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Authors: John Dickson Carr
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moment, my lad.
What does Ames say in the report?”
With an effort Hadley jerked his thoughts back.
“Yes. I suppose so—no, of course it can’t be. Curse the luck, this thing would have to happen when I’m within a month of retiring! Well. Hum. Where was I? There’s not much. He says:
“‘Following up my report dated 1st September, I now believe I can establish conclusively that the woman who murdered Evan Thomas Manders, shop-walker, at Gamridge’s Stores August 27th last, lives at Number 16 Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Pursuing the anonymous information received, as indicated in report 1st September—’”
“Have you got that?”
“Yes. But wait a bit:
“‘—I have taken a room at 21 Portsmouth Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, adjoining the Duchess of Portsmouth Tavern, in the character of a down-at-heel ex-watchmaker with a weakness for spirits. The private bar of this tavern is visited by all the men and one of the women living at 16 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and the jug-and-bottle by two others—’
“By the way,” interpolated Hadley, “how many women are there in the house?”
“Five. Three of ’em you’ve seen.” Dr. Fell sketched out the household. “The other two would seem to be a Mrs. Gorson, a housekeeper of sorts under the direction of La Steffins, and a maid, name unknown. I’ll lay you a tanner it’s the last two who visit the jug-and-bottle. It will be interesting to discover which of the other three ensconces herself in the private bar. I know the ‘Duchess of Portsmouth.’ It’s a musty enough place, but full of atmosphere and rather swank … Well?”
“‘Two days ago (2nd September) my hitherto anonymous informant paid a visit to me at my room, disclosing knowledge of who I was and how I came to be there. (I must ask leave to be excused from supplying further details at this time.) Whatever the motive, informant offered even further assistance. Informant deposed to having seen in possession of certain woman two articles listed as stolen in department-store robberies (see report 28th August for complete list). These articles were (1) Platinum bracelet set with turquoises, value £15; and (2) Early eighteenth-century watch, gold case, inscribed “Thomas Knifton at the X Keys in Lothebury Londini fecit,” exhibited in Gamridge advertising-display and loaned by J. Carver. Informant also deposed to having seen, evening of 27th August, same woman burning in a fireplace a pair of brown kid gloves stained with blood—’”
“WOW!” said Dr. Fell.
“Yes. Rather a nasty household altogether. Somebody,” grunted Hadley, “is very anxious to get somebody else hanged, and yet makes a dark and secret pact with the police officer. No, not quite. Let me read on:
“‘It will be seen that my position up until this morning was as follows. Informant was quite willing to testify in the witness box to the above statements, but refused to make the accusation that would give us a warrant, in case evidence should be destroyed. Information stated that this responsibility must rest with us, so far as making the arrest was concerned—’”
“Clever lady,” said Hadley, “or gentleman. I’ve known a good many of these amateur narks, and they’re the meanest devils on two legs. Or was the whole thing a trap? I doubt it. Well …
“‘I therefore suggested to my informant that we arrange means for getting me (secretly) into the house, where I could examine the possessions of the accused in private and satisfy my superiors that there was evidence for the issuing of a warrant—’
“Blasted fool! He shouldn’t have put that into a report. This thing will have to come out, and every ass will be braying in the newspapers for the next six months. Good old plodding, serious-minded Ames! And the rest is worse:
“‘—but my informant, although concurring in the idea, refused to give active assistance on the ground that informant might be compromised. I therefore determined to get into
What does Ames say in the report?”
With an effort Hadley jerked his thoughts back.
“Yes. I suppose so—no, of course it can’t be. Curse the luck, this thing would have to happen when I’m within a month of retiring! Well. Hum. Where was I? There’s not much. He says:
“‘Following up my report dated 1st September, I now believe I can establish conclusively that the woman who murdered Evan Thomas Manders, shop-walker, at Gamridge’s Stores August 27th last, lives at Number 16 Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Pursuing the anonymous information received, as indicated in report 1st September—’”
“Have you got that?”
“Yes. But wait a bit:
“‘—I have taken a room at 21 Portsmouth Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, adjoining the Duchess of Portsmouth Tavern, in the character of a down-at-heel ex-watchmaker with a weakness for spirits. The private bar of this tavern is visited by all the men and one of the women living at 16 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and the jug-and-bottle by two others—’
“By the way,” interpolated Hadley, “how many women are there in the house?”
“Five. Three of ’em you’ve seen.” Dr. Fell sketched out the household. “The other two would seem to be a Mrs. Gorson, a housekeeper of sorts under the direction of La Steffins, and a maid, name unknown. I’ll lay you a tanner it’s the last two who visit the jug-and-bottle. It will be interesting to discover which of the other three ensconces herself in the private bar. I know the ‘Duchess of Portsmouth.’ It’s a musty enough place, but full of atmosphere and rather swank … Well?”
“‘Two days ago (2nd September) my hitherto anonymous informant paid a visit to me at my room, disclosing knowledge of who I was and how I came to be there. (I must ask leave to be excused from supplying further details at this time.) Whatever the motive, informant offered even further assistance. Informant deposed to having seen in possession of certain woman two articles listed as stolen in department-store robberies (see report 28th August for complete list). These articles were (1) Platinum bracelet set with turquoises, value £15; and (2) Early eighteenth-century watch, gold case, inscribed “Thomas Knifton at the X Keys in Lothebury Londini fecit,” exhibited in Gamridge advertising-display and loaned by J. Carver. Informant also deposed to having seen, evening of 27th August, same woman burning in a fireplace a pair of brown kid gloves stained with blood—’”
“WOW!” said Dr. Fell.
“Yes. Rather a nasty household altogether. Somebody,” grunted Hadley, “is very anxious to get somebody else hanged, and yet makes a dark and secret pact with the police officer. No, not quite. Let me read on:
“‘It will be seen that my position up until this morning was as follows. Informant was quite willing to testify in the witness box to the above statements, but refused to make the accusation that would give us a warrant, in case evidence should be destroyed. Information stated that this responsibility must rest with us, so far as making the arrest was concerned—’”
“Clever lady,” said Hadley, “or gentleman. I’ve known a good many of these amateur narks, and they’re the meanest devils on two legs. Or was the whole thing a trap? I doubt it. Well …
“‘I therefore suggested to my informant that we arrange means for getting me (secretly) into the house, where I could examine the possessions of the accused in private and satisfy my superiors that there was evidence for the issuing of a warrant—’
“Blasted fool! He shouldn’t have put that into a report. This thing will have to come out, and every ass will be braying in the newspapers for the next six months. Good old plodding, serious-minded Ames! And the rest is worse:
“‘—but my informant, although concurring in the idea, refused to give active assistance on the ground that informant might be compromised. I therefore determined to get into
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