"Nor who he was? Just
so--so I gathered. Then I'll tell you. There was a good reason why he had
not been to that tavern for some nights. He was John Ashton, the man who
was murdered in Lonsdale Passage!"
Viner was watching his man with all the keenness of which he was capable,
and he saw that this announcement fell on Methley as an absolute
surprise. He started as only a man can start who has astounding news
given to him suddenly.
"God bless me!" he exclaimed. "You don't mean it! Of course, I know about
that murder--our own district. And I saw Ashton's picture in the
paper--but then there are so many elderly men of that type--broad
features, trimmed grey beard! Dear me, dear me! A very pleasant, genial
fellow. I'm astonished, Mr. Viner."
Viner resolved on a bold step--he would take it without consulting Mr.
Pawle or anybody. He drew Methley further aside.
"Mr. Methley," he said. "You're a man of honour, and I trust you with a
secret, to be kept until I release you from the obligation of secrecy.
I have reasons for getting at the truth about Ashton's murder--so has
Mr. Pawle. He and I have been making investigations and inquiries, and
we are convinced, we are positive, that these papers which your partner
now has in his pocket were stolen from Ashton's dead body--that, in
fact, Ashton was murdered for the possession of them.
Pages:
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225