The Veiled Detective Read Online Free PDF

draining from my face as I beat a hasty retreat from the dining room. Gasping for air, I leaned over the rail, feeling myself close to tears.
    “You don’t want to take any notice of that pompous windbag.”
    I looked up and saw a tall, thin, handsome middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed moustache which was tinged with grey, as was the hair at his temples. He was dressed immaculately in a dinner suit which boasted several medals across the breast. He proffered an open silver cigarette case.
    “Have a smoke, old man, and you’ll feel better.”
    This time I really had to fight back the tears. My emotions were unfettered on a wild see-saw. After such harsh cruelty from the fat businessman, here now was the first gesture of kindness I had received for many months — and it came from someone who was obviously an officer and a gentleman.
    Gingerly, I took a cigarette and gave a nod of thanks.
    “That’s the ticket. Watson, isn’t it?”
    “Walker. John Walker.”
    “Of course.”
    The “of course” told me instantly that he knew all about me. “Pleasedto meet you.” He shook my limp hand. “I’m Reed. Alexander Reed. Used to be Captain Reed. Once upon a time.”
    I repeated his words. “Used to be?”
    Reed lit his own cigarette and grinned. It was a pleasant grin, which caused his taut sunburned face to splinter with numerous wrinkles. “Same way as you used to be Assistant Surgeon to the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers.” The smile broadened.
    So, Reed was a fellow outcast.
    He blew out a stream of smoke, which was caught by the wind and disappeared into the darkness.
    “Yes, Walker, old chap, my military masters disapproved of my dealings with the mess funds, I’m afraid. They probably would have been more sanguine about the matter if the blessed horse had won.” This time the smile became a laugh — a laugh so charming that it was infectious, and I found myself laughing along with him.
    “That’s the ticket, old fellow. First time I’ve seen you without a grimace or that black cloud you’ve been carrying around with you all the voyage. Oh, yes, I’ve been watching you. I like to keep an eye on kindred spirits. You see, I know what you’re going through and what you’re feeling. And that,” he nodded at the water below us, “is certainly not the answer. I’m living proof that one not only survives such ignominy — but, one can prosper, too.”
    I was dumbstruck by this stranger’s revelations, but, at the same time, his words began to rekindle the spirit of hope and defiance that had been all but extinguished within me. He spoke with warmth and kindness, something I had not experienced for six months or more.
    “Come to the bar, Walker. Let me buy you a drink. I think I can help you.”
    Like the pied piper, he beckoned me and I followed. As we entered the bar, the fat northern businessman came in with his entourage, whichincluded his equally large wife, who was smothered in a voluminous velvet gown that made her look more than faintly ridiculous. My spirits had been so lightened by my new companion, that I gave them an irreverent light-hearted wave.
    “The nouveau riche are always so vulgar, Walker, old feller. Give me old money every time,” Reed announced, loud enough to be overheard. The fat businessman scowled at us with bulging eyes, and shepherded his wife to the further end of the bar.
    “Now then, a brandy and soda?”
    I shook my head. I had vowed never to touch the accursed brandy again as long as I lived. “A seltzer will be fine.”
    Reed groaned. “Nonsense. I’m not going to sit here with a fellow officer while he sips a nursery-time drink. You’ve got to shake off the past. Defy it, my boy. You can’t let it drag you down. This is a time for new beginnings.” He turned to the barman. “Two large brandies with just a whisper of soda, there’s a good chap.”
    I shrugged my shoulders in defeat. I felt like a schoolboy in the charge of his forceful yet benevolent