# 6 Deaf Dogsbody

Drake searched through the various rooms of his residence, looking for Nickelby. He finally found his butler back in the kitchen.

“I trust your meeting went well, Master Drake?”
“Didn’t you hear the racket?”
“I’m afraid not sir,” replied Nickelby, sheepishly. “I was cleaning in th
e panic room sir, which as you know, is completely soundproof.”

“Well, never-mind. She offered me a job as a professional killer and when I refused, she tried to kill me. Rather unprofessionally, I might add.”

“I’m terribly sorry, sir,” Nickelby said apologetically. “It’s a dashed shame really, she seemed ever so nice.”
“Don’t worry about it. I managed to subdue her.”
“Oh, shall I contact the authorities, sir?”
“No, I’ll do it, Nickelby,” said Drake.

He flicked open the cylinder of the revolver and emptied the remaining bullets into a handkerchief.
“Take these down to the lab. I’ll have a look at them later.”
“Of course, sir,” replied Nickelby.

The butler left, while Drake went to the telephone and called the police. After recounting the morning’s events, he went back to the pool to check on his prisoner.
She was gone.

“Drat!”