Free Death of a Peer by Ngaio Marsh Page B

chaps. That’s that.” ii
    When they returned to the hall Roberta saw that the Lampreys were in a family rage. Henry and Frid were white and the twins and Patch scarlet with fury. Roberta wondered if these reactions were the natural consequences of their complexions, if fair people were always more choleric than dark ones. Henry, she saw, was the angriest. He walked off down the passage calling “Michael!” in a voice that brought Mike running. “Your mama is asking for you,” said Henry.
    “I’ve lost the pot,” said Mike. Henry turned on his heel and came back into the hall. He picked up rugs and hats and slung them indiscriminately into the cupboard.
    “That was a howling success, wasn’t it?” said Frid. “Did either of them so much as glance at us, do you happen to know?”
    “They’ve got the manners of hogs,” said Patch violently.
    “Uncle Gabriel,” muttered Stephen slowly, “is without doubt an old—”
    “Shut up,” said Colin.
    “Well, isn’t he?”
    “I hope Mummy’s pleased,” said Henry. “She’s seen us make as big fools of ourselves as can reasonably be expected in one afternoon.”
    “It’s not Mummy’s fault,” murmured Colin uncomfortably.
    Mike came in looking scared. “I can’t find the pot I’ve got to give Uncle Gabriel,” he said. His brothers and sisters paid no attention; Roberta hunted helplessly round the littered hall. Mike, looking anxious, wandered into the drawing-room.
    “Shut that d-door,” said Stephen.
    Patch hurled Lord Wutherwood’s bowler to the far end of the hall.
    “Don’t be a fool, Patch,” said Henry. Colin picked the bowler up and pretended to be sick into it. The others watched him moodily.
    “This has been great fun for Robin,” said Henry. “We’re sorry our relations are so bloody rude, Robin.”
    “What
does
it matter?” said Roberta.
    Henry stared at her. “You’re quite right,” he said, “it doesn’t matter. But if any of you think that noisome old treasure-trove in there is going to hand us two thousand pounds, you’re due for a disappointment. Daddy could go bankrupt six times over before his charming brother would help him.”
    “You th-think we’re for it then?” asked Stephen.
    “I do.”
    “We’ll wriggle out,” said Frid. “We always have.”
    “Wolf, wolf,” said Henry.
    “Why? I don’t see it.”
    “Let’s get out of this,” suggested Patch. “Mummy’s going to take the aunts into 26, isn’t she?”
    “Let’s go into the dining-room,” said Frid.
    Colin reminded them of Mike and the Chinese vase and wondered vaguely if they ought to look for it. Stephen said Lord Wutherwood could be depended upon to take the vase and go away without offering them any assistance. Frid and Henry said they thought the gesture with the vase should be attempted.
    “Was it wrapped up?” asked Roberta suddenly.
    “Yes. Mummy bought a smart box for it,” said Patch.
    “Then I know where it is. It’s in her bedroom.”
    “There let it lie, say I,” said Stephen.
    “But if Charlot wants it?”
    “Robin,” said Frid, “be a darling and go into the drawing-room. Hiss to Mummy where the pot is and then if she wants it she can send Mike.”
    “All right,” agreed Roberta, and returned nervously to the drawing-room. She managed to give Charlot the message.
    “Where’s Mike?” murmured Charlot.
    “Didn’t he come in here?”
    “Yes, but he’s wandered away.”
    “Shall I find him?”
    “No, never mind.”
    As Roberta made for the door she heard Charlot say brightly: “Come along, Violet, come along, Aunt Kit, we’ll leave the boys to talk business.” Roberta hurried through into the dining-room where she found the Lampreys lying close together on the floor with their heads to the wall.
    “Lock the door,” they whispered.
    Roberta locked the door. Henry moved slightly and invited her with a gesture to lie between Frid and himself.
    “What’s this in aid of?” asked Roberta.
    “Ssh! Listen!