Bobby had listened thoughtfully and now he rubbed the end of his nose still more thoughtfully.
“Quite a story,” he commented. “Was there any real ground for suspicion against Ford?”
“Well, sir, it was before my time, I couldn’t hardly say,” Wright answered. “Anyway, there was lots of talk and gossip but not an atom of proof that ever I heard of. It was a week or so before Youngman’s body was found. It was winter and a cold night with thick mist. There’s been more than one walked into the canal thereabouts. The verdict was found drowned and as far as I ever heard Ford was never even questioned. But the gossip still goes on, and there’s a way he has, as you saw yourself, sir, just now, of looking as though he would as soon murder you as not, if you crossed him.”
“He certainly looked murderous enough,” Bobby agreed. “Was this money he talks about left by old Mr Vigors too? “
“No, that came from the mother’s side—an uncle who had done well in Australia. Maybe he had heard stories about Osman Ford. He left it tied up with Castles’, the lawyers, as trustees, and she can’t touch a penny without their consent.”
“Have they a good reputation?” Bobby asked.
“Oh, yes. There was a time, in old Mr Castles’s day, when they were counted the leading firm in Midwych. There was Black-lock’s, of course, but their dealings were chiefly with the county folk. Agents for Earl Wych and such like, they are, and most of the Midwych people went to Castles’. It’s not like that now, but they are still very well thought of.”
There was a touch of hesitation in the sergeant’s voice as he said this and Bobby remembered one remark Osman Ford had made.
“Ford was trying to hint at some sort of scandal connected with a Mr Anderson,” he remarked. “I shut him up. Mr Anderson seemed to be the partner Ford had been dealing with. He is a partner, I suppose?”
“Yes, sir, the senior partner. He took it on when old Mr Castles died. I have heard he is a little inclined to choose his lady clerks for their looks as much as for their typing, and I do happen to know one girl left because she thought Mr Anderson was a bit too friendly. But then some said she left because he wasn’t friendly enough.”
“Are there other partners?” Bobby asked.
“Mr Blythe is the junior partner. Very well thought of gentleman, and gives up a lot of time to Hopewell House.”
“Hopewell House?” Bobby repeated. “Isn’t that a hostel for boys?”
“Yes,” agreed Wright with a touch of enthusiasm. “Fine place. Some of our own lads have been through it. It’s for boys with no home of their own; boys who would otherwise be at a bit of a loose end and likely to drift into mischief if not looked after. Hopewell House gives them a real home they pretty well run themselves. Mr Blythe sort of supervises, gives a lot of time and money, too. He’s there every night. The boys pay as much as they can, and there are subscribers, but they do say Mr Blythe finds half the expenses out of his own pocket.”
“Sounds jolly good idea,” said Bobby approvingly. “I think I’ve heard about the place. Must come pretty heavy on Mr Blythe, though, if he stands much of the cost himself.”
“Oh, he has a good subscription list, too,” Wright answered. “He got £5,000 from an anonymous giver not so long ago for a new swimming bath and engineering shop. Mr Blythe’s handy with tools himself and keen on all the lads knowing how to use them.”
“Very sensible, too,” Bobby approved once more. “Any Castles in the firm now?”
“Well, yes, in a manner of speaking,” Wright answered, again with a certain hesitation. “Only not a partner. Managing clerk. I don’t know the rights and wrongs of it, but some say Mr Anderson that’s boss now did him out of his rights and that he ought to be boss himself and head partner instead of only managing clerk. Others say Mr Anderson did everything for him when he was left an orphan, gave him his articles free, provided his education, everything, and that he has to thank Mr Anderson for being what he is with a good screw instead of a two pound a week clerk. I daresay it’s worth a bit to the firm to have a Castles in it, even if only as managing clerk. The name’s remembered still in Midwych.”
“I expect,” Bobby said thoughtfully, “Ford will make trouble if he can. He’s that sort. Most likely Castles are acting within their rights and duties as trustees, though,” and with that he dismissed the matter from his mind till a few days later there came to see him Miss Anne Earle, describing herself as from Messrs Castles, the lawyers.
Published by Dean Street Press 2016
Copyright © 1948 E.R. Punshon
Introduction Copyright © 2016 Curtis Evans
All Rights Reserved
This ebook is published by licence, issued under the UK Orphan Works Licensing Scheme.
First published in 1948 by Victor Gollancz
Cover by DSP
ISBN 978 1 911413 50 9
www.deanstreetpress.co.uk
The House of Godwinsson: A Bobby Owen Mystery Page 26
