Terror by Night Page #3

of the entire carriage

and asking a

few questions.

Go right ahead.

I understand your journey

is rather a sad one.

Your mother...

Yes.

Perhaps we better not

question Ms. Vedder

just now Lestrade.

Huh?

Excuse us will you?

What's the idea

Mr. Holmes?

It's a matter

of taste Lestrade.

The young lady's taking

her mother to Scotland

for burial.

In a coffin?

That is the customary

method I believe.

Lestrade I think

we'll take a look

at that coffin.

Might prove interesting.

I was about to suggest

that very thing

myself, Mr. Holmes.

Conductor, I'll have a

look in the luggage van.

This way sir.

But I am Doctor Watson,

Doctor John H. Watson

of 2-21 B Baker

Street, retired,

my friend Sherlock

Holmes will vouch for it.

Your alibi isn't

worth a Scotch.

You just told me that

this fellow Holmes

is a crony of yours,

naturally he'd lie.

I resent that sir.

Sherlock Holmes is

very full of integrity.

Might even be

an accomplice.

Oh well if I

were a policeman

I'd take you and charge

this very moment.

I didn't do it sir.

I swear I didn't do it.

I can prove it.

Prove what...

There you are Holmes.

Now get out of here

and join your

silly friend!

Did you discover

anything Watson?

Yes.

He's a very

suspicious character.

He tried to put

me off the scent.

From the little I heard

he seemed reasonably

successful.

Look here, you're

not going to let

an old fellow like

Professor Kilbane

discourage you are you?

Why don't you

try this one?

You think I'd better?

Yes of course.

All right.

Do you mind if I come in?

You may.

Thank you.

I'm sorry to

bother you but

I represent the police.

I knew it.

Alfred I told you.

Told him what?

Well?

It's quite all

right Inspector.

I confess.

Confess?

You mean you stole it?

You got it in there?

Yes.

No no no,

Leave it where it is.

I've got to fetch

Inspector Lestrade

of Scotland Yard.

And don't either of you

attempt to run away.

Oh no, Inspector.

Is this door always

kept locked Conductor?

Yes sir.

Only the guard and

myself have keys.

Got him Holmes.

Who?

The thieves.

Thieves?

There, come on, speak up.

That married couple

down there.

Mr. & Mrs. Shawcross?

Yes they confessed.

Confessed?

Broke them down.

Gave them the

third degree.

And you left

them unguarded?

I told them not

to run away.

We'd better have

a talk with them.

Oh it's you again.

It might interest

you to know

that I've just

caught the thieves.

Excuse me madam.

You are the

police, I know.

I warned him

but no he had to take it.

I must warn you that

anything you say

may be used against you.

Anything they say?

They've already

admitted everything.

Everything?

Yes.

They've got it in there.

I'd be glad to pay

double what it's worth

if only they

won't prosecute.

It's my first offense.

You chaps always

say the same thing.

Come on hand it over.

Where is it?

I stole it.

I took it from a

hotel in London.

Come on, come on.

In my small way

I'm a collector

of teapots.

Teapots!

Doctor Watson does this

look like a diamond?

Not very much

now that you mention it.

What's that all

about a confession?

When I came in

here before

they said that

they took it.

Well you'll please oblige

to stop meddling in

police business.

His time wasn't entirely

wasted Lestrade,

at least you've

recovered the teapot.

Thank you Holmes.

Teapot.

Fellow tries his best

and what's he get?

Humiliation and abuse

from Lestrade

of all people.

I have a good mind to

chuck off the whole case.

Might be a good idea

to let the police

do their own work.

You mind your

own business.

Oh there you are Watson,

how about a spot

in my compartment?

Thanks old man.

Serve them right if

I got a bit tiddly.

I suppose you realize

you'll be turned

over to the police

as soon as we

reach Edinburgh.

Doctor Watson, teapots!

I beg your pardon

Professor Kilbane;

you're in the next

compartment aren't you?

I am.

I'm afraid we'll have to

ask you a few questions.

Now don't tell me that

you're going to start.

Do you mind?

Why of course mind.

Come on, in you go.

A brilliant mind

in times when...

When your scientist mind

has shown him the way?

Exactly.

You take the death

of young Carstairs,

for instance.

I knew from the

first it was poison.

The scientific

approach of course.

The murderer used

a hypodermic.

Some rare poison from,

from South

America probably.

Or India.

Yes or India.

I've been to India.

So have you.

Yes sir.

Yes of course.

You've been to India.

I don't like your attitude

Professor Kilbane,

I don't like it at all.

Perhaps not,

but I'm on this train

for legitimate reasons

and I've

neither the time

nor the inclination to

assist you with your work.

You're perfectly within

in your right sir

and I'm sure that

Inspector Lestrade

appreciates that.

Thank you sir.

Now if you have

no objection

I have some work to do,

which requires

concentration.

Mathematics?

Yes.

Interesting study.

If you don't mind.

Looking for something

Lady Margaret?

Oh.

I came to get my bag.

The door's locked.

Naturally.

Perhaps I can help you.

Thank you.

Mr. Holmes

I must talk to you

about the diamond.

Oh don't you worry about

that Lady Margaret.

Fifty thousand pounds

and you tell me

not to worry.

My son employed this

man to guard it

and it was stolen right

under his very nose.

I warn you,

I intend to

take this matter

up with your superiors.

I'm a private agent,

Lady Margaret.

Good.

I shall report you

both to Scotland Yard.

But I am Scotland Yard.

Lady Carstairs entered

the dining car alone.

You and I were

already there.

Holmes came in later

and I understand that

Inspector Lestrade

remained in

his compartment

with the curtains open

so that if anyone

had gone in or out

he would have seen them?

Say, you've got

something there.

Well let's look at

this thing objectively.

Lady Carstairs seemed

more concerned,

was more concerned,

at the loss of the diamond

than at the

death of her son.

By George you're right.

So she was.

Come in.

Oh here you are Watson.

Sit down.

Have a drink?

No thanks.

Do you mind if I...

Not at all.

I've been thinking

about this case Holmes,

that is Duncan

Bleek and I have.

Yes so I see.

The way we figure it out,

the old trout is the only

one without an alibi.

Yes,

we feel that

you're approaching

the whole thing

from the wrong angle.

Really Watson?

What's your theory?

Insurance.

A lot of people

insure jewelry

and then try and

collect on it.

Interesting suggestion.

I suppose you go and

ask Lady Margaret

just how much

insurance she carries

on the Star of Rhodesia.

No thank you.

I've already

had two tries.

Why don't you

ask her yourself?

For a very simple

reason, I already know.

You're quite

a doodler sir.

If you know

why did you ask me.

Mr. & Mrs. Shawcross.

Teapots.

Well we can

eliminate them.

Professor William Kilbane.

I'll send a telegram to

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