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
"It's the only one I can think of," responded Morley; "but if you want
to know more of this man go up to Asher, Son, and Asher. I daresay they
will be able to give you his history."
"And the Scarlet Cross?"
"I know nothing about that. I did not even notice if the man had such a
cross on his chain. In fact," added Morley frankly, "he was too shabby
and poverty-stricken to have a chain. I think Anne Denham killed Daisy;
you think this man did, and----"
"Pardon," protested Steel. "I have not yet made up my mind. But the two
fled together, and there must be some reason for that."
"If so, it will be found in the past history of both, or either. You
know where to look for the man. I can get from my wife the address of
the Governesses' Institute where she engaged Miss Denham. That is all I
can do, unless I take up the case myself."
Steel looked up with a laugh. He was copying the address of the
solicitors from the summons, but could not help pausing to reply to this
egotistical remark. "Why, Mr. Morley, what do you know of such work?" he
asked, bantering.
"Much more than you would give me credit for. Did you ever hear of--by
the way, this is another of my secrets I am telling you, so please don't
repeat it."
"Are you going to say that you were in the profession?"
"I am. You may have heard of Joe Bart."
"I should think so," said Steel quickly. "He had a splendid reputation,
and was much thought of. But he retired before I came to London. I was
in the country police for a long time. But"--he started up--"you don't
mean to say that----"
"That I am Joe Bart?" interrupted Morley, not ill-pleased. "Yes, I do. I
retired over ten years ago, more fool I. You see, Steel, I grew wearied
of thief-catching, and as I had a chance of marrying a widow with money,
I took the offer and retired. But"--he looked at the summons--"the game
wasn't worth the candle. I have had nothing but trouble. Still, I am
devoted to my wife and her children."
"And you have forgotten your former glory," said Steel enthusiastically;
"surely not. That Hatton Garden jewel robbery, the man with the red coat
who committed the Lichfield murder, and----"
"I remember them all," said Morley, with gentle melancholy. "I have a
full report of all the cases I was engaged in yonder"--he nodded to a
distant shelf. "Sometimes I take those volumes down and think what an
ass I was to retire."
"But see here, Mr. Morley. You are hard up; you want money. I am sure
they would be glad to have you back at the Yard. Why not recommence
your detective life with searching out this case?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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