text stringlengths 2.05k 1.01M | title stringlengths 2 620 | author stringlengths 0 92 | author year of birth stringclasses 367
values | author year of death stringclasses 390
values | language stringclasses 16
values | downloads stringclasses 887
values | subjects stringlengths 7 775 | document id stringlengths 3 7 | type stringclasses 1
value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
"Very well, sir," said Jack, although he was disappointed that he was
not permitted to go to Harris' aid.
"The others follow me," said von Ludwig.
There were but two other men that could follow.
"You are attempting too much, sir," said Jack.
"I think not," said von Ludwig, calmly.
He led the way below.
CHAPTER XXVIII
... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
"Why all this rush?" demanded von Ludwig. "Where are the men who went
to your assistance?"
"Dead, the same as we would be if we had lingered another moment,"
replied Harris, quietly. "It was impossible to pass through that door
without being shot down. It was only due to the diversion of the
appearance of the others t... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
"If you please, sir," he said slowly at last, "I have a plan that may
work."
"Let's hear it," said Frank.
"Yes; let's have it," said von Ludwig.
"Well," said Harris, "one man, with a couple of revolvers, should be
able to guard this passageway for an hour without trouble. He can shoot
the Germans down as fast as they ... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
Frank nodded.
"It shall be as you say, sir," said Harris, "Now who will cut first?"
"It may as well be me as another," said von Ludwig.
He cut the cards and exposed to view a jack of hearts.
"Looks like you will carry the papers yourself, sir," said Frank, as he
advanced to cut the cards.
He held up a nine spot of spa... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
All this time the thundering on the door of the companionway had
continued.
"Come," said von Ludwig, "we must delay no longer. Already it is
growing light."
He hastened along the deck to where the high-powered motor boat lay
covered with a tarpaulin. Quickly the little craft was lowered over the
side, von Ludwig first... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
He took up what he considered a strategic position and produced his
watch. This he lay on the deck and sat down beside it.
"May as well be comfortable," he remarked.
Again there was a crash and the door of the companionway burst open. A
German head appeared.
"Crack!" Harris had fired without moving from his sitting po... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
He pulled his watch from his pocket and glanced at it.
"An hour," he said. "They have had time enough. However, I'll just see
the thing through."
As he spoke it grew light. Harris looked off across the sea. There, so
far away that it appeared but a speck upon the water, he saw what he
took to be the motor boat bearing... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
The man gave a screech as Harris' hands squeezed. The Englishman raised
his enemy bodily from the deck, flung him squarely in the faces of the
other two, and followed after the human catapult.
The foremost German dodged and seized Harris by the legs. Both went
over in a heap, Harris on top. Harris raised his right fis... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
"A great lot of fighters, you are," he taunted his enemies. "Four of
you attacked me with knives and you haven't done for me yet."
The Germans also were glad of a breathing spell. Their faces reddened
as Harris taunted them.
"We shall kill you yet," said one angrily.
"Don't be too sure," said Harris. "I'm an Englishma... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
Once, twice, three times the three heads appeared on the surface and a
spectator could have seen that Harris retained his grip. Then the three
sank from sight.
And so passed the former pugilistic champion of the British fleet,
brave in death as he had been in life. The waves washed over the spot
where he had gone down... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
"So!" he said to himself at last, "Harris cheated."
"What's that?" said Frank, who had heard Jack's muttered words, but had
not caught their import.
"I said," replied Jack, slowly, "that Harris cheated."
Frank was surprised. A moment later he said: "Well, even if he did, he
lost anyhow."
"That's it," said Jack, quietl... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
"You're only making matters worse," said Frank. "Come on now and tell us
who you are."
Again von Ludwig smiled. "I wonder if you can guess who I am when I say
that I can tell you all about yourselves?" he said. "For instance, you,
Jack. You spent most of your life in a little African village. And you,
Frank, are an Am... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
Frank and Jack nodded, for they had known this some time before.
"Well," Lord Hastings continued, "in Berlin I was instructed to learn
what Germany planned to do to offset the Roumanian menace, for she is
sure to know of Roumanians decision by this time. I had some trouble,
but I succeeded at last."
"And what will she... | The Boy Allies at Jutland; Or, The Greatest Naval Battle of History | Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace) | 1887 | ['en'] | 14 | {'World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction', 'Jutland, Battle of, 1916 -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG10081 | ||
THE HAMPSTEAD MYSTERY
BY JOHN R. WATSON & ARTHUR J. REES
1916
TO ARTHUR BLACK IN MEMORY OF OLD TIMES
CHAPTER I
"Hallo! Is that Hampstead Police Station?"
"Yes. Who are you?"
"Detective-Inspector Chippenfield of Scotland Yard. Tell Inspector Seldon
I want him, and be quick about it."
"Yes, sir. Hang on, sir. I'll pu... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Not more than fifteen minutes--in a taxi."
"Well, I'll ring you up at the house in half an hour. Should our
information be correct see that everything is left exactly as you find it
till I arrive."
Inspector Seldon hung up the receiver of his telephone, bundled up the
papers scattered on his desk, closed it, and step... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"H'm." The inspector's next question contained a moral rebuke rather than
an official one. "You're a married man, Flack?"
"Yes, sir."
"So the housemaid told you he was going away for a month. Well, she ought
to know. When did she tell you?"
"A week ago yesterday, sir. She told me that all the servants except the
butle... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"I saw Mr. Roberts and his lady coming home from the theatre. But he
lives at the other end of Tanton Gardens. And I saw the housemaid at Mr.
Fielding's come out to the pillar-box. That was a few minutes after
eleven. I didn't see anybody at all the second time."
"Nobody at the judge's place--no taxi, or anything like... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Inspector Seldon went quickly round the side of the house, trying the
windows as he went. Towards the rear of the house, on the west side, he
came across a curious abutment of masonry jutting out squarely from the
wall. On the other side of this abutment, which gave the house something
of an unfinished appearance, wer... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Inspector Seldon looked closely at the figure and the hangings. Something
strange about the former arrested his eye. It was standing awry on its
pedestal--was, indeed, almost toppling over. He looked up and saw that
one of the curtains supported by the arm hung loosely from one of the
curtain rings. It was as though s... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
CHAPTER II
"Six-thirty edition: High Court Judge murdered!"
It was not quite 5 p.m., but the enterprising section of the London
evening newspapers had their 6.30 editions on sale in the streets. To
such a pitch had the policy of giving the public what it wants been
elevated that the halfpenny newspapers were able to... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"The dead body of Sir Horace Fewbanks, the distinguished High Court
judge, was found by the police at his home, Riversbrook in Tanton
Gardens, Hampstead, to-day. Deceased had been shot through the heart. The
police have no doubt that he was murdered."
But the morning papers of the following day did full justice to the... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
No light was thrown on the cause of the murdered man's sudden return from
grouse-shooting in Scotland. The newspaper accounts, though they differed
greatly in their statements, surmises, and suggestions concerning the
tragedy, agreed on the point that Sir Horace had been a keen sportsman
and was a very fine shot. In y... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
It might be that while prowling through the rooms after breaking into the
house, and before he had collected any goods for removal, the burglar had
come unexpectedly on Sir Horace, and after shooting him had fled from the
house. Only as a last resort to prevent capture did burglars commit
murder. Had Sir Horace been s... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
If Sir Horace had gone to bed before the murderer entered the house it
would have been natural to expect no lights turned on. But he had
returned unexpectedly; there were no servants in the house, and there was
no bed ready for him. In any case, if he intended stopping in the empty
house instead of going to a hotel he... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
The butler who had been left behind in charge of Riversbrook was a man
named Hill, but he was not in the house on the night of the tragedy. He
was a married man, and his wife and child lived in Camden Town, where
Mrs. Hill kept a confectionery shop. Hill's master had given him
permission to live at home for three week... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
When Inspector Chippenfield had visited Riversbrook the previous
afternoon, Rolfe had not been selected as his assistant. A careful
inspection of the house and especially of the room in which the tragedy
had been committed had been made by the inspector. He had then turned his
attention to the garden and the grounds s... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Inspector Chippenfield hesitated a moment as if in deep thought. The
object of his hesitation was to give Flack an opportunity of imparting
any information that had come to him while on guard. The inspector
believed in encouraging people to impart information but regarded it as
subversive of the respect due to him to ... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
The large open space between the house and the fir plantation had once
been laid out as an Italian garden at the cost of much time and money,
but Sir Horace Fewbanks had lacked the taste or money to keep it up, and
had allowed it to become a luxuriant wilderness, though the sloping
parterres and the centre flowerbeds ... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
CHAPTER IV
When Rolfe had finished questioning Police-Constable Flack and joined his
chief upstairs, the latter, who had been going through the private papers
in the murdered man's desk in the hope of alighting on a clue to the
crime, received him genially.
"Well," he said, "what do you think of Flack?"
Rolfe had ob... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Depend upon it, we'll hear from this chap again," said the inspector,
tapping the sheet of paper with a finger. "I think I may go so far as to
say that this fellow thinks suspicion will be directed to him and he
wants to save his neck."
"It's a disguised hand," said Rolfe. "Of course he printed it in order
not to giv... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"If it was burglars they took nothing as far as we can ascertain up to
the present," said Inspector Chippenfield after a pause.
"They were surprised to find anyone in the house. And after the shot was
fired they immediately bolted for fear the noise would attract
attention."
"What knocks a hole in the burglar theory i... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Well, it is no use theorising about what happened in this room until
after the post-mortem," said Rolfe.
"You'd better give it some thought," suggested the inspector. "In the
meantime I want you to interview the people in the neighbourhood and
ascertain whether they heard any shots. They'll all say they did whether
t... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
He stepped across to the window and gently raised one of the blinds. The
light of an August sun penetrated through the screen of trees in front of
the house and revealed the interior of the room more clearly. Rolfe was
amazed at its size. From the window to the couch at the other end of the
room, where the body lay, w... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Rolfe's official alertness of mind in the face of a mysterious crime soon
reasserted itself, however, and he shook off the feeling of sentiment and
proceeded to make a closer examination of the dead body. As he turned
down the sheet to examine the wound which had ended the judge's life, it
slipped from his hand and fe... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Rolfe began to scrutinise the articles of furniture in the room,
wondering if there was anything about them which might reveal something
of the habits of the dead man. He produced a small electric torch from
his pocket, and with its light to guide him in the half-darkened room, he
closely inspected each piece of furni... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Rolfe could afford to ignore the sting contained in such faint praise.
"What do you make of it?" he asked.
"Looks as though there is a woman in it," said the inspector, who was
still examining the scrap of lace and muslin.
"There can't be much doubt about that," replied Rolfe.
"We mustn't be in a hurry in jumping at c... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Police photographs taken in gaol for purposes of future identification
are always far from flattering, and Henry Field, after looking at the
photograph handed to him, hesitated a little before replying:
"Yes, sir."
"So, Henry Field, in November 1909 you were sentenced to three years for
robbing your master, Lord Melhu... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Get away with you," said Inspector Chippenfield. "You don't expect me to
believe that you told him you were an ex-convict? You must have used
forged references."
"No, sir. He knew I was a--" Hill hesitated at referring to himself as
an ex-convict, though he had not shrunk from the description by Inspector
Chippenfiel... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"I always came inside."
"What for?"
"To make quite sure that everything was all right."
"And was everything all right the morning of the 18th?"
"Yes, sir."
"You are quite sure of that? You looked round carefully?"
"Well, sir, I just gave a glance round, for of course I didn't expect
anything would be wrong."
Inspector... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"I think he did, sir."
"Where did he keep it?"
"In the second drawer of his desk, sir."
"Well, it's gone," remarked Inspector Chippenfield without opening the
drawer. "What sort of a revolver was it? Did you ever see it? How do you
know he kept one?"
"Once or twice I saw something that looked like a revolver in that d... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Yes, sir."
Grave, taciturn, watchful, secret and suave, with an appearance of
tight-lipped reticence about him which a perpetual faint questioning
look in his eyes denied, Hill looked an ideal man servant, who knew
his station in life, and was able to uphold it with meek dignity. From
the top of his trimly-cut grey c... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"The inspector in charge of the case is upstairs, madam," he suggested.
"Perhaps you'd like to see him." It suddenly occurred to him that he had
instructions not to allow any stranger into the house, and police
instructions at such a time were of a nature which classed a friend of
the family as a stranger. "Perhaps I'... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Inspector Chippenfield availed himself of the opportunity to do the
honours of the occasion. He went over the details of the tragedy and
pointed out where the body had been found. He showed her the bullet mark
on the wall and the flattened bullet which had been extracted. Although
from the mere habit of official cauti... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Mrs. Holymead's return to her home in Princes Gate was awaited with
feverish anxiety by one of the inmates. This was Mademoiselle Gabrielle
Chiron, a French girl of about twenty-eight, who was a distant connection
of Mrs. Holymead's by marriage. A cousin of Mrs. Holymead's had married
Lucille Chiron, the younger siste... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
CHAPTER VI
There was unpleasant news for Inspector Chippenfield when Miss Fewbanks
arrived at Riversbrook accompanied by the housekeeper, Mrs. Hewson. In
the first place, he learnt with considerable astonishment that it was
Miss Fewbanks's intention to stay at the house until after the funeral,
and for that purpose ... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
She awaited the coming of the inspector in a small sitting-room, and
when he entered she pointed quickly to a chair, but remained standing
herself. In appearance Miss Fewbanks was a charming girl of the typical
English type. She was of medium height, slight, but well-built, with
fair hair and dark blue eyes, an imperi... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
This statement was so clear that Inspector Chippenfield had no choice but
to face the conclusion that Miss Fewbanks had more faith in the abilities
of a private detective to unravel the mystery than she had in the
resources of Scotland Yard. He would have liked to have told the young
lady what he thought of her for in... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Rolfe assured his superior of his conviction that the pay at Scotland
Yard ought to be higher for all ranks--especially the rank and file. He
also declared that he was ready to do his best to thwart Crewe.
"That is the right spirit," commented Inspector Chippenfield approvingly.
"Of course we'll tell him we're willing... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Crewe arrived during the afternoon to inspect the house and the room in
which the crime had been committed. There was every appearance of
cordiality in the way in which he greeted the police officials.
"Delighted to see you, Inspector," he said. "Who is working this case
with you? Rolfe? Don't think we have met before... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"At least two people have had a hand in it," he said, after studying the
paper for a few minutes.
"In the murder?" asked the inspector, who was astonished at a deduction
which harmonised with a theory which had begun to take shape in his mind.
"In writing this," said Crewe, with his attention still fixed on the
paper.... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Rolfe was so interested in Crewe's revelations that he stood beside the
deductive expert and studied the paper afresh.
"And now, about finger-prints?" asked Crews.
"None," was the reply of the inspector, "We had it under the microscope
at Scotland Yard."
"None?" exclaimed Crewe, in surprise. "Why adopt such precaution... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"It is scarcely possible to reconstruct the crime to that extent," said
Crewe with a smile. "But undoubtedly Sir Horace got in the first shot. If
he fired after he was hit his bullet would have gone wild--would probably
have struck the ceiling--whereas it landed there. Let us measure the
height from the floor." He pul... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Take it by all means," said the inspector cordially, referring to the
glove. And with a wink at Rolfe he added, "And when you are ready to fit
it on the guilty hand I hope you will let us know."
CHAPTER VII
Crewe made a careful inspection of the house and the grounds. He took
measurements of the impressions left on... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
When they were married their wives became friends. Mrs. Holymead had died
fourteen years ago, but Mrs. Fewbanks--Sir Horace had not been a baronet
while his wife was alive--had lived some years longer. Mr. Holymead had
married again. His second wife was a very beautiful young lady, if he
might make so bold as to say s... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Look at that man," said Crewe, in a sharp imperative tone to the
police-constable, as the K.C. was walking down the path of the Italian
garden to the plantation. "You saw him come in?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you see any difference?"
"No, sir; he's the same man," said Flack, with stolid certainty.
"Anything about him that is... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"When I catch up level with him, Joe, you are to run into him
accidentally from behind, and knock his stick off his arm, so that it
falls near me. I will pick it up and return it to him. I must handle the
stick--you understand? Do not wait to see how he takes it when you bump
into him--get off round the corner at once... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Although Crewe did not allow the externals of his two existences to
become involved, his chief interest in life was in his work. He had
originally taken up detective work more as a relief from the boredom of
his lot as a wealthy young man, leading an aimless, useless life with
others of his class, than by deliberate c... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
He had once said that there was a certain affinity between solving chess
problems and the detection of crime mystery: once the key-move was found,
the rest was comparatively easy. But he added with a sigh that a really
perfect crime mystery was as rare as a perfect chess problem: human
ingenuity was not sufficiently s... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Crewe, after carefully reading his summary of the murder of Sir Horace
Fewbanks, and making a few alterations in the text, drew from his pocket
the glove which Inspector Chippenfield had handed him as a clue, took it
to the window, and carefully examined it through a large magnifying
glass. He was thus engrossed when ... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Crewe soon discovered, through overhearing a loud quarrel between his
landlady and her daughter, that Mrs. Leaver's husband was alive, though
dead to his wife for all practical purposes, inasmuch as he was serving a
life's imprisonment for manslaughter. A fortnight after he had taken up
his temporary quarters above th... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"It was found in the room in which Sir Horace Fewbanks was murdered,"
continued Crewe. "The other one was not there. The question I want to
solve is, did it belong to Sir Horace, or to some one who visited him on
the night he was murdered? The police think it belonged to Sir Horace
because it is the same size as the g... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"To find the missing glove? It's a tough job, ain't it, sir?"
"Yes and no," replied Crewe. "It is possible to make some reasonable
safe deductions in regard to it. These would indicate what had happened
to it, and knowing where to look, or, rather, in what circumstances we
might expect to find it, we might throw a lit... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"But the problem of the glove is a different matter, Joe. There are three
phases to it: first, if the visitor thought he had dropped it in the
house and wanted to keep his visit there a profound secret from
subsequent inquiry he would take home the remaining glove and destroy
it--probably by burning it. Secondly, if h... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
On introducing himself to the manager of the shop that gentleman
displayed as much humble civility as he would have done towards a valued
customer. He could not say anything about the ownership of the glove
which Crewe had brought, and he could not even say if it had come from
their shop. It was an excellent glove, th... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Crewe's interest was in the legal customers and he asked for the names of
some. The manager ran through a list of names of judges, barristers and
solicitors, but the name Crewe wanted to hear was not among them. He was
compelled to include the name among half a dozen others he mentioned to
the manager. He ascertained ... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Crewe reasoned that if Holymead had gone out to see Sir Horace Fewbanks
at Riversbrook and had desired to keep his visit a secret he would not
have taken a cab at Hyde Park Corner to Hampstead, but would have
travelled by underground railway or omnibus. In all probability the Tube
had been used because of its speed be... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
As Crewe anticipated, he had no difficulty in finding the driver of the
taxi-cab in which Holymead had driven home on the night of Wednesday
last. The K.C. frequently used cabs, and he was well-known to all the
drivers on the rank. Crewe got into the cab he had used and ordered the
man to drive him to his office, and ... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Go on," said Crewe, in a tone which indicated approval of Taylor's
method of telling his story.
"Well, I turned the cab round and drove through the Park. But I was
puzzled about him and looked back at him once or twice pretending that I
was looking to see if a cab or car was coming up behind. And as we passed
over th... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Taylor looked at the glove.
"They're as like as two peas," he said.
"What did you do with the one you found?" inquired Crewe. "I hope you
didn't throw it away?"
"I'm not a fool," retorted Taylor. "I've had odd gloves left in my cab
before. I kept this one thinking that sooner or later somebody might
leave another like... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Eleven o'clock."
"You are quite sure as to the time?"
"I heard one of the big clocks striking as he was getting into my cab."
Taylor took his departure, and Crewe, after wrapping up the left-hand
glove which he had to return to Inspector Chippenfield, put the other one
in his safe.
"We are getting on," he said in a p... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
The bar was represented chiefly by junior members. The senior members
were able to make full use of the long vacation, spending it at health
resorts or in the country, but the incomes of the young shoots of the
great parasitical profession did not permit them to enjoy more than a
brief holiday out of town. Of course i... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
The members of the junior bar chatted with the representatives of the
lower branch of the profession who ranged from articled clerks whose
young souls had not been entirely dried up by association with parchment,
to hard old delvers in dusty documents who had lived so long in the legal
atmosphere of quibbling, obstruc... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
The judicial duties of the murdered man had been concerned chiefly with
civil cases at the Royal Courts of Justice, but when the criminal
calendar had been heavy he had often presided at Number One Court at the
Old Bailey. It was this fact which had given the criminal class a sort of
personal interest in his murder an... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Miss Fewbanks and Mrs. Holymead had been almost inseparable since the
tragedy had been discovered. Immediately on the arrival of Miss Fewbanks
from Dellmere, Mrs. Holymead had gone out to Riversbrook to condole with
her, and to support her in her great sorrow. But the murdered man's
daughter, who, on account of having... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Evidence relating to the circumstances in which the body was found
was given by Police-Constable Flack. He described the position of the
room in which the body was found, and the attitude in which the body
was stretched. He was on duty in the neighbourhood of Tanton Gardens
on the night of the murder, but saw no suspi... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Rolfe also possessed the professional faculty of observation, but in a
different degree. He had seen Mr. Holymead talking to his wife and Miss
Fewbanks, but he had noticed nothing but gentlemanly ease in the
barrister's manner. What did astonish him in connection with Mr. Holymead
was that after he had left the ladies... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Hallo, Fred," exclaimed Mr. Kemp, as he reached within a yard or two of
his quarry.
"Hallo, Kincher," replied the young man, turning round. "I didn't notice
you. Were you up at the court?"
"Yes, I looked in," said Mr. Kemp. "There wasn't much doing, was there?"
"No," said Fred.
"He won't trouble us any more," pursued... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Kincher" instead of being horrified at this sentiment seemed to approve
of it as the right thing to be done. "I'd let him know if I was you,
Fred," he said. "I didn't like the look of him. The reason I came out
here to-day was to have a look at him. And when I saw him in the box I
said to myself, 'Well, I'm glad I've... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Well, Rolfe, we must come at it another way," said the inspector.
"Undoubtedly there is a woman in the case, and it ought not to be
impossible to locate her. Your theory, Rolfe, is that the murder was
committed by some one who broke into the place while Sir Horace was
entertaining a lady friend or waiting for the arr... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"That is a good theory, too," said Rolfe, in a meditative tone. "And the
only person who can tell us which is the right one is Sir Horace's lady
friend. The problem is to find her."
"Right," said the inspector approvingly. "And while you have been making
inquiries at the shops about the handkerchief I have been down t... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
There was a knock at the door, and a boy in buttons entered and handed
Inspector Chippenfield a card.
"Seldon from Hampstead," he explained to Rolfe. "Don't go away yet. It
may be something about this case."
Police-Inspector Seldon entered the office, and held the door ajar for a
man behind him. He shook hands with In... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Inspector Chippenfield had taken up a pencil and was making a few notes.
"Very interesting indeed," he said. Then he turned to Evans and asked,
"Are you sure you saw Hill in your bar at three a. m.? There is no
possibility of a mistake?"
"He is the man who was knocked down outside by a porter running into
him," said M... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Mr. Evans, even if he felt that full justice had been done to his story
by Inspector Seldon, was disappointed at the police officer's failure to
do justice to his manly scruples in coming forward to give evidence
against a man who had never done him any harm. Addressing Inspector
Chippenfield he said:
"I don't altoget... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
While on the way to Camden Town by Tube, Inspector Chippenfield
arranged his plans with the object of saving time. He would interview
Mrs. Hill and while he was doing so Rolfe could make inquiries at the
neighbouring hotels about Hill. It was the inspector's conviction that
a man who had anything to do with a murder w... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"He came home early in the afternoon to take our little girl to the
Zoo--which was a treat she had been looking forward to for a long while.
I couldn't go myself, there being the shop to look after. So Mr. Hill and
Daphne went to the Zoo, and after they came home and had tea I took her
to the pictures while Mr. Hill m... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"I've already told you the truth, sir," replied the little woman. "He
didn't leave the place after he came back from the Zoo."
Inspector Chippenfield was puzzled. It seemed to him that Mrs. Hill was
a woman of weak character, and yet she stuck firmly to her story. Perhaps
Evans had made a mistake in identifying Hill a... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Why, you're quite a big girl, Daphne! Do you go to school?"
"Oh, yes, sir. I'm in the second form."
"Do you like going to school, Daphne?"
"Yes, sir."
"I suppose you like going to the Zoo better? Did you like going with
father the other day?"
The child's eyes sparkled with retrospective pleasure.
"Oh, yes," she said,... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Let's go into the shop," said Inspector Chippenfield promptly. "But,
first, I'll make things safe here." He locked the door leading to the
kitchen, put the key into his pocket, and followed his colleague into the
shop. "Now, Rolfe, what is it?"
"I've found out that Hill put in nearly the whole day after the murder
dr... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"Hill!" said Inspector Chippenfield sternly. "Once and for all, will you
own up where you were on the night of the murder?"
Hill started slightly, then, with admirable self-command, he recovered
himself and became as tight-lipped and reticent as ever.
"I've already told you, sir," he replied smoothly. "I spent it in m... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"A 'a'porth of blackboys," responded the child, in the confident tone of
a regular customer.
"If you'll permit me, sir, I'll serve him," said Hill and he glided
behind the little counter, took some black sticky sweetmeats from one of
the glass jars on the shelf and gave them to the boy, who popped one in
his mouth and... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
Inspector Chippenfield nodded his head sharply, but he did not speak.
"I think Sir Horace trusted me, too," continued Hill humbly, "more than
he would have trusted most servants, on account of my--my past. I fancy,
if I may say so, that he counted on my gratitude because he had given me
a fresh start in life. And he w... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"I went upstairs as quick as I could, and the door of the study being
wide open, I could see inside. Sir Horace and the young lady had
evidently been having a quarrel. They were standing up facing each other,
and the table at which they had been sitting was knocked over, and the
refreshments I had taken up had been sc... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"I would not have taken any notice of her, only I didn't want the women
servants to see her. Sir Horace, I knew, would not have liked that. So I
went across to her. I asked her what she wanted, and I told her it was no
use her wanting to see Sir Horace, for he had gone to Scotland. 'I don't
want to see him,' she said,... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"The girl did so, and as soon as the door was closed behind her Birchill
turned round to me and burst out, 'Hill, that damned employer of yours
has served me a nasty trick, but I'm going to get even with him, and
you're going to help me!' I was taken back at his words, but I wanted to
hear more before I spoke. Then he... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"In accordance with Sir Horace's instructions, I sent the servants off to
his country estate. It had been arranged that Birchill was to wait for me
to come over to the flat on the 18th of August, the night fixed for the
burglary. But about 7 o'clock, while I was at Riversbrook, I heard the
noise of wheels outside, and... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"The girl ran to the door and let him in, but she shrieked at the sight
of him when she saw him in the light. For he looked ghastly, and there
was a spot of blood on his face, and his hands were smeared with it. He
was shaking all over, and he went to the whisky bottle and drained the
drop of spirit he'd left in it. T... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"I didn't believe his story, though Miss Fanning did, but he stuck to it
and seemed so frightened that I thought there might be something in it
till he brought out that he'd lost his revolver somewhere. Then I
remembered the horrid threats he'd used against Sir Horace, and I was
convinced that he had committed the mur... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
"You took care to leave no finger-prints," said Inspector Chippenfield.
"We used a handkerchief to wrap our hands in," said Hill. "Birchill got
tired of passing the paper from one to another and wrote all his letters,
leaving spaces for the girl and me to write in ours. When the letter was
written we wrote the address... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
As Hill finished his story he buried his face in his hands, and bowed his
head on the table in an attitude of utter dejection. Rolfe, looking at
him, wondered if he were acting a part, or if he had really told the
truth. He looked at Inspector Chippenfield to see how he regarded the
confession, but his superior office... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 | |
CHAPTER XII
"Do you think Hill's story is true?" Rolfe asked Inspector Chippenfield,
as they left the Camden Town Police Station and turned in the direction
of the Tube station.
"We'll soon find out," replied the inspector. "Of course, there is
something in it, but there is no doubt Hill will not stick at a lie to
s... | The Hampstead Mystery | Rees, Arthur J. (Arthur John) | 1872 | 1942 | ['en'] | 31 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'England -- Fiction'} | PG10082 |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.