Case for Sergeant Beef (24 page)

There was another long silence, which Beef at last broke.

‘Quite satisfied?' he asked us.

Chatto for his part said frankly that Beef had done a fine piece of work. I was less easily pleased.

‘It's all very well,' I grumbled. ‘But you know what's expected of you – a big surprise in the last chapter. I can see that you've done well in tumbling to Wellington Chickle, but when all's said and done, whom do you point out as the guilty man? The one the police have suspected all along!'

Beef grinned.

‘Well?' he said. ‘You wanted a surprise, didn't you? And I don't know what this is, if it isn't one. The police “suspect” guilty! It's never been known to happen before in all the history of detective fiction. He's the one man that the most hardened reader never suspects. You're safe this time, my lad. You write it up and see.'

He laboriously stood up and stretched himself.

‘Well, I don't know about you gentlemen,' he said. ‘But I'm going to have a tumble down the sink. I think I've deserved it. Four pints please, Mr Bristling.'

‘None for me, thanks,' said Constable Watts-Dunton primly.

‘That's all right then,' said Beef irrepressibly. ‘I can manage yours. Cheer-o, everyone.'

With an expert fist he tilted his tankard.

THE END