Bryan Porter [Porter - The English Gentleman

The EnglishGentlema

by Bryan M.Porter

Copyright 2012 Bryan Porter

Published byBryan Porter at Smashwords

ISBN978-0-9880793-1-1

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In the curiouscase of the broken window I alluded to the fact that my friend theCount of Samerand was not bound to me for cases. In fact, before Ihad even met him, he had made a name for himself as a problemsolver among the nobility. It was often the case that I would hearof him doing some trivial deed for the nobility or stumble acrosshim in the midst of his investigation. Though there were times thematter was not so trivial.

It was December3, 1866 when I placed in charge of what appeared to be to a regularmurder, which was not uncommon in whitechapel. At eight thirty thebody of a man had been discovered by a group of sailors bound forone of the houses of ill-repute. The victim was a man in his earlythirties with a crop of deep black hair and roguish good looks. Hewore a felt cap, and what must have once been a fine jacket, now socached with sweat and grease that it was unsightly. I noted thatthe victim had been stabbed repeatedly in the chest, and the onlything that had been removed was a apparently a ring based on thered welt around his ring finger.

What do yousay, sir? Said Constable Delores

Seems veryplain to me. While returning home this good fellow was taking by arobber, when he would not freely give his belongings, he wasstabbed for his trouble. The thief would have taken more, if he hadnot been interrupted by the sailors. No, no. I figure if we askaround we will quickly find this man's name.

Very good,sir.

The case seemedso plain to me that I could not perceive it being any other way,and after a few formalities, I left the case in constable Deloreshands while I continued onto a luncheon I had scheduled with thefriend the past week. My friend had reserved a place at Laftertiesfor twelve sharp, and even though I arrived a good ten minutesearly I found my friend seated in a corner table.

Really Count,must we always sit in the corner? It is hardly the best seat.

Many a man hasrealized the folly of sitting with his back left open. I never planto be one of these, but please sit, sit.

Pulling thechair out, I sat across from my friend, his fingers folded over hisknee.

I must sayCount, I am surprised to find you here so early. It is not yourusual custom.

Well, I hadthe chance to be out at the hour.

A bit ofbusiness? Asked I

Yes, actually.The favourite son of a duchy has gone missing, I was charged withreturning him. A youngish stout man with a crop of black hair and arugged appearance.

I gazed at theCount with a slight smile at the coincidence. That is really quitesingular as, I was just called out to whitechapel to investigatethe murder of a man similar to your description.

The Countraised an eyebrow at this remark. Really? Is it possible that theman is one in the same?

Oh. I hardlythink so, the man was clearly of a low station from his dress, andI doubt the son of a duchy would frequent whitechapel.

Possible.Remarked the Count. But I don't believe in coincidence, so if youdon't mind I would like to have a look at this man.

I was quitetaken aback by the Counts remark, as it seemed obviously absurd tome to consider the young man had visited so squalid an area. Wetook half an hour to dine before returning to whitechapel byhansom. In the interim, my friend said very little, his expressionfar away.

When wereturned, constable Delores was questioning one of the sailors whohad chanced upon the body.

Ho inspector,did you forget something? Said Delores

Not as such.My friend the Count of Samerand has begun a line of inquiry intothe disappearance of the son of a duchy, and our John Doe hereresembles him to some degree.

Ah, so you arethe Count that Inspector McMurdy has been going on about. I daresay you made quite the impression upon him, though I doubt you findmuch to do with your affair here.

Perhaps, butone should never let such things slip him by or else he might losethe case.

My friend kneltby the body and began to carefully examine it, taking the hands andturning them over, examining the fatal wound, and going so far asto sniff the victim's hair.

Tell meWright, you must have some idea about this.

I do in fact.It seems clear to me that this poor soul was the victim of arobbery, when he refused to part with his goods he was stabbedrepeated in the chest, his ring stolen before the thief madeoff.

Interesting.Said the Count.

So you agreewith me.

Oh no, you arequite wide of the mark.

I must say Iwas quite offended by the Count's remark though I knew his fashion.Then perhaps you could give us some light on this matter.

Certainly.Said the count. Firstly, examine the hands. Though they are dirty,you will not they are soft much like a ladies, the finger nailsclean. This is not the hand of a labourer. Secondly the ring.Whenever a ring is removed you will be able to make out the impressof it from the size of the cutting and bruising. This ring is amight bit larger then a wedding ring, oval shaped, I would guess asignet ring. Next we have the hair, though your sense of smellmight be diluted by the pungent aroma of the area, if you were tosniff this young man's hair you would smell the hint of lilacs,hardly something a man of low means would be able to afford. SurelyWright, you must know that a felt cap, and a ruddy jacket do notmake a labourer.

I have toadmit that I can find no fault with your reasoning, but even so ifthis man is of high birth like you surmise, why would he be here ofall places?

That is thequestion. Said the Count. Though I think the manner in which heis killed speaks to the crime.

How so?

Well look athis chest, man. He has been stabbed at least seven times. This wasnot a mugging. This man has been the victim of a crime ofpassion.

But surely hecould have been chanced upon by a rogue.

It is notlikely. remarked the count pointing to an adjacent window.

If I am notterribly mistaken, this is what you would call a bordello house. Asthese women are often the victims of assault, they are evervigilant to it. As he would be likely to be seen, it is more likelythat a thief would have waited another twenty paces so he couldcommit his crime without being observed.

You arecorrect, especially about the establishment. Really quite anunpleasant place.

Really? I havenever found them as such.

Standing upfrom his examination, the Count walked over and loudly knocked onthe door of the bordello. It was several minutes before a youngpetite woman, wrapped in a knitted shawl, answered the door. As Iwas some distances away from the door I can not say what the countsaid, but very quickly the madame was brought around to speak withthe count. After several minutes the count called for me to comecloser.

Ah, Wright.You must join me, Madame DuPont as informed me after somewheedling, that one of her girls overheard something lastnight.

I was quitesurprised that, not only had my friend acquired the confidence ofthe madame but also her help.

We were takingto a small room on the wall facing the crime. A woman of perhapsthirty years, sat upright in her bed, her limbs were long andsupple, nose upturned, with a dash of freckles.

Madame. Myfriend said taking her hand in his making a baisemain with hislips.