Henderson daily dispatch., 1938-02-18
|ACASE EQRRg81: DETECTIVES
G g. LEo 5R 81 G.: .E=;.. g
COPYRIGHT LEO PRESS ASSOCIATION

"You mean the London TeIe-
phone Directory? Or Who's
Who?"
mo. No. In the Gazetteer"
I'm the Gazetteer? You mean
he it's a placer"
That's it. It's a village about
40 miles from here. I'm going
there presently. Like to come 2"
"But-I don't understand. If
it's not person, but only the
name of a village, what's the point
in going?"
Shouldn't ask too many ques-
tions," cautioned Lord Simon.
rather archly. "It's not done in
the best detective circles. But 7
don't mind tellin' you this much.
I think our visit would clear up
another little matter that's trou-
bin me. This stepson. Elusive
sort Of bloke. I rather want q
word with him."
"And you think >"
"That's all T think for the mo-
ment," said Lord Simon, lighting
his first cigar Of the day.
"Well, I'd certainly like to
come, if it will elucidate things
any quicker"
''That's right. And now :. :"
he turned to heap Of papers be-
side him, there's a sale at Hodg-
sons today. I really ought to be
there. It's awkward, confuSin'
ones interests"
He found the catalogue for
which he was looking, and began
to study it carefully. Then he
rang for Butterfeld.
"Look here, Butterfield. Run
up to London, will you? One or
two lots we might as well have
thing terribly special-but
there's not much for you to do
down here. I've put nay limits
against the books I shouldn't mind
your buying. Here you are.
There's the original manuscript Of
Chaucer'ss Parliament Of FowieS.
You can get that. Oh. and there's
a Faust Bible-the early edition
without a date, supposed to be
about 1850. Interesting story to
that book, Townsend. It caused
! the whole bag of tricks Of the
legend about DR.. Faustus. All he
was, poor old bloke, was a rather
snappy bookseller. He printed his
Bibles, nipped 'em across to Paris
where nobody had heard Of print
ing, and sold them as manuscript
Bibles at 60 crowns a time. This
caused strike among the Bible
I scribes, who couldn't copy 'enn
X out for less than 300 crowns, poor
devils. It was thought that DR..
Faust was in league with the
devil, because he could produce as
many as he could sell at this price.
The red lettering was supposed TO-
be his blood. So they searched
his rooms, and seized his STOCK.
Awkward, wasn't it.? And all be-
cause he palmed 'em off as manu-
scripts. Anyway, here's copy
Of the bally thing, Butterfield,
which we may as well nave.
Biblia Sacra Latina Vuigata.
Then see there's Caxton's Chron-
icle of England, the 148O edition.
Shouldn't mind that. They've got
a Shakespeare first folio, too.
Mm-nice tall copy. 1875 by S1A.
so you may just as well bring it.
along. Not much Of sale, on the
whole, after some I've attended.
Still. I think it's worth your while
going UP, Butterfeld."
Butterfelds nodded gravely.
every well. my lord" he said.
"Oh, and here are the photographs
YOU required, my lord. I trust
that they are all satisfactory.
The one Of Mr.. Townsend is par
ticularly clear, I. think"
"Of me?" I said incredulously.
"A formality, old man." said
Lord Simon soothingly.
He took the large envelopes
which Butterfield handed to him
and drew out a number Of por-
traits. T saw, staring tinsuspect-
ingly up at me, first Fellowes.
then Miles, then Strickland, Nor
ris, and finally an outrageously
vulgar likeness of myself.
ITO Be Continuedl