Читать книгу The Green Archer онлайн

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"And the thick walking-stick or the bag of clubs?" asked Spike.

"Creager was killed by an arrow, sent from a very powerful bow—probably a bow made of very fine steel. You cannot walk about London carrying bows and arrows without attracting a certain amount of attention. The weapon might be concealed in a hollow walking-stick, or pass unnoticed in a bag of golf-clubs."

Spike went back to his office with a feeling that the bottom had dropped out of his story.

"You can cut out that woman, Mr. Syme," he said. "The police know all about her, and there's nothing to it."

"I always mistrust mysterious women," complained the unimaginative Syme. "There's a wire for you." He reached behind him to the rack, and, taking down a buff envelope, tossed it to his subordinate. Spike opened and read:

"Do you think Bellamy would care to subscribe to my scheme? Does he strike you as a man who is fond of children?"

Spike sat down and laughed until the tears came into his eyes.

"What's the hysteria?" asked Mr. Syme resentfully.