The Markenmore MysteryFletcher, J. S. (Joseph Smith)
General
The Markenmore Mystery
Fletcher, J. S. (Joseph Smith)
Detective and mystery stories; Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction
“I came down to Selcaster some days ago, in connection with another
matter,” said Blick. “I had to remain in the city—at the Mitre
Hotel. On Tuesday morning, very early, the Chief Constable sent an
officer of his force to me, saying that he had just received news of
a probable murder at a place close by, and asking me to dress and go
with him. I drove with him, the police-surgeon, and a constable, to
Markenmore Hollow. There we found the dead body of a man whom some of
those present recognized as Mr. Guy Markenmore. The Chief Constable
requested me to take charge of matters; since then he has obtained
permission from my Department for me to take this case in hand.”
“With a view of finding the murderer?”
“With that object, certainly.”
“You have heard the evidence of the previous witnesses, Blick?—I
refer especially to that of Hobbs, of the Markenmore policeman, and
of the doctor?”
“I have.”
“All correct.”
“Quite correct.”
“After taking charge of matters, did you accompany the body here to
Markenmore Court?”
“I did.”
“Did you then make an examination of the clothing?”
“Yes; a thorough one.”
“What did you find?”
“A purse containing seventy-five pounds in notes and gold—mostly
five-pound notes. Five pounds, twelve shillings, and ninepence in
gold, silver, and bronze, loose, in the trousers pockets; a silver
cigar-case; a silver cigarette-case; a silver card-case; a——”
The Coroner leaned forward.
“A moment, if you please,” he said. “It just strikes me—up to now,
nobody has afforded us any information as to where Mr. Guy Markenmore
lived in London. So—is there any address on the cards which were
presumably found in the case which the witness mentions?”
The barrister held up some cards.
“I have the cards here, sir,” he answered. “There are several in the
case—some of them have a private address, some a business address.
The private address is 847b Down Street, Piccadilly: the business
address is 56 Folgrave Court, Cornhill. I may say—it can be given in
evidence if necessary—that the police have made enquiries at both
these addresses. At Down Street Mr. Guy Markenmore had a bachelor
flat, which he had tenanted for some four or five years. He had a
valet there, one Alfred Butcher, who had been in his service for
three years. At Folgrave Court, he had a staff of three clerks——”
“What was Mr. Guy Markenmore’s profession, or business?” asked the
Coroner.
“He was a member of the Stock Exchange, sir, of six years’ standing.
As I have just said, the police have made enquiry at his flat and at
his office. They learnt nothing particular at either, except that on
Monday last Mr. Guy Markenmore, then in his usual health and good
spirits, told his valet and his head-clerk that he was going into the
country that afternoon, but would be back at the flat for breakfast
next morning and at his office at the usual time—ten o’clock.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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