3
f I felt like it."
"Well, I've got it off my chest," Tott said, and stood up.
Gees delayed him with a gesture. "Who is Cleo Kefra? The name isn't English, for a start."
"SHE looks Eastern to me," Tott said. "She's got a passport issued by the British consulate in Alexandria describing her as a British subject aged twenty-three; and apparently she's very wealthy. No relatives, as far as I can gather. Came to this country five months ago, and she's leased Barnby-under Hedlington Grange, furnished--that's in the Cotswolds. Also runs a swagger flat in Gravenor Mansions."
"It sounds as if Mr. Briggs is to be congratulated," Gees remarked.
"The flat is number thirteen," Tott added.
"My grandmother died of pneumonia," Gees said.
"What's that got to do with it?" Tott almost barked.
"As much as the number of the flat, I think," Gees told him. "Don't get peeved. I appreciate your interest, and I shall certainly make a point of seeing the lady as soon as I can. But what is your grievance against Miss Kefra?"
Tott shook his head. "I can't pin it down," he answered. He turned toward the door. "Thank you for listening to me," he added. "It's not--as I said--a matter over which I can do anything."
"Thank you for talking," Gees said. "I'm glad you feel like that about Mr. Briggs, Inspector, though I don't see--"
"No," Tott remarked in the pause. "But I must get along."
After closing the outer door, Gees went into his secretary's room, seated himself on the end of her desk, and produced the inevitable cigarette case. He said, "If Tott were a fool he wouldn't be where he is." The girl waited.
"And yet," he went on, "it's apparently possible for Tott, even, to acquire a wacky notion. About Briggs. Foreign Office. He's just got engaged. The girl it seems, exotic, slinky, and hails from Egypt. Also appears possessed of a healthy wad of dough. And Tott wants me to break the engagement since he can't do anything about it himself."
"But tha