began to move, he leant out. ‘Another thing not in the notes that might interest you. Amy once worked at your old home, 9 Sheridan Place, the scene of a recent break-in, and the man who lives there now might be involved in this fraud case I came to investigate. Small world, isn’t it?’
I knew nothing of the new tenants but the excuse to visit my former home, to help Jack with his enquiries, was an almost irresistible temptation.
I went inside and spread the notes he had left on the table.
Pieces of paper; lots of words that said nothing. Two apparent suicides, coincidental, curiously identical in nature. And the shocked disbelief from the statements of their neighbours hinted at murder.
I had an instinct that this was so. Curiously enough,the happy home life of Felix Miles Rice, Elma and the two dead girls, who had briefly been part of that enthusiastic staff devoted to a generous employer, bothered me most.
Did the two girls carry something discreditable regarding their employer which had necessitated their disposal?
‘You must meet my husband,’ said Elma, who was now a familiar sight to be seen heading in the direction of Solomon’s Tower with Rufus at her side. I was encouraged to accompany them on a brisk walk over Arthur’s Seat, fortified on our return by tea and scones, the latter provided by the Rices’ excellent cook.
Thane took a dim view of these outings: the idea of scampering about the hill in an undignified manner with a small yapping dog at his heels was not for Thane. Used to having me as his sole companion, he remained invisible until our return and the departure of Elma and Rufus.
‘You don’t like him much, do you?’ I said. His imploring look said everything. ‘I’ll let you into a secret, then,’ I said patting his head, ‘neither do I.’
And Rufus liked neither of us. I decided he was a spoilt silly lapdog but the best Elma was allowed, since she confided that her husband did not like animals at all. It was on one of our walks that Elma, who rarely mentioned her husband, became expansive on that topic.
‘Felix has heard so much about you, Rose. He is so delighted that I have found such a good friend toaccompany me on my walks – he was never keen on the idea of me all alone on Arthur’s Seat in all kinds of weather. So he is grateful to you, especially as he is always so busy and, alas, his life has little time for frivolities such as the circus and the theatre.’
She sighed. ‘We do not think along the same lines in such matters: he is very serious-minded, devoted to reading the Classics, and my education failed to include any foreign language other than French.’
As she smiled I wondered again what her education had included, since up to now I knew so little of her background. It was as if life started the day she married Felix Miles Rice. Perhaps, I thought shrewdly, it had indeed. A vastly different life, perhaps.
One day she was quite excited. ‘He has asked that I invite you to a little dinner party. There now. I am sure you will like each other, of course. I hope I haven’t scared you off, but let me assure you, beneath that serious exterior, he is the sweetest, noblest and most generous of men; warm-hearted and kind to those in need. You will get along famously, of that I am quite sure.’
I was delighted to accept; a date was arranged, but fate deemed it otherwise and I never was able to meet Felix Miles Rice.
CHAPTER EIGHT
As I headed towards Princes Street where I was meeting Elma at Jenners, a great noise of clapping and cheering at the intersection of North Bridge and the Royal Mile indicated a group of clowns from the circus entertaining the passers-by. And, an incongruous addition, several nuns rattling tins as they circulated among the crowd.
I remembered that the Little Sisters of the Poor from the convent at St Leonard’s did a city collection around the time of the harvest festival. One of the nuns, Sister Clare, recognised me and hurried
I knew nothing of the new tenants but the excuse to visit my former home, to help Jack with his enquiries, was an almost irresistible temptation.
I went inside and spread the notes he had left on the table.
Pieces of paper; lots of words that said nothing. Two apparent suicides, coincidental, curiously identical in nature. And the shocked disbelief from the statements of their neighbours hinted at murder.
I had an instinct that this was so. Curiously enough,the happy home life of Felix Miles Rice, Elma and the two dead girls, who had briefly been part of that enthusiastic staff devoted to a generous employer, bothered me most.
Did the two girls carry something discreditable regarding their employer which had necessitated their disposal?
‘You must meet my husband,’ said Elma, who was now a familiar sight to be seen heading in the direction of Solomon’s Tower with Rufus at her side. I was encouraged to accompany them on a brisk walk over Arthur’s Seat, fortified on our return by tea and scones, the latter provided by the Rices’ excellent cook.
Thane took a dim view of these outings: the idea of scampering about the hill in an undignified manner with a small yapping dog at his heels was not for Thane. Used to having me as his sole companion, he remained invisible until our return and the departure of Elma and Rufus.
‘You don’t like him much, do you?’ I said. His imploring look said everything. ‘I’ll let you into a secret, then,’ I said patting his head, ‘neither do I.’
And Rufus liked neither of us. I decided he was a spoilt silly lapdog but the best Elma was allowed, since she confided that her husband did not like animals at all. It was on one of our walks that Elma, who rarely mentioned her husband, became expansive on that topic.
‘Felix has heard so much about you, Rose. He is so delighted that I have found such a good friend toaccompany me on my walks – he was never keen on the idea of me all alone on Arthur’s Seat in all kinds of weather. So he is grateful to you, especially as he is always so busy and, alas, his life has little time for frivolities such as the circus and the theatre.’
She sighed. ‘We do not think along the same lines in such matters: he is very serious-minded, devoted to reading the Classics, and my education failed to include any foreign language other than French.’
As she smiled I wondered again what her education had included, since up to now I knew so little of her background. It was as if life started the day she married Felix Miles Rice. Perhaps, I thought shrewdly, it had indeed. A vastly different life, perhaps.
One day she was quite excited. ‘He has asked that I invite you to a little dinner party. There now. I am sure you will like each other, of course. I hope I haven’t scared you off, but let me assure you, beneath that serious exterior, he is the sweetest, noblest and most generous of men; warm-hearted and kind to those in need. You will get along famously, of that I am quite sure.’
I was delighted to accept; a date was arranged, but fate deemed it otherwise and I never was able to meet Felix Miles Rice.
CHAPTER EIGHT
As I headed towards Princes Street where I was meeting Elma at Jenners, a great noise of clapping and cheering at the intersection of North Bridge and the Royal Mile indicated a group of clowns from the circus entertaining the passers-by. And, an incongruous addition, several nuns rattling tins as they circulated among the crowd.
I remembered that the Little Sisters of the Poor from the convent at St Leonard’s did a city collection around the time of the harvest festival. One of the nuns, Sister Clare, recognised me and hurried
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