Free The Deadly Curse by Tony Evans Page B

sent for the police doctor. You’re a medical man, Van Helsing. What do you think? A poisoning? And that bracelet’s another Egyptian relic, I’ll be bound.’
    Van Helsing pointed at Limonov’s arm, where we had left the sleeve rolled up. ‘I’m no expert, but I believe that to be a snake bite – and the cause of death.’
    Delland looked unconvinced. ‘I take it you’ve not found a snake in the room?’
    ‘Correct,’ I said. ‘Unless you count this one.’
    I picked up the armlet and passed it to Delland, pointing to the snake’s head. To my surprise the inspector laughed loudly.
    ‘Better still!’ he exclaimed. ‘Our murderer has a sense of humour, if nothing else.’
    Van Helsing smiled at the officer. ‘Detective Inspector, it seems to me you have the advantage of Mr Harker and I. You have clearly discovered the secret behind this case, whereas Jonathan and I are still very much confused. While we are waiting for the police doctor to arrive, would it be possible for you to share your theory with us? I can assure you we will treat it with confidence.’
    ‘I see no reason why not, gentlemen, as you and the two ladies have been so helpful. Let me explain. You’ll remember that when Mr Theodore Flinzer was done away with I said he was known by Scotland Yard to be less than honest in his art dealings, and that I suspected he’d fallen out with some criminal acquaintances – and suffered the consequences. Well, the subsequent murder of Signor Fosco Peretti, and now this latest crime’ – he pointed to the grotesque corpse on the bed – ‘have not altered my opinion. But before I say any more, I’d like to hear what you know about the unfortunate gentleman.’
    After Van Helsing had told the inspector all he knew about Dr Limonov, the three of us withdrew to the drawing room, leaving Sergeant Drew to guard the body until the doctor arrived.
    Inspector Delland settled comfortably in a well-upholstered armchair. ‘This is how I see it. The grotesque brutality of Flinzer’s murder suggested to me a distinct possibility that a foreigner was involved. The English criminal is a straightforward enough fellow in his own way, and in the main predictable. The fact that a vicious decapitation had occurred suggested the hot blood of a Southern European; or the cold cruelty of an Asiatic; or perhaps the savagery of an African.’
    I smiled inwardly at this exhibition of the inspector’s prejudices. After a short pause Delland continued.
    ‘However, at first my enquiries came to nothing. I discovered from one of my informants that Flinzer had disposed of a stolen painting in early October, but there did not appear to be any disagreement over the transaction. Then came the Peretti murder. I soon discovered from the Chief of Police in Naples that far from being a harmless connoisseur, Signor Peretti was known to be an associate of the Mantello Rosso .’
    Van Helsing interjected. ‘An organisation even more deadly than the Mafiosi , albeit less well known.’
    Delland nodded. ‘You’re well informed, Professor. It seems that Peretti had left Sicily in 1893 because his life was in danger. Now, although I’ve found nothing yet to link him with any wrongdoing since he moved to London, I have discovered how he obtained the two Egyptian jars. Peretti’s valet, Babcock – a very respectable servant who was previously in the employ of Lord Drumgannon for over fifteen years – happened to be in the garden at about ten o’clock on the evening of Wednesday November 10th, the night before the discovery of Peretti’s disembowelled corpse by the parlourmaid on Thursday morning. Babcock had been looking for the housekeeper’s cat, which had not been seen all day. After locating the creature fast asleep in the stables, Babcock was on his way back to the house when he saw his master in conversation with a young man. There was a three-quarter moon that night, and the valet got a good look at him. He said he was short and