“My name is Inspector Jack Barret this is Pc John Marshal. We re here to spaek with Lady Emma Crompton .I presume the young lady is at home. “
“I check that for you gentlemen .Perhaps you should meet her father .Follow me chaps .It is this way. He directed them to a doorway and opened it to allow the two men inside.
“Yes thats better . And you are sir?””
“No not a sir Im Holland the Earls butler. Ill go and inform him you are here.’
Upstairs Lady Emma sat on her bed .She had no idea it was her that was the moment of attention .The knock came it was Holland.”Your father is down in the study with police my lady best you come with me .”
“Why ever so Holland is father in trouble?”
‘No Lady M .They insist on speaking to you?”
In the brighter light of the study her father sat at his desk the two policemen in the only available seats .
“Erm! sit here please.I rather stand anyway miss. “
” Hello are you Emma Jayne Crompton miss?” asked the Inpector.
” Do you know a woman named Mary Tippet of 43 Moulton Road Flaxton Yorkshire miss?”
“No “
“Well miss she says she know s you .What you make of that them miss .”
‘My name is Lady Emma not miss. I have not a clue who this woman is.I have no idea where Mouton road flaxton is. What is this all about please ?”
“Where were you on the 3rd on MAY at 7pm ?”
” Three nights past .I was here playing cards with Rupert Browning. “
‘ And where is this Rupert Browning now then?””
‘ I have no idea I am not his guide in life.”
‘So he just wandered in to play cards .Is that it missy.”
” Daddy will you say something.”
” Yes dear . Now you two tell me what the devils going on she was playing cards with Rupert we all dambwell were.”
‘So who is Rupert then Sir?”
” Rupert is my doctor .You can no doubt look for him at his surgery . number 12 Harding Street .In the village .If you rush he will be back there for the morning line up of the deadly crew as he calls the amount of sick that need a note on Monday mornings, surgery day .”
‘ You dont know this Mary Tipping then squire ?”
I am am the Earl not the bloody squire . I dont know her, no. Now Holland will show you the door; thank you. “He marched off in direction on the lounge where his wife sat reading.
‘What was that all about Henry?’
‘Some policemen that asked if any of us knows Mary Tipping from Falxton?”
‘Pour me one will you darling .Flaxton where is that ?”
” Yorkshire dear, he said.”
” Emma how would she know her .This whiskey is the last of that case you bought at Christmas Henry dear. ”
” Is it really, its only June dear .No they must be mixed up she was here playing cards with all of us .”
‘Indeed only Rupert left early dear .Around time Holland made tea .I would say police have little to do if this is all they have to occupy them. ”
“Who is the Tipping girl I wounder?”
At this moment the door sprung open and Lady Emma stood gasping then crumbled into a heap on the floor in faint.
All ran to save her .Holland carried her to the lounge bed and her mother removed her daughters pearls and opened her blouse top button. Emma then came too.
“What ever ails you child. demanded her mother .
“No air cant breath. ”
“Stand back Ill called the Doctor .Holland whats his name again?”
” Murton sir .Shall I deal with this .I mean your better talking with Lady Emma if that helps sir .”
” Yes ,yes you phone him.Ill see what caused her to faint. Must be something Holland.”
Outside the rain fell hard on the gravel driveway. The gardens beyond the smell of wet Yew and the far off call of Peacocks . The police ,even farther; off had Mary Tipping in interview room with investigation team asking questions .
‘So description of this female who told you see what Lady Emma Crompton and daughter to the Earl is all wrong. We think now you have been robbed by Anne Downington a known fraud miss. “
“I see .Well she was very convincing . Will I be able to have back my 50 pounds do you think?”
‘We have arrested this said woman before miss. It is unlikely but we will do our level best . “
Many miles way doctor Harding had the job of dealing with the real Lady Emma Crompton . He had found the trouble .
“Eating disorder what next Harding. ?”
‘She is not eating enough . Her slimness is her wish my Lord . We must talk with your cook who will prepare broths only and see if she can get herself out of this .Or hospital is the only way sir .”
“Good heavens .Not eating. Thats why she avoids dinners .I thought it suitors she had no time fore. Bit of relief really Harding. Im sure your right broth may do the trick .Get on and sort it man will you . Have a meeting now with my landsman. Trouble with deer he says. “
‘Right my Lord, good luck. “
Anne the fraudster was sitting opposite Mary Tipping and her lawyer. The Inspector and two police stood in.
‘ You took 50 pounds from my client while pretending to be someone she could trust . You told her she would be paid 60 pounds back in two hours as you have only to phone your father the Earl to pay you. . On that alone you took cash from my client on lies intending to fraud her . “
” One born every minute mate. Yes guilty as charged .Spent it on perfumes and a taxi home . .”
‘Perfumes we took from your flat belong now to my client . You are a base wretch with no heart. Mary Tipping is but a nurse and can ill afford the loss .She loaned you as gentle woman of high breed .Your impostership is a crime too. Lady Emma wishes you to be prosecuted .So do I .”
Enough thank you we take over now she has confessed. She will be dealt with severely and anything she has we sell to pay your client back her funds . “
‘Thank you so much, not custom. but kindness is endearing Inspector. “
End of part two .
Thank you all for reading. The end game is next week.
Copyright KevinparrBt 2022
Amazing Facts On History 