Free Mystery of Mr. Jessop by E.R. Punshon

secretary and why not come to him. I think now he hoped to get in touch through me with her. What he said was he wanted someone who knew people, and through being with the duchess so long I have got to know lots of important people, and a good deal about them. It isn’t only cooks and housemaids who like gossip. There’s hardly a character in London I haven’t heard torn to pieces. Part of my job with Mr. Jessop is to go about as much as possible wearing jewellery we want to sell. It was an idea of his. I was to be a kind of travelling show-case, a mannequin in jewellery. At first people used to get awfully excited when they saw a girl they had known as a typist appearing at a first night or somewhere – a smart restaurant perhaps or a charity ball – wearing a row of pearls worth hundreds of pounds or diamond rings you could see sparkling all across the room. They are getting to know now, but at first all the little dears scented a first-class scandal. They simply came buzzing round. It was awfully funny how disappointed they were when they found the pearls and the rings were for sale, and they had to pretend to be interested all the same and let me book an appointment for them. I’m not allowed actually to sell or to let the things out of my possession, but I quote prices and say what wonderful bargains they are, and arrange times for the things to be seen and so on. It’s been quite a success. I rather like it. Denis hates it.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œHe sells motor-cars himself, or tries to, so I don’t see it’s any worse for me to sell jewellery. He says it’s dangerous. I suppose he thinks I may be kidnapped or something. I can take care of myself, and there’s not a scrap of danger if I’m careful. I don’t go to night-clubs wearing the big lines, you know – only wrist-watches and small stuff we are offering at double ordinary prices.”
    â€œHave you shown the Fay Fellows necklace in that way?”
    â€œNo. I think I should draw the line at wearing a thing like that in public. I have gone to a first night wearing £20,000 worth of stuff. But that’s my record, and there was a private detective watching, and our own car to take me to and from Mayfair Square. Up to five figures’ worth I don’t mind, but over – well, I want precautions.”
    â€œBut you showed the Fellows necklace to the duchess?”
    â€œYes, but not wearing it. I took it in a brown paper parcel to show her by appointment. After the duke’s visit, Mr. Jessop got it firmly into his head she was sure to buy. Everyone knows how she loves jewellery. I told him there wasn’t an earthly. She hadn’t the money herself, and I knew the duke would never rise to it.”
    â€œIt’s worth £100,000, isn’t it?”
    â€œThe reserve price Miss Fellows put on is £50,000. That more or less represents the break-up value. Miss Fellows paid £100,000, but it was an extravagant figure even for that time. I expect partly it was a publicity figure; she got advertising value out of it. Now she wants a quick sale. Even as a break-up, it would take a long time to realise that figure – markets are slow enough still, in spite of the revival they talk about. You understand this is strictly confidential. I am only telling you because of what has happened to Mr. Jessop, and I suppose you ought to know exactly how things are. Our lowest price officially is £65,000. We still hope for that much, but we would take a lot less for a quick sale.”
    â€œBut at present you are standing out for £65,000?”
    â€œWell, if we get that much our commission will be good and Miss Fellows will be exceedingly pleased.”
    â€œThank you,” Bobby said. “It’s a great help in an investigation if people explain how things stand – often prevents great waste of time. I’m sure my superiors will be grateful to you, too, for your