The Body on the Pavement by Gordon Meyrick

Author:Gordon Meyrick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dean Street Press
Published: 2019-03-13T00:00:00+00:00

Rex, preoccupied with the Sinclair case, was of necessity tied to his desk at Scotland Yard. The telephone lines at Harcourt Court, the flat in Rupert Street, and Wayside House were tapped, and every hour or so detailed reports were laid before the inspector. Further, there was a constant coming and going of police informers, the little men who move in the underworld, picking up scraps of information.

Soon Rex had learned enough to justify another interview with his assistant commissioner.

When he propounded his idea, Assistant Commissioner Thwaite was startled.

“But who is this man you want to find? And what has he got to do with Sinclair?”

“His name,” said Rex, “is Aubrey Johnson. He’s been mentioned by at least two informers. And one of them is reliable. It’s not always easy to get the full facts from them; but this much I do know: Mr. Aubrey Johnson is a shy gentleman who recently left London. I think—but I cannot be certain—that he has gone to the Midlands. I’ll find him.”

Thwaite shook his head.

“I don’t like a hue and cry being raised over nothing. But if you think this man Johnson really important, do what you think best.”

Immediately a message was sent to all stations to arrest and detain Aubrey Johnson. And the chief constable of every county in England ordered his subordinates to conduct a search of boarding houses and hotel registers.

Meanwhile, in the garden at Wayside House, Joan Hamilton heard the telephone ringing. She ran across the flower beds, up the path and into the hall. Breathlessly she lifted the receiver.

“Hello.”

“Can I speak to Miss Joan Hamilton?” said a man’s voice.

“Who is it?” asked the girl.

“This is Tony Miller.”

“Tony Miller?”

Joan had to think for a few moments before she placed him. Of course. He was the rather flashy young man who had arrived with the blonde.

“This is Joan Hamilton speaking.”

“Hello!” The man’s voice was instantly friendly. “Frightfully sorry, I didn’t recognize your voice.” There was a pause, and when the caller spoke again it was in serious tones. “Would it be possible for me to see you, Miss Hamilton? It’s very important.”

“Important to whom?”

“To both of us.”

The girl laughed.

“Really, Mr. Miller, I can’t believe that we two could have anything to discuss.”

“Believe me, we have. Could I see you?”

“If I do, will you explain what all this mystery is?”

“Yes.”

“Very well.” Joan was not lacking in the natural curiosity of her sex. “Will you come here?”

“I can’t!” The man snapped the words, then hastily added, “I’m terribly sorry, but could we meet somewhere else?”

“Where?”

“Borfor Woods.”

Joan was startled.

“But, my dear man, that’s four miles away.”

“We can meet by the ruins of the Abbey. Will you do that?”

Normally Joan would have refused. But she hated mysteries, and if meeting this man would remove one, a visit to Borfor Woods would be worth while.

“All right, I’ll come,” she said.

“Thank you so much, Miss Hamilton. Shall we say in about half an hour?”

She agreed, hung up the receiver, and half an hour later was cycling along the road that led into Borfor Woods.

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