Sherlock Holmes Murder Most Foul

by Gordon Punter

  Watson challenges the explanation, “Surely the dead woman Lestrade and I examined in the room in Hob’s Passage was the final victim?”

  “No, Watson. That particular woman was murdered simply to silence her. Mary Kelly was the final victim of Jack the Ripper.”

  “Then why on earth are you so reluctant to reveal the name of the physician Moriarty purports to be?”

  Holmes slowly leans back in his chair, “In order to safeguard the reputation of an innocent individual, I am obliged to withhold the name, Watson.”

  Watson raises his pipe to his lips, “And you will not be persuaded otherwise?”

  Holmes shakes his head, “[416]My tongue is tied, my lips are sealed.”

  Watson commends the remark, “Admirable, Holmes. No damn tittle-tattle from you.” He puffs at his pipe, exhaling bluish smoke, “This innocent person, Holmes? Must be an important someone, then?”

  “Yes, Watson. Extremely important.”

  ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

  Eleven o’clock, Monday morning, 12 November, 1888. At about the same time that Watson departs 221b Baker Street on another deceptive visit to Bishopgate Street Police Station, the hastily arranged inquest into the death of Mary Jane Kelly, recorded Marie Jeanette Kelly otherwise Davies on the inquisition document, begins at the Shoreditch Town Hall, Old Street.

  A twenty-five minute walk from Miller’s Court, up Commercial Street, past Bethnal Green Road and along Shoreditch High Street, the town hall is accommodating the inquest purely because of a police blunder. When the mortal remains of Mary Kelly had been removed from Miller’s Court, they should have been taken to the mortuary in Old Montague Street, Whitechapel, near to where she had been murdered. Mistakenly, her remains were taken to the mortuary in Shoreditch and unceremoniously deposited there. Due to this breach of jurisdiction, authority to conduct the inquest immediately passed from the flamboyant coroner of Whitechapel, Mr Wynne Edwin Baxter, to the fastidious coroner of Shoreditch, Dr Roderick MacDonald M. P.

  The first witness to be called is Joseph Barnett, who informs Dr MacDonald, along with the jury, that he had lived with Mary for twenty months, but had left her on 30 October because he could no longer endure her continuous habit of giving nightly shelter to homeless prostitutes. He admits that he had visited Mary on the evening of 8 November, stating that another woman, whom he had not known, had been in the room when he called, but had left soon afterwards, leaving him and Mary alone to talk. Having been shown the terribly mutilated corpse found in the room by the police, he was able to identify the body as that of Mary by her ears and her eyes.

  Maria Harvey, who had previously given Mary the six articles of clothing to pawn, testifies that she had stayed with Mary at 13 Miller’s Court on the Monday and Tuesday nights, prior to the Thursday evening that Joseph Barnett had called on Mary, whilst Maria had also been present in the room. Shown a man’s black overcoat by the police, Maria had immediately recognized it as the coat she had given to Mary, which Mary had subsequently draped over the broken window to block out the cold. Asked what had become of the other clothes she had left behind in the room, Maria is at a loss to say.

  Purporting to be a widow, Mary Ann Cox informs the court that prior to midnight on Thursday, she had followed Mary and a short stout shabbily dressed man, with a blotchy face and carroty moustache, along Dorset Street into Miller’s Court. Mary had been drunk and the man had carried a pail of ale. Bidding Mary good night, Mary Ann Cox had gone to her room at the rear of the court whilst Mary had begun to sing loudly ‘This small violet I plucked from mother’s grave.’ Remaining in her room for a mere fifteen minutes, Mary Ann Cox had then left the court and returned some forty-five minutes later, at about one o’clock, to warm her chilly hands in her room. Leaving her room yet again, and still hearing Mary singing, she had left the court, only to return an hour and half later, around three o’clock, to find Mary had ceased her singing and her room was in darkness. Confined to her own room due to the heavy rain, Mary Ann Cox did not undress, nor did she fall asleep. And because she had been awake, she had heard the sound of one or two people leaving the court at about quarter to six in the morning. They had clearly left a room quietly, since Mary Ann Cox had not heard the sound of a door being closed.

  Sarah Lewis is the next to testify, giving her occupation as a Laundress. At half past two on Friday morning, 9 November, she had gone to seek shelter with her parents, Mr and Mrs Keyler, who lodge at 2 Miller’s Court, a room situated on the first floor, directly overlooking the ground floor room of the deceased. As Sarah had hurriedly approached Miller’s Court in the pouring rain, she had noticed a man standing outside Crossingham’s lodging house, across the street, opposite the entrance to the court.

  Asked by Dr MacDonald to describe the man, Sarah provides the court with this description.

  “I see a man wiv a wideawake ’at. There were no one talkin’ t’ ’im. ’E were a stout-lookin’ man, an’ not very tall. The ’at were black. I did not take any notice o’ ’is clothes. The man were lookin’ up the court. ’E seemed t’ be waitin’ or lookin’ fer someone. Further on there were a man an’ woman. She bein’ drunk. There were nobody in the court.”

  Sarah further testifies that, upon entering her parents’ room, she had dozed off in a chair, but awoke about half past three. A little before four o’clock, she had heard a female voice utter “Murder!” which she thought had come from number 13. Cold and hungry, Sarah had ignored the cry.

  Elizabeth Prater, deserted by her husband some five years previously, tells the court she lodges in the room above the room rented by the deceased. At about half past one on Friday morning, she had entered her room, wedging two chairs against the door for protection. Fully clothed and intoxicated, she had lain upon the bed and fallen into a drink-induced sleep. Just before four o’clock, her pet kitten ‘Diddles’, clambering over her throat, had awoken her. Similar to Sarah Lewis, Elizabeth had heard a woman groan “Oh, murder!” which seemed to originate from beneath her own room. Like Sarah, she had ignored the utterance.

  Thomas Bowyer relates how he had peered through the window of 13 Miller’s Court at about eleven o’clock that morning and, upon seeing the mutilated body of Mary Kelly, had immediately reported his find to his master, Mr John McCarthy.

  John McCarthy states that once Thomas Bowyer had told him of his find, he had gone to the room with Bowyer and seen the body for himself. He had then dispatched Bowyer to Commercial Street Police Station to report the crime and seek help.

  Inspector Walter Beck corroborates both testimonies, informing the court that he and Detective Walter Dew had accompanied Thomas Bowyer and John McCarthy, who had also turned up at the police station, back to Miller’s Court, where they, too, had seen the body.

  Inspector George Lestrade, Scotland Yard, testifies that he had arrived at 13 Miller’s Court, Dorset Street, at about half past eleven, only to be told by Inspector Beck that the door of the room, which was locked, could not be forced, as the bloodhounds had been sent for. Two hours later, at about half past one, Superintendent Arnold arrived and informed Lestrade that the order relating to the bloodhounds had been countermanded. Acting quickly, Lestrade had given instructions for the door to be forced. Whilst Mr Joseph Martin, a photographer, had taken photographs of the deceased and her human remains on the bedside table, Lestrade had examined the fireplace, arriving at several conclusions, which he now shares with the court.

  “There had been a large fire in the grate. So large, in fact, that the heat from the fire had melted the spout off a kettle. The ashes in the grate were sieved, but not a clue was to be found, except to say the ashes were probably the remains of the clothing that the witness Maria Harvey had given to the deceased. I believe the fire had been produced for the purpose of light as only a single candle was found present in the room. I was informed by the witness Joseph Barnett that he was not aware the key to the room was missing. I therefore drew the conclusion that, having completed his dreadful deed, the
murderer had locked the door behind him and taken away the key.”

  In a monotone voice, Dr MacDonald asks Lestrade to enlighten the court about the man the police had arrested in Miller’s Court, who they continue to detain at Bishopsgate Street Police Station. Complying with the request, Lestrade is evasively blunt.

  “In this country a person is innocent until proven guilty. The man detained at Bishopsgate Street Police Station is being questioned by the police in accordance with that principle. If, however, it should transpire that guilt can be proven, he will be committed for trial. As to the identity of the man, and his occupation, I am not at liberty to disclose those details to the court at the moment.”

  Having listened to the medical testimony of the divisional police surgeon, Dr George Bagster Phillips, who had informed the court that Mary Kelly had died due to the severance of her right carotid artery, Dr MacDonald addresses the jury.

  “Members of the jury, the question I ask is whether you will adjourn to await further evidence. My own opinion is that it is not necessary for us to go over the same evidence again and again, which would require more time and expense. If you can come to a decision as to the cause of death, then you would have performed your duty. You are not here to determine who committed the crime, or pass sentence on anyone. It is for you to say whether you will conclude the inquiry today, or adjourn to another date to hear additional evidence. Members of the jury, the court will abide by your decision.”

  After a short recess, the foreman of the twelve-man jury informs Dr MacDonald that, having heard sufficient evidence, the jury has reached a verdict.

  Peering over his spectacles, MacDonald solemnly asks, “What is the verdict?”

  The foreman coughs, clearing his throat, “Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.”

  With these eight words, the inquest into the death of Mary Kelly is concluded. However, one crucial witness, unknown to the police at present, has been hesitant about revealing himself. That is, until he reads in the late edition of The Star newspaper the testimony of Sarah Lewis, who had described the man she had seen loitering outside Crossingham’s lodging house, opposite the entrance to Miller’s Court on the morning of the murder.

  “I see a man wiv a wideawake ’at. There were no one talkin’ t’ ’im. ’E were a stout-lookin’ man, an’ not very tall. The ’at were black. I did not take any notice o’ ’is clothes. The man were lookin’ up the court. ’E seemed t’ be waitin’ or lookin’ fer someone. Further on there were a man an’ woman. She bein’ drunk. There were nobody in the court.”

  ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

  Wearily stepping into Commercial Street Police Station, Lestrade removes his glistening bowler hat and shakes the rain from it.

  Holding a three-page statement, Chandler approaches him, “The funeral’s tomorrow, then?”

  With his hand, Lestrade starts to brush the rain from his overcoat, “St Patrick's Cemetery, Leytonstone. As instructed by Mr Holmes, the cortège will leave St Leonard's Church in Shoreditch and travel through Spitalfields.” He points a cautionary finger at Chandler, “And mum’s the word about Mr Holmes. As far as you, or anyone else knows, he’s still detained at Bishopsgate Street Police Station.”

  Chandler nods and hands Lestrade the statement, “You better read this, Inspector.”

  Lestrade sighs, “It’s nigh on half past seven. I’m tired, wet and hungry. Can’t it wait until after the funeral tomorrow?”

  Chandler motions to a corridor behind him with his head, “He’s back there. Came in here about six o’clock tonight and offered to make a statement. Quite freely, like.”

  Lestrade takes the statement from Chandler, “What’s he say?”

  Chandler exhales loudly, “Says he saw Mary Kelly with a bloke a few hours before she was murdered. Thinks it may have been the Ripper.”

  ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

  Commercial Street

  No. 6. Metropolitan Police

  Special Report. H Division

  12th November 1888

  Reference to Papers

  Re murder At 6pm 12th George Hutchinson of the

  Victoria Home Commercial Street came

  to this station and made the following

  statement.

  About 2 am 9th I was coming by Thrawl

  Street, Commercial Street, and just before I

  got to Flower and Dean Street I saw the

  murdered woman Kelly. and she said

  to me Hutchinson will you lend me

  sixpence. I said I cant I have spent

  all my money going down to Romford.

  she said good morning I must go and

  find some money. She went away towards

  Thrawl Street. a man coming in the opposite

  direction to Kelly tapped her on the shoulder

  and said something to her they both

  burst out laughing. I heard her say

  alright to him. and the man said you

  will be alright for what I have told

  you. he then placed his right hand around

  her shoulders. He also had a kind of

  a small parcel in his left hand. with a

  kind of strap round it. I stood

  against the lamp of the Ten Bells Queens Head

  Public House and watched him. They both

  then came past me and the man hid

  down his head with his hat over his

  eyes. I stooped down and looked

  him in the face. He looked at me

  Signed George Hutchinson

  Page 2

  continued stern. They both went into Dorset

  Street I followed them. They both

  stood at the corner of the court for

  about 3 minutes. He said something

  to her. she said alright my dear

  come along you will be comfortable.

  He then placed his arm on her shoulder

  and gave her a kiss. She said she had

  lost her handkerchief. he then pulled

  his handkerchief a red one out and

  gave it to her. They both then went up

  the Court together. I then went to the

  court to see if I could see them but

  could not. I stood there for about

  three quarters of an hour to see if they

  came out they did not so I went away.

  Description age about 34 or 35. height 5ft6

  Complexion pale, dark eyes and eye lashes

  dark slight moustache, curled up each

  end, and hair dark, very surley looking

  dress long dark coat, collar and cuffs

  trimmed astracan, and a dark jacket

  under. light waistcoat, dark trousers

  dark felt hat turned down in the middle

  button boots and gaiters with white

  buttons. wore a very thick gold chain

  white linen collar. black tie with horse

  shoe pin. respectable appearance

  Signed George Hutchinson

  Page 3

  continued walked very sharp. Jewish appearance.

  Can be identified.

  Signed George Hutchinson

  Placing his wet bowler hat down beside the statement on the table in front of him, Lestrade slowly removes his damp overcoat, hanging it over the back of a chair. With Chandler in attendance, Lestrade seats himself at the table, suspiciously staring at George Hutchinson sitting opposite him.

  Lestrade drums the surface of the table with his fingers, “What took you so long, Mr Hutchinson?”

  Taking off his widewake hat and plonking it down on the table, Hutchinson grins cockily, “Ain’t a clue wot yer mean, guv’nor.”

  Chandler interjects, “This is Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard. [417]Wipe that grin off your face.”

  Hutchinson blanches and then appeals to Lestrade, “Came in ’ere o’ me own free will, Inspector. Ain’t no need fer ’im t’ talk t’ me like that, is there?”

>   Lestrade ignores his plea, “Mary Kelly was found dead on Friday morning. You could have given us your statement on Saturday, or Sunday, but you left it until tonight, Monday, why?”

  Hutchinson fidgets in his chair uncomfortably, [418]“I spilled me guts t’ a copper on fixed-point duty on Sunday. Told me t’ come ’ere. So I’m ’ere, ain’t I?”

  Chandler snaps, “That was yesterday. Answer the Inspector’s question. Why did you leave it until tonight?” He slams a folded newspaper down upon the table in front of Hutchinson, “Wouldn’t have anything to do with Mary Kelly’s inquest report, would it?”

  Lestrade growls, “You were seen by a witness, loitering near the scene of the murder. Came in here tonight to clear your name, didn’t you?”

  Hutchinson blurts, “Ain’t a clue wot yer talkin’ ’bout.”

  Lestrade turns his attention to the statement, “All right, Georgie boy...” He looks at Hutchinson disdainfully, “Don’t mind if I call you Georgie, do you?”

  Hutchinson shakes his head, “Most folks do.”

  Lestrade peruses part of the statement.

  I was coming by Thrawl

  Street, Commercial Street, and just before I

  got to Flower and Dean Street I saw the

  murdered woman Kelly. and she said

  to me Hutchinson will you lend me

  sixpence. I said I cant I have spent

  all my money going down to Romford.

  Lestrade looks at Hutchinson, “Having traipsed all the way back from Romford and knowing that your lodgings in Commercial Street had closed at midnight, you had walked right past them and met Mary Kelly approaching you from the other direction, walking away from 13 Miller’s Court in Dorset Street, where she lodged.”

  Hutchinson nods.

  “And she knew you by name?”

  Hutchinson nods again, “Met ’er nigh on three years ago. Down in [419]Shadwell, b’fore she moved up ’ere.”

  Lestrade strokes his moustache, “So, on the night in question, both you and her were without money?”