Twenty-three MOIRA DISAPPEARS
Frankie rang up Bobby about an hour later.
“Is that Hawkins? Hullo, Bobby—have you heard what has happened?
You have. Quick, we must meet somewhere. Early tomorrow morningwould be best, I think. I’ll stroll out before breakfast. Say eight o’clock—the same place we met today.”
She rang off as Bobby uttered his third respectful “Yes, your ladyship,”
for the benefit of any curious ears.
Bobby arrived at the rendezvous¹ first, but Frankie did not keep himwaiting long. She looked pale and upset.
“Hullo, Bobby, isn’t it awful? I haven’t been able to sleep all night.”
“I haven’t heard any details,” said Bobby. “Just that Mr. Bassington-ffrench had shot himself. That’s right, I suppose?”
“Yes. Sylvia had been talking to him — persuading him to agree to acourse of treatment and he said he would. Afterwards, I suppose, his cour-age must have failed him. He went into his study, locked the door, wrote afew words on a sheet of paper—and—shot himself. Bobby, it’s too ghastly.
It’s—it’s grim.”
“I know,” said Bobby quietly.
They were both silent for a little.
“I shall have to leave today, of course,” said Frankie presently.
“Yes, I suppose you will. How is she—Mrs. Bassington-ffrench, I mean?”
“She’s collapsed², poor soul. I haven’t seen her since we—we found thebody. The shock to her must have been awful.”
Bobby nodded.
“You’d better bring the car round about eleven,” continued Frankie.
Bobby did not answer. Frankie looked at him impatiently.
“What’s the matter with you, Bobby? You look as though you were milesaway.”
“Sorry. As a matter of fact—”
“Yes?”
“Well, I was just wondering. I suppose—well, I suppose it’s all right?”
“What do you mean—all right?”
“I mean it’s quite certain that he did commit suicide?”
“Oh!” said Frankie. “I see.” She thought a minute. “Yes,” she said, “it wassuicide all right.”
“You’re quite sure? You see, Frankie, we have Moira’s word for it thatNicholson wanted two people out of the way. Well, here’s one of themgone.”
Frankie thought again, but once more she shook her head.
“It must be suicide,” she said. “I was in the garden with Roger when weheard the shot. We both ran straight in through the drawing room to thehall. The study door was locked on the inside. We went round to the win-dow. That was fastened also and Roger had to smash it. It wasn’t till thenthat Nicholson appeared upon the scene.”

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