A Coin of Edward VII: A Detective StoryHume, Fergus
Philosophy
A Coin of Edward VII: A Detective Story
Hume, Fergus
Detective and mystery stories; Fiction
"I am sure of it. That is the portion of the case of which I have not
spoken to you. You'll hear what Denham says. Now that Morley has left
him in the lurch Denham will reveal Morley's connection with these
matters. But Morley has secured a hostage in the person of Miss Anne. He
has taken her away somewhere. His wife may know of his whereabouts.
After we have seen Denham we'll speak of her."
"Since when have you had suspicions of Morley?"
"Since I investigated this Scarlet Cross case. I have found one or two
of the gang who, like Dane, are willing to turn King's evidence to save
themselves. It was one of them called Scott who told me of Dane's coming
on the motor-bicycle to Rickwell. But later on you shall hear all. Let
me round off the case by arresting Denham." Here Steel scratched his
head and smiled ruefully. "But I fear the case will not be finished till
Morley is caught, and where am I to look for him? I wish I had had him
watched. He has been too clever for me. I might have known. As Joe Bart
he was one of the smartest detectives in London."
After this speech Steel began to think, and as he seemed impatient of
interruption, Giles said nothing. In due time they arrived at the door
of the Priory. It was close on five o'clock. Steel rang the bell, and as
he did so a couple of policemen came round the corner for orders. Steel
told them to wait in the hall while he saw Denham. "I don't think he can
show fight with a broken leg," said Steel grimly.
As he spoke the door opened. Portia with her freckled face swollen with
weeping appeared. She did not seem astonished at the sight of the men in
uniform. Perhaps she had seen them lurking in the neighborhood and knew
what to expect.
"Come in," she said sullenly to Steel and his companion. "My father
expects you."
"Who told him I was coming?" asked Steel.
"I don't know," she answered, and led the way up the stairs. On the
landing she turned viciously. "If father had not broken his leg, you
would not have found us here," she declared.
"I quite believe that," retorted Steel.
"And you needn't have brought those beasts of men," continued the girl,
with a glance at the police in the hall. "We are all alone. Dowse and
his wife and daughter ran away whenever they heard there was trouble."
"Oh, they are mixed up in this affair also."
"I don't know. I shan't say anything, for I don't know nothing."
She sullenly led the way through a long corridor and opened the door of
a sitting-room. Here on a sofa with a small table at his elbow lay
Denham. His leg was swathed in bandages, and he wore a loose
dressing-gown. As they entered he laid down a book and looked at them.
His face was worn, his hair was quite grey, but the brilliance of his
eyes were undimmed, and he spoke in a masterful manner.
"Here you are, Steel," he said coolly. "Got the warrant?"
"How do you know I have a warrant?" asked the other, taken aback.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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