Aaron Rodd, DivinerOppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)
General
Aaron Rodd, Diviner
Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)
Detective and mystery stories, English; English fiction -- 20th century
"Young shentleman, shtop von minute. Bring the beautiful young lady
inside. I am selling sheap to-night, very very sheap. Young
shentleman, you want a real diamond ring? I have the sheapest diamond
rings in the vorld. I am Letchowiski, the gem merchant. You bring
your moniesh to me. You get better value than anyvere in Vitechapel or
the Vest End. Come inside, my tears."
A few of the passers-by answered him with chaff. One or two of the
more forward of the girls threw him a kiss. Old father Letchowiski on
a Saturday night was a familiar feature of the dingy marketing
thoroughfare, but to-night more than one fancied that his heart was not
in it. Presently, during a lull, he turned back into his shop,
fingered lovingly a few of his wares, gewgaws of the most glaring
description, and then turned to a small boy who stood behind the
counter, a remarkable, cross-eyed youth, standing little higher than
the counter, with black hair, a narrow face and sallow complexion.
"David, you call me the moment anyone puts their head in the shop. You
hear? Call loudly."
"All right, granfer," the boy replied. "Can I go to the door and shout
at them?"
"If you like," the old gentleman agreed tolerantly. "If you sell
anything, perhaps I give you a little commission."
A beatific smile spread over the boy's face as he scrambled under the
counter. Abraham Letchowiski opened a door which led into the rear of
the premises, drew aside the curtain and peered for a moment back again
through the shop into the street, over the head of the small boy, who
with outstretched hands was making the night hideous with cries of
fervid invitation. Then he dropped the curtain, descended two stairs,
passed through a small, ill-ventilated sitting-room, the table of which
was laid for a homely meal, on through another door, and along a dark
passage. Through a further door at the end came a chink of brilliant
light. He knocked twice softly and stepped inside. A man with a
tired, livid face, his clothing covered by a long smock, heavy
spectacles disfiguring his features, was stooping over a tiny lathe.
The soft whir of a dynamo from a corner purred insistently. A
brilliant droplight from the ceiling was lowered almost over the bench.
Something glittered in the white hands of the workman as he turned
around with a little start.
"Letchowiski!" he muttered. "Well?"
"Finish for to-night," Letchowiski whispered imploringly. "All the
evening I have been uneasy. Just now I stand in my doorway and I shout
my wares and my eyes search. There is a man in the clothing shop
opposite. He pretends to deal with Hyam for a suit, but I see him
often with his eyes turned this way. He is like the man of whom you
have told me--the man Brodie."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account