The Mystery of the Four FingersWhite, Fred M. (Fred Merrick)
General
The Mystery of the Four Fingers
White, Fred M. (Fred Merrick)
Detective and mystery stories
"It was at this time that Captain Jones believes that he heard a shrill
scream coming from the cabin, as if his passenger had met with an
accident, or had been frightened by something out of the common. He came
on deck a moment later, looking like a man who had developed a dangerous
mania. He seemed to be flying from some unseen terror, and, indeed, gave
every indication suggestive of the conclusion that he was suffering from
a severe attack of _delirium tremens_. Captain Jones does not share this
view, though it is generally accepted by his crew. Before anybody could
interfere or stretch out a hand to detain the unfortunate man, he had
reached the side of the vessel and thrown himself into the tremendous sea
which was running at the time. It was absolutely out of the question to
make any attempt to save him, though, naturally, Captain Jones did what
he could. Then occurred one of the strange things which so frequently
happen at sea. Five minutes later a great wave breaking over the foredeck
cast some black object at the feet of Captain Jones, which object turned
out to be the body of the unhappy suicide. The man was quite dead;
indeed, he had sustained enough bodily injuries to cause death, without
taking drowning into consideration.
"As before stated, Captain Jones came in contact with the _Red Cross_ a
little later, and on reaching the safety of the Pool he immediately
communicated with the police, who took possession of the body of the
suicide. On Scotland Yard being communicated with, a detective was sent
down and immediately recognised the body as that of Mr. Mark Fenwick, the
American millionaire.
"No doubt is entertained that the police officer is right, as Mr. Fenwick
was well-known to thousands of people in London, not only on account of
his wealth, but owing, also, to his remarkable personal appearance. At
the present moment the body lies in a public-house by the side of the
Thames, and an inquest will be held in the morning.
"Later.--Since going to press, we hear that startling developments are
expected in the matter of the suicide of Mr. Mark Fenwick. On excellent
authority we are informed that the police hold a warrant for the arrest
of Fenwick and others, on a series of criminal charges, among which that
of uttering counterfeit coin is not the least prominent. If these facts
prove to be correct, it will be easy to see why Mr. Fenwick was
attempting to leave the country in fugitive fashion. Further details will
appear in a later edition."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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