Free The Deadly Curse by Tony Evans

Theodore Flinzer experiencing any financial difficulties? The balance of his account appears very low for someone of his standing.’
    Higgins looked nervously at his superior, who nodded. ‘There were no difficulties as such, Mr Harker: Mr Flinzer made a healthy income from his art dealings. However, over the last twelve months he has regularly made large cash withdrawals. I once took the liberty of asking if they were being used for investments, and he told me – rather sharply – that it was a family matter he would prefer not to discuss.’
     
    *
     
    As our route to Dr Limonov took us close to Van Helsing’s house, we asked the cab driver to pause there. Mina had already returned from her mysterious expedition – she appeared determined to keep the details secret from us – and joined us for the rest of our journey. After we had told her what we had discovered at Flinzer’s bank, Mina turned to Van Helsing and I with a puzzled expression.
    ‘There’s one thing I don’t understand,’ she said. ‘Although we have not yet had the benefit of Miss Wilton’s translation, it seems highly probable that the canopic jars that were discovered in Signor Peretti’s house were purchased from Theodore Flinzer. And yet Flinzer’s bank account showed no record of any payment received from that gentleman.’
    ‘Remember that Signor Peretti is – or rather was – a native of Sicily,’ Van Helsing said. ‘The people of that region have an aversion to banks and cheques, preferring the security of cash. I dare say Flinzer – if indeed the jars were his – was paid in gold. But I see we are rapidly approaching Belmont Square. I must warn you that Limonov has something of a reputation for domestic eccentricity. We may find him at a late breakfast, or be informed that he has just retired to bed.’
    ‘Then he is evidently a bachelor,’ Mina said with a smile. ‘Such irregularities would hardly be tolerated in a married man.’
    *
    Limonov’s maid led us not to her master, but the housekeeper, who introduced herself as Mrs Garnett, and took us into the drawing room.
    ‘I believe it’s Professor Van Helsing?’ she asked our friend. Upon receiving confirmation the housekeeper addressed herself to the Professor.
    ‘To tell the honest truth I’m glad you’ve called today, sir. The plain fact is I’m rather worried about Dr Limonov. I haven’t set eyes on him for almost three days – the last time I saw him was Tuesday, when I took a light supper up to him on a tray, about nine o’clock that evening. As you know the doctor doesn’t keep what you might call regular hours, but then he has to eat, doesn’t he? And if he were to go away, he’d always tell me. Then there’s another thing. You can see his bedroom from the back of the house, and the curtains haven’t been open since Tuesday night. Of course I’ve tried knocking on his bedroom door, but it’s locked and there’s no reply.’
    ‘Tell me Mrs Garnett,’ I said, casting a worried glance towards my wife and Van Helsing, ‘do you recall your master receiving any parcels before his disappearance?’
    ‘Why yes sir. On Tuesday morning a package was sent here addressed to the doctor; it was about the size of a cigar box. He was out all day, and to be honest I’d forgot all about it until he got home that night and I took up his tray. So I took the parcel up to his room along with his supper. When he saw it he was so pleased he didn’t ask why I’d not given it to him the moment he’d got home. “Splendid, Mrs Garnett, splendid!” he’d said and fair snatched it from me.’
    ‘Very well,’ I said, with my mind full of foreboding. ‘If Professor Van Helsing and my wife are in agreement, I propose we break down your master’s bedroom door. Of course, if it turns out to be unnecessary, I will reimburse the cost of repair. Mrs Garnett, if you could show us to his room and then wait for us downstairs, I would be grateful.’
    The frightened