The Inspector Ravenscroft Mysteries Box Set

by Kerry Tombs

  As Ravenscroft made his way back to the Cardinal’s Hat in the hope of securing an early breakfast, he became more and more determined to investigate the origins of the ownership of the Antiphoner.

  ‘An excellent breakfast, landlord.’

  ‘Glad it was to your liking. We aim to please at the Cardinal’s.’

  ‘I wonder whether it would be possible to move to another room at the rear of the property?’ asked Ravenscroft.

  ‘Noise keep you awake?’

  ‘I’m afraid so.’

  ‘Sorry, sir, all our rooms are full; with them all attending the meeting I haven’t an inch to spare,’ replied his host shaking his head.

  ‘That’s a pity,’ sighed Ravenscroft. The thought of another night listening to the sounds of drunken revelry held little appeal.

  ‘I tell you what, seeing as you are practically a regular, I’ll see if I can get one of those Irish chaps to move into your room and you can have his room at the back.’

  ‘Splendid! I would be most obliged to you,’ replied Ravenscroft, feeling somewhat relieved.

  ‘It’s not quite as large as you’ve been used to.’

  ‘That is no matter; just as long as it’s quiet.’

  ‘See what I can do, can’t promise anything, mind.’ ‘Thank you, landlord; I would be most obliged.’

  ‘Good morning,’ said Crabb, entering the dining-room. ‘My word, the town’s busy today; hundreds of them making their way to the races. Superintendent Henderson will have his hands full.’

  ‘I know. Most of them have been celebrating the prospect of their winnings outside my window most of the night.’

  ‘Bad was it, sir? If things get too unpleasant, you could always come and stay with Jennie and me,’ offered Crabb, helping himself to a piece of uneaten toast.

  ‘That’s uncommonly generous of you, but I’ve asked the landlord to find me a quieter room. If he has no success, I might well take you up on your offer. How is that little lad, young Arthur?’

  ‘Still upset, sir, with the loss of his mother, as you would expect. Jennie does her best to comfort the lad as best she can.’

  ‘I’m sure she does. He is fortunate to be looked after by such kind people.’

  ‘Well, what is our plan for today?’ asked Crabb.

  ‘When I was at Renfrew’s I saw an old manuscript called the Worcester Antiphoner. It was very early — possibly fourteenth century. The sort of book that rightfully belongs in the cathedral, and yet Renfrew claimed he had purchased it some years ago at auction in New York before he came to this country. We need to go back to the cathedral library. There may be records there which would indicate that the cathedral once owned the work, in which case we would have grounds to recover it, and that would then give us an excuse to make a search of Renfrew’s premises for the Whisperie at the same time. Also, we need a reply from Wedgewood regarding Cranston. There is something I don’t quite like about that fellow and, as he lodged with both Evelyn and Ruth Weston, he remains a strong suspect. Right then, Crabb, let us be on our way.’

  Ravenscroft strode out of the Cardinal’s Hat, narrowly avoiding the low beam as he did so, with Crabb helping himself to the remaining piece of toast as he followed.

  Entering the cathedral through the main entrance, they encountered Reverend Touchmore, who was busily fixing a notice to the board. ‘Good morning to you, gentlemen. I hear that you have apprehended the murderer of poor Miss Weston.’

  ‘We have indeed, Dean, but unfortunately the villain died before he was able to tell us anything regarding Evelyn and the Whisperie,’ replied Ravenscroft.

  ‘That is very unfortunate, as you say, Inspector.’

  ‘Tell me, Dean, what do you know about the Worcester Antiphoner?’

  ‘The Antiphoner? Ah, yes. Quite a remarkable work I believe. It should be somewhere in our collection, although I must admit that I have not seen the manuscript myself,’ replied Touchmore.

  ‘We think the work may have been lost some years ago,’ said Ravenscroft.

  ‘Good heavens! I do hope not — first the Whisperie and now the Antiphoner. This is all very disturbing.’

  ‘We would like access to the library, if you would be so kind.’

  ‘Yes, of course, Inspector. I have the key here. Dear me. This is very upsetting,’ said the Dean, shaking his head and handing over a large key.

  ‘Thank you, sir, we will of course keep you fully informed.’

  They made their way up the two flights of stairs, until they arrived at the door to the library, where Crabb unlocked the door.

  ‘I had forgotten how steep these steps really were,’ said Ravenscroft breathing hard, and mopping his brow. ‘I pity old Evelyn having to climb them every day.’

  ‘I see someone has swept up all the broken glass. Now, with such a vast collection, there must be some kind of index system. A ledger or some cards, or some such like. Look over there. I’ll take this side.’

  The two men set to work. After a few minutes Ravenscroft lifted down a large ledger from one of the shelves. ‘Ah, here we are. What does this say on the front? Index to the collection. Now let’s see,’ he said, placing the large book on the desk and turning its pages. ‘Fortunately the manuscripts and books appear to be listed in alphabetical order, which should make things easier. Letter ‘A’ is at the beginning. ‘Ac. Am. Here we are — An. This is where the Antiphoner should be.’

  ‘It does not appear there, sir. Can’t have been part of the collection then,’ said Crabb shaking his head.

  ‘At first sight it would appear that your assumption is correct,’ said Ravenscroft, running his fingers along the edge of the page near the spine of the book. ‘But it is just as I thought. A page has been removed. If you run your finger along the edge here, it is quite rough. I think someone has cut out the page which gave details of the Antiphoner so that anyone who tried to look up the entry would find it not there and assume that the book had never been in the cathedral collection in the first place.’

  ‘Very clever, sir.’

  ‘So the Whisperie was not the first item to have been taken: the Antiphoner had also been stolen earlier!’

  ‘Then either Renfrew or Evelyn must have taken it.’

  ‘It looks like it. Either way, the work now appears to be in Renfrew’s collection. Of course, the manuscript could have been taken some years ago, and found its way to New York where Renfrew purchased it. I think we need to have urgent words with Dr Silas Renfrew and find out how exactly he acquired the item.’

  Fifteen minutes later they alighted from their cab, outside the gates of Renfrew’s drive.

  ‘Wait for us here, my man,’ instructed Crabb.

  The two men began walking up the driveway towards the imposing residence.

  ‘No good you asking there,’ said a voice from the garden.

  Ravenscroft turned and saw a man with a garden fork in his hand, and a pile of weeds at his feet.

  ‘I am Inspector Ravenscroft and this is Constable Crabb. We are calling to see Dr Renfrew.’

  ‘No good there, as I just said. Master has gone away and shut up house.’

  ‘I see. When did he go?’

  ‘It were day before yesterday. Took Georgio with him, and sent the cook home. So it’s no use you knocking. All locked up,’ said the gardener, wiping his brow.

  ‘Do you know when he will be back?’

  ‘Don’t rightly know. End of week perhaps.’

  ‘I suppose you don’t have a key,’ asked Ravenscroft.

  ‘No. Master took all the keys with him. Anyway, it would be more than my job is worth to let you in, even if I had a key, which I don’t!’

  ‘I quite understand. Thank you,’ said Ravenscroft walking away.

  ‘Shall I say you called?’ shouted out the gardener.

  ‘No. We will come back later in the week when Dr Renfrew has returned.’

  They mounted their cab, which swung out into the main road, to begin its descent back into Worcest
er.

  ‘We could get a warrant, sir.’

  ‘I don’t think Superintendent Henderson would allow us to do that, especially as we have no positive evidence that Renfrew stole the Antiphoner.’

  ‘We could always break in, sir.’

  ‘Constable Crabb, I don’t think I heard that,’ smiled Ravenscroft. ‘That would go down especially well with our superiors. No, we will just have to wait until he returns. Meanwhile, there is still more to find out about Cranston. He, too, may be in London, but it will not stop us from continuing with our enquiries. The birds may have flown Crabb, but remember that in time, they always return to their nests!’

  INTERLUDE

  LONDON

  The small light flickered at the top of the steps as she made her way slowly upwards, treading carefully, not wanting to stumble in the darkness. She knew that he would be there, that he had carried out his task and that her vengeance could continue.

  ‘Come in!’ said the distant voice, as she pushed open the creaking door. ‘Shut the door and take a seat.’

  It was the same dry, cold, clinical voice, with which she had grown familiar.

  She made her way across by the light of the wavering flame on the table and sat down.

  ‘You were not followed?’

  ‘I kept to the dark alleyways; I was not observed. You have done well,’ she said, placing a small pouch of coins on the table.

  ‘Chapman was easy. There was plenty of time in the yard.’

  ‘You have the rings I asked you for? The newspapers mentioned that they had been taken.’

  ‘On the table, in the packet,’ instructed the voice.

  She reached for the packet, opened it and tipped its contents on to the table. ‘Three brass rings.’

  ‘You have the extra payment?’

  ‘I have included it with the rest.’

  ‘Good. You wish me to continue with my work?’ The words came quickly and without emotion, as she had expected.

  ‘Of course, the name of your next victim is Elizabeth Stride. She lodges at 32 Flower and Dean Street. You will find it easy enough. I would desire you to bring me her ear-ring. I will pay you fifty sovereigns as before. I trust these terms are acceptable.’

  ‘They are, my lady.’

  ‘Then I will return exactly one week after you have carried out the deed,’ she said, collecting up the rings and replacing them in the packet.

  ‘That may not be possible.’

  ‘Why is that?’ she asked anxiously, fearing that Monk might not be prepared to carry out all that she desired.

  ‘I have other business to attend to.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Give me the name of one other. There may be an opportunity to remove her as well. Two on one night! Now that would be a challenge indeed!’

  ‘It would surely be too dangerous—’ she began.

  ‘I will be the judge of that!’ the voice snapped, ‘The fools have not caught me yet, and they never will. Give me the names of the others.’

  ‘There are to be two more. I will give you the name and address of your fourth victim, but not the last — she is the main cause of my hatred. I would have you prepare something different for her.’

  ‘As you wish.’

  ‘Catherine Eddowes. She lives with an Irish porter called John Kelly in Flower and Dean Street, but they are away from London at present, probably harvesting. You will have to wait for her return.’

  ‘I understand.’

  ‘Bring me any item from her person — a ring, ear-ring, or bracelet, perhaps. I will leave the choice to you.’

  ‘And the price?’

  ‘As before, fifty sovereigns,’ she suggested, but knowing that he would want more.

  ‘Fifty sovereigns is acceptable for the first; I require a hundred for the second,’ he said coldly.

  ‘It is too much,’ she protested.

  ‘Then you must find someone else to continue the work. Take your rings and go!’ he shouted.

  ‘You know that I cannot do that,’ she replied, growing afraid of the increasing anger in his voice.

  ‘There are plenty others who will carry out what you desire, but they will not do it as well. There is also the risk that they will be caught, and the trail will lead back to yourself,’ he said, the anger subsiding.

  ‘You have thought of everything, as usual,’ she sighed.

  ‘Then you will pay?’

  ‘It is agreed.’

  ‘Then our meeting is at an end, my dear lady.’

  ‘When shall I return here?’ she asked, rising out of the chair.

  ‘You will not return here ever again. Enquiries are being made. Precautions must always be taken: I am not prepared to take the risk.’

  ‘Then how am I to contact you?’ she enquired.

  ‘You will not. I will know of your whereabouts and will make arrangements to meet you for one last time. That is when you will pay me, and tell me the name of your final victim.’

  ‘I see. Then it must be so.’

  ‘Perhaps you will then be at peace?’

  ‘My work will be completed, that is all,’ she said, walking over to the door. ‘That is all I desire.’

  ‘Good day to you, my lady,’ — the words of farewell were said in mocking tone.

  She closed the door behind her and made her way down the wooden steps, taking in the night air in deep gasps. Tomorrow she would be free to leave the capital, to escape from the world of sin, degradation and pain — and to seek once more the temporary sanctuary of the county town of Worcester.

  CHAPTER TEN

  WORCESTER

  ‘Good morning, sir. I trust you slept well?’

  ‘Slightly better, thank you, Crabb, although a cave might admit more light into its interior than the darkened box that passes for a room in this establishment, but at least it is at the rear of the property and hence reasonably quiet,’ replied Ravenscroft, pouring himself another cup of coffee from the silver jug.

  ‘Never mind, sir. The races finish tomorrow, so perhaps the landlord will let you have your old room back.’

  ‘One would hope so. Help yourself to some of the toast. There is more than enough for one person.’

  ‘Thank you, I don’t mind if I do. Jennie always cooks me a good breakfast before I leave in the morning, but I must admit that by the time I arrive in Worcester, I’m ready for another bite,’ said Crabb eagerly helping himself.

  ‘I think you have some news?’ smiled Ravenscroft.

  ‘Oh yes, sir. Nearly forgot. We’ve had a telegram back from Wedgewood,’ he replied, taking out the item in question from the top pocket of his tunic and passing it over.

  ‘Sorry to inform you, have no record of anyone called Cranston working for company,’ said Ravenscroft, reading the telegram. ‘Well, it seems as though our Mr Cranston was lying when he said he had previously worked for Wedgewood. I wonder why?’

  ‘He evidently had something to hide, sir.’

  ‘It would appear so. Perhaps he said that he had worked for Wedgewood, so that they would take him on here at Worcester,’ suggested Ravenscroft.

  ‘You would have thought that they would have taken up his references,’ said Crabb helping himself to a second piece of toast.

  ‘Employers don’t always bother, although I would have thought that in this case they would have done so. After all, being one of the chief salesmen for the company must be an important position. We will need to question Cranston upon his return.’

  ‘So, sir, what can we do today? What with Cranston, Renfrew and Griffiths all out of town, it seems as though our investigations have come to a halt.’

  ‘Far from it, I want you to go back to the Worcester library and see if they have any information regarding auction rooms in New York. I know it’s a bit of a long shot, but they may have American directories and such like. If you find any, make a note of their names and addresses.’

  ‘Right, sir, and may I be so bold as to ask what line of enquiry you
will be following?’

  ‘I will be doing something which I should have done long ago.’

  ‘Oh, and what might that be, sir?’

  ‘I shall be taking morning coffee with the Tovey sisters!’

  ‘Oh, do come in, Inspector.’

  ‘Thank you, ladies,’ said Ravenscroft stepping into the hallway.

  ‘Please, come into the morning-room,’ said Mary Ann.

  ‘Thank you,’ he replied walking into the room.

  ‘Do, please take a seat,’ said Alice Maria smiling.

  ‘Perhaps you would take coffee with us?’ asked Emily.

  Ravenscroft seated himself in one of the elegant Regency chairs, as Mary Ann rang the bell and gave instructions to the maid to bring in the coffee. The room in which he found himself was comfortably furnished with fine mahogany furniture, paintings and ornaments. He thought he could detect a slight aroma of lavender in the air. ‘You have a fine view of the cathedral,’ he remarked.

  ‘We can see everything from here,’ said the youngest sister.

  ‘We heard about poor Miss Weston,’ said Mary Ann sadly.

  ‘She used to sit on that seat every morning,’ stated Emily, ‘watching her little boy play on the green.’

  Whatever will happen to the poor child now?’ asked Alice Maria, anxiously.

  ‘Do not distress yourselves, ladies. One of my constables has taken the boy home and his wife is caring for him at present,’ replied Ravenscroft.

  ‘But what will happen to the poor boy after all this is over?’ asked Mary Anne.

  ‘He can’t be taken to the workhouse. Surely not,’ said Emily, a worried expression on her face.

  ‘We must see what transpires, ladies,’ said Ravenscroft trying to sound as reassuring as he could.

  The maid entered the room, bearing a large silver tray upon which stood four cups and saucers, and a large jug.