Detective and mystery stories; French, Joseph (Fictitious character) -- Fiction; Police -- Great Britain -- Fiction
Though French had scarcely hoped for any other reply, he was
nevertheless disappointed. He showed Colonel FitzGeorge’s photograph to
the manager, who instantly recognised it as that of the Englishman for
whom he had exchanged the notes. But he could give no further help.
This clue having petered out, French determined to call for the register
and make a search therein in the hope of recognising the handwriting of
some entry. But before he did so he asked about Vanderkemp. Had any one
of that name been a recent visitor?
The manager could not recall the name, but he had a thorough search made
of the records. This also drew blank. French then handed him the
photograph of Vanderkemp which he had obtained in Amsterdam, asking if
he had even seen the original.
With that the luck turned. M. Marcel beamed. “But yes, monsieur,” he
exclaimed, with a succession of nods, “your friend was here for several
days. He left about a fortnight ago. M. Harrison from one of your great
Midland towns, is it not? He told me which, but I have forgotten.”
“That’s the man,” cried French heartily, delighted beyond words at this
new development. “I have been following him round. Might I see his entry
in the register?”
Again the records were brought into requisition, and as he looked French
felt wholly triumphant. On comparing the “J. Harrison, Huddersfield,
England,” to which the manger pointed, with the samples of Vanderkemp’s
handwriting which he had obtained from Mr. Schoofs, he saw that
unquestionably they were written by the same hand. So Vanderkemp was his
man! After this there could be no further doubt of his guilt.
For a moment he remained silent, considering what this discovery meant.
It was now evident that Vanderkemp, under the alias Harrison, had
arrived at the Beau-Sejour Hotel about midday on the second day after
the crime, and after staying a week, had departed for an unknown
destination. But the matter did not end there. With a sudden, theatrical
gesture the manager indicated that he had more to say.
“You have recalled something to my mind, monsieur,” he announced. “That
M. Harrison asked me to change notes for him. In fact, I remember the
whole thing clearly. His bill came to between four and five hundred
francs, and he paid with an English ten-pound note. With the exchange as
it is at present, he should have had about 300 francs change. But I now
remember he asked me at the same time to change a second ten-pound note.
I did so, and gave him about 1000 francs. So it is possible, I do not
say certain, but it is possible. . . .” He shrugged his shoulders and
threw out his hands, as if to indicate that Fate and not he was
responsible for the possibility, and looked inquiringly at his visitor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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