Seven BUNDLE PAYS A CALL

Getting hold of Bill presented few difficulties. Bundle motored up to townon the following morning—this time without adventures on the way—andrang him up. Bill responded with alacrity¹ and made various suggestions asto lunch, tea, dinner and dancing. All of which suggestions Bundle turneddown as made.
“In a day or two, I’ll come and frivol with you, Bill. But for the momentI’m up on business.”
“Oh,” said Bill. “What a beastly bore.”
“It’s not that kind,” said Bundle. “It’s anything but boring. Bill, do youknow anyone called Jimmy Thesiger?”
“Of course. So do you.”
“No, I don’t,” said Bundle.
“Yes, you do. You must. Everyone knows old Jimmy.”
“Sorry,” said Bundle. “Just for once I don’t seem to be everyone.”
“Oh! but you must know Jimmy—pink-faced chap. Looks a bit of an ass².
But really he’s got as many brains as I have.”
“You don’t say so,” said Bundle. “He must feel a bit top heavy when hewalks about.”
“Was that meant for sarcasm³?”
“It was a feeble effort at it. What does Jimmy Thesiger do?”
“How do you mean, what does he do?”
“Does being at the Foreign Office prevent you from understanding yournative language?”
“Oh! I see, you mean, has he got a job? No, he just fools around. Whyshould he do anything?”
“In fact, more money than brains?”
“Oh! I wouldn’t say that. I told you just now that he had more brainsthan you’d think.”
Bundle was silent. She was feeling more and more doubtful. This gildedyouth did not sound a very promising⁴ ally. And yet it was his name thathad come first to the dying man’s lips. Bill’s voice chimed in suddenly withsingular appropriateness.
“Ronny always thought a lot of his brains. You know, Ronny Devereux.
Thesiger was his greatest pal⁵.”
“Ronny—”
Bundle stopped, undecided. Clearly Bill knew nothing of the other’sdeath. It occurred to Bundle for the first time that it was odd the morningpapers had contained nothing of the tragedy. Surely it was the kind ofspicy item of news that would never be passed over. There could be oneexplanation, and one explanation only. The police, for reasons of theirown, were keeping the matter quiet.

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