The Piccadilly Puzzle: A Mysterious Story — David Hume — John Shaqi
The Piccadilly Puzzle: A Mysterious Story
David Hume · en
"At Shoreham. He went to London Bridge Station to catch the ten
minutes past nine train. His yotsh was to leave next morning."
"Did he go alone?"
"As far as I know," retorted Totty. "If Lady Balscombe went with him
you can see it in the papers. I know no more than that."
"How often did Miss Sarschine call on Monday?"
"Once, in the afternoon, to see Lord Calliston."
"Did she see him?"
"No, he was out, so she said she'd call again in the evening."
"And did she?"
"Yes; but Lord Calliston had gone about eight o'clock to catch his
train. I suppose she thought he wouldn't go till next morning."
"Did she know he was going to elope with Lady Balscombe?"
"Not that I know of."
"Did she see anyone when she came the second time?"
"Yes, Mr. Desmond, my lord's cousin."
"What time was that?"
"About twelve, between eleven and twelve."
Dowker pondered a little. So she called here to see Calliston just
before she was murdered, and saw Desmond. Now the question was, what
had Desmond to do with the affair.
"Was Mr. Desmond here on that evening by accident?"
"No. He told me he had come to give Miss Sarschine a message from Lord
Calliston."
"You did not overhear their conversation?"
"Me," growled Tottie, indignantly, "I never listen--out when she was
leaving they were 'having a row."
"About what time?"
"I think at ten minutes after twelve."
"Did she go out alone?"
"Yes. Mr. Desmond followed shortly afterwards."
"Did he say anything?"
"No, not a word."
Dowker felt puzzled. It was evident Desmond had given her a message
from Calliston that made her angry, and she left the house in a rage,
but then this did not connect anyone with a design to murder her.
Suddenly he remembered that Ellersby had mentioned that he had met
Desmond coming up St. James' Street a short time before the body was
found. Was it possible that he had killed Miss Sarschine and was then
coming away from the scene of his crime? Impossible, because the
doctor said the woman must have been dead some hours. And yet he might
have killed her and gone down St. James' Street to avert suspicion,
and then come up again when he thought the coast would be clear.
Unfortunately, he had met Ellersby and then--well, Dowker made up his
mind he would go and see Ellersby, find out what he could about the
meeting, and afterwards call on Myles Desmond. He, perhaps, might give
some satisfactory explanation of his interview with Miss Sarschine,
and account for his presence after the interview. If he did not, well,
it would appear suspicious.
While these thoughts were rapidly passing through his mind, Totty had
her eyes fastened eagerly on him.
"Well, now I've answered all your questions," she said, "perhaps
you'll tell me what it all means."
"Murder!"
Mrs. Povy became quite excited, for she had a keen relish for horrors.
"Lor'! Who's dead--not Lord Calliston?"
"No. Miss Sarschine."
"Miss Sarschine!"