Penny Dread Tales Volume I by Various Authors

Author:Various Authors [Authors, Various]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gears, Coils, Aether & Steam
Publisher: RuneWright LLC
Published: 2011-04-30T06:00:00+00:00

“I only wish that you had consulted with me prior to engaging in that... farce of science.” Inspector Baird paced the carpet in the count’s stateroom, hands clasped behind his back.

“I don’t understand how it could have turned out like this. And how did you hear of it?” Count Worthington said.

“The good Dr. Zenith is in the saloon as we speak, downing shots of whisky and blathering to anyone who will listen.”

“Surely you can’t believe it, Baird? You know I am an innocent man?”

“Oh? Well let’s just see. The necklace was insured for a large amount. The maid implicated you, postmortem. I might add at this point that Professor Tribly’s contraption has a recording cylinder incorporated into the mechanism. He can replay the dead girl’s testimony at will. Moreover, I have a very strong suspicion that if I should search this piece of furniture….” Baird took two strides across the room and smacked the top of the count’s bedside table. “I would find the stolen gem.”

“Preposterous!”

Baird pulled the drawer open then gave another tug, wrenching it completely out of its slot. He stooped and plunged his hand into the cavity and then stood, holding the Star of the Orient triumphantly in the air, dangling on its golden chain.

“What… how….” the count sank into his armchair, unable to support his own weight any longer.

“It’s quite simple, Count Worthington. You staged the theft of your own jewel in order to collect the insurance money.”

“No….”

“But the evidence says yes, don’t you see?” Baird glowered at the count, and then his expression softened. “Don’t you see how well-planned this whole operation was?”

“Operation? I….” Count Worthington’s voice was a hoarse croak.

“Listen closely, sir, to what I am about to tell you. Missouri Mitchell and Professor Trilby are one and the same person. His real name is Miles Bradshaw, and he is a swindler and confidence man. I have been following his activities for some time now, and I think I see his game. First of all, this machine of his is complete bunk.”

“But, I saw it. I witnessed it in operation with my own eyes. The dead maid….”

“Is not dead and is certainly no maid. Do you remember when I told you that only three in the world could crack the safe in your wife’s stateroom?”

“Certainly.”

“Well, you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Isabella Santiago, the only of the three currently at liberty. It is my opinion that she was under the influence of a mild paralytic, the antidote to which was administered in the purple vapor you witnessed. She and her lover have gone to a great deal of trouble to frame you for this murder and theft.”

“But to what end?”

“The Star of the Orient is a very distinctive item. To steal it is one thing; to be caught with it in your possession, or to try to sell it, is quite another. Cash is much less traceable and infinitely more spendable. Soon, quite soon, he will approach you, probably as Mitchell, but perhaps as the professor.

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