The Moonstone's Curse by Sam Siciliano

Author:Sam Siciliano
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titan

Eight

Inspector Lestrade came into the sitting room accompanied by three other policemen. He wore a dark suit and bowler hat, while the others all wore the standard uniform, a navy jacket with a row of brass buttons and a navy helmet with the silver insignia over the brims. All the servants were waiting there, along with Holmes, me and Bromley. I had sent Michelle home earlier. She had left muttering about injustice, and said she would try to wait up for me.

Holmes introduced Bromley to Lestrade. The inspector nodded severely, then pulled off his glove and ran the fingertips of his right hand along the V of his narrow jawbone. He smiled at Holmes. “You were in luck. There was no need to send for me. I was already working at my desk. And what a remarkable coincidence! The jeweler Mr. Harter is murdered, you come to visit me the next day, and three days later, one of the most valuable and celebrated diamonds in the country is stolen. Surely there can be no relation between these events, can there?” The final question dripped with irony.

“I shall tell you everything I know,” Holmes said. “But first you might have your men search of the house and grounds. They can begin with the servants’ quarters on the top floor. That way, the servants can retire for the night.”

Lestrade turned to Bromley. “Have we your permission to search the house, sir?”

Bromley nodded eagerly. “Certainly! Although I fear it will be of little use. The hole in the window makes it obvious enough. The thief must have used a ladder. Once he had the window open, he snatched the necklace and fled with it.”

“Hole in the window?” He glanced at Holmes.

“A glass cutter was used,” said Holmes. “Undoubtedly the variety with a suction cup in the center. A very neat job.”

Lestrade turned to his men. “Reynolds, Brown, have a look about, starting with the top floor. Stevens, get a lantern out of the van and check the grounds.”

Holmes raised his slender hand, his fingers spread apart. “Might I first examine the back terrace before anyone disturbs anything?”

Lestrade smiled. “No elephants stampeding about, obscuring the trail? Very well. Stevens, get the lantern, come back here, and wait for Mr. Holmes.”

Holmes gestured with his hand in the direction of the seated servants. “I already spoke briefly with the servants. Mr. Bromley, Henry, Dr. Doudet Vernier, Mrs. Bromley’s maid Sabine and Mr. Bromley’s valet Hodges were all here in this room with me during the time when the diamond was stolen. None of the other four servants was alone during that same time. The two maids, Matilda and Susan, carried the dishes downstairs together, then begun washing them. Mrs. Carlson the housekeeper was talking with the cook, and then joined in the washing and drying.”

Lestrade shook his head. “Better and better! Alibis for all.” His smile vanished, and he said softly, to Holmes and me alone: “But they could all be in on it together.” Holmes only shrugged.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.