The discovery had been made too late for the first editions of the
morning papers, but those published on the following evening gave
accounts of the tragedy, headed "Another Mysterious Murder: The Mystic
Seal again," in which the details of the crime were most graphically
told, the facts exaggerated, and plenty of fiction infused; for that
style known as the New Journalism seems to have been invented for the
purpose of satisfying the craving for sensational reading.
During the day I was pestered with interviewers. Several enterprising
reporters, who saw a chance of making an interesting column of "copy"
out of me, sent up their cards, and to them I granted an audience.
Following these came two detectives from the Criminal Investigation
Department, who also wished for a description of my night's adventure.
This I gave willingly, yet to my astonishment and annoyance I found,
when I went down to the club in the evening, that the police had been
making inquiries of the servants as to what time I left on the previous
night, besides endeavouring to learn various other particulars.
I, Frank Burgoyne, was evidently suspected of the crime!
There had been six murders, all curious, unexplained mysteries, which
had formed the chief topic of conversation and comment in the newspapers
for the past few weeks. In each there appeared an utter absence of
motive, which made the enigma doubly puzzling; and though the murderer
had sought his victims from every rank of society, the same seal--
evidently impressed by the same hand--had been found pinned upon the
breast of the corpses.
Premeditated the crimes undoubtedly were, and accomplished by one to
whom murder was an art, for in not a single instance was there the
slightest clue to his identity, though some were committed in broad
daylight. The _modus operandi_ appeared to be similar in every case,
and with the exception of one victim, who had been shot, the remaining
five had all been stabbed to the heart by a stiletto, which the murderer
usually carried away with him.
Various were the theories advanced as to the motives for these appalling
deeds.
Some journals suggested that the murderer was a maniac, whose insatiable
thirst for blood was controlled by the moon's changes. This appeared
plausible enough to some, but others asked how, if he were a lunatic,
did he continue so effectually to conceal himself. These were told
there was method in madness, and that in all probability the murderer
was insane whilst committing the crimes, and immediately afterwards, on
gaining his right senses, he remembered nothing of the fearful deeds.
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