The Deadly Curse by Tony Evans Read Free Book Online

said. ‘And remarkably self-effacing. When she learned that her late husband was my first cousin once removed, she greeted me in a most friendly manner, although exhibiting a good deal of shyness. However, her response to our queries was disappointing. Firstly, she said that she had very little knowledge of her late husband’s business affairs. She was aware that he had recently inherited a large quantity of valuable antiquities, but could not say if a sword, or indeed anything else from the collection, had been sold. I then asked if she would be willing to look through her late husband’s papers to see if he possessed Sir Edward’s inventory book, or had kept any record of sales. Her apologetic response was that at present she felt too upset to delve into his writing desk. She told us that her brother would be helping her go through Flinzer’s papers next week, and of course Flinzer’s executor – his solicitor, I believe – will also need to do so in due course.’
    ‘So you left empty-handed, as it were?’ Van Helsing asked.
    ‘Not entirely,’ Mina said, with an expression of considerable self-satisfaction. ‘As we passed through the front gate we met a young woman on her way to the house. From her appearance I guessed that she was a servant, and asked her some spurious question regarding the cook, with whom I pretended to be acquainted.’
    I chuckled. ‘Mina is a great admirer of Sherlock Holmes,’ I said to Sarah. ‘The Strand is always eagerly awaited at our house. It appears that some of that great detective’s methods have been co-opted by her. But do go on, my dear.’
    ‘Miss Edith Hawthorne is a parlourmaid at the house,’ Mina continued. ‘She was returning from an errand for Mrs Flinzer. She volunteered that she had given a month’s notice following the dreadful events of Monday night, which are now well known to all the servants, even though no word has yet reached the press or public. On a whim, I suggested that she might wish to call here this evening, and share her knowledge of the Flinzer household with us. I cannot help feeling that there is more to be learnt, and who better to tell us than one of the servants? She agreed, and will be here at six o’clock.’
    ‘Your powers of persuasion are remarkable!’ Van Helsing exclaimed. ‘How much did you offer her? You cannot be allowed to bear the whole cost.’
    ‘I’m afraid I gave her a sovereign, and promised her two more if she kept her appointment,’ Mina said. ‘And I insist on paying her from my own pocket. The sales of The Secret of Lady Connaught have been most satisfactory, and I cannot think of a more interesting way of investing some of my earnings.’
     
    *
     
    Five minutes after the time arranged, Edith Hawthorne was shown into the drawing room by Van Helsing’s butler. She was an attractive young woman with carefully-curled brown hair, and was smartly dressed in a three-quarter coat.
    ‘Do sit down, Miss Hawthorne,’ Sarah said. ‘I have explained to my associates – she indicated us with a wave of her hand – that you have kindly agreed to give us what information you can about your late master and his household. We will of course treat anything you sat with the utmost confidence. If our host will allow me I will ring for tea. I’m sure our visitor would appreciate a cup.’
    Edith stared at us with great intensity, her mouth slightly open with surprise.
    ‘Are you gents coppers? I’ve already spoke to that Inspector Delland. All he asked was if I’d noticed anything on Monday night, when poor master was killed. I told him I’d seen and heard nothing, and that’s true, so help me.’
    ‘We are not police officers, Miss Hawthorne,’ I said, ‘and we have no doubt that you told the inspector the truth. My name is Mr Harker; the other gentleman is Professor Van Helsing. I believe you have already met my wife and Miss Wilton. I am an old friend of the late Mr Flinzer, but have not seen him for several