The Brooklyn Murders by G. D. H. Cole published by Thomas Seltzer (New York), 1924 Contents I A Family Celebration II Sir Vernon’s Will III Murder IV What Joan Found in the Garden V Plain as a Pikestaff VI A Pause for Reflection VII The Case Against Walter Brooklyn VIII A Review of the Case IX Walter Brooklyn’s Explanation X Charis Lang XI Joan Takes Up the Case XII Robert Ellery XIII An Arrest XIV Mainly a Love Scene XV To and Fro XVI A Link in the Chain XVII The Lovely Lady XVIII The Case for the Defence XIX The Police Have Their Doubts XX Superintendent Wilson Thinks It Out XXI Don Quixote XXII “The Spaniard” Does His Bit XXIII Walter Brooklyn Goes Free XXIV A Fresh Start XXV Raising the Wind XXVI Two Men Strike a Bargain XXVII Robert Ellery’s Idea XXVIII The Superintendent’s Theory XXIX The Lie of the Land XXX A Letter and Its Consequences XXXI A Button in a Bag XXXII Sir John Bunnery XXXIII On the Tiles XXXIV The Stable-Yard XXXV An Order for Bulbs XXXVI An Afternoon Call XXXVII A Happy Ending Chapter I A Family Celebration At seventy Sir Vernon Brooklyn was still the outstanding figure in the theatrical world. It was, indeed, ten years since he had made his farewell appearance on the stage; and with a consistency rare among the members of his profession, he had persisted in making his first farewell also his last. He had also for some time past resigned to younger men the actual direction of his vast theatrical enterprises, which included five great West End theatres and a steady stream of touring companies in the provinces and overseas. Both as actor and as manager, he was wont to say, his work was over; but as Chairman of the Brooklyn Dramatic Corporation, which conducted all its work under his name, he was almost as much as ever in the eye of the public.