Read Online Drury Lane’s Last Case by Ellery Queen - Free Book Online Page A

Doctor! That sounds like Donoghue, with his incurably romantic Irish temperament.”
    â€œYou mean he might have noticed something strange,” said Dr. Choate thoughtfully, “about this chap in the blue hat and permitted himself to be inveigled into a private investigation of his own? It’s possible, of course. I’m sure nothing’s happened to Donoghue, though, I’ve every confidence in his ability to handle himself.”
    â€œThen where is he?” said the Inspector dryly.
    Dr. Choate shrugged again; it was evident he considered the entire affair a trifle. He rose with a pleasant smile.
    â€œAnd now that your business has been transacted, would you like to look about, Inspector? And you, Miss Thumm? I know you’ve been through the Britannic before, but we’ve recently acquired an important benefaction and I’m sure you’ll be interested in it. It’s housed in what we’ve named the Saxon Room. Samuel Saxon, you know. He died not long——”
    â€œWell——” snarled the Inspector.
    â€œI’m sure we should love it,” said Patience quickly.
    Dr. Choate led the way, like Moses, between the painted seas of canvas on the reception-room floor along a corridor to a large reading-room whose book-crammed walls were also hung with canvas. Inspector Thumm trudged wearily by his side, and behind them came Patience and the tall young man—an arrangement which was effected with a cool dexterity that brought a new blush to Patience’s cheeks.
    â€œYou don’t mind my trailing along this way, do you, darling?” murmured the young man.
    â€œI’ve never shunned the company of good-looking men yet,” said Patience stiffly, “and I’m sure I shan’t start now just to swell your head, Mr. Rowe. Did any one ever tell you that you’re an extremely offensive young man?”
    â€œMy brother,” said Rowe with gravity, “once when I handed him a black eye. Darling, I don’t know when I’ve met a girl——”
    Dr. Choate led the way across the reading-room to a far door. “As a matter of fact,” he called out, “Mr. Rowe has almost more right to do the honours of the Saxon Room than I, Miss Thumm. He was one of those infant prodigies you read about.”
    â€œHow horrible,” said Patience, tossing her head.
    â€œDon’t believe a word of it,” said Rowe instantly. “Choate, I’ll strangle you! What the estimable Doctor means, Miss Thumm——”
    â€œOh, it’s Miss Thumm now, is it?”
    He flushed. “I’m sorry. I get this way sometimes. What Dr. Choate means is that it was my good fortune to attract old Sam Saxon’s eye. He left a lot of rare books to the Britannic in his will; died a few months ago, you know; and as his protégé I’m here in a sort of semi-official capacity to see that they’re started off in their new home properly.”
    â€œMore and more horrible, Mr. Rowe. I’m chiefly interested in brainless young men with no visible means of support.”
    â€œNow you’re being cruel,” he whispered. Then his eyes danced. “Except for the means of support, I assure you I qualify! Fact is, I’m doing some original research in Shakespeare. Mr. Saxon tucked me under his wing and I’m continuing my researches here, now that he’s dead and a good deal of the Shakespearian stuff has been willed to the museum.”
    They entered a long, narrow room which, from its fresh look, turpentine odour, and lack of draping proclaimed it recently redecorated. It contained perhaps a thousand volumes, most of them on open shelves. A small number reposed in wooden cases on slender metal legs, the tops of the cases covered with glass; apparently the more valuable items.
    â€œJust finished,” said Dr. Choate. “There are some really unique things here; eh, Rowe? Of course the contents