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Updated: June 12, 2025
But what Whiteside had to tell was not especially thrilling. Milburgh had been shadowed day and night, and the record of his doings was a very prosaic one. But it is out of prosaic happenings that big clues are born. "I don't know how Milburgh expects the inquiry into Lyne's accounts will go," said Whiteside, "but he is evidently connected, or expects to be connected, with some other business."
"I went into Lyne's Store one day and one of the employees was rude to me. I shouldn't have taken much notice, but an officious shop-walker dismissed the girl on the spot, and when I pleaded for her reinstatement, he insisted that I should see the manager. I was ushered into a private office, and there I saw Mr. Milburgh and realised the kind of double life he was living.
He said this so naturally and with such assurance that Tarling was staggered. Before he had time to speak the other went on: "Yes, I can truthfully say that I was in Mr. Lyne's confidence. He told me a great deal more about himself than he has told anybody and " "One moment," said Tarling, and he spoke slowly. "Will you please tell me what you did with the revolver which you found on Mr.
He is your subordinate, and moreover, the side threat of penal servitude for him if he refuses has carried some weight." Thornton Lyne's face was distorted with fury. "I will take care that your behaviour is widely advertised," he said. "You have brought a most monstrous charge against me, and I shall proceed against you for slander.
Nevertheless, he read it carefully, and presently drawing a writing pad toward him, he began to note down excerpts from the diary. There was the story, told in temperate language and with surprising mildness, of Odette Rider's rejection of Thornton Lyne's advances.
"Your name is Milburgh, if I remember aright?" The manager of Lyne's Store turned, rubbing his hands, his habitual smile upon his face. "Why, to be sure," he said genially, "it's Mr. Tarling, the detective gentleman. What sad news this is, Mr. Tarling! How dreadful for everybody concerned!" "I suppose it has meant an upset at the Stores, this terrible happening?"
Lyne's desk? It was a Colt automatic, and it was loaded." Blank astonishment showed in Mr. Milburgh's eyes. "A loaded pistol?" he asked, raising his eyebrows, "but, my dear good Mr. Tarling, whatever are you talking about? I never found a loaded pistol on Mr. Lyne's desk poor fellow! Mr. Lyne objected as much to these deadly weapons as myself."
I wondered whether Odette Rider loved her mother sufficiently well to make the great sacrifice, to take full responsibility for the irregularities which had occurred in the accounts' department of Lyne's Stores, and clear away to the Continent until the matter blew over. I intended seeing her the next day, but I was still doubtful as to whether she would fall in with my views.
If you suspect there has been any peculation on the part of Lyne's employees, and if that peculation is behind the murder, we shall probably learn something which will give you a clue." Tarling nodded. "How long will the examination take?" he asked. "They think a week. The books have been taken away this morning which reminds me that your friend, Mr.
"Oh, yes, sir," said Milburgh in a shocked voice. "Of course we closed the Store for the day. It is dreadful the most dreadful thing within my experience. Is anybody suspected, sir?" he asked. Tarling shook his head. "It is a most mysterious circumstance, Mr. Milburgh," he said. And then: "May I ask if any provision had been made to carry on the business in the event of Mr. Lyne's sudden death?"
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