he unwrapped it. It was a small gold box inlaid with diamond chips in the design of a lizard.

Hugh let out a long sigh of relief.

The inspector looked at Hugh. "Do you know how many there should be, sir?"