Death in the Peerless Pool Read Online Free PDF Page A

Rawlings, they have been called to places as far afield as Windsor, Maidstone, Bristol, Barnet and Faversham. To say nothing of the famous incident two years ago when they pursued a man to Portsmouth and had a most exciting boat race before capturing their quarry.’
    Joe Jago spoke up, his foxy colouring bright in the candlelight. ‘In the spring of this year the Brave Fellows went in hot pursuit of John Evans, the corpse snatcher.’
    â€˜How courageous,’ murmured Mrs Kemp. ‘Did they catch him?’
    Joe looked slightly uncomfortable. ‘Alas, no. He was last heard of heading for France.’
    â€˜Now, to present matters,’ said the Blind Beak, and everyone fell silent. ‘You say that the dead woman was wearing the uniform of St Luke’s, William?’
    â€˜She most certainly was,’ the proprietor answered, and with relish launched into his theory of a homicidal madman having killed a wardress.
    The Magistrate nodded. ‘It is possible, of course. We must check at the hospital first thing in the morning to see if they can throw any light on the matter.’
    â€˜May I go, Sir?’ John asked.
    The black bandage that concealed Mr Fielding’s blind eyes from the world swivelled in the Apothecary’s direction. ‘I would be absolutely delighted, my friend. But as ever I have the usual reservations about keeping you from your livelihood.’
    â€˜These days, with Nicholas coming along so well, ably assisted by Master Gerard when I am absent, there is absolutely no need.’
    Samuel spoke up. ‘If you have no objection, Sir, I would like to accompany John. I do believe that I have certain skills when it comes to ascertaining facts.’
    The Apothecary smiled to himself, remembering all too clearly some of the gaffes that his friend had made in the past. Momentarily the Magistrate’s mouth twitched, but he said, ‘By all means, Mr Swann, providing that Mr Rawlings is agreeable.’
    â€˜What I want to know,’ said William Kemp, ‘is how the killer got into the grounds to dispose of the body. The gates both to the Old Street and Pest House Lane entrances are locked at night and everything kept secure.’
    â€˜And the entrance to your own premises?’
    â€˜My house is reached by a path leading directly from Old Street which continues on to Islington. The gate is similarly safe.’
    The Apothecary asked a question. ‘Are all your staff utterly trustworthy. Mr Kemp?’
    â€˜What are you suggesting?’
    â€˜That one of them might be in league with the murderer and have opened the gates for him.’
    The proprietor appeared a little put out. ‘As I told you earlier, I employ none but the best at the Peerless Pool.’
    â€˜None the less,’ interjected the Magistrate, ‘in a case of murder one can trust nobody.’ He turned his sightless eyes in the direction of Mr Kemp. ‘Tell me, William, when do you intend to reopen?’
    â€˜Well, I had thought tomorrow. I have no wish to raise alarm in the minds of my subscribers by being closed.’
    â€˜I agree with that. However, if you could delay by one day I should be grateful. I would like to send some of my most experienced men here in the morning to comb the grounds for signs of unlawful entry. Further, I myself, in company with Jago, would like to question every member of your staff about their whereabouts on the night the poor woman was thrown in to drown.’
    Mr Fielding’s words had a sombre ring to them, and there was an uneasy silence after he had spoken. Eventually, though, the proprietor answered, ‘It shall be as you say, of course.’
    â€˜In that case there is little further we can do until daylight.’
    Mrs Kemp interrupted. ‘Then may we forget this sad and sorry affair for an hour? It would please me if you finished your supper with a modicum of enjoyment.’
    At her words there was a general but