Chapter Seventeen
S ir Ronald Graves drew a cat upon his blotting¹ pad. He looked at the large portly figure of Chief-Inspector Davysitting opposite him and drew a bulldog.
“Ladislaus Malinowski?” he said. “Could be. Got any evidence?”
“No. He’d fit the bill, would he?”
“A daredevil. No nerves. Won the World Championship. Bad crash about a year ago. Bad reputation with women.
Sources of income doubtful. Spends money here and abroad freely. Always going to and fro to the Continent. Haveyou got some idea that he’s the man behind these organized robberies and holdups?”
“I don’t think he’s the planner. But I think he’s in with them.”
“Why?”
“For one thing, he runs a Mercedes-Otto car. Racing² model. A car answering to that description was seen nearBedhampton on the morning of the mail robbery. Different number plates—but we’re used to that. And it’s the samestunt—unlike, but not too unlike. FAN 2299 instead of 2266. There aren’t so many Mercedes-Otto models of that typeabout. Lady Sedgwick has one and young Lord Merrivale.”
“You don’t think Malinowski runs the show?”
“No—I think there are better brains than his at the top. But he’s in it. I’ve looked back over the files. Take theholdup at the Midland and West London. Three vans happened — just happened — to block a certain street. AMercedes-Otto that was on the scene got clear away owing to that block.”
“It was stopped later.”
“Yes. And given a clean bill of health. Especially as the people who’d reported it weren’t sure of the correctnumber. It was reported as FAM 3366—Malinowski’s registration³ number is FAN 2266—It’s all the same picture.”
“And you persist in tying it up with Bertram’s Hotel. They dug up some stuff about Bertram’s for you—”
Father tapped his pocket.
“Got it here. Properly registered company. Balance—paid up capital—directors—etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
Doesn’t mean a thing! These financial shows are all the same—just a lot of snakes swallowing each other! Companies,and holding companies—makes your brain reel!”
“Come now, Father. That’s just a way they have in the City. Has to do with taxation—”

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