I was
in Islington, conducting a little business I've got, when Colonel Crofton
came by 'is sad death. Mrs. Crofton spoke to Piper most feelingly, sir,
about the service 'e'd done her by what 'e said at the inquest. I've
always 'ad my belief, sir, that Piper might 'ave said something more and
different that would have been, maybe, awkward for Mrs. Crofton." She
waited a moment, realising that she had burnt her boats. "Do you take my
meaning, sir?"
"No," said Radmore sternly, "I don't take your meaning at all, Mrs.
Piper. I don't in the least understand what you meant to imply just now."
A most disturbing suspicion had begun to assail him. Was this woman, with
her low, mincing voice, and carefully chosen words, something of a
blackmailer?
They walked on in silence for a few minutes, and on her side, Mrs. Piper
began to doubt very much whether she had acted for the best in being so
honest--"honest" was the word she used to herself. But she told herself
that now she had started, perhaps she had better go straight on with it.
"It's my belief that Piper did ask Mrs. Crofton to speak to you, sir,
about the matter, and I thought, maybe, that she 'ad done so.
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