‘I’ll pay for it now.’ ‘Who is she really?’ asked Badger in a loud whisper.
Bobby whispered back.
‘F-f-f-first time I ever knew anyone with a t-t-t-title who c-c-could pay cash,’ said Badger with respect.
Bobby followed the other two out to the Bentley.
‘When is this business going to take place?’ he demanded.
‘The sooner the better,’ said Frankie. ‘We thought tomorrow afternoon.’ ‘Look here, can’t I be there? I’ll put on a beard if you like.’ ‘Certainly not,’ said Frankie. ‘A beard would probably ruin everything by falling off at the wrong moment. But I don’t see why you shouldn’t be a motor-cyclist – with a lot of cap and goggles. What do you think, George?’ George Arbuthnot spoke for the second time: ‘All right,’ he said, ‘the more the merrier.’ His voice was even more melancholy than before.
CHAPTER 11 The Accident Happens
The rendezvous for the great accident party was fixed at a spot about a mile from Staverley village where the road to Staverley branched off from the main road to Andover.
All three arrived there safely, though Frankie’s Standard had shown unmistakable signs of decrepitude at every hill.
The time fixed had been one o’clock.
‘We don’t want to be interrupted when we’re staging the thing,’ Frankie had said. ‘Hardly anything ever goes down this road, I should imagine, but at lunch time we ought to be perfectly safe.’ They proceeded for half a mile on the side road and then Frankie pointed out the place she had selected for the accident to take place.
‘It couldn’t be better in my opinion,’ she said. ‘Straight down this hill and then, as you see, the road gives a sudden very sharp turn round that bulging bit of wall. The wall is actually the wall of Merroway Court. If we start the car and let it run down the hill it will crash straight into the wall and something pretty drastic ought to happen to it.’ ‘I should say so,’ Bobby agreed. ‘But someone ought to be on the lookout at the corner to be sure someone isn’t coming round it in the opposite direction.’ ‘Quite right,’ said Frankie. ‘We don’t want to involve anybody else in a mess and perhaps maim them for life. George can take his car down there and turn it as though he were coming from the other direction. Then when he waves a handkerchief it will show that all is clear.’ ‘You’re looking very pale, Frankie,’ said Bobby anxiously.
‘Are you sure you’re all right?’ ‘I’m made up pale,’ explained Frankie. ‘Ready for the concussion. You don’t want me to be carried into the house blooming with health.’ ‘How wonderful women are,’ said Bobby appreciatively.
‘You look exactly like a sick monkey.’ ‘I think you’re very rude,’ said Frankie. ‘Now, then, I shall go and prospect at the gate into Merroway Court. It’s just this side of the bulge. There’s no lodge, fortunately. When George waves his handkerchief and I wave mine, you start her off.’ ‘Right,’ said Bobby. ‘I’ll stay on the running board to guide her until the pace gets too hot and then I’ll jump off.’ ‘Don’t hurt yourself,’ said Frankie.
‘I shall be extremely careful not to. It would complicate matters to have a real accident on the spot of the faked one.’ ‘Well, start off, George,’ said Frankie.
George nodded, jumped into the second car and ran slowly down the hill. Bobby and Frankie stood looking after him.
‘You’ll – look after yourself, won’t you, Frankie?’ said Bobby with a sudden gruffness. ‘I mean – don’t go doing anything foolish.’ ‘I shall be all right. Most circumspect. By the way, I don’t think I’d better write to you direct. I’ll write to George or my maid or someone or other to pass on to you.’ ‘I wonder if George is going to be a success in his profession.’ ‘Why shouldn’t he?’ ‘Well, he doesn’t seem to have acquired a chatty bedside manner yet.’ ‘I expect that will come,’ said Frankie. ‘I’d better be going now. I’ll let you know when I want you to come down with the Bentley.’ ‘I’ll get busy with the moustache. So long, Frankie.’ ‘They looked at each other for a moment, and then Frankie nodded and began to walk down the hill.