The Piccadilly Puzzle

ue course to Dowker. The result was that the detective became much exercised in his mind over the whole affair. He could not understand Desmond's refusal to tell the name of the

a Sarschine, for she had no honour to lose, and his refusal to speak would be a piece of Quixotism, which he, as a man of the world, would be one of the first to recognize. At this moment, a sudden thought flashed across Dowker's mind--could it have been Lady Balscombe herself who had the interview with Desmond? Here, indeed, would be a strong mo

him know her plans by telegram, and called at his rooms after the ball to explain. He was away and did not get the telegram, so when she arrived at the rooms she found Desmond. He tried to persuade her to go back; she refuses, and after some angry words g

tems of the conversation as reported by

d have an interview with Desmond, therefore it cannot have been her. I wish I could find out the name of the Woman who saw Desmond, and I'd also like

-book, and wrote the

at Calliston's chambers on Monday (nig

. Povy asserted it was Lena Sarschine, and Desmond denied

mond and find out

f woman who visited Lady Balscombe on night of murd

be's house could probably

and find out

s. This would also have to be discovered through a servant--as to finding out subsequent movements, discover,

s must be left to futur

hat has become o

be discovered in D

oom--secretly--emp

t early life of

Fenny, who, being confidential maid, might possi

see Lyd

Dowker turned his attention to Number four of his memora

howing Flip the dagger he had a

vigorous nod of hi

is to be found in the possession of Mr. Myles Desmond, the gentleman you saw to-d

ok of profound thought, and the

uv'nor," he sa

earn how this juvenile detective

'perish'--you knows"--in an explanatory tone--"say I'm dyin' for victuals--'e'

prick yourself with it, as it's poisoned, and Flip, if you bring me

ding adieu to his patron, went off to get som

streets became sloppy and dismal. Flip drew his rags round him, shivered a little in a professional manner, and then,

sallying forth into the dirty Lane, took his way up to Blooms

wanted, and curling himself up on the doorstep, waited pati

ected in dull, blurred splashes on the pavements. Occasionally a gentleman would hurry past with his umbrella up, and a ragged tramp would slouch along singing a dismal ditty. It was dreary waitin

y: Myles opened the door, and would have stumbled over him, for he was right in front of the

crossly, "what the d

vigour, upon which Desmond, who was a kind-hearted

ll?" he as

d Flip pressing his dirty hands on hi

deceptive tramps are, but as the poor lad did seem in pain, and it wa

if so get up and come inside. I'll

aided by Myles went inside, up the stairs, and was at last safely deposited on the

e sideboard and taking out a glass and a bottle, "so I'll h

g eel; but when the door had closed behind his benefact

f folding doors on one side, which being half ope

table, towards which Flip darted and commenced to turn over the pa

d into the sideboard, examined the book-case and lifted u

in perplexity and wondering how he could get in, when suddenl

any moment, so in a second Flip scrambled up on a chair, and

ina figures simpering at one another, and two tall green vases at each end. Flip saw nothing of what he wanted till he peer

ants," he said to himself, turning it

as what Dowker wanted, he was thinking how he could take it, when he heard Myles ascending the stairs. Jumping down he hid the broken blade and the handle securely among his rags, being v

les sympathetically, po

ompunction at the treacherous part he was pl

ng down beside him, and giving him the

fully, feeling if the broken blade

ment that he was nourishing a viper--a viper that would turn and sting him. Honest himself, he never suspected

d he felt better, and with many asseveratio

ged little urchin scudding away into the darkness, "he seemed very bad-

s Desmond of Bloomsbury, journalist, was arrested