Moriarty

‘He understands that they are holding several hundred pounds’ worth of articles stolen from the Chancery Lane Safe Deposit, of which he believes himself to be entitled to half. The article in The Times was particularly well phrased, I thought — but will it be enough to entice him out of the legation? Who knows? Perhaps he will decide to send his agents, but even that may be enough to provide us with the evidence we need to make an arrest. We must just hope that he moves quickly. Mr Clay has made it clear to them that he needs to leave London urgently. That was of course my doing. Let us see what unfolds.’

‘And what of this place? Why are we here?’

‘Is it not obvious, my dear Chase?’ Jones smiled and it occurred to me that I was seeing him as he might once have been, before his illness had struck him down. ‘Whatever may happen in the next few days, it is clear to me that my career with Scotland Yard is finished. This is a conversation we have already begun. But we have spoken before, you and I, of working together. Why should we not make it a reality? Do you not think it might work?’

‘And these rooms …?’

‘… are for rent on very reasonable terms. There is one bedroom — for you. I will, of course, continue to live with my dear Elspeth and Beatrice. But would not this be an ideal consulting room? Twelve steps from the street and just round the corner from … well, it’s of no matter. Would you consider it, my dear fellow? You have already told me that you are unmarried and have no family ties. Does America hold so very much for you that you would wish to return?’

‘And how would I live?’

‘It would be an equal partnership. The money we would make as consulting detectives would, I am sure, be more than enough.’

For a moment, I was unsure how to reply. ‘Inspector Jones,’ I said at length, ‘you never cease to surprise me and meeting you has certainly been one of the most remarkable experiences of my life. Will you forgive me if I ask for a little more time to consider your proposal?’

‘Of course.’ If he was disappointed by my reticence, he tried not to show it.

‘What you say is true,’ I continued. ‘I have led a somewhat solitary life in New York and I have allowed my work to consume me. I know that my time with the Pinkerton Agency is coming to an end and it might be good for me to consider new horizons. Even so, I must give the matter more thought. What say we leave any decision until our work is done and Clarence Devereux is brought to justice? From the way things are proceeding, that cannot be too long.’

‘I utterly concur. But shall I tell the landlord that we are interested? I am sure he can be persuaded to keep the rooms for a week or two. And after that, if you are in agreement, we will have to set about finding a Mrs Hudson to look after us. That is of the foremost importance. As to the future and our ability to sustain ourselves, I have many friends within Scotland Yard. Business will be forthcoming, I assure you.’

‘Your Holmes to my Watson? Maybe it’s not such a bad idea. They have, after all, left a gap that must be filled.’

He stepped forward and held out a hand. I took it. And in that moment, I think we were as close as we would ever be. I was still quite dazed by the suggestion but I could tell that my friend Jones was fired with enthusiasm, as if he were about to achieve something that he had been searching for his entire life.

That same evening, John Clay received a message from Clarence Devereux, delivered by a street urchin who had been paid sixpence for his pains. He was to present himself — along with the entire proceeds of the Chancery Lane Safe Deposit robbery — at Warehouse 17, Blackwall Basin. The meeting would take place at five o’clock in the afternoon, the following day. There was no signature on the note. The words, written in capital letters, were short and simple. Jones examined both the ink and the paper with his usual forensic eye but there was nothing that connected it with America or with the legation. Even so, neither of us had any doubt as to the identity of the sender.

The trap was set.

And so to the Friday. I had barely finished breakfast when the Boots informed me that I had a visitor. ‘Show him in,’ I said. There was still tea in the pot for two.

‘He’s outside,’ Boots returned, with a scowl. ‘He’s not the sort to be seen in a respectable establishment. He’s in the hall.’