Read Online The Deadly Curse by Tony Evans - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Tony Evans
Tags: Historical fiction, Historical, Literature & Fiction, Thrillers, Genre Fiction, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense
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courts or a senior police officer: and even then I would require a warrant. Our duty of confidentiality to our clients does not cease when they are dead.’
Van Helsing interrupted. ‘Our difficulty, Mr Buford, is that time may be of the essence. Detective Inspector Delland of Scotland Yard is aware of our interest in this case, and I am sure that he would be happy to obtain the necessary warrant, but that might take two days or more and any delay could well be fatal. Come sir, you have our cards: can you not see your way to relaxing your rules on this occasion?’
Buford shook his head. ‘With respect sir, anyone who can lay his hands on a guinea can have cards printed – including cards of evidently superior manufacture. No, you must return with the warrant, or not at all.’
At this Barnabus Buford stood up, signalling the end of our interview. However, before he could usher us to the door Van Helsing rose quickly and strode towards him. The Professor has a substantial physique, and this combined with his evident determination caused Buford to step back.
‘If confirmation of our bona fides is the matter at issue, that is easily resolved,’ Van Helsing said. ‘Let me see – we cannot be more than a mile or so from Eaton Square. I take it that you are cognisant of the position of Sir Anthony Neville-Street?’
I could see Buford blink in surprise at Van Helsing’s mention of the Home Secretary. Unlike the bank manager, I was aware that the Professor was on familiar terms with some of the most eminent personages in the land, although in normal circumstances he would never boast of it.
‘Sir Anthony’s habits are notoriously regular,’ Van Helsing said. ‘At this hour on a Friday he is invariably at home. I suggest that the two of us take a hansom to Belgravia, where I am sure he will vouch for me in person. Do you think his character reference would suffice? He could speak to the Bank Directors if necessary.’
Buford sat down heavily in his chair, a slight sheen of perspiration visible on his pale forehead. ‘Erm – that will not be necessary. I am sure that I can accommodate the request of a friend of the Right Honourable gentleman. Now, what exactly is it that you require to know? I will send for Higgins immediately.’
*
In a very short time Van Helsing and I had obtained the information we had requested, although it did little to set our minds at rest. Havelocks Bank – whatever the shortcomings of its manager – kept most meticulous records of its customers’ transactions, and three entries in the account of the late Mr Flinzer were obviously relevant to our search. The first was a cheque from the financial director of the Clarendon Institute of Archaeology for six hundred pounds, dated October 10th: clearly the sum that Flinzer had realised from the sale of the coffin of the Pharaoh Karnos II. The second was a payment of one hundred and thirty pounds from Dr Harold Levin, Curator, Edinburgh Museum of Ethnography, dated November 1st. No doubt this was the cheque that Dr Levin had sent for his purchase of the khopesh – the item that had never reached him, or had disappeared after its arrival. However, what struck the three of us most forcefully was the record of a cheque recently received from a Dr M Limonov for eighty pounds.
‘Why – the cheque was dated November 8th, 1887!’ I exclaimed. ‘That’s last Monday – the day before Flinzer was killed. Is it possible that he has disposed of a further item?’
Van Helsing picked up the leather-bound ledger. ‘Limonov...Limonov...’ he mused. ‘I am sure that name is familiar. Yes, of course! It must surely be Dr Mikhail Limonov, the well-known collector of antiquities. He has a villa in St John’s Wood, not half a mile from my own house. I attended a soirée there last summer. We must go there immediately.’
As we hurried out of Barnabus Buford’s office, I turned to speak with him and his chief clerk.
‘Tell me, was Mr
Van Helsing interrupted. ‘Our difficulty, Mr Buford, is that time may be of the essence. Detective Inspector Delland of Scotland Yard is aware of our interest in this case, and I am sure that he would be happy to obtain the necessary warrant, but that might take two days or more and any delay could well be fatal. Come sir, you have our cards: can you not see your way to relaxing your rules on this occasion?’
Buford shook his head. ‘With respect sir, anyone who can lay his hands on a guinea can have cards printed – including cards of evidently superior manufacture. No, you must return with the warrant, or not at all.’
At this Barnabus Buford stood up, signalling the end of our interview. However, before he could usher us to the door Van Helsing rose quickly and strode towards him. The Professor has a substantial physique, and this combined with his evident determination caused Buford to step back.
‘If confirmation of our bona fides is the matter at issue, that is easily resolved,’ Van Helsing said. ‘Let me see – we cannot be more than a mile or so from Eaton Square. I take it that you are cognisant of the position of Sir Anthony Neville-Street?’
I could see Buford blink in surprise at Van Helsing’s mention of the Home Secretary. Unlike the bank manager, I was aware that the Professor was on familiar terms with some of the most eminent personages in the land, although in normal circumstances he would never boast of it.
‘Sir Anthony’s habits are notoriously regular,’ Van Helsing said. ‘At this hour on a Friday he is invariably at home. I suggest that the two of us take a hansom to Belgravia, where I am sure he will vouch for me in person. Do you think his character reference would suffice? He could speak to the Bank Directors if necessary.’
Buford sat down heavily in his chair, a slight sheen of perspiration visible on his pale forehead. ‘Erm – that will not be necessary. I am sure that I can accommodate the request of a friend of the Right Honourable gentleman. Now, what exactly is it that you require to know? I will send for Higgins immediately.’
*
In a very short time Van Helsing and I had obtained the information we had requested, although it did little to set our minds at rest. Havelocks Bank – whatever the shortcomings of its manager – kept most meticulous records of its customers’ transactions, and three entries in the account of the late Mr Flinzer were obviously relevant to our search. The first was a cheque from the financial director of the Clarendon Institute of Archaeology for six hundred pounds, dated October 10th: clearly the sum that Flinzer had realised from the sale of the coffin of the Pharaoh Karnos II. The second was a payment of one hundred and thirty pounds from Dr Harold Levin, Curator, Edinburgh Museum of Ethnography, dated November 1st. No doubt this was the cheque that Dr Levin had sent for his purchase of the khopesh – the item that had never reached him, or had disappeared after its arrival. However, what struck the three of us most forcefully was the record of a cheque recently received from a Dr M Limonov for eighty pounds.
‘Why – the cheque was dated November 8th, 1887!’ I exclaimed. ‘That’s last Monday – the day before Flinzer was killed. Is it possible that he has disposed of a further item?’
Van Helsing picked up the leather-bound ledger. ‘Limonov...Limonov...’ he mused. ‘I am sure that name is familiar. Yes, of course! It must surely be Dr Mikhail Limonov, the well-known collector of antiquities. He has a villa in St John’s Wood, not half a mile from my own house. I attended a soirée there last summer. We must go there immediately.’
As we hurried out of Barnabus Buford’s office, I turned to speak with him and his chief clerk.
‘Tell me, was Mr
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