"Pawson, Stuart - Some By Fire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pawson Stuart)

desiccation had left the woodwork in the house drier than a hag. The
flames ripped and tore through the building like an enraged tiger
loosed from its tormentors. Floors, staircases, linoleum and furniture
were devoured in its rampage, exploding into incandescence as the
flames reached them until the very walls themselves were ablaze.

Melissa had come up with the idea that Duncan should advertise in the
Other Paper for work. He thought it was crazy, but went along because
it was the line of least resistance and he had nothing better to
suggest. "Student requires work. Anything considered'. Slip in a
legal or within limits, of course, to imply that you weren't bothered
if it wasn't, and wait for the offers to plop on to the doormat.
Students did it all the time, but he suspected that the only replies
they received were from sexual deviants or fellow students with
underdeveloped senses of humour. Which meant any of them.

The reply came the very day after the advert appeared. It was neatly
typed, reasonably written and on good paper. The best bit, though, was
that enclosed with it were four crisp five-pound notes. Duncan's teeth
rattled as the hard racing tyres bounced un forgivingly on the
much-repaired tarmac of his own back street, and he cocked a leg over
the saddle as he freewheeled to rest, front wheel against the broken
gate. He lifted the bike easily on to his shoulder and let himself in.
Nobody was about.

He'd memorised the note, then burned it. It said:

Dear Desperate Student,

I am sorry to hear about your troubles, but am sure that they are
nothing compared to mine. No doubt a few pounds are all you need. I
need a few thousand. Perhaps we can help each other.

I own the house whose address is at the top of this letter. Tomorrow I
am going abroad for one week and the house will be empty. It would be
very convenient if it burned down while I was away. I would suggest
that Sunday morning, say between six and seven, might be the best time
to strike. Petrol through the letter box, a match under the door. I'm
sure you can work out how to do it. Wear gloves and take the normal
precautions.

If the house is gone when I return, I will immediately post you two
hundred pounds in cash. I am putting a lot of trust in you. I hope
you feel you can trust me. Who dares wins. The twenty pounds is a
non-returnable bonus.

Good luck.

Duncan leaned the bike against the wall of the hallway, the brake lever
settling into the groove it had made in the plaster, and chained the