The Big Bow Mystery

come of the Beautiful?

owl, as if he were on the committee

he sort. He didn't happ

ot stood smoki

man like me," Crowl used to say, "can live without fads." "A plain man" was Crowl's catchword. When of a Sunday morning he stood on Mile-end Waste, which was opposite his shop-and held forth to the crowd on the evils of kings, priests and mutton chops, the "plain man" turned up at intervals like the "theme" of a symphonic movement. "I am only a plain man and I want to know." It was a phrase that sabered the spider-webs of logical refinement, and held them up scornfully on the point. When Crowl went for a little recreation in Victoria Park on Sunday afternoons, it was with this phrase that he invariably routed the supernaturalists. Crowl knew his Bible better than most ministers, and always carried a minutely-printed copy in his pocket, dogs-eared to mark contradictions in the text. The second chapter of Jeremiah says one thing; the first chapter of Corinthians says another. Two contradictory statements may both be true, but "I am only a plain man, and I want to know." Crowl spent a large part o

wrong on all subjects under the sun. In only one point did Peter Crowl agree with Denzil Cantercot-he admired Denzil Cantercot secretly. When h

ajority have the first claim. Till then you poets must stand aside. The True and the Useful-that's what we

s before all. The mass must be sacrificed to the Great Man. Otherwise the Great Man will be sac

it up with bread and b

Denzil Cantercot bitterly. "Many of us start by following t

," chuckled Pete

st of everything, I'll n

k his long hair. Life was very serious to h

get it is growing. The second is, that they like it. The third is, that it come

ers and conspire to promote their interests? Denzil would have told you it was not to serve the barbers, but to gratify the crowd's instinctive resentment of originality. In his palmy days Denzil had been an editor, but he no more thought of turning his scissors against himself than of swallowing his paste. The efficacy of hair has changed since the days of Samson,

zil's condemnation of flippancy, a

are no good to nothing or nobody; caterpill

nterrogation in each eye. For some seconds Crowl stuck to his last, endeavoring not to see the question. He shifted uneasily on his stool. His wife coughed grimly. He looked up, saw her towering over him, and

Mrs. Crowl, "the

t," faltered Peter helpl

that don't consarn no mortal soul, used to contradict each other, your tongue 'ud run thirteen to the dozen. But when it's a matter of takin' the bread out o' the mouths o' your own ch

t's all right," said p

"Is it possible you are allud

antercot? Here's seven weeks come and go

g his cigarette from his mouth with a pain

ect! I l

nt me in the bill you would have had the money long

ir way-they don't get no bills," said Mrs. Cr

a nail, as though to dr

d a-done it cheaper, with bread at fourpence threefarden a quartern and landlords clamorin' for rent every Monday morning almost afore the sun's up

half argued that, having so many children, they ought in reason to be exempted. Only people who had few children could spare the penny. But the one point on which the cobbler-skeptic of the Mile End Road got his way was this of the fees. It was a question of conscience, and Mrs. Crowl had never made appl

etorted, vexed. "Mr. Cantercot's

said sternly. "I'm ashamed of you." And with that

d after her soothingly. "The

the fashion to speak of her as "the wife" as you speak of "the Stock Exchange," or "the Thames," wi

h his awl. There was a long silence. An organ-grinder played a waltz outside, unregarded; and, failing to

nk," said Crowl,

"Without a Monarch there is no v

call Queen Vic

e minds are only large enough for domestic difficulties. Republics are low. Plato

fad of Monarchy and became a Republic

ere would be no Poet L

ut poets, present company always excepted. I'm only a plain man, and I want to

eter, with trade-union money to control, and working men bursting to gi

g about his being spoiled. Tom's a fine fellow-a man every inch of him, and that's a good many. I don't deny he has his weaknesses, and there was a time when he stood in this very shop and den

voluntarily. It wa

body knows. Tom's not the man to hug a prejudice. However, all that don't prove nothing against Republics. Look at the Czar and the Jews. I'm only a plain man, but I wouldn't live in Russia not for-no

nly right you should know at once-that after what has passed to-day I can ne

say that; don't say that!"

I say unple

ut to it lately to rub along. You see she has such a growing family. It

est, and I liked you. I went so far as to take my meals with your family. I made myself at home in your back parlor. But the vase has been shattered (I do not refer to that on the mantelpiece), and though the scent of the roses may cli

over Street, and knocked at the door. Grodman's factotum opened it. She was

e again!" she s

wn," Cantercot snapped

nly appearing in his slippers. "Come in. What the devil have y

Haven't touched

mur

antercot, startled.

n everything from that murder, now, as

d Denzil

ight. What a long time to k

" said Denzil, irritated. "Yo

ile. "Well, it's only petty pilfering, af

ourth edition

se b

e making piles of money out

out that I went through the experiences that make the backbone of my book, not you? In

t-for there is no man to beat you at cold, lucid, scientific statement. But I idealized the bare facts and li

ition was all owing to the

ply, Mr. Grodman," said

tired," lau

ex-detective's flippancy.

r fiver, and I'll cry

the murder? I had to write that letter to the 'Pell

't do your last job. I was coming to

you said at

s tr

very zealous of you to get up so early to tel

he right,

dn't write wi

k I could eve

, mayhap. What had you b

. That is the onl

t know. Wri

tated. "An

debt. Will a sovereig

n't be the le

it is,

the coin a

it, you beggar? Sit down a

and paper, and

ou want me

Epic

work. Grodman leaned back in his armchair

three lines

ny more? Well, re

il r

t disobedience

dden tree who

ath into t

; "what morbid subjects

ilton chose the

e yourself off-yo

marked person opened t

new dress, dear?" she

ney, Jane," h

ve a so

two years ago, when he spoke of getting an amanuensis, and the poet had been doing odd jobs for him ever since. Grodman argued that Jane had her reasons. Without knowing them he got a hold over both.

ughtfully, and abstractedly took h