Free The Droitwich Deceivers by Kerry Tombs

the address clearly printed at the heading of each sheet, so your letter could not possibly have been written here. It would seem that the writer of your letter must have written it elsewhere.’
    ‘So it would seem, ladies.’
    ‘Perhaps we could consult the local directory, sister, there may be a Huddlestone listed under another address,’ suggested the other Jameson sister.
    The first sister opened a red covered book that lay on top of the bureau and handed it to Lucy.
    ‘It would seem, ladies, that Miss Corbett has been given the incorrect information,’ said Lucy after a few moments ofturning over the pages. ‘There is certainly no one of that name who resides in the town.’
    ‘Dear me,’ said the other sister sympathetically. ‘What will you do now, Mrs Ravenscroft?’
    ‘I must confess, ladies, that I am at a loss. Why this Mrs Huddlestone should have given this address to poor Miss Corbett, I do not know. It seems that we have been cruelly deceived. Perhaps my husband will know how to proceed further in this matter. I must apologize for calling upon you ladies so unexpectedly, and thank you both for your time and concern,’ said Lucy feeling embarrassed, and anxious to leave as quickly as she could.
    ‘I am sorry, Mrs Ravenscroft, that neither my sister nor I could throw any light upon this strange affair. I hope that you will be able to reunite mother and child.’
    ‘Yes – I thank you again, ladies. Good day.’
    A few minutes later, as Lucy made her way along the streets of Montpelier towards the railway station, she was overcome with feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. When she had set out on her journey from Ledbury earlier that afternoon, it was with the expectation of discovering Mrs Huddlestone and the infant child at the house in Suffolk Square, and of eventually being able to reunite both mother and child. But now that she had learnt the awful truth, that the woman who had taken the child had clearly lied about her circumstances, Lucy now found herself returning home with a sense of foreboding and anxiety. Worse still, she now had to explain to an anxious mother that her journey had been in vain.

CHAPTER FIVE
Droitwich
    ‘S ir Charles will see you now, Inspector.’
    ‘Thank you, Mr Brockway.’
    Ravenscroft and Crabb had returned to Hill Court, and after waiting in the hall for a few minutes, were about to be admitted into the study.
    ‘Ah Ravenscroft, I suppose you have no news of my daughter?’ asked Chilton looking up from some papers that lay before him on his desk, as they entered the room.
    ‘We have made extensive searches of the railway line, river bank and canal towpaths and there is no sign of your daughter, Sir Charles,’ replied Ravenscroft.
    ‘I suppose that must be something. Now look here, Ravenscroft, I’m damned displeased with you, man!’ growled Chilton.
    ‘I am sorry, sir,’ said Ravenscroft taken aback by the sudden outburst. ‘I assure you, sir, that we are doing all we can to find your daughter.’
    ‘No, not that, man. Going behind my back and talking to my wife without my permission. A gross intrusion of privacy!’
    ‘Forgive me sir, but—’ began Ravenscroft.
    ‘No, sir, I will not forgive you. My wife is of a delicate disposition .This business has upset her tremendously. She is devoted to my daughter. I thought I had clearly informed you that she was indisposed.’
    ‘Sir Charles, if I am to solve this case and bring your child safely back to Hill Court, it is imperative that I question everyone I can, and that includes your wife,’ protested Ravenscroft feeling increasingly discomforted by the baronet’s anger.
    ‘The servants said you intruded into my wife’s dressing-room , completely unannounced!’
    ‘I was walking on the landing, Sir Charles, when I heard what I thought was crying, and thinking that someone was in distress I opened one of the doors—’
    ‘Damn it man, you had no right! No right at all! I shall have words