J. S. Fletcher

“ I told him I had put up at the Sceptre Inn, close by, and that I expected Markenmore there about ten-thirty to eleven, to supper, and that he and I would be sure to sit up late as we'd a good deal to talk about. Von Eckhardstein then told me a thing which may be of some significance to you police people, now that things have turned out as they have. ”

“ And—once or twice, recently—I have cashed cheques for large amounts in other places than London. My financial operations are considerable, and I handle notes in large numbers."
"All the same," said Blick, "we'll have to do what we can in tracing those notes. But now we're faced with another matter. Von Eckhardstein is missing. His hostess thinks he's had an accident while out on one of his night walks. I don't!—I think he's run away."
"Why, now, Blick?" asked the Chief Constable.
"Why didn't he come forward at the inquest and tell us what Mr. Lansbury has just told us?" answered Blick. ”

“ And yet——" he paused, looking at the detective with professional appeal. "Odd," he went on, "that everything else was untouched."
"That makes things all the more significant," observed Blick. He turned to Lansbury. "Did you see where Markenmore put the money—the bank-notes—and the papers you referred to just now?" he asked. ”

“ But it was he who first broke the silence.
"I suppose von Eckhardstein is a wealthy man?" he said, turning to Lansbury.
"He enjoys that reputation in financial circles," replied Lansbury. "You may safely say he is!"
"Not likely to murder another man for a couple of thousand pounds?"
"I should say not!"
"Well," remarked the Chief Constable, with a glance at Blick, "it now looks as if Guy Markenmore was murdered for—not two, but three thousand pounds! Anyway, according to you, Mr. ”

“ He saw its value as a commercial proposition, but while he felt that it would materialize well in this country and in mine, he was not so sure if he could make it a big thing in the mid-European countries, because of certain German opposition. ”