‘This was late on a Saturday night. First thing on the Monday morning, I
went to the haberdasher’s shop, opposite Mr. Trinkle’s, the great
upholsterer’s in Cheapside. “Mr. Phibbs in the way?” “My name is
Phibbs.” “Oh! I believe you sent this pair of gloves to be cleaned?”
“Yes, I did, for young Mr. Trinkle over the way. There he is in the
shop!” “Oh! that’s him in the shop, is it? Him in the green coat?”
“The same individual.” “Well, Mr. Phibbs, this is an unpleasant affair;
but the fact is, I am Inspector Wield of the Detective Police, and I
found these gloves under the pillow of the young woman that was murdered
the other day, over in the Waterloo Road!” “Good Heaven!” says he.
“He’s a most respectable young man, and if his father was to hear of it,
it would be the ruin of him!” “I’m very sorry for it,” says I, “but I
must take him into custody.” “Good Heaven!” says Mr. Phibbs, again; “can
nothing be done?” “Nothing,” says I. “Will you allow me to call him
over here,” says he, “that his father may not see it done?” “I don’t
object to that,” says I; “but unfortunately, Mr. Phibbs, I can’t allow of
any communication between you. If any was attempted, I should have to
interfere directly. Perhaps you’ll beckon him over here?” Mr. Phibbs
went to the door and beckoned, and the young fellow came across the
street directly; a smart, brisk young fellow.
‘“Good morning, sir,” says I. “Good morning, sir,” says he. “Would you
allow me to inquire, sir,” says I, “if you ever had any acquaintance with
a party of the name of Grimwood?” “Grimwood! Grimwood!” says he. “No!”
“You know the Waterloo Road?” “Oh! of course I know the Waterloo Road!”
“Happen to have heard of a young woman being murdered there?” “Yes, I
read it in the paper, and very sorry I was to read it.” “Here’s a pair
of gloves belonging to you, that I found under her pillow the morning
afterwards!”
‘He was in a dreadful state, sir; a dreadful state I “Mr. Wield,” he
says, “upon my solemn oath I never was there. I never so much as saw
her, to my knowledge, in my life!” “I am very sorry,” says I. “To tell
you the truth; I don’t think you are the murderer, but I must take you to
Union Hall in a cab. However, I think it’s a case of that sort, that, at
present, at all events, the magistrate will hear it in private.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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