The Chestermarke Instinct
k next morning. Both partners were already there, and appeared to have been there for some time. And Joseph at once called Neale int
le," he said. "It's just come in-I gave the copy for it
bold letters, and silentl
cting the disappearance of their late manager, Mr. John Horbury, take the earliest opportunity of announcing that al
Joseph, closely watching his c
I should say,"
ded Joseph. "And if people do come asking questions-as some of them will!-tell them not to b
read it, and, after the usual fashion of country-born folk, then went away to talk about it. In half an hour it was known in every shop and tavern parlour in Scarnham Market-Place that despite the town-crier's announcement, and the wil
und the corner from the police-station and approached the bank. Half a dozen loungers were gathered before the window, reading the poster; the two police officials jo
nary business, "we'll just have a word with your principals, if the
ispered Neale, bending over the
principals will do! Here, Starmidge, giv
ppeared into the parlour, wh
sir," he said. "They say
with a look of inquiry: Joseph sneered at
wish to see them,"
aps we'd better see them. We may as well see the
abriel made the slightest inclination of his head, in response to Polke's s
nded the sen
ything to say to us about this matter of Mr. Horbury's," s
s!" snapp
. "The young lady, of course, is naturally anxious about her uncle's safety, and Lord Ellersde
ld you so," re
approached you,
olke. "But, under t
Miss Fosdyke likes to do. Lord Ellersdeane is not, and never has been, a customer of ours. Miss Fosdyke acts independently. If they call you in-
rds the door as he spoke, as if to c
olice any information, then, Mr.
it doesn't concern," replied Gabriel. "As regards the mere surface
or any attempt to discover his whereabouts, sir?"
m his paper, and slow
atter for ourselves," he answ
a moment, said good-morning and followed him from the room. T
" said
le!" remark
humb at the poster
tomers that all's right so far as they're concerned, we can'
nding that out," repl
private affairs. Supposing Horbury has robbed them, they aren'
inning. Let's go and talk to this Miss Fosdyke a bit. She d
her her last penn
s Entire represents a lot of pennies.
s Bank, and was waiting eagerly for their coming. She listened intently to Polke's account of
ns against my uncle, and then to refuse to sa
midge. "Slow and steady's the game here.
you last night?" asked Betty anxious
y sort, miss,"
he inquired, looking from one to t
Now, the first thing is, publicity! We must have all this in the newspapers at once." He turned to the superintend
eplied Polke, with promptitude. "He's a sort of reporter-edi
ated broadcast. It must have a portrait on it-I'll take that photograph you showed me last night. And-we'll hav
y eagerly. "A thousand pounds?
olke, if you'll tell me where this Mr. Parkinson's to be found, an
rs-and they're quick," said Po
o?" asked Betty. "If I cou
his comprehension
me about Mr. Horbury's household arrangements. Now, as you are a relation, suppose you call on his housekeeper, who was the last person to see him, and get all th
rest-next-of-kin,
mand to see them! You've the legal right. And let us know-you'll always find me s
Starmidge looked at his c
ng of a betting
-crown now and then,"
nything of Horbury's-nor get any information!" answered
e detective a
t's a queer game, this, Starmid
," counselled Starmidge.
advertisement canvasser and business manager of the one four-page sheet which Scarnham boasted, received the two
. Polke," he said. "Can you let me h
s gentleman-Detective-Sergeant Starmidge, of the C.I.D., M
ive with as much wonder as Neale
et you, sir-I've heard of you. Wha
l you, to a London Press agency that'll distribute it amongst all t
ipal provincials, too. It'll be in all
pping into a chair by the editorial
fact that Lady Ellersdeane's jewels were missing: he said nothing whatever about the rumours that some of Chestermarke's securities were said to have disappeared. But on one point he laid great stress-the visit of the little gentleman with the large grey moustache to the Station Hotel at Scarnham on the evening whereon John Horbury disappeared, and to the fragments o
hering up his copy. "Now I'm off to wire this at once. Great engine the Pre
d Polke into the
uch store by it, but it's got to be done. It all helps
mile. Miss Betty Fosdyke, attired in her smartest,