The Scuttling of the 'Kingfisher.'

Chapter I. Guppet

EVER having been much at sea, and possessing very little knowledge of nautical matters, it was a surprise to me when the case of the merchant barque Kingfisher was placed in my hands. I say " the case," but the term is used anticipatively, for at that time no legal proceedings had been instituted, and the vessel was lying, sound and snug, in dry " KINGFISHER. 8 dock in London. Various ugly rumours, it is true, were afloat — rumours of a conspiracy to scuttle the ship ; and it was in consequence of these rumours that my services were engaged ; but rumours do not make a case — a case, I mean, from the point of view of a detective officer ; and it may as well be stated at once that that was then my calling. Briefly, the facts are these. A broker named Ockbridge was said to be treating for the purchase of the vessel ; and the name of Ockbridge was not in good odour at Lloyd's. Certain persons, whose interest it is to watch the history of vessels insured in London and elsewhere, had stumbled upon the remarkable discovery that, of five ships which had been owned, insured, and dis patched from British ports by the said Ockbridge during the short space of nine GUPPET. 9 years, not one had reached its destination.

Three of them had gone down in perfectly calm weather, and though there was evidence that the two others had encountered heavy seas, there was reason for believing that no great efforts had been made to save them. These facts had given rise to the rumours aforesaid, and the rumours naturally enough had had a damaging effect on Ockbridge. Suspicion likewise rested upon a sailor named Rudd, who had been ship's carpenter on three of the sunken craft, and had been aboard all five of them at the time they were lost. Now the theory at Lloyd's was that the vessels, after being heavily insured, and loaded with worthless cargoes, also heavily insured, had been scuttled on the high seas by command of their owner ; and it was " KINGFISHER. with the view of putting an end to these supposed frauds that the assistance of the Scotland Yard authorities had been called in.

My instructions, however, were not so much to collect evidence on the old cases as to discover all that was discoverable respecting Ockbridge's negotiations for the purchase of the Kingfisher, and, in the event of the vessel passing into his hands, to trace his after movements till the vessel was manned and loaded, and ready for leaving port. The same day that I received my in structions from headquarters, I called at Lloyd's, and had a long interview with Captain Momerie, of the Salvage Associa tion, a retired master-mariner, who, however, had little to tell me beyond what I had already learnt from my chief, which was not much. GUPPET. Next morning found me at Ockbridge's offices, a suite of rooms covering the third floor of an old sombre-looking house, situated in a court off Fenchurch Street ; and here my work really began.

I learnt from Captain Momerie that the caretaker on the premises — who fulfilled the duties of night-watchman, and slept a large part of the day in a little room on the attic story — was himself an old sailor; indeed, had once shipped as boatswain on a vessel commanded by the captain. " He is thoroughly reliable," added my informant ; "you might trust him with anything, from a state-secret to a keg of brandy. He has been told of your coming, and you have only to show him this" — handing me one of his private cards — " to secure his most devoted service." Though I saw no reason to question the " KINGFISHER. justness of this testimony to the caretaker's character, I was not a little annoyed that he should have been forewarned of my coming ; yet I solaced myself in the fact that the captain had been neither able to inform him when I should call, nor under what disguise I should present myself, so that it would be easy to conceal my identity should such a course appear desirable.

As I passed through Eastcheap, the neigh bouring clocks were striking eleven. The city was alive with people, many of whom I knew very well, but not a soul recognized me. Two stalwart policemen stationed by the Mansion House, who had looked into my face a hundred times at least, failed to penetrate my disguise, and a lynx-eyed inspector, who had supped with me not GUPPET. 13 three days before, and with whom I presently brushed shoulders at the corner of Finch Lane, did not know his friend, though he certainly looked at me pretty hard. I do not think my wig and false beard alone would have deceived him, but my complexion may have done so ; for I had stained the skin of my face and neck, which was naturally white, a light brown to give the appearance of sun-burn, and the change produced in my appearance by this simple device had surprised even myself.

Then, my eyes were partly concealed behind a pair of spectacles, the slender gold rims of which enhanced the prosperous appearance of my general get-up, which was that of an elderly merchant who had travelled. It was a warm morning at the latter end of May, and the sun was shining brightly as I entered the court. The house which " KINGFISHER. I was seeking was at the other end, but a few steps brought me to it, as the court was hardly thirty yards in length. Some sparrows were twittering on the carved, smoke-discoloured lintel of the door, and a black cat, with dissipated looks and torn ear, was approaching from a house opposite with i:>redatory steps. The whole house, with the exception of the attic-story, was let out in offices, and the names of the several tenants — in gilt letters on a black ground — caught my eye directly I entered the passage.

Pausing a moment before the narrow board on which the names were inscribed, I read under the words, "Third floor": — Ockbridge & Co. SHIPOWNERS & BROKERS. Then I made a minute inspection of my face in a small reducing mirror which GUPPET. depended from my chain, and having satisfied myself that neither wig nor beard had suffered any displacement on my way to the court, I mounted the stairs. On the third floor I ran against the caretaker — a quite unlooked - for event. Indeed, I had hopefully pictured him asleep in his attic chamber, for it wanted scarcely half-an-hour to noon, and Captain Momerie had informed me that the morning duties which concluded the old fellow's night-watch never kept him later than nine o'clock. He came up to me with a rolling sailor gait, gaping and stretching his arms.

I passed him intentionally, and was proceeding to a glass panelled door, lettered " Office," when he swung round clumsily, and said abruptly : "No go, sir. Locked up and gone." "KINGFISHER. I could not suppress a start. " Gone ! not for good, I suppose ? " The caretaker must have noticed my surprise, for after another long yawn he said enigmatically : " For good ? Do Ockbridge & Co. do anything for good ? " Then, coming up close to me, and speaking under his breath, "You are Serjeant Dyce of Scotland Yard?" said he. Here was a collapse ! I never felt more taken down in my life. In the very teeth of those congratulations which I had been offering myself on the thoroughness of my disguise, and absolutely at the starting point of my investigations, I was discovered and laid bare by a sleepy caretaker — a man who, in all probability, had never set eyes on me before.

Instinctively my hand went up to my beard, which I thought must GUPPET. have got pushed askew ; but the caretaker understood the movement, and shook his head, winking at me with one of his sleepy eyes. " No, no, skipper ; 't ain't the beard," he said ; " that 's like life as ever was. 'T ain't the beard. But the cap'n made known as you was coming, and the sun-burn told out upon you." " S — s — sh ! " I said, forcing a smile. And with that I repeated the caretaker's words as a question — " The sun-burn ? " " Aye, that 's it. You see, I 'm an old salt, and forty years of ocean-tossing in all weathers has made me a judge of a tanned skin — leastways, of a man's skin. Yours ain't good imitation, Mr. Dyce ; it 's false to natur'. That 's wot told tales, you know, not the beard." " You 're a cute fellow, Mr. Guppet," said u " KINGFISHER.

I, staring uncomfortably at this sleepy, wide-awake fellow. "I hope Messrs. Ock bridge and Company are no sailors ; for if they are I 'd best go home at once and wash my face. Here is Captain Momerie's card, and here, Mr. Guppet, is my hand. And now I think we understand each other." I had placed half-a-crown in my palm, but the old fellow refused the proffered largesse with disdain. "Understand each other?" he repeated. " I guess I 've sounded you, Mr. Dyce ; but you ain't touched ground with your own plummet yet. I want no dirty bribes. If Mr. Ockbridge is wot he 's suspected of being — a swindling rogue engaged in scuttling vessels— the sooner he's stopped at his game the better ; and as you 're here to sift the matter, I'll give wot help I can. GUPPET. 19 Guttling landsharks who send out vessels no better than leaky coffins, and employ others to scuttle 'em, 'perilling the lives of whole ships' crews (not to speak of their wives and lasses at home), are worse than rats, and ought to be poisoned ; and if I were my lord judge I'd transport the lot of 'em — aye, and serve out to 'em rope's-end instead of grog the whole passage out.

Now I think we understand each other." " Spoken like a man," I answered. " I can understand your indignation, and feel with you, though I am not a sailor. By the-way, on the list downstairs the firm appears as Ockbridge & Co. Is there any Co. in the business so far as you are aware ? " Guppet shook his head drowsily. "Not to my knowledge," he said, "unless, " KINGFISHER." 20 indeed, the person who keeps the books is in any sense a partner." " His senior clerk you mean, I suppose ? " " Senior and junior both," answered the caretaker; "Mr. Ockbridge ain't got but II one. " "What is his name ? " "Poupard." ' ' Do you know his private address ? " " No." "Is he on familiar terms with his employer — more familiar, I mean, than is usual between a broker and his confidential clerk ? " " I should say so.

They are always drinking wine together; and I have seen Mr. Poupard open letters addressed to the firm in Mr. Ockbridge's presence." " And in his absence, too — eh ? " " Oh, heaps of times ! " GUPPET. "Have you ever been to Mr. Ockbridge's private house?" "No; but the wife has." " Your own wife, I suppose ? " "Well, whose wife else should I be speaking of? Yes, my own wife. Some times, when locking up his office of an afternoon, he has left orders for the refor'ard ing of some expected telegram, maybe ; and the telegram has come ; and the wife, who never says ' No ' to a walk West when the shop -windows are lighted up, has slipped the telegram under her shawl and trudged off with it to his house in Guilford Street." " Has this happened often ? " " A good few." " Has Mrs. Guppet ever been asked into the house on those occasions ?

" " Most allus ; for Mr. Ockbridge's last "KINGFISHER." 22 word on leaving is sure to be, ' Tell the bearer to give the telegram into my own hands,' which, of course, means that the wife must be shown in." Sleepy as he looked, and as I could not but assure myself he really was, Mr. Guppet certainly had his wits about him. He had taken a key from his pocket and was now rubbing it slowly up and down the side of his nose. "Perhaps you can tell me," said I, " whether Mr. Poupard was ever seen by your wife at Guilford Street ? " "Frequently. Most allus, I may say. The wife often says to me, ' They 're more like loving brothers than master and clerk.'" I now reverted to the subject of Mr. Guppet's first remark on seeing me, " No go, sir. Locked up and gone." GUPPET. 23 " The offices, you say, are locked, and there is no one within.

Either Mr. Ock bridge or his clerk will be back to-day, I suppose." "Yes. Not an hour gone I sent off a telegram to a merchant captain at Shadwell — Hewlar was the name — asking him to call here at two o'clock. I fancy Mr. Ock bridge is about buying another vessel, and thinks of placing Captain Hewlar in command." " Good ! " said I. " Can you tell me when they are likely to be back?" "Any time after one o'clock. They went out together on the stroke of eleven, and Mr. Poupard told me they'd be gone about two hours." "Did they tell you where they were going ? " Guppet held the key a few inches from " KINGFISHER. 24 his nose, and leering at it with heavy, half closed eyes, shook his head. My next step was now plain before me. Indeed, directly the caretaker had told me of the telegram to Captain Hewlar, I had made up my mind.

Taking the sleepy fellow by the lapel of his coat, and looking him straight between the eyes, I said : " The appointment with the captain was for two o'clock. Guppet, I must be present at the interview." I thought he would have shown some surprise, but he was cool as a cucumber, and the only outward sign that he had heard me was the return of the key to his nose. The action was expressive, though I did not understand its full import at the moment. Presently, however, he dived his disengaged hand into one of the hip-pockets of his coat, GUPPET. 25 and drawing out the lining, deliberately tore a hole in it. At first I thought that weariness had overpowered him, and that he was going through this singular perform ance in his sleep, but in a moment I was undeceived. Restoring the pocket to its place, he stepped on to the mat at the foot of the next flight of stairs, and, still rubbing the key against his nose, said dreamily : " I 'm caretaker here, you know ; and this key admits to the third floor suite of offices, occupied by Ockbridge & Co. There are only two of these keys, and Mr. Ockbridge has the other one.

You — a smart thief catcher from Scotland Yard " — I raised my finger apprehensively — "want to be present at a certain interview in that gentleman's private office, which is wot brings you here this morning. Now, I needn't say that it's " KINGFISHER. 26 more than my place is worth to deliver up the key" — here he dropped that article into the torn pocket — "and therefore it's for you to shift 'ow you can, or else to trust to me or Mr. Ockbridge losing our keys, which may or may not happen. That's my palaver. And now as I 've been twenty two hours without sleep, I '11 give you good morning, and climb aloft." The key had fallen out upon the mat, and as the old fellow stumbled up the stairs I stooped and picked it up. Then I returned to the spot where we had been standing during the greater part of the conversation, and, leaning over the landing banisters, listened.

The twittering of the sparrows came to me through the open staircase window, mingled with the sound of foot steps on the flagstones of the court and the confused hum of traffic in the crowded GUPPET. street beyond ; but the house itself, save for Guppet's receding footfall, was as quiet as a sick-room. Half a minute later I had unlocked the glass-panelled door, and was standing in Messrs. Ockbridge's outer office.

Chapter II. Ockbridge

&» CO. Y first act on entering the office was to close and lock the door again. Then I took off my spectacles and put them carefully away, for they were borrowed treasure, and the frames were real gold. Fortune seemed to be favour ing me already. Supposing that neither of the men returned before the time expected, I had a full hour in which to look about me and arrange a plan of action. It was not long before I noticed that the two offices — Poupard's and Ockbridge's — though distinct and separate apartments, led into one another. Each had its own entrance door from the landing, but the dividing wall of the two rooms had been broken into by a third door, and thus there was a means of direct intercommunication. There could be little doubt that the interview would take place in the inner office ; and as the door in question was wide open, I passed through without loss of time.

The room was of a fair size, and plainly but solidly furnished. It was lighted by two windows. The table was of light oak, with surface of dark green leather, and the chairs were dark mahogany, upholstered with horsehair. A large treacly - looking picture of a full-rigged merchant vessel hung on the wall opposite one of the windows, the rigging having all the appear ance of being faultlessly correct ; but the sea was a crude green, resembling nothing in nature. Opposite the other window was "KINGFISHER. 30 a massive case like a book-case, but the shelves were loaded with samples of mer chandise of the most miscellaneous kind : dried fruits, wool, raw cotton, saffron, indigo, sperm oil, and I know not what beside. On a contiguous wall, facing the fireplace, was a linen-mounted map of the world, very cracked and yellow, and half torn from its rollers; and beneath it was a low, antique sideboard, with plain, heavy doors of Spanish mahogany.

These two articles completely covered the door which opened to the landing — evidence enough, I need scarcely say, that the latter was no longer used. In a recess on the left of the fireplace was a small iron safe, which I found to be locked ; and in the corresponding place on the other side was a low door which led into a room, smaller than either of the offices — a sort of lumber-room, thick with dust, and of a very musty smell. The window-shutters of this apartment were fastened, but the flood of light which entered through the open door showed me that the room was furnished on three sides with broad shelves, on which, as my eyes got accustomed to the semi darkness, I noticed several used-up ledgers, an old ship's compass, and two well-thumbed log books. Above the door, but high up, near the ceiling, was a small ventilator, communicating with the private office ; and I presently ascertained, on climbing up to it and looking through, that when the venti lator was open not more than two inches, the table in the next room might be well seen and the chairs surrounding it, but that, when wide open, those objects were quite shut out, and the wall opposite with the map and sideboard were brought into the field of vision.

" KINGFISHER. Without doubt I had stumbled upon a valuable discovery. Here was a place of hiding that could not be improved upon. The darkness of the room, the width of the shelf, its height from the ground — all were in its favour ; and instead of having to resort to such precarious means of con cealment as sideboard or book-case, where cramp and partial suffocation would have been inevitable, I could sit or kneel or lie here in perfect ease and security, and even, by getting close up to the opening, take notes of any conversation passing below. Perchance, it will be asked what right had I, serjeant or no serjeant, to enter this room — or, indeed, any of Mr. Ockbridge's rooms — without his permission ? A straight forward question, to which a straightforward answer were perhaps the best. / had no right.

Chance had thrown the opportunity in my way, and I could not resist it. That is my only explanation, and it must be my only apology. To proceed. Having fixed the revolving flap of the ventilator at the most favourable angle for seeing, I climbed down again and returned to the private office, though not before I had drawn off my boots. There was a blotting-pad on the table, and some mis cellaneous papers, which I examined. One was an estimate from a Birmingham house for a large number of revolvers ; another, which interested me more, was the com mencement of a letter, doubtless in the handwriting of Ockbridge. It ran thus : " My dear Rudd, — Nothing as yet is settled, but negotiations are in progress which promise well. I have just telegraphed for c " KINGFISHER. 34 Captain Hewlar " Here the letter broke off, but, fragmentary as it was, I would not have missed the sight of it for twenty pounds.

Rudd was the name of the sailor who had been present at the sinking of all of Ockbridge's vessels ; and supposing the person addressed in this unfinished epistle to be the same individual, the circumstance would be more than curious. Shipowners and ship's carpenters do not usually corre spond on such familiar terms. On raising some more papers I came upon a pair of brand new revolvers, bearing the name of the firm whose estimate I had just found — namely, Harrington and Sons. There was nothing remarkable in the discovery. Doubtless the revolvers were samples, and had been sent with the estimate ; indeed, this supposition was borne out by the press copying book, in which I found a copy of the following letter, the flimsy, paper-trans parency being still damp. "May 26th, 18—. "Messrs. Harrington & Sons.

"Dear Sirs, — We regret that we have been unable to induce our friends to ship any more revolvers for the present, or we should have been glad to send an order. Perhaps we shall another time be more successful. Shall we send the pistols to your order, or shall we send them to our friends at Shanghai, as sample patterns, which might lead to future business ? "Yours truly, "Ockbridge & Co." I made a memorandum of this letter, and returned the book to its shelf above the copying press. Then I looked at my watch. Half-past twelve. Returning to the outer office I commenced an exam ination there, but found nothing to engage "KINGFISHER. my serious attention beyond a crumpled slip of paper with " Skedgeley Brothers " scribbled many times upon it. This, which I recovered from a wicker waste-basket by Poupard's stool, I kept possession of.

The writer had evidently been practising a signature. At this point, my search was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the stairs, and I cautiously withdrew into the inner office. Here I waited, ready at the first rattle of a key to ascend to my shelf by the ventilator. The footsteps approached the door of the outer office, and I could see the shape of a man through one of the ground glass panels. The caller, whoever he was, knocked twice and tried the handle, and then went away. As it had now turned the quarter, I thought it advisable to suspend further operations and to ascend to my perch. The resolution was well taken ; for I had hardly composed myself on the shelf, and stowed my boots out of sight, before the rattle of a key, followed by the flinging open of the outer door, told me that one or both of the gentlemen had returned.

Both, as it happened, and, with them, a third person — probably he who had tried the door a few moments earlier. Yet it still wanted ten minutes to the hour. By keeping my ear close to the ventilator I could hear all their conversation, even while the speakers were in the outer office. Possibly the flap of the ventilator acted as a sounding-board, but, having no knowledge of acoustics, I cannot say. " We 're just back in time. Come into my private room, Winterton ; you '11 find it " KINGFISHER. cooler there. Poupard told me not to expect you before two o'clock." Undoubtedly Ockbridge was the speaker ; and there could be as little question of the identity of the one who answered him. " My authority for that statement was Winterton himself, I believe." Clearly this was Poupard, speaking in his own defence.

He was immediately justified by Winterton. "Yes, yes; that's true. But unexpected business brought me almost within sight of your offices, so I took my chance and looked in." " I 'm glad of it," said Ockbridge ; " for, to tell you the truth, I 've an appointment with a second gentleman for two o'clock — made before Poupard told me your own time — and I should have been sorry to keep either waiting." By this time the three men had entered the inner office, the broker leading the way. They were all smoking. Ockbridge at once stepped over to the sideboard, and opening one of the cupboards took out a couple of bottles of wine and some glasses. Poupard closed the private door. I had a good look at Ockbridge as he returned to the table. He was a bustling, energetic man, less than middle height, and inclining to corpulency.

His short beard was turning grey, and he had a habit of drawing it quickly through his hand with a twisting upward movement, as though he were wringing a piece of rag. Poupard, on the other hand, was slightly built and quiet in his manner, with light eyes and lashes, an exuberance of freckles, and delicate white hands like a woman's. Winterton looked " KINGFISHER." 40 more of the sensualist and man of pleasure, if puffy eyes, heavy and uncertain lower lip, and pasty complexion could be accepted as any index to character. He was rather flashily dressed, too, and sported a large diamond in his cravat, which sparkled like a waterfall. They sat down, and Ockbridge began filling the glasses. " Couldn't we have one of the windows open ? " queried Winterton, who seemed short of breath. " Do you find it so warm ?

" returned Ock bridge. "Unfortunately, both the cords are broken, and I 've had the sashes screwed up." " Had the sashes screwed up ! What an idea ! " "Yes. It was done last year, about the time of the November fogs. They were always dropping and letting in the smuts, so I got Guppet the caretaker to fix them. He's in bed now, or I'd call him down to set them free again." " Oh, no matter. Our business will not detain us very long, I suppose ? Ah ! " — Winterton nodded at the bottles — "this is some of my '48, I see." " Yes ; and it does you credit," said Ockbridge. " I saved a dozen from the six gross which I had from you in January. The rest was shipped to a client in Melbourne. Let me offer you a glass." " Thanks. May I send you in another six gross of the same vintage — same terms as before?"

Ockbridge laughed, twisting up his beard. "That depends," he said. "I might manage an even larger order — say, for twelve gross — if the Kingfisher business were settled. What say you, Poupard ? " "KINGFISHER. Poupard removed his cigar from between his teeth, and looked thoughtfully at the burnt end of it. " I was thinking," he said after a pause, " that we might come to some arrangement with Mr. Winterton that would be to our mutual benefit." " How so ? " said Ockbridge. " Explain." I had my suspicions that the broker knew quite well what was passing in Poupard's mind ; in fact, that the two men were simply working on the lines of some definite, prearranged plan. Their subse quent conversation went far to confirm this impression. " Will you allow me to speak without reserve ? " said Poupard warily.

"Allow you? Certainly. Speak out all your mind. You know I have nothing to conceal." Poupard tossed his half-smoked cigar into the fireplace, and, drawing a glass of wine towards him, said quietly : " Well, Mr. Winterton, the case is just this : Mr. Ock bridge is about purchasing a ship, the Kingfisher — at least, he has ascertained the price of it and all particulars, and would have completed a purchase two days ago, but that he does not wish his name to be registered as owner." " Oh ! " said the wine - merchant, puffing out his pasty cheeks. "Yes," continued Poupard; "Mr. Ock bridge, you must understand, has had the misfortune to lose one or two of his vessels at sea, and as the vessels were insured — not in any case, I regret to say, for a sufficient amount — of course the underwriters have had to pay up, and that has made them unjustifiably suspicious."