‘Sorry to disappoint you,’ said Venables between puffs. ‘So you thought that sunken gold would go to a good cause?’
‘Had we found out where it was,’ said Caldicott mendaciously.
‘To charity, perhaps?’
Charters and Caldicott gave Venables a sharp glance but a splendid piece of cricket distracted them.
‘Good show!’ said Caldicott, rising to his feet.
‘Well played, Charters applauded, standing beside him.
Venables blew out the flames of the folded letter and put the charred remains complacently into his wallet unnoticed.
Charters and Caldicott, beaming with pleasure, continued to clap the fall of another wicket. Venables, the gold and the murders were alike forgotten in their enjoyment of the only really important thing in life.
THE END
About the Author
After studying law Stella Bingham turned to journalism, first as a feature writer on Nova magazine and then as a freelance for a range of newspapers and magazines. Before becoming property correspondent for Today newspaper, she wrote Charters & Caldicott, Ministering Angels and Great Nursing Disasters (all published by Dean Street Press). After Today, she resumed her freelance career, specialising in property matters.
Stella Bingham lives in London and enjoys restaurants, the theatre, art exhibitions and travel.
Also by Stella Bingham
Ministering Angels
Great Nursing Disasters
Published by Dean Street Press 2015
Copyright © 1985 Stella Bingham
All Rights Reserved
The right of Stella Bingham to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
First published in 1985 by the British Broadcasting Corporation
The characters of Charters and Caldicott first appeared in The Lady Vanishes, a film made by the late Alfred Hitchcock for a production company which became part of The Rank Organisation PLC.
Cover by DSP
ISBN 978 1 910570 12 8
www.deanstreetpress.co.uk
Charters and Caldicott Page 21
