The Grub-And-Stakers Pinch a Poke (27 page)

“What Dittany means,” said Osbert firmly, “is that Thusie ought to be in the snake house at the zoo, where she’ll have a chance to socialize with congenial reptiles and enjoy the admiration of all beholders.”

“Gee, yeah,” Andy had to agree. “If I’m going to be a star, why should I begrudge Thusie her share of glory? But I’m going to miss her.”

“Ah, you’ll meet lots of reptiles in showbiz,” Daniel consoled him.

“Not to rush you, Andy, but shouldn’t you get on with selling your construction company, subletting your apartment, and all that? We have to be at Stratford first thing tomorrow morning, and Archie ought to get back to his office so he can draw up your official contract.”

“And we still haven’t settled the contract for Dangerous Dan,”

Archie reminded the producer. “Osbert, you and I have to talk.”

What with holding conferences and unloading a drunken convalescent who’d have preferred to stay and recite “Danny Deever” to Arethusa while drinking a few more of Osbert’s toddies, they had a busy time of it for quite a while. At last, however, the Monks were alone. Dittany had left all her groceries at Wilhedra’s, as it would have seemed chintzy not to under the circumstances, so there was very little left to eat in the house. Still, the thought of going out to dinner didn’t appeal to any of them.

“It’ll have to be beans on toast, then, with bread and jam for dessert.”

“Wonderful, darling,” said Osbert. “I can’t think of anything I’d like better.”

Dittany wanned up the beans, Arethusa reset the table. Osbert picked up the whiskey bottle and found just three fingers’ worth in the bottom, as Carolus had refused to budge without a last toddy for the road. He shared out what was left into three tot glasses and passed it around as they sat down to their simple repast.

“Here’s to us, and to heck with showbiz.”

“I’ll drink to that,” said Arethusa, and did.

“Just think, Auntie dear,” he said. “This is the first time since you got back from being crowned reigning queen of regency romance that you haven’t got some goggle-eyed loon sprawled at your feet offering to stand you a pizza.”

Arethusa’s fathomless orbs grew lustrous with tears of joy. “My dearest nephew,” she replied in a tone like that lost chord whicft linked all perplexed meanings into one perfect peace, “that is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever said to me. Now would you kindly quit hogging those mustard pickles, f faith, and pass them along to the queen?”

(continuedfrom front flap)

new admirer, Carolus Bledsoe. Who?

Why? Is it a crime of passion?

Jealousy on the part of rival Andy

McNaster, who was holding the gun?

A fiancee wronged? Or is it the

rampageous ex-Mrs. Bledsoe, who

ended their marriage with a hamand-macaroni casserole that left

permanent scars?

With suspects and motives in

abundance, Dittany and Osbert must

catch a killer before the die is cast!

Jacket Illustration By Stanley Martucci

and Cheryl Griesbach

Printed in the U.S.A.