The Affair of the Thirty-Nine Cufflinks by James Anderson Page A

George. Most of these people will be coming from London, I imagine, though perhaps some from even farther afield. There's no decent restaurant or hotel for miles. The village has Miss Clatworthy's tea shop, which seats about a dozen, and The Rose & Crown , which is just a small public house. And we can't expect people to travel all this distance and then afterwards just to traipse back to the station and catch the first up train, without some proper refreshment. After all, she was your relative, and many of them will be coming as a mark of respect to the family.'
    'Yes, of course, my dear, you're quite right. It's the least we can do. I'd better get Hawkins to have a word with Jenkins at the village garage about laying on some transport. Some taxis from Westchester - or perhaps a charabanc.'
    'This will not be a factory outing, George.'
    'Maybe you're right: not very suitable. Taxis, then. How many, I wonder . . .'
    Gerry was scanning the list of beneficiaries. 'I've never heard of most of these people. Who are they? I mean, what relations are they to Aunt Florrie - and to us?'
    'Well, actually, I'm not quite sure myself, offhand. I'm familiar with some of the names, and I know Timothy and Gregory slightly. But I can't place Thomas or Penelope or Stella. I'll try and work it out - go back through some old papers and photo albums and Debrett .'
    'Don't bother on my account,' Gerry said. 'It's not all that important.'
    'No, no, I want to do it. We're all going to be sittin' round a table together, and it could be embarrassing if I don't know who they are. Now, what was I going to do?'
    'Taxis,' said the Countess.
    'Ah yes. I was just tryin' to work out how many . . .' And the Earl wandered out, counting on his fingers.
     
    * * *
     
    The following morning there was a telegram from Bradley informing them that the funeral had been fixed for twelve noon on the Wednesday of the following week. 'That's really very convenient,' said Lord Burford. 'The last train to town from the Halt goes at four twenty-five. So if the service takes an hour, they can all come back here and have a bite at a civilised hour, then wander round the house and grounds for a bit, while those of us who're involved can listen to the will being read. Then we can have tea and get 'em back to the station in plenty of time.'
    However, in the afternoon, there was another phone call from Bradley. 'Disaster, my lord,' he began dramatically.
    'My word, that sounds serious. What's the trouble?'
    'I spoke to your rector and then to the undertakers first thing this morning, sent the announcement to The Times and then wired or telephoned the legatees. No sooner had I completed everything, when I received notification that a very important court case, in which I am deeply involved, has been called for the morning of the day of the funeral. There is no way of obtaining a postponement and I simply have to be there.'
    'I see. That's bad luck. So it means you won't be able to make it to the funeral.'
    'Unfortunately, no.'
    'Or be here for the reading of the will.'
    'Well, I do not anticipate this case going on well into the afternoon. It is important, but not unduly complicated. So I am virtually certain that I could be there by 5 p.m. Unfortunately, as you are aware, by then it would be too late for the legatees to get back to London that night. It is really most unfortunate.'
    'Yes, it is.' The Earl hesitated. 'No offence at all, my dear fellow, we would be delighted to meet you, and all that, but is it strictly necessary for you to be here in person? Is there nobody you could send in your place?'
    'I'm afraid not. It really has to be a lawyer, as there are always legal questions asked. But my partner, whom I could in theory ask to do it, will be on holiday next week. Then again, I am the executor of the will. There are numerous things which I can explain. People are frequently hurt or disappointed by the provisions of a will, and the executor can often smooth ruffled