B1+ level
Normal pace
It's a dialogue between an inspector (A) and Ned Hunter (B).
Thanks a lot!
A: Are you Ned Hunter?
B: Yes, I am.
A: I understand that you are one of the stable boys at King’s Pyland?
B: I am. There are three of us.
A: Where were you last night at 9 o’clock?
B: I was in the stable. I was keeping watch.
A: Were you there alone?
B: Yes, my two friends had gone to the house for supper.
A: And what happened?
B: The maid servant brought me my supper. Curried mutton. My favourite dish. That’s why I remember.
A: So you had your meal in the stable?
B: That’s correct.
A: What happened next?
B: A young man came near the window and beckoned me to come closer.
A: What did he look like? Had you seen him before?
B: It was too dark to see him properly, but I think I had seen him at the races a couple of times. I’m not sure.
A: And what did he tell you?
B: He asked me a question.
A: What question did he ask?
B: He wanted to know which horse we expected to win at the Wessex Cup, Silver Blaze or Bayard. He had a piece of paper in his hand, or some money. I couldn’t see.
A: Do you think he wanted to bribe you? What did you do?
B: Nobody will ever bribe me. I am an honest man. I was angry and jumped up to untie the dog and ran after him.
A: And you couldn’t catch the man?
B: No, I couldn’t. The man had disappeared.
A: Did you leave the door of the stable open while you were chasing the man?
B: No, I didn’t. I locked it.
A: Did you inform Mr Straker about what had happened?
B: Of course, I did.
A: You said you didn’t see or hear anything during that night. Somebody entered the stable, went off with Silver Blaze and you didn’t hear that. How can you explain that?
B: I had fallen asleep.
A: Do you often fall asleep when you are on duty, Mr Hunter?
B: No, never. Somebody must have put something in my food. I had my back to the man while I went to untie the dog. Perhaps…
A: Quite remarkable, Mr Hunter. I’ll need to see you again.
It has British words and spelling. Do you want a British accent?