‘Looks like a pile of old newspapers, sir,’ suggested Crabb.
‘They appear to be back copies of the Malvern News. You take that half Crabb, and I’ll take these.’
‘What am I looking for sir?’
‘Look at each page and see if Armitage has marked any articles, adverts, anything in fact,’ said Ravenscroft placing the newspapers on the table.
Crabb looked puzzled but complied with Ravenscroft’s request.
The two men worked in silence, turning the browning sheets of the old newspapers one at a time, running their fingers down the columns of newsprint, examining the advertisements, until suddenly Ravenscroft let out a cry, ‘See here Crabb! Armitage has drawn a line all the way round this article!’
‘What does it say, sir?’
‘A new company has been formed to raise issue of shares for the construction of the proposed Tewkesbury to Leominster Railway,’ said Ravenscroft beginning to read the sheet.
‘What was there to interest Armitage in a new railway company?’ asked Crabb. ‘He surely is not wealthy enough to afford the purchase of any shares.’
‘This is most interesting Crabb. It says here that the proposed line will commence at Tewksbury, run through Upton, then through Colwall, and on through various villages until it arrives at Leominster. Ah, here we have it — ‘the building of the line will necessitate the removal of several buildings which may lie in its intended route, particularly at Colwall where the proposed line would cross the existing Malvern to Hereford line’. Are you thinking what I’m thinking Crabb?’
‘If the line was built, the almshouses might well have to be demolished to make way for it.’
‘Exactly Crabb, this is why Armitage has marked this article. As the warden of the almshouses he had a decided interest in opposing such a scheme. If the almshouses were knocked down, the old people would be turned out and he would in all probability lose his position as warden. We need to find out more about this new railway company. I wonder if we can discover who is the agent for the new company? Ah — here we are — ‘should any members of the public be interested in purchasing shares in the new Tewkesbury to Leominster Railway, they can view the prospectus at the Malvern Library and Reading Rooms. The issue will continue until either all the shares of the new company are fully subscribed or by 23rd April, 1887.’’
‘That must be in about a fortnight sir,’ said Crabb. ‘What is the date of the paper?’
‘Published about five weeks ago,’ replied Ravenscroft.
‘Perhaps Armitage knew who the proposed shareholders were?’
‘Let us return to Malvern and see what else we can discover about the company and its shareholders,’ said Ravenscroft. ‘Somehow, Armitage took an interest in this newspaper item.’
The two men closed the cottage door behind them, and walked over towards the two old men. Ravenscroft reached into his pocket and took out a silver coin, which he placed on the old wooden table in front of them. ‘Should Mr. Armitage return, send urgent word to Malvern Police Station,’ he said.
One of the old men picked up the coin and tested it with his teeth. ‘A nimble ninepence is better than a sleepy shillin sir,’ said his companion with a broad grin.
Ravenscroft smiled.
‘I can hear a train approaching sir. If we are quick enough, we can catch it back to Malvern,’ said Crabb.
‘Lead on Crabb, and I will follow.’
Upon their return to Great Malvern station, Ravenscroft and Crabb hired a cab from outside the building, which took them upwards, back towards the town. Alighting at the top of Church Street they walked across to the Library and Reading Rooms, only to find the doors locked.
‘Looks as though we are too late sir? Closed up for the day,’ said Crabb.
‘I suppose it is rather late,’ said Ravenscroft consulting his pocket watch. ‘I think that is all we can do for today. Go home Crabb; your lovely wife will be pleased to see you no doubt. I must return to the Tudor and make my excuses for not undertaking my treatment this afternoon. Meet me outside the Reading Rooms tomorrow morning at nine, and we will see what we can discover.’
The two men parted company, and Ravenscroft made his way back to the Tudor, where he was confronted by an anxious Stebbins.
‘There yer are sir. I’ve been lookin all over for you, on account of yer treatment sir.’
‘Detained on important police business Stebbins,’ said Ravenscroft sweeping past the youth and seeking the sanctuary of his room. Here, he lay on the bed going over the events of the day in his mind.
After a few minutes he walked over to the window and gazed out at the view which had now become familiar to him. If only he could solve this case, he could make some excuse to terminate his treatment at the Tudor and leave the town. There would still be a possible second week of his leave to take in the pleasures of Brighton. His eyes wandered over to his left where he could see a part of the churchyard. The light was beginning to fade, but there was no mistaking the lone figure kneeling by one of the graves. Quickly gathering up his coat, he closed his bedroom door behind him and set off at a brisk pace. If luck was with him, this time, he might surely be able to confront the mysterious woman who had so occupied his thoughts.
Exiting the Tudor, he made his way down the steep road, and then down the steps that lead into the churchyard — only to find it empty. He looked around frantically. Where had the woman in black gone to? He had not passed her on his progress into the grounds, so she could not have left the churchyard that way. He ran down the path that lead out of the grounds into the main street of the town, and peered anxiously down the road, but in vain. He ran back to the church and made his way into the building to see if she had entered it to worship, but although he searched everywhere he found no one.
Wearily he made his way back outside. Yet again his quarry had eluded him. It seemed that destiny would always prevent him from ever meeting the veiled lady. He turned to make his way back to the Tudor, but then remembered that he had seen the figure kneeling by one of the graves. If only he could recall which one? There were so many stones, a number of which were quite recent. It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. But then suddenly he remembered. The figure had been kneeling by a grave, and had appeared to have placed a basket of some kind on the seat situated near the wall. Of course, she had been placing flowers on one of the graves!
He walked up the path towards the bench, and stopped at one of the stones. This must have been the grave, he told himself, and there was some fresh flowers placed before the headstone. Ravenscroft moved the vase of flowers to one side and began to read the inscription on the stone -
Sacred to the memory of
Anthony Stewart Kelly (1840–1886)
And
Mark Richard Kelly (1885–1887)
Always Remembered.
Ravenscroft had found the husband and child of the veiled woman in black!
CHAPTER FIVE
‘Good morning gentlemen. It is a pleasure to see you again sir.’
It was the following morning and Crabb and Ravenscroft had entered the Malvern Library and Reading Rooms, in their quest to discover more about the railway company and its shareholders.
‘Your usual coffee and papers sir, or is there something more pressing that I can help you with inspector?’ asked the attendant.
‘How did you know that I was a police inspector?’ asked Ravenscroft.