The Middle Temple Murder by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher
page 70 of 314 (22%)
page 70 of 314 (22%)
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Breton, the barrister?--you met him with me, you remember?"
"The young fellow whose name and address were found on Marbury," replied Rathbury. "I remember." "Breton is engaged to Aylmore's daughter," continued Spargo. "Breton took me to Aylmore's club. And Aylmore gives a plain, straightforward account of the matter which he's granted me leave to print. It clears up a lot of things. Aylmore knew Marbury over twenty years ago. He lost sight of him. They met accidentally in the lobby of the House on the evening preceding the murder. Marbury told him that he wanted his advice about those rare things, Australian diamonds. He went back with him to his hotel and spent a while with him; then they walked out together as far as Waterloo Bridge, where Aylmore left him and went home. Further, the scrap of grey paper is accounted for. Marbury wanted the address of a smart solicitor; Aylmore didn't know of one but told Marbury that if he called on young Breton, he'd know, and would put him in the way to find one. Marbury wrote Breton's address down. That's Aylmore's story. But it's got an important addition. Aylmore says that when he left Marbury, Marbury had on him a quantity of those diamonds in a wash-leather bag, a lot of gold, and a breast-pocket full of letters and papers. Now--there was nothing on him when he was found dead in Middle Temple Lane." Spargo stopped and lighted a fresh cigarette. "That's all I know," he said. "What do you make of it?" Rathbury leaned back in his chair in his apparently favourite attitude and stared hard at the dusty ceiling above him. |
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