An Apostle of Gloom Read online

  “What about this girl, Randall?”

  “We know how she came to get in with them,” said Roger, “but we’ve had no statement from Malone or any of the others, they’re too badly rattled to try to involve her. In any case, even if they did—”

  “One of your troubles is that you’re an incurable romantic,” Chatworth growled, but his eyes were friendly. “Oh, you’re right, West – one of these days you’ll be right too often, it’ll do you good to have a failure. Won’t it, Abbott?”

  Abbot considered. “It might,” he admitted, frostily.

  Roger smiled. “Very good of you to say I’ve never had one, sir.”

  “Eh?” barked Chatworth. “Who—” he broke off and laughed. “All right, West, you’ll do! I hear that you’ve got some tidying up on hand at your house. Oh, that reminds me – the taxi-driver, Dixon?”

  Roger grimaced. “He was used to try to make us concentrate on Mrs. Cartier and to head us off Cartier himself,” he said. “I think it was that which first started me thinking of the man – Malone’s effort to make Dixon implicate the woman was too clumsy. Malone was always too clever; I’ve never seen a man with such conceit.”

  “You won’t see him much longer,” Chatworth said. “All right, off with you!”

  When Roger had gone, the A.C. looked thoughtfully at Abbott.

  “What’s your opinion of West?” he demanded.

  “Much brighter than it was a week ago, sir,” said Abbott, with thin humour, “but I always found it a trifle difficult to believe it of him. I ought to say this – the money was left at his house. Morgan did take it away.”

  Chatworth whistled. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” said Abbott. “The man who put it there has said so. Also, West asked a sergeant to trace two five-pound notes, which proved to be two of two hundred sent by Leech on Malone’s orders. The balance reached us by post this evening – the wrapping paper is bare of prints. I suspect that one of Morgan’s men posted it, on West’s instructions.

  “Hum.” Chatworth looked over his glasses. “Can we really prove it? And if we can, do we want to? Morgan has been very helpful. West—” he broke off.

  Abbott smiled thinly. “I don’t think we can and I don’t think we should, sir.”

  “Good!” declared the A.C. “Well you’ll have to start clearing up, Abbott. Give West a couple of days to get over his home troubles and then get him busy, too.”

  Roger telephoned Wray and Tamperly, delighting the pressmen, and made a comprehensive report before he left the Yard. He was in his office when Abbott telephoned to say that he need not come in for a day or two. Roger put on his hat and coat and left the Yard. He drove to Bell Street, where he found Mark and Tennant sharing one spare room, the small room being occupied by Lois Randall, who, said Janet, was asleep. Dixon had gone. Janet was waiting in the dining-room and she looked a little crestfallen. It occurred to Roger that the wrecking had affected her far more than she had let him think, but she brightened up as soon as he arrived and they found other things to talk about. Smaller things; they were laughing when they went to bed.

  But for the restriction of newspaper space, the case would have been reported much more fully; as it was, the Echo and the Cry and their associated evening papers gave it as much publicity as they could. One of the Sunday papers tried to run a series of articles on Mrs. Cartier but it petered out because they could not get any information of great interest.

  She gave her evidence, much later, against some of the men, but not against her husband. She was in court when the jury returned the verdicts, the black cap was donned and the sentences were passed. Then she left. Outside, she saw Janet and Lois.

  She stopped and looked at them.

  Janet smiled, uncertainly.

  Mrs. Cartier approached her and shook hands and then hurried off, after telling Janet that she was giving up her Weybridge home. Just why she made a point of it Janet did not know then. A short time afterwards, Roger was able to tell her that the Society was working again, that Lois was reinstated as secretary – but as Lois Tennant, not Lois Randall – that Tennant was back in the north, training his rookies and, whenever he wrote, wishing wistfully that he could have a crack at the Huns.

  Mark said that nothing would ever satisfy the repressed energy of that remarkably tough young man. Mark was busy compiling the record of the case, and he declared that but for his note-books the cases of Inspector West would never really be told to the world, so that he was not wholly useless.

  The case was practically closed when, in midsummer, a furniture van drew up outside the Bell Street house. Roger was at the Yard and Janet opened the door. She thought that there must be some mistake, until she read the note that the foreman remover had brought with him.

  “Roger!” breathed Janet into the telephone five minutes later. “Darling, it’s incredible, but – Mrs. Cartier!”

  “Well, what about her?” asked Roger, startled.

  “She’s sent us all the furniture from the lounge at her Weybridge house. She told me on the day of the trial that she was giving it up, but I didn’t think anything of it then. Darling, it’s twice as good as anything we ever had! I know the sentimental value isn’t there but – do you think you could get home early and help me put the room straight? And shall I ask Mark to come?”

  “Well, I’m—” began Roger, then drew a deep breath. “Yes, my sweet, ask him, and I’ll be home by four, with luck.”

  When he rang down he looked very hard at Eddie Day, but even Eddie had the wit to realise that his thoughts were far away.

  Series Information

  Published or to be published by

  House of Stratus

  Dates given are those of first publication

  Gideon Series

  (Writing as JJ Marric)

  These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

  Title Also Published as:

  1 Gideon's Day Gideon of Scotland Yard 1955

  2 Seven Days to Death Gideon's Week 1956

  3 Gideon's Night 1957

  4 Gideon's Month 1958

  5 Gideon's Staff 1959

  6 Gideon's Risk 1960

  7 Gideon's Fire 1961

  8 A Conference for Assassins Gideon's March 1962

  9 Travelling Crimes Gideon's Ride 1963

  10 An Uncivilised Election Gideon's Vote 1964

  11 Criminal Imports Gideon's Lot 1965

  12 Gideon's Badge 1966

  13 From Murder to a Cathedral Gideon's Wrath 1967

  14 Gideon's River 1968

  15 Gideon's Power 1969

  16 Gideon's Sport 1970

  17 Gideon's Art 1971

  18 Gideon's Men 1972

  19 Gideon's Press 1973

  20 Gideon's Fog 1975

  21 Gideon's Drive 1976

  22 Vigilantes & Biscuits Gideon's Force 1978

  Other Series by John Creasey

  Published or to be published by

  House of Stratus

  Dates given are those of first publication

  'Department 'Z'' (28 titles)

  'Dr. Palfrey Novels' (34 titles)

  'Inspector West' (43 titles)

  'Sexton Blake' (5 titles)

  'The Baron' (47 titles) (writing as Anthony Morton)

  '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 Toff' Series

  These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

  Title Also Published as:

  1 Introducing the Toff It's the Toff ! 1938

  2 The Toff Goes On 1939

  3 The Toff Steps Out 1939

  4 Here Comes the Toff 1940

  5 The Toff Breaks In 1940

  6 Salute the Toff 1941

  7 The Toff Proceeds 1941

  8 The Toff Goes to Market 1942

  9 The Toff Is Back 1942

  10 The Toff on the Trail (short stories) 1942

  11 The Toff among the Millions 1943

  12 Accuse the Toff 1943

  13 The Toff and the Deadly Parson The Toff and the Curate 1944

  14 The Toff and the Great Illusion 1944

  15 Feathers for the Toff 1945

  16 The Toff and the Lady 1946

  17 Poison for the Toff The Toff on Ice 1946

  18 Hammer the Toff 1947

  19 The Toff in Town 1948

  20 The Toff Takes Shares 1948

  21 The Toff and Old Harry 1949

  22 The Toff on Board 1949

  23 Fool the Toff 1950

  24 Kill the Toff 1950

  25 A Knife for the Toff 1951

  26 A Mask for the Toff The Toff Goes Gay 1951

  27 Hunt the Toff 1952

  28 Call the Toff 1953

  29 The Toff Down Under Break the Toff 1953

  30 Murder Out of the Past (short stories) 1953

  31 The Toff at Camp The Toff at Butlins 1954

  32 The Toff at the Fair 1954

  33 A Six for the Toff A Score for the Toff 1955

  34 The Toff and the Deep Blue Sea 1955

  35 Kiss the Toff Make-Up for the Toff 1956

  36 The Toff in New York 1956

  37 Model for the Toff 1957

  38 The Toff on Fire 1957

  39 The Toff and the Stolen Tresses 1958

  40 Terror for the Toff The Toff on the Farm 1958

  41 Double for the Toff 1959

  42 The Toff and the Runaway Bride 1959

  43 A Rocket for the Toff 1960

  44 The Toff and the Kidnapped The Kidnapped Child 1960

  45 Follow the Toff 1961

  46 The Toff and the Toughs The Toff and the Teds 1961

  47 A Doll for the Toff 1963

  48 Leave It to the Toff 1963

  49 The Toff and the Spider 1965

  50 The Toff in Wax 1966

  51 A Bundle for the Toff 1967

  52 Stars for the Toff 1968

  53 The Toff and the Golden Boy 1969

  54 The Toff and the Fallen Angels 1970

  55 Vote for the Toff 1971

  56 The Toff and the Trip-Trip-Triplets 1972

  57 The Toff and the Terrified Taxman 1973

  58 The Toff and the Sleepy Cowboy 1975

  59 The Toff and the Crooked Copper 1977

  Inspector West Series

  These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

  Title Also Published as:

  1 Inspector West Takes Charge 1942

  2 Go Away to Murder Inspector West Leaves Town 1943

  3 An Apostle of Gloom Inspector West At Home 1944

  4 Inspector West Regrets 1945

  5 Holiday for Inspector West 1946

  6 Battle for Inspector West 1948

  7 The Case Against Paul Raeburn Triumph for Inspector West 1948

  8 Inspector West Kicks Off Sport for Inspector West 1949

  9 Inspector West Alone 1950

  10 Inspector West Cries Wolf The Creepers 1950

  11 The Figure in the Dusk A Case for Inspector West 1951

  12 The Dissemblers Puzzle for Inspector West 1951

  13 The Case of the Acid Throwers The Blind Spot; Inspector West at Bay 1952

  14 Give a Man a Gun A Gun for Inspector West 1953

  15 Send Inspector West 1953

  16 So Young, So Cold, So Fair A Beauty for Inspector West;

  The Beauty Queen Killer 1954

  17 Murder Makes Haste Insp. West Makes Haste; The Gelignite Gang;

  Night of the Watchman 1955

  18 Murder: One, Two, Three Two for Inspector West 1955

  19 Death of a Postman Parcels for Inspector West 1956

  20 Death of an Assassin A Prince for Inspector West 1956

  21 Hit and Run Accident for Inspector West 1957

  22 The Trouble at Saxby's Find Inspector West; Doorway to Death 1957

  23 Murder, London - New York 1958

  24 Strike for Death The Killing Strike 1958

  25 Death of a Racehorse 1959

  26 The Case of the Innocent Victims 1959

  27 Murder on the Line 1960

  28 Death in Cold Print 1961

  29 The Scene of the Crime 1961

  30 Policeman's Dread 1962

  31 Hang the Little Man 1963

  32 Look Three Ways at Murder 1964

  33 Murder, London - Australia 1965

  34 Murder, London - South Africa 1966

  35 The Executioners 1967

  36 So Young to Burn 1968

  37 Murder, London - Miami 1969

  38 A Part for a Policeman 1970

  39 Alibi for Inspector West 1971

  40 A Splinter of Glass 1972

  41 The Theft of Magna Carta 1973

  42 The Extortioners 1974

  43 A Sharp Rise in Crime 1978

  'The Baron' Series

  These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

  Title Also Published as:

  1 Meet the Baron The Man in the Blue Mask 1937

  2 The Baron Returns The Return of the Blue Mask 1937

  3 The Baron Again Salute Blue Mask 1938

  4 The Baron at Bay Blue Mask at Bay 1938

  5 Alias the Baron Alias Blue Mask 1939

  6 The Baron at Large Challenge Blue Mask! 1939

  7 Versus the Baron Blue Mask Strikes Again 1940

  8 Call for the Baron Blue Mask Victorious 1940

  9 The Baron Comes Back 1943

  10 A Case for the Baron 1945

  11 Reward for the Baron 1945

  12 Career for the Baron 1946

  13 The Baron and the Beggar 1947

  14 Blame the Baron 1948

  15 A Rope for the Baron 1948

  16 Books for the Baron 1949

  17 Cry for the Baron 1950

  18 Trap the Baron 1950

  19 Attack the Baron 1951

  20 Shadow the Baron 1951

  21 Warn the Baron 1952

  22 The Baron Goes East 1953

  23 The Baron in France 1953

  24 Danger for the Baron 1953

  25 The Baron Goes Fast 1954

  26 Nest-Egg for the Baron Deaf, Dumb and Blonde 1954

  27 Help from the Baron 1955

  28 Hide the Baron 1956

  29 The Double Frame Frame the Baron 1957

  30 Blood Red Red Eye for the Baron 1958

  31 If Anything Happens to Hester Black for the Baron 1959

  32 Salute for the Baron 1960

  33 The Baron Branches Out A Branch for the Baron 1961

  34 The Baron and the Stolen Legacy Bad for the Baron 1962

  35 A Sword for the Baron The Baron and the Mogul Swords 1963

  36 The Baron on Board 1964

  37 The Baron and the Chinese Puzzle 1964

  38 Sport for the Baron 1966

  39 Affair for the Baron 1967

  40 The Baron and the Missing Old Masters 1968

  41 The Baron and the Unfinished Portrait 1969

  42 Last Laugh for the Baron 1970

  43 The Baron Goes A-Buying 1971

  44 The Baron and the Arrogant Artist 1972

  45 Burgle the Baron 1973

  46 The Baron - King Maker 1975

  47 Love for the Baron 1979

  Doctor Palfrey Novels

  These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

 
Title Also Published as:

  1 Traitor's Doom 1942

  2 The Legion of the Lost 1943

  3 The Valley of Fear The Perilous Country 1943

  4 Dangerous Quest 1944

  5 Death in the Rising Sun 1945

  6 The Hounds of Vengeance 1945

  7 Shadow of Doom 1946

  8 The House of the Bears 1946

  9 Dark Harvest 1947

  10 The Wings of Peace 1948

  11 The Sons of Satan 1948

  12 The Dawn of Darkness 1949

  13 The League of Light 1949

  14 The Man Who Shook the World 1950

  15 The Prophet of Fire 1951

  16 The Children of Hate The Killers of Innocence;

  The Children of Despair 1952

  17 The Touch of Death 1954

  18 The Mists of Fear 1955

  19 The Flood 1956

  20 The Plague of Silence 1958

  21 Dry Spell The Drought 1959

  22 The Terror 1962

  23 The Depths 1963

  24 The Sleep 1964

  25 The Inferno 1965

  26 The Famine 1967

  27 The Blight 1968

  28 The Oasis 1970

  29 The Smog 1970

  30 The Unbegotten 1971

  31 The Insulators 1972

  32 The Voiceless Ones 1973

  33 The Thunder-Maker 1976

  34 The Whirlwind 1979

  'Department Z' Novels

  These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels

  Title

  1 The Death Miser 1932

  2 Redhead 1934

  3 First Came a Murder 1934

  4 Death Round the Corner 1935

  5 The Mark of the Crescent 1935

  6 Thunder in Europe 1936

  7 The Terror Trap 1936

  8 Carriers of Death 1937

  9 Days of Danger 1937

  10 Death Stands By 1938

  11 Menace! 1938

  12 Murder Must Wait 1939

  13 Panic! 1939

  14 Death by Night 1940

  15 The Island of Peril 1940

  16 Sabotage 1941

  17 Go Away Death 1941

  18 The Day of Disaster 1942

  19 Prepare for Action 1942

  20 No Darker Crime 1943