by John Creasey
“Oh, God!” groaned Lake. “Stop it, for God’s sake, stop—”
“You were with Mannering,” repeated the Baron very slowly. “And you were worried because of Mannering’s interest. When Kulper afterwards met me at Jackson’s place you saw a God-sent opportunity of killing me, at Staines, making it look as though I killed Kingley and had organised the other thefts. But it failed, Lake, because I knew Kate Loffatt, and she saw me through.”
“The—Cat,” muttered Kulper.
“The Cat,” said the Baron, and his voice rose in triumph. “Before she left for America” – he lied about that deliberately – “she told me that she was to meet Jackson tonight, and she guessed what would happen to her. So I met Jackson instead, followed him here, and then back. He called at Lake’s house, but I did not realise its significance. Then I caught him, learned someone was coming who thought they knew me from the photographs. I thought I’d best join in. Understand?”
Lake was speaking, and Kulper’s voice was cracked.
“What—what are you going to do?”
The Baron laughed, lightly, and yet ominously.
“I sent Jackson to Scotland Yard, Kulper, and by now he will have told all he knows. When Greene realises you can’t help him, he’ll talk too. Both of them denied killing Kingley. So did you, Kulper, but you probably knew it was Lake, and you’ll certainly be charged as accessory.”
Then for the first time Kulper showed a sign of fighting.
“That is so? You forget how we can implicate you. Baron. You’ll be well advised to go away—”
The Baron laughed again, softly.
“You think so? I’m going soon, with the photographs and that confession. If you do happen to have one left, Greene will explain how he altered it from the original. Altered it deliberately, perhaps, to resemble someone who could be caught by the police. You haven’t a leg to stand on, and—”
Then Kulper moved.
He seemed to know he was finished unless he took a desperate chance, and his right hand moved towards his coat. The Baron guessed the man had a gun in his shoulder holster, and jumped forward before Kulper had it out.
He reached the table, and overturned it. It crashed onto the three men, sending Kulper sprawling, knocking Lake and the third man down. Kulper’s gun flew across the room, and as it went Mannering drew his gas-pistol from his pocket. He pressed the trigger three times, once in front of each man’s face, and as the gas took effect he slipped his chloroform pad out, and finished the job.
He glanced at his watch. It wanted three minutes to the time the police were to be called by Lorna. It would take them five minutes at the most to get there from the Yard.
He moved like lightning, collecting the photographs and stuffing them in his pocket, and then went to the safe. There were several jewels, some of them from the Kingley robbery, and a wad of banknotes. He knew the numbers of those stolen from Kingley’s, and he knew when he saw these that there was ample evidence in the room to convict both Lake and Kulper.
Once he was away, the case would be over.
He swung out of the room, and raced down the stairs. This time he used the front door, unbolting it and wrenching it open. People were passing along Bramley Street as Mannering, the mask in his pocket, slammed the door and reached the pavement. At the corner he swung left, towards the Austin. In a flash he was sitting at the wheel, the clutch went in, the engine started. Mannering reversed and turned round, and as he reached the corner of the High Street he saw the police cars, with Chief-Inspector Bristow in the first one, looking as grim as the Baron had ever seen him.
Mannering kept his head low, but his smile was wide as he passed the cars. He resisted a temptation to watch the police force an entry, but sped towards Westminster Bridge, and then Portland Place.
Brian Halliwell could call himself lucky.
Two hours after the detention of Kulper, Lake, and the third man – a brother of Theodore Greene it transpired – Chief-Inspector Bristow and Superintendent Lynch finished reading a long letter that had arrived shortly before, anonymous and yet exceptionally interesting.
It was typewritten, but not on the same machine as the letter Lynch had shown Mannering: that machine had been at Kulper’s house, and was now at the Yard. Only Jackson, of the prisoners, was conscious, and had talked little. Bristow was pulling at his moustache as he realised the effect this epistle would have on the trio of prisoners.
It was a statement, carefully categorised, of the Baron’s accusations at Bramley Street, and of Lake’s admissions. It covered practically everything the police wanted to know, but it was the final paragraph that made Lynch’s scowl.
“Suggested: That the police intimate to the three prisoners that this conversation was overheard by police officers, and witnesses are available. Even a suggestion that this is a fact will, it is believed, bring a complete confession, although Kulper will perhaps be more difficult than the others.”
“The nerve of the blighter!” growled Lynch. “He sends Jackson soaked in chloroform and I’m damned sure that cabby could talk. But b’God, Mannering’s helped us to as nice a haul as we’ve had for a long time. Eldred will keep worrying us unless we get his stuff back, though …”
“I don’t see much chance,” said Bristow. “I can’t imagine Kulper or Lake giving them up; the Greenes probably don’t know where they are. Nor does Jackson.”
Lynch tapped his desk.
“Bill, I reckon Mannering was at Eldred’s, and we made a mistake. Jackson said they hired the Baron, who double-crossed them. Well—my idea of the double-cross is that Lake and Kulper tried it. They probably won’t talk because they can prove nothing. We’ll keep watching for Mannering, Bill, and those stones.”
“If Mannering’s got them,” said Bristow without hesitation, “it’s good-bye to them. But one day he’ll slip up.”
“I seem to have heard that before,” said Lynch, with some sarcasm.
Thirty minutes afterwards, Lake, Jackson, and Greene had been formally charged, and had played their part. Kulper refused to talk. None of the talkers mentioned Mannering, but only the Baron. Lake had decided that he had made a big error in identifying the photograph, and Kulper was wondering, after all, whether he should have made Theodore Greene alter the negative, for the real Baron might have been fatfaced.
In any case, they had no evidence, and without it, silence was safest.
The Café Louise, near the Opera House in Paris, was one of the more pretentious along the Rue de l’Opera. Its tables were crowded despite the fact that it was nearing the middle of October. A warm sun shone from cloudless blue skies, making the hot, dry Paris atmosphere seem more tiring than usual. The deafening blare of motor horns and traffic rushing, the occasional shrill call of a traffic gendarme’s whistle, the light tap-tap of the heels of women walking with short, sharp steps: everything seemed to be redolent of the gay city in early evening.
Lorna Fauntley, sitting at a table near a gangway to the interior of the café, and drinking iced lemonade, looked younger and more carefree.
“This is the fourth morning, John. The lady surely lied.”
“She didn’t make a habit of it,” smiled the Baron. He stretched his legs back, eyeing the passing crowd contentedly. It was their fourth morning of vigil in Paris, but he wanted to see the Cat. She had told him he could find her there.
Three weeks might have tired her of Paris, although he doubted it. She would have read of Kulper’s arrest, with Lake and the other Greene, and that may have sent her back to London.
The case against Brian Halliwell had been dropped, Plender had been mildly congratulatory, Mortimer Hackett, K.C., had complained bitterly about waste of time and the loss of a gorgeous case, Bristow and Lynch had to Mannering been noncommittal, but the Baron suspected they had been more pleased than they were prepared to show.
Brian Halliwell had been freed promptly, and was working again for Kingley’s Ltd. Jackson and Kulper had been charged as accessories to
Kingley’s murder, Lake with the actual murder, while the Greenes and others of the gang faced robbery with violence charges. Marion’s inheritance had been safely guarded: Mannering often wondered how nervous Lake must have been when he had tried that red-herring. The girl was staying for the time being with the Fauntleys.
The Baron had been busy in many ways. The jewels taken from Eldred’s had been cashed through Leverson and both charities and Mannering’s account had benefited. Most of the Kingley jewels had been recovered through Lake.
Now Mannering was waiting to see the Cat, and Lorna was openly amused.
She saw Mannering’s lean, strong face in repose, saw him move, and turn his head as a tall, big-boned woman walked slowly past, looking for an empty table. She was more handsome than beautiful, and flamboyantly dressed. There was something cat-like in her swaying walk and the wariness of her amber eyes.
Mannering glanced down at Lorna as he stood up. Kate Loffatt half-turned, and Mannering reached her.
“Will you join us?”
The Cat swung round, her face set: and the smile that followed as she recognised Mannering was transfiguring.
She was beautiful, and Lorna Fauntley was momentarily startled.
“Why, Mannering—” That rich contralto voice throbbed.
Mannering shook hands, and led her to Lorna’s table. Lorna was uncertain of her reception. The Cat looked at her steadily, summing her up; and then she smiled and sat down.
“So this is Lorna? I don’t blame you, Mannering.”
“Thanks,” said the Baron, and he felt oddly elated. They talked idly for half an hour, before the Cat pushed her chair back.
“I’ll have to be going, but I’m glad you remembered the address, Mr. Mannering.” She was formal, and unfamiliar now.
“I meant to,” said the Baron, and he took something from his pocket that glittered like fire. He held it towards Kate Loffatt. For a moment she looked angry: and then the Baron set the thing in front of her.
It was a small, glittering diamond model of a cat, sprawled out and uncannily life-like: two small pieces of amber were set for its eyes. The Cat’s expression changed; there was a smile in her eyes, and her fine white teeth showed as she took the precious model and stared at it for a moment. Then she dropped it lightly into her bag.
“I’ll just say thanks,” she said, and turned away.
Series Information
Published or to be published by
House of Stratus
Dates given are those of first publication
Alternative titles in brackets
‘The Baron’ (47 titles) (writing as Anthony Morton)
‘Department ‘Z’’ (28 titles)
‘Dr. Palfrey Novels’ (34 titles)
‘Gideon of Scotland Yard’ (22 titles)
‘Inspector West’ (43 titles)
‘Sexton Blake’ (5 titles)
‘The Toff’ (59 titles)
along with:
The Masters of Bow Street
This epic novel embraces the story of the Bow Street Runners and the Marine Police, forerunners of the modern police force, who were founded by novelist Henry Fielding in 1748. They were the earliest detective force operating from the courts to enforce the decisions of magistrates. John Creasey’s account also gives a fascinating insight into family life of the time and the struggle between crime and justice, and ends with the establishment of the Metropolitan Police after the passing of Peel’s Act in 1829.
‘The Baron’ Series
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Meet the Baron (The Man in the Blue Mask) (1937)
The Baron Returns (The Return of the Blue Mask) (1937)
The Baron Again (Salute Blue Mask) (1938)
The Baron at Bay (Blue Mask at Bay) (1938)
Alias the Baron (Alias Blue Mask) (1939)
The Baron at Large (Challenge Blue Mask!) (1939)
Versus the Baron (Blue Mask Strikes Again) (1940)
Call for the Baron (Blue Mask Victorious) (1940)
The Baron Comes Back (1943)
A Case for the Baron (1945)
Reward for the Baron (1945)
Career for the Baron (1946)
Blood Diamond (The Baron and the Beggar) (1947)
Blame the Baron (1948)
A Rope for the Baron (1948)
Books for the Baron (1949)
Cry for the Baron (1950)
Trap the Baron (1950)
Attack the Baron (1951)
Shadow the Baron (1951)
Warn the Baron (1952)
The Baron Goes East (1953)
The Baron in France (1953)
Danger for the Baron (1953)
The Baron Goes Fast (1954)
Nest-Egg for the Baron (Deaf, Dumb and Blonde) (1954)
Help from the Baron (1955)
Hide the Baron (1956)
The Double Frame (Frame the Baron) (1957)
Blood Red (Red Eye for the Baron) (1958)
If Anything Happens to Hester (Black for the Baron) (1959)
Salute for the Baron (1960)
The Baron Branches Out (A Branch for the Baron) (1961)
The Baron and the Stolen Legacy (Bad for the Baron) (1962)
A Sword for the Baron (The Baron and the Mogul Swords) (1963)
The Baron on Board (The Mask of Sumi) (1964)
The Baron and the Chinese Puzzle (1964)
Sport for the Baron (1966)
Affair for the Baron (1967)
The Baron and the Missing Old Masters (1968)
The Baron and the Unfinished Portrait (1969)
Last Laugh for the Baron (1970)
The Baron Goes A-Buying (1971)
The Baron and the Arrogant Artist (1972)
Burgle the Baron (1973)
The Baron - King Maker (1975)
Love for the Baron (1979)
Doctor Palfrey Novels
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Traitor’s Doom (1942)
The Legion of the Lost (1943)
The Valley of Fear (The Perilous Country) (1943)
Dangerous Quest (1944)
Death in the Rising Sun (1945)
The Hounds of Vengeance (1945)
Shadow of Doom (1946)
The House of the Bears (1946)
Dark Harvest (1947)
The Wings of Peace (1948)
The Sons of Satan (1948)
The Dawn of Darkness (1949)
The League of Light (1949)
The Man Who Shook the World (1950)
The Prophet of Fire (1951)
The Children of Hate (The Killers of Innocence; The Children of Despair) (1952)
The Touch of Death (1954)
The Mists of Fear (1955)
The Flood (1956)
The Plague of Silence (1958)
Dry Spell (The Drought) (1959)
The Terror (1962)
The Depths (1963)
The Sleep (1964)
The Inferno (1965)
The Famine (1967)
The Blight (1968)
The Oasis (1970)
The Smog (1970)
The Unbegotten (1971)
The Insulators (1972)
The Voiceless Ones (1973)
The Thunder-Maker (1976)
The Whirlwind (1979)
Gideon Series
(Writing as JJ Marric)
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Gideon’s Day (Gideon of Scotland Yard) (1955)
Seven Days to Death (Gideon’s Week) (1956)
Gideon’s Night (1957)
A Backwards Jump (Gideon’s Month) (1958)
Thugs and Economies (Gideon’s Staff) (1959)
Gideon Combats Influence (Gideon’s Risk) (1960)
Gideon’s Fire (1961)
A Conference for Assassins (Gideon’s March) (1962)
Travelling Crimes (Gideo
n’s Ride) (1963)
An Uncivilised Election (Gideon’s Vote) (1964)
Criminal Imports (Gideon’s Lot) (1965)
To Nail a Serial Killer (Gideon’s Badge) (1966)
From Murder to a Cathedral (Gideon’s Wrath) (1967)
Gideon’s River (1968)
Darkness and Confusion (Gideon’s Power) (1969)
Sport, Heat & Scotland Yard (Gideon’s Sport) (1970)
Gideon’s Art (1971)
No Relaxation at Scotland Yard (Gideon’s Men) (1972)
Impartiality Against the Mob (Gideon’s Press) (1973)
Not Hidden by the Fog (Gideon’s Fog) (1975)
Good and Justice (Gideon’s Drive) (1976)
Vigilantes & Biscuits (Gideon’s Force) (1978)
Inspector West Series
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Inspector West Takes Charge (1942)
Go Away to Murder (Inspector West Leaves Town) (1943)
An Apostle of Gloom (Inspector West At Home) (1944)
Inspector West Regrets (1945)
Holiday for Inspector West (1946)
Battle for Inspector West (1948)
The Case Against Paul Raeburn (Triumph for Inspector West) (1948)
Inspector West Kicks Off (Sport for Inspector West) (1949)
Inspector West Alone (1950)
Inspector West Cries Wolf (The Creepers) (1950)
The Figure in the Dusk (A Case for Inspector West) (1951)
The Dissemblers (Puzzle for Inspector West) (1951)
The Case of the Acid Throwers (The Blind Spot; Inspector West at Bay) (1952)
Give a Man a Gun (A Gun for Inspector West) (1953)
Send Inspector West (1953)
So Young, So Cold, So Fair (A Beauty for Inspector West; The Beauty Queen Killer) (1954)
Murder Makes Haste (Inspector West Makes Haste; The Gelignite Gang; Night of the Watchman) (1955)
Murder: One, Two, Three (Two for Inspector West) (1955)
Death of a Postman (Parcels for Inspector West) (1956)
Death of an Assassin (A Prince for Inspector West) (1956)