Mary and Arthur had to get into the detectives' car and drive to Middleford Police Station. There they were taken into separate rooms and were asked a great many questions. The police asked mary once more where she had got the ring and she explained that she'd been given it as an arrangement ring by Bruce. The police were very interested in Bruce and they asked her when she had seen him last and where he lived. She told them his address but said that she hadn't been able to contact him all weekend. They then told her that the ring that she'd been given was one of the rings that had been stolen in the recent robbery at the Westland Bank in Middleford. They asked her if she had a photograph of Bruce and she told them she had and the police asked her if she would give it to them. Then they told her not to leave Middleford. they asked her if she would mind having her fingerprints taken and she told them she had nothing to hide and sgreed.
As soon as they arrived, Arthur asked if hr could telephone Mr Smithers at the library to tell him that both he and Mary would be late back from lunch and that they were helping the policce with their enquiries. He was told by the inspector that the sergeant would phone Mr Steele.
The police asked Arthur if he knew Bruce and he said that he did. They then asked him when he'd last seen him and he told them it was at the dentist's on saturday and that he was with Mr Smithers, who thought he'd seen Bruce somewhere before. When the police asked who Mr Smithers was and Arthur told them he was a clerk at the Westland Bank in Middleford, the police immediately went round to the bank and brought Mr Smithers to the station. When Mr Smithers was shown Bruce's photo, he told the police that he recognized the man he had seen at the dentist's. He also told them that one of the bank robbers had had a moustache and a gold watch just like Bruce's.
After a couple of hours they were all allowed to leave. Mr Smithers went back to the bank and Mary and Arthur returned to the library.
***
Access to English - Getting on - 15.2. - At the police station
- Ah, you're back at last. Would you mind telling me what all this is about? This afternoon's been terrible.
- Oh, Arthur, could you explain to Mr Steele what's happened? I'm much too upset. Would you excuse me for a moment, Mr Steele?
- All right. Off you go but don't be too long. Now, Arthur, what's the trouble?
- Well, it's all rather extraordinary, Mr Steele. We'd just had lunch at the Sunny Snack Bar and Mary wanted to go to the jeweller's to collect her engagement ring. It appears it's one of the rings that were stolen from the bank the other day.
- Well, bless my soul.
- Yes, and it looks as if Bruce Fanshawe's a crook.
- Oh dear! Poor Mary! Perhaps she'd better go home. I suppose we could manage without her.
- Here she is now.
- Look, Arthur's told me more or less everything, Mary. I expect you're feeling a bit upset. Woulkd you like to take the rest of the afternoon off?
- Thank you very much, Mr Steele. But I think I'd rather stay here, if you don't mind. I'd only feel miserable by myself at home.
- Well, just as you like. Are you sure you don't want to go home?
- Yes, quite sure, thank you, Mr Steele. If I do some work it'll take my mind off my problems.
- All right then. Ah, that's the phone ringing. I must get back to my office.
- Well, you've been very understanding, Arthur. Thank you very much.
- Oh, that's nothing, Mary.
- Well, one thing's sure - if Bruce Fanshawe were the last man on earth I'd have nothing more to do with him. Thank God I found out now.
- Oh dear. Look, there's a big queue at the counter. I'd better go and look after them. But I tell you what. Why don't we go to the pictures this evening? It'll help you to forget.
- Oh, that's a marvellous idea. I'd love to.
