by John Creasey
“Thank you, sir.” He gulped down half the drink, and then closed his eyes. He could feel the spirit coursing through his veins, and kept quiet for a moment, then began to talk with his eyes half-closed.
“It was obvious from the beginning that this was a short term affair,” he said. “Clayton, Hubert Fellowes, his wife, Ida Spray and even I had to be kept out of action for a while – while some crime was committed. If we were killed incidentally, that didn’t matter. So we had to find a short term objective. It was staring at me all the time but I didn’t see it until the last moment. Clayton was attacked to prevent him from reading his paper to the Anthropological Conference, not because he came to me. He was blackmailed at that particular time to keep him away from the Conference. When that didn’t work, he was attacked. And as a last resort they were prepared to blow up the whole Conference.
“Ida Spray could have known what Clayton was going to say; so could Rosamund Clayton,” went on Roger. “So, through Ida, could Kevin Spray.
“That was one aspect of the case. The other was the actual suicides. When the motives didn’t stand up, I kept looking for others. It was my sergeant, Venables, who really put me on the track; all three had been in Australia earlier this year. So had Clayton.”
Coppell said: “I can follow you so far.”
“We then come to the problem with the Hokki Braves – mostly a harmless motorcycling group with a few bad ones mixed up. Kevin Spray was a Brave, so was his unseen and to us unknown friend, called Higginbottom. The bad ones were used to try to put me out of action and the police right off the scent. That much was obvious,” Roger went on, and paused to sip more whisky. “But what was the real purpose? It had to be something in common between the three who committed suicide and Clayton – common knowledge, surely. Something short-term: the Conference at the Museum Halls was a short-term affair. Once I put those two together my mind really began to work but there was no proof, sir. I could have the earlier potential victims such as Lady Fellowes and Mrs. Clayton watched, I could have an extra guard at the Halls, I could ask for all the Hokki cyclists to be held. What I couldn’t do was to say for certain that disaster threatened the Conference. The Old Fossils,” he added, almost to himself.
“But why should it?” demanded Coppell.
“You are in the same position as I am now, sir,” Roger said. “You have my word, I had my convictions but not an explanation. I ran through everything I knew about the case time and time again, and came up with (a) there was going to be trouble at the Conference when Mrs. Clayton read her husband’s paper, (b) the Chairman and other Old Fossils knew it was going to be a hot potato – I couldn’t get a word out of them, (c) danger would probably come from the inside, and that meant a delegate or someone who could get into the Halls – and their security arrangements were nearly foolproof. There were only two ways a non-delegate could get into that meeting place without being suspected: one was as a policeman or security officer, and I had them checked; the other was as a newspaperman.
“This time, it was a newspaperman. I recognised—”
The telephone bell rang on Coppell’s desk. He muttered something under his breath about ‘told her to hold all calls’, and snatched up the receiver. “I’m busy, I—eh? … What’s that? … My God! … Yes, I’ll tell him.” He rang off; and now his face was pale and his voice very husky. “That was the lieutenant in charge of the bomb disposal unit you sent for, West. The bomb at the Halls contained enough high explosive and incendiary matter to have burned down the Halls and probably the whole block, including the museum.”
Roger said heavily: “Ten seconds later, and he would have thrown it.”
“Who would have thrown it?” demanded Frobisher.
“The newspaperman who proved to be the only practical suspect,” Roger answered. “A man named Tweed, of the Globe. He may not be on their regular staff, may be a freelance. It turned out that he has an alias, Higginbottom. He is a Hokki Brave and a close friend of Kevin Spray. I have very little doubt that Ida Spray told her son about this discovery, he told Higginbottom alias Tweed, and between them they planned the takeover.”
“Takeover of what?” roared Coppell.
“Oh, I’m sorry, sir,” Roger said. “This whole case has been upside down from the start. A syndicate consisting of a banker – Sir Jeremy Godden – a highly-placed civil servant – Sir Douglas Fellowes – and a renowned pilot used to flying solo over desert, made a discovery of fantastic commercial value in the dead heart of Australia. They made the mistake of trying to develop this on their own – Fellowes using his authority as a highly-placed civil servant to help buy the land for next to nothing; Godden, embezzling money to keep the scheme going; Akers, flying out samples of diamonds, gold and uranium ore. All went well until Clayton, who had explored caves in the area years ago, made another discovery which he thinks is a kind of city of missing links.
“Clayton did a deal with the syndicate, but didn’t reckon with his son, who hated him anyway, and Higginbottom taking over. To work their ill-gotten gains effectively, Kevin Spray and Higginbottom alias Tweed had to keep the discovery a secret. Clayton was going to tell the Conference, so the so-called secret would have become common knowledge. The others who had made a deal to give Clayton and his Old Fossils time to dig and research, also had to go. So did Hubert Fellowes, in whom his father had confided.”
“You mean they would have killed indiscriminately,” breathed Frobisher.
“I think you fail to realise, sir, how many young people today really do think that anyone over thirty is useless and should be put away,” Roger said. “I haven’t any doubt that Kevin Spray and Higginbottom-Tweed are two of them. They saw a fortune for the taking. They used the rotten apples among their club members to help – no doubt offering free drugs. They are two very evil young men.”
“Oh, I hate him,” Kevin Spray said, viciously. “I don’t owe him a bloody thing. The whole generation ought to be wiped out. But I tried to fix him with blackmail, if he’d fallen for that there would have been no need for the attack.”
“There are too many old people in the world,” stated Tweed coldly. “All they do is hold up progress. The world belongs to the young. I’m only sorry we didn’t kill Clayton.”
“Yes,” breathed Ida Spray. “I’d forgotten, but I did tell Kevin that Richard was going to read his paper to the Conference. That – that must be what started it all.”
“Not started,” Roger said. “It triggered off the final explosion, that’s all.”
He left her, and went to his office, where there was a note saying: “See me – Commander C.” Venables tapped and came in, a happy young man, with good news. Both Professor Clayton and Hubert Fellowes would recover. The round-up of Hokki Braves had brought the names of fifty-one who had been involved in the Battle of Bell Street, and all had been brought from the clubs which had been unsuccessfully raided; all were drug addicts.
“Oh, and Mr. Coppell would like to see you, sir.”
With Coppell was the Assistant Commissioner, still somewhat aloof, not a man whom Roger felt he would ever get to know well. But at least he had good qualities, for he said: “I wanted to tell you, Superintendent, that my attitude towards you was due to information that you yourself were much better informed than appeared easily explainable. My information came from a highly-respected newspaper owner, who freely admits that his information came from the man Tweed. Further, we had some reason to suspect the extensive purchase of land by Fellowes, and you appeared in very close touch with his widow. It seemed safer to take no chances with you. I must apologise.”
“No need, sir,” Roger said. “But thank you.”
“Handsome,” Coppell put in, “I want you to look after the cases against Tweed and Spray. Keep in close touch with the Public Prosecutor’s office and take as much time as you need.”
“Thank you,” Roger said. He was never too happy about the clearing up of a case but this time it was inevitable. “May I make a recomm
endation, sir?”
“What about?”
“Detective Sergeant Venables will make a very good Detective Inspector.”
“I’ll see to it,” Coppell said. For once, all he seemed to want was to please Roger.
Roger went back to the office, decided not to tell Venables yet, for the promotion might take some time. He was going through reports on the case when the telephone bell rang, and to his surprise the operator said: “Professor Clayton is on the line, sir.”
“Put him through,” said Roger, and a moment later: “Very glad to hear you, sir.”
“I’ve a telephone at my bedside,” Clayton told Roger, “and I wanted my first call to be to you, Superintendent. I hope you will take my personal thanks and gratitude for granted. I am truly, deeply grateful, for you saved the life of my wife. I am also grateful beyond words that you have been so considerate of Mrs. Spray. You will understand that I feel I must do all I can to defend our son, won’t you?”
“Of course, sir.”
“Thank you. The International Convention of Anthropologists is, I understand, going to offer you an associate fellowship, and I do hope you can see your way to accept. They can think of no more effective method of expressing their deep gratitude.” Before Roger could answer, Clayton went on: “An expedition is already being organised to explore the discovery I was fortunate enough to make, and I shall join this as soon as I am well enough. We shall of course co-operate as far as practicable with commercial and government interests.”
“I’m sure you will,” Roger said. “I am very glad.”
“And finally, my wife – who is here with me – would like to add her thanks,” Clayton said. “Here you are, darling,” he added in a voice which faded.
A moment later, Rosamund’s voice sounded, but Roger did not take in all she said. She must have heard the ‘our son’ earlier, she must know about Ida Spray.
Roger had liked Oliver Clayton; and now he felt genuine pleasure that Clayton’s wife was still with him in this strange time of trial and triumph.
Series Information
Published or to be published by
House of Stratus
Dates given are those of first publication
Alternative titles in brackets
‘The Baron’ (47 titles) (writing as Anthony Morton)
‘Department ‘Z’’ (28 titles)
‘Dr. Palfrey Novels’ (34 titles)
‘Gideon of Scotland Yard’ (22 titles)
‘Inspector West’ (43 titles)
‘Sexton Blake’ (5 titles)
‘The Toff’ (59 titles)
along with:
The Masters of Bow Street
This epic novel embraces the story of the Bow Street Runners and the Marine Police, forerunners of the modern police force, who were founded by novelist Henry Fielding in 1748. They were the earliest detective force operating from the courts to enforce the decisions of magistrates. John Creasey’s account also gives a fascinating insight into family life of the time and the struggle between crime and justice, and ends with the establishment of the Metropolitan Police after the passing of Peel’s Act in 1829.
‘The Baron’ Series
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Meet the Baron (The Man in the Blue Mask) (1937)
The Baron Returns (The Return of the Blue Mask) (1937)
The Baron Again (Salute Blue Mask) (1938)
The Baron at Bay (Blue Mask at Bay) (1938)
Alias the Baron (Alias Blue Mask) (1939)
The Baron at Large (Challenge Blue Mask!) (1939)
Versus the Baron (Blue Mask Strikes Again) (1940)
Call for the Baron (Blue Mask Victorious) (1940)
The Baron Comes Back (1943)
A Case for the Baron (1945)
Reward for the Baron (1945)
Career for the Baron (1946)
Blood Diamond (The Baron and the Beggar) (1947)
Blame the Baron (1948)
A Rope for the Baron (1948)
Books for the Baron (1949)
Cry for the Baron (1950)
Trap the Baron (1950)
Attack the Baron (1951)
Shadow the Baron (1951)
Warn the Baron (1952)
The Baron Goes East (1953)
The Baron in France (1953)
Danger for the Baron (1953)
The Baron Goes Fast (1954)
Nest-Egg for the Baron (Deaf, Dumb and Blonde) (1954)
Help from the Baron (1955)
Hide the Baron (1956)
The Double Frame (Frame the Baron) (1957)
Blood Red (Red Eye for the Baron) (1958)
If Anything Happens to Hester (Black for the Baron) (1959)
Salute for the Baron (1960)
The Baron Branches Out (A Branch for the Baron) (1961)
The Baron and the Stolen Legacy (Bad for the Baron) (1962)
A Sword for the Baron (The Baron and the Mogul Swords) (1963)
The Baron on Board (The Mask of Sumi) (1964)
The Baron and the Chinese Puzzle (1964)
Sport for the Baron (1966)
Affair for the Baron (1967)
The Baron and the Missing Old Masters (1968)
The Baron and the Unfinished Portrait (1969)
Last Laugh for the Baron (1970)
The Baron Goes A-Buying (1971)
The Baron and the Arrogant Artist (1972)
Burgle the Baron (1973)
The Baron - King Maker (1975)
Love for the Baron (1979)
Doctor Palfrey Novels
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Traitor’s Doom (1942)
The Legion of the Lost (1943)
The Valley of Fear (The Perilous Country) (1943)
Dangerous Quest (1944)
Death in the Rising Sun (1945)
The Hounds of Vengeance (1945)
Shadow of Doom (1946)
The House of the Bears (1946)
Dark Harvest (1947)
The Wings of Peace (1948)
The Sons of Satan (1948)
The Dawn of Darkness (1949)
The League of Light (1949)
The Man Who Shook the World (1950)
The Prophet of Fire (1951)
The Children of Hate (The Killers of Innocence; The Children of Despair) (1952)
The Touch of Death (1954)
The Mists of Fear (1955)
The Flood (1956)
The Plague of Silence (1958)
Dry Spell (The Drought) (1959)
The Terror (1962)
The Depths (1963)
The Sleep (1964)
The Inferno (1965)
The Famine (1967)
The Blight (1968)
The Oasis (1970)
The Smog (1970)
The Unbegotten (1971)
The Insulators (1972)
The Voiceless Ones (1973)
The Thunder-Maker (1976)
The Whirlwind (1979)
Gideon Series
(Writing as JJ Marric)
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Gideon’s Day (Gideon of Scotland Yard) (1955)
Seven Days to Death (Gideon’s Week) (1956)
Gideon’s Night (1957)
A Backwards Jump (Gideon’s Month) (1958)
Thugs and Economies (Gideon’s Staff) (1959)
Gideon Combats Influence (Gideon’s Risk) (1960)
Gideon’s Fire (1961)
A Conference for Assassins (Gideon’s March) (1962)
Travelling Crimes (Gideon’s Ride) (1963)
An Uncivilised Election (Gideon’s Vote) (1964)
Criminal Imports (Gideon’s Lot) (1965)
To Nail a Serial Killer (Gideon’s Badge) (1966)
From Murder to a Cathedral (Gideon’s Wrath) (1967)
Gideon’s River (1968)
Darkness and Co
nfusion (Gideon’s Power) (1969)
Sport, Heat & Scotland Yard (Gideon’s Sport) (1970)
Gideon’s Art (1971)
No Relaxation at Scotland Yard (Gideon’s Men) (1972)
Impartiality Against the Mob (Gideon’s Press) (1973)
Not Hidden by the Fog (Gideon’s Fog) (1975)
Good and Justice (Gideon’s Drive) (1976)
Vigilantes & Biscuits (Gideon’s Force) (1978)
Inspector West Series
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Inspector West Takes Charge (1942)
Go Away to Murder (Inspector West Leaves Town) (1943)
An Apostle of Gloom (Inspector West At Home) (1944)
Inspector West Regrets (1945)
Holiday for Inspector West (1946)
Battle for Inspector West (1948)
The Case Against Paul Raeburn (Triumph for Inspector West) (1948)
Inspector West Kicks Off (Sport for Inspector West) (1949)
Inspector West Alone (1950)
Inspector West Cries Wolf (The Creepers) (1950)
The Figure in the Dusk (A Case for Inspector West) (1951)
The Dissemblers (Puzzle for Inspector West) (1951)
The Case of the Acid Throwers (The Blind Spot; Inspector West at Bay) (1952)
Give a Man a Gun (A Gun for Inspector West) (1953)
Send Inspector West (1953)
So Young, So Cold, So Fair (A Beauty for Inspector West; The Beauty Queen Killer) (1954)
Murder Makes Haste (Inspector West Makes Haste; The Gelignite Gang; Night of the Watchman) (1955)
Murder: One, Two, Three (Two for Inspector West) (1955)
Death of a Postman (Parcels for Inspector West) (1956)
Death of an Assassin (A Prince for Inspector West) (1956)
