Herbert Jenkins

“ Then after a short pause he continued: "In Sir Jasper Chambers you have an illustration of the smallness of a great mind. He has devoted his vast wealth to philanthropy; yet he was willing to allow another man to be hanged for his crime."
"And this, I take it," said Sir John Dene, "is his reply," and he handed a letter across to Malcolm Sage. ”

“ He's following up a clue he's got. Some tramp who was seen hanging about here for a couple of days just before the murder," he added.
"Unless he is tall and powerful, left-handed, with something more than a layman's knowledge of surgery, you had better not trouble about him," said Malcolm Sage quietly. "You might also note that the murderer belongs to the upper, or middle class, has an iron nerve, and is strongly humanitarian."
For a moment Inspector Carfon stared at Malcolm Sage with lengthened jaw. ”

“ The old man led the way to the library. Throwing open the door for them to pass in, he followed and closed it behind him. Malcolm Sage seated himself at the table and Inspector Carfon also dropped into a chair. The butler stood, his hands half-closed before him, the palm of one resting upon the knuckles of the other. ”

“ Malcolm Sage took it and with a nod proceeded to fill his pipe.
"Looks like Craven Mixture," he remarked without looking up from the pipe which he was cramming from Sir Jasper's pouch.
Malcolm Sage was an epicure in tobacco.
"No; it's Ormonde Mixture," was the reply. "I always smoke it. It is singularly mellow," he added, "singularly mellow." He continued to look straight in front of him, whilst the inspector appeared anxious to get on to the house.
Having completed his task, Malcolm Sage folded the tobacco-pouch and handed it back to Sir Jasper. ”

“ He looked across at Malcolm Sage a little shamefacedly. "I afterwards heard that there was only the jar and the label left; but I don't see what all this has to do with it. The fellow's got to swing for it and——"
"Carfon, you've made a fool of yourself."
The inspector started back in his chair as if someone had struck him.
"I gave you a description of the man who had killed Professor McMurray; yet you proceed to build up a fantastical case against this poor devil."
"But——" began the inspector. He was interrupted by the door being burst violently open and Sir John Dene shot into the room. ”

“ I am sending this letter by hand. My body will be found in my study. I have used morphia as a means of satisfying justice.
Very sincerely yours,⁠
Jasper Chambers.
"It was strange I should have made that mistake about the reason for his leaving the laboratory," said Malcolm Sage meditatively. "I made two mistakes, one I corrected; but the other was unpardonable."
And he knocked the ashes from his pipe on to the copper tray before him with the air of a man who is far from satisfied.
"And I might have arrested an O.M.," murmured Inspector Carfon, as he walked down Whitehall. "Damn." ”

“ The assailant was clearly a tall, powerful man and left-handed. That was shown by the nature of the blow. That he had some knowledge of physiology is obvious from the fact that he made no attempt at a second blow to insure death, as a layman most likely would have done. ”