William Le Queux

Name: The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3
Author: William Le Queux

The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (1922)

Summary

“The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3”, published in 1922, is a work by William Le Queux. It explores elements such as Gabrielle Engledue, caretaker and Oswald De Gex.

Quotes from The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (William Le Queux)

William Le Queux, The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (1922)

“ In my dreams I often saw her alive and well. The marvellous face was turned towards me, with merry, dancing dark eyes and a tantalizing smile—an enticing smile of mystery.
At last I resolved to go and face Oswald De Gex, so with that object I one morning left Charing Cross for Florence. Travelling by the Rome express from the Gare de Lyon, in Paris, I changed at Pisa, and at last, as the “snail train,” as it is known in Italy on account of its slowness, wound slowly up the beautiful valley of the Arno, the old red roofs and domes of Firenze La Bella came into view. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Le Queux, The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (1922)

“ Again, who was the pretty, dark-haired girl who had first uttered those hysterical screams, and then, while fully dressed, had died upon Mrs. De Gex’s bed? Further, if the mysterious dead girl had been niece of the millionaire surely my friend the caretaker would have known her?
I confess that I now became more bewildered than ever.
That a girl named Gabrielle Engledue—whoever she might have been—had died, and that I had forged a certificate showing the cause of death were hard, solid facts. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Le Queux, The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (1922)

“ But the mystery of it all was complete.
That I had been the victim of some very carefully prepared and subtle plot was apparent, and it had become my own affair to investigate it and bring to justice those who were responsible for the poor girl’s death.
Time after time I questioned the caretaker regarding the existence of the millionaire’s niece, Miss Engledue, but it was plain to me that he had no knowledge of any such person.
“Was there not a death in this house—about five weeks ago?” I asked.
“Death?” he echoed. “Why, no, sir. You must be dreaming. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Le Queux, The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (1922)

“ It was a great white house with red tiles and overhanging eaves, palatial indeed in its dimensions, and for centuries the summer residence of the head of the great family of Clementini, from whom the English millionaire had bought it fifteen years before, together with all its pictures, tapestries, and antiques, with the farms adjoining. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Le Queux, The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (1922)

“ On entering the great gates of seventeenth century wrought iron, we found ourselves in a glorious old-world Italian garden, with a wonderful marble fountain, and a good deal of antique statuary, and then driving through the extensive grounds—past a lake—I at last rang the bell.
Quickly the great iron-studded door was opened by an elderly Englishman in livery, to whom I gave my card, and asked to see his master. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Le Queux, The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (1922)

“ Though perhaps I did at last manage to forget the bribe, yet I could not put from myself the memory of that beautiful girl, the cause of whose death I had certified. The perfect countenance haunted me constantly. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Le Queux, The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (1922)

“ As I stood there—the watchful caretaker with his eye upon me, wondering no doubt—I again took in every detail. My return held me more than ever puzzled.
“What is the room beyond?” I asked.
“Oh! That’s the mistress’s bedroom,” he replied. “A curious fancy to have her room next to the library. But it’s one of the best rooms in the house. The master hates London. He lives all the time in Italy, and is only over here just for a week or two in spring, and a week or so before Christmas.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Le Queux, The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (1922)

“ He’s overburdened with money—that’s what it is. Mr. Henderson looks after all his affairs. Mr. De Gex has no regard for money. Mr. Henderson attends to everything. Phew! I wish I were a millionaire! I find it hard enough nowadays to pay the butcher and baker and make both ends meet.”
“And so do I,” I said, laughing. “But, tell me, where is the young lady who used to live here—Mr. De Gex’s niece?”
“His niece! I don’t think he has a niece.”
“Miss Gabrielle Engledue.” ”

William Le Queux

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Quotes from The Stretton Street Affair — Chapter 3 (William Le Queux)

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