The Dark Palace--Murder and mystery in London, 1914 by R.N. Morris Read Free Book Online Page B

can’t approve such expenditure myself.’
    â€˜But you will sign the form?’
    A flicker of his eyelids was all the assent Quinn was prepared to give. It was enough for Macadam, whose face lit up with such simple gratitude that Quinn almost felt guilty. He did not expect the application to be successful, and had no intention of going out of his way to support it. And yet, to see a grown man buoyed up with the innocent pleasure of a thirteen-year-old boy promised a toy yacht provoked a kind of nostalgic sympathy.
    An unexpected shadow passed over Macadam’s face, his head dipped in sudden reticence. ‘With respect, sir, for all the undoubted virtues of the Kineto camera, and it is a very good camera; you certainly cannot be faulted in your discernment for choosing it … However, for all its virtues, I am not entirely certain that it is the model I would recommend for the department, sir. I have no wish to impugn your judgement …’
    Quinn cut him off. ‘Macadam.’
    Sergeant Macadam’s eyes widened in hopeless, innocent uncertainty.
    â€˜I don’t care about the damned camera.’ Quinn dropped the journal back on Macadam’s desk.
    â€˜No, sir. I see, sir.’
    â€˜What I mean to say is I shall leave it up to you.’
    â€˜In that case, sir …’ Macadam leafed rapidly through the pages of the Kinematograph Enthusiast’s Weekly as if he feared it would be snatched from his hands again. ‘May I draw your attention to Messrs Butcher and Sons Empire Camera Number Two? It boasts many of the advantages of the Kineto camera which you selected …’
    â€˜I didn’t select it, Macadam.’
    â€˜The Empire Two can hold its own against the Kineto – that is what I’m saying, sir. And yet, it retails at a significantly – a significantly – lower price. What is more, from everything that I have read, this saving is achieved not through any sacrifice of quality, whether in the standard of engineering, manufacture, or the durability of parts. On none of those heads does the Empire Two give ground to the Kineto. Indeed, there are those who would argue that in one or two respects – I don’t wish to overstate the case, sir – in one or two respects only, it has the upper hand.’
    â€˜Very well, the Empire Two it is, Macadam.’
    â€˜Although … you may be wondering why I am not recommending the Empire Number One Camera, also manufactured by Messrs Butcher and Sons.’
    â€˜I would expect that, Macadam. If they produce the Empire Number Two, I should expect them also to produce the Empire Number One.’
    Macadam was momentarily thrown by Quinn’s observation. ‘Qu-quite right, sir.’
    â€˜Just complete the procurement form with the details of the camera you recommend and your reasons. I shall sign it and it will go up to Sir Edward.’
    â€˜We shall need a projector too, sir. That goes without saying. As well as film stock and, uhm, there will need to be budgetary provision for processing. I am not sure the photographic lab here at the Yard will be up to it, sir. I could undertake to set up a darkroom myself, of course. It would require further expenditure initially, but …’
    â€˜You are a policeman, Macadam. Not a lab technician. We shall have the films processed elsewhere.’
    â€˜I agree, sir.’ Macadam gave an eager nod of obedience. ‘How long do you think it will take, sir, before we have the camera?’
    â€˜I make no promises, Macadam. It is up to you to make the application as compelling as possible.’
    â€˜Sir Edward is a great believer in innovation. I am confident he will see the benefits to the department. Indeed, I wouldn’t be surprised if he extended the use of kinematography across the whole of the Met.’
    â€˜We shall have to see.’
    â€˜At any rate, the sooner we have the camera the better. There is no time like