The Devil's Making Read Online Free PDF

Colony, I should leave for England at once. However, I’m not of that man’s party.’ Another glance at the window. ‘Are you interested in the theatre? I mean, have you acted?’
    â€˜I’m afraid not.’
    â€˜No matter. You must come to the Amateur Dramatic Society – and of course attend the Theatre Royal. I own it.’ He smiled mysteriously. ‘You won’t have met a judge before who owns a theatre.’
    â€˜I don’t think so.’ I was beginning to fear that the meeting was becoming purely social.
    â€˜I have an idea for you.’ A dramatic pause. ‘But it will displease you at first. Did you notice any policemen in this town?’
    â€˜Not so far.’
    â€˜There are a dozen or so, under the direction of my friend the Stipendiary Magistrate, Augustus Pemberton. They keep the peace, and they look after the jail which is part of the courthouse on Bastion Street, and is also our lunatic asylum – an unsatisfactory combination. Now, I say to myself, why shouldn’t an educated young man like you, educated in the law, become a Constable?’ Another dramatic pause. ‘What do you think?’
    â€˜I don’t see how…’
    â€˜Of course. You’re a gentleman. Police Constables aren’t gentlemen. Correct? But if a gentleman cannot, at present, find other employment, why not become a Constable? After all, there are university men here in Victoria who work as assistants in shops. Others have degenerated and become drunken sots. A gentleman may fall very rapidly in a Colony. I remember one man, the Honourable So-and-So, who came out here in the Gold Rush with his man-servant whom he dismissed soon after their arrival for being impertinent. Two years later the Honourable So-and-So was reduced to the point where he had to take employment in a draper’s shop. The draper was his former man-servant.’
    â€˜You mean I should become a sort of Bow Street runner? – a “Peeler”?’
    â€˜I can suggest to Augustus Pemberton that you be taken on as a Constable. I believe the pay is only £25 a month. Not much, though it goes further here in Victoria than up in the Cariboo where a good meal costs over a pound. You’ll have to take your shifts with the rest of them, do your stint as jailer, supervise the chain-gang, go out and arrest the more violent drunks, keep the ladies of the night within bounds. But you might also be the ideal man to do criminal investigation. The Victoria police is modelled on that of London. And if they can have a department of Criminal Investigation in London, why don’t we send for an expert from the London Metropolitan police to start one here? Oh well, I see you smile. We are minuscule compared to London. If we were to have a ‘detective’ it could only be part time – one of the Constables at first. You will find your colleagues a rough and ready bunch. The Superintendent and Inspectors were recruited in a hurry ten years ago, as Constables then, at the start of the Gold Rush. The only requirements for entry were good character and a height of five feet nine. Mr Pemberton was formerly a barrister in Dublin and is a very capable and resolute man. I’m sure he will be more than interested in a man of your brain and calibre. I assume you can shoot a gun.’
    â€˜Yes. I grew up in the country. I’ve done a fair amount of rough shooting.’
    â€˜You’ll learn how to use a revolver. And yes, you will learn about Natural Law, Mr Hobbes. That is, if you’re the man for the job. Are you?’
    â€˜I think so. Why not? Yes. I’ll give it my best.’
    â€˜Good man.’ He reached forward and shook my hand earnestly. ‘I’ll keep this letter, if you don’t mind, and I’ll discuss the matter with Augustus Pemberton very shortly. Where are you staying?’
    â€˜The Argyle.’
    â€˜I shall send you a note