Inspector Playfair's Notebook

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 208, 3 September 1938, Page 9 (Supplement)

Inspector Playfair's Notebook

" arC ®k° ut to > nt e'view Sir »» Ralph's murderer." Sergeant Dumbell glanced anxiously at his superior. "Are you sure of that, sir?"

"Fairly sure, Dumbell. Not positive," said Inspector Playfair. "Only the jury can be positive. But we've eliminated the servants—there were only the two maids sleeping in, and they're as afraid of firearms as I am —we know it wasn't an outside job, and we know it wasn't suicide." "We do, sir, do we?" "We do. There were no fingerprints on the weapon; and the shot which killed the baronet waa fired from too far away. Which means, Dumbell, that one of Sir Ralph's two guests murdered him —unless, that is, they were in the thing together. The three of them played cards till late last night. The game ended, apparently, about four. And between four and half-past live Sir Ralph Far-, yngle was shot dead with Mr. Meeston's automatic." "You've found that otit already, have you?" asked Dumbell. "I've found that out already. I made some preliminary inquiries, Dumbell, before you came along. We'll see Meeston first, I think—Mr."Aubrey Meeston, commission agent—and then we'll see Mr. Heronway Samcutt, of no fixed occupa-

tion. Neither of them looks particularly Itke a murderer; but then, you know, murderers often don't." Mr. Meeston was tall, elim and dark, with an air of quiet prosperity. "You wanted me again?" he asked. "If you please," said Playfair. "You don't have to answer questions, Mr. Meeston, but it will help us very much if you will." "I'll do my best," s&id Meeston. "Faryngle'a murder is 110 joke for me, as you know." "Thank you. First, then, about the weapon. The automatic with which Sir Ralph was killed has already been identified as yours. You don't deny that, do yi»u ?" "I don't deny that it's legally mine, Inspector. But I didn't bring it here. It disappeared from my rooms in Eccles Street, about four months ago." "Did you report the fact?" "No." "I see," said Playfair. "If yo'u could prove ita disappearance it would be helpful, you know. There's this difficulty, Mr. Meeston. I understand from the maids that when you arrived here you declined to have your bag unpacked. You- see what I'm hinting at, don't you T

*»JS Meeston - His face darkened. But there waa no weapon in my

Case No. 7: Death Of Sir Ralph Faryngle

bag Inspector. I declined for the simple reason that I hate to have anyone messing about with my things." "Had you known Sir Ralph long?" was Playfair's next question. "And had he invited you here before?" "No," said Meeston. "This was my first visit. I came, actually, at Sam•utt's suggestion. He was an old college friend of Farvngle's—or so he has always told me —but a comparatively recent acquaintance of my own." "And how long had you known Faryngle?" repeated Playfair. "About a year." "And Mr. Samcutt?" "Rather longer." "Thank you." 6aid Playfair. "If you can find Mr. Samcutt, I'd like a word with him." Heronway Samcutt was of freshroloured complexion and indeterminate age. If he had been at college with the murdered baronet, he had not worn nearly so well. On the other hand, thought Playfair, one can't deduce much from his looks. He's probably had a much more wearing life. "Mr. Samcutt," he said, without beating about the bush, "you know Faryngle was killed with Meeston's automatic T" "I've heard it," said Samcutt. "I find it hard to believe. It waa I who introduced Meeston to poor Ralph."

"Ah," said Playfair, "but you mustn't ■ -Mime, you know, that Meeston was the murderer." Samcutt looked nervous. "No," he muttered. "No, of course not. I'm glad. But, if Meeston wasn't the murderer, who was ?" "Who can say?" said Playfair. "Listen, Mr. Samcutt. How long had you known Meeston ?" "About two years," yaid Samcutt. "And Farynglet" "Faryngle was at Oxford with me. I hadn't seen him for twenty ycare, but a couple of years ago I met him at a party, and reminded him of our acquaintance." "What college was he at?" "Faryngle was at Christ Church College," said Samcutt, in some surprise. "'You can see that for yourself, Inspector. There's a photograph of an eight— what we used to call a Torpid—hanging in his study." "And were you at Christ Church College?" asked Playfair. "Or did Meeston say you were at Queen's?" Samcutt seemed taken aback by this question. "I don't know," he said at last, "why Meeston should volunteer information about me. Not that it matters, of course," he went on. "But you know how it is, Inspector, my nerves are all on edge. However, Meeston is quite right—Queen's is where I was." "Thank you," said Playfair. "I have to ask questions, you know, because someone else will put all these points to me. Well, Mr. Samcutt, I think that will be all." "And now, Dumbell," went on Playfair, ae the door closed behind Samcutt. "We haven't proved much, have we? But do you think there's anything suspicious?" Do you ? [Solution at foot of page.]