J S Fletcher

On the outskirts of London, the body of a murdered pawn shop proprietor is discovered, and all the early clues point toward a struggling writer who lives nearby. But as the dead man's possessions and records are sorted through, it is found that several fantastically valuable items-including a renowned diamond-are missing as well.

The Orange-Yellow Diamond

Hetherwick had dined that evening with friends who lived in Cadogan Gardens, and had stayed so late in conversation with his host that midnight had come before he left and set out for his bachelor chambers in the Temple; it was, indeed, by the fraction of a second that he caught the last east-bound train at Sloane Square. The train was almost destitute of passengers; the car which he himself entered, a first-class smoking compartment, was otherwise empty; no one came into it when the train reached Victoria. But at St. James's Park two men got in, and seated themselves opposite to Hetherwick.

Original Text

The Charing Cross Mystery

Large Print

Book Excerpt: ...mine, and tonight--and why shouldn't you have ten pound as well as another?""There's nothing to do but what you say?" I asked."Nothing--not a thing!" he affirmed."And the time?" I said. "And the word--for surety?""Eleven o'clock is the time," he answered. "Eleven--an hour before midnight. And as for the word--get you to the place and wait about a bit, and if you see nobody there, say out loud, 'From James Gilverthwaite as is sick and can't come himself'; and when the man appears, as he will, say--aye!--say 'Panama, ' my lad, and he'll understand in a jiffy!""Eleven o'clock--Panama," said I. "And--the message?""Aye!" he answered, "the message. Just this, then: 'James Gilverthwaite is laid by for a day or two, and you'll bide quiet in the place you know of till you hear from him.' That's all. And--how will you get out there, now?--it's a goodish way.""I have a bicycle," I answered, and at his question a thought struck me. "How did you intend to get out the..

J S Fletcher

About

Books

Join the club