‘I attended the inquest yesterday.’
‘And you sir, are?’ asked Crabb
‘Ronald Clifford, manager and owner of the Malvern Library and Reading Rooms,’ smiled the attendant.
‘Mr. Clifford, we have come to make enquiries of you regarding the proposed Tewkesbury to Leominster Railway. I understand you are the local agent for the company?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘That is so.’
‘You appear to be a man of many parts.’
‘One has to diversify in such a small town as this inspector.’
‘Quite. What information do you have, regarding the railway company?’
‘If you would care to follow me this way sir,’ said Clifford leading the way into a back room, which appeared to serve as his office. He walked over to a large cabinet and opening the top drawer removed a map which he unfolded on the table.
‘This chart, gentlemen, shows the proposed route of the railway. As you can see the line begins here at Tewkesbury, cuts across here to Upton, then onto Colwall before travelling on to Leominster,’ said Clifford tracing the route with one of his fingers.
‘Are there not plenty of railway routes already in this area?’ interjected Ravenscroft.
‘Indeed so, but if one wants to travel from Malvern to Leominster at present, one is either faced by a long journey overland through Bromyard, or be compelled to travel down to Hereford where one has to change trains in order to reach ones destination. Once this line has been constructed the traveller would be able to travel from Malvern to Colwall and onto Leominster in a single journey. Travellers from the east would likewise find it much easier to travel from Tewkesbury straight through to Leominster. Upon arrival at that town passengers would either be able to connect with the main line to Shrewsbury and the north, or travel down to south Wales. Either way, the proposed line will save the traveller a great deal in time and expense.’
‘You are a good salesman Mr. Clifford.’
Clifford smiled. ‘I sense however inspector that you are not interested in purchasing shares?’
‘I could not afford them sir. A policeman’s salary is not a great one. Do you have a more detailed plan showing how the route will affect the village of Colwall?’ asked Ravenscroft.
Clifford crossed over to the cabinet, looked through his collection of maps until he eventually found the one he was looking for.
‘Here we are gentlemen. This shows the alterations that will have to be made to Colwall station so that it can accommodate the new line. As you can see, several of the existing buildings in the village will have to be removed.’
‘Including old Lechmere’s Almshouses?’ inquired Ravenscroft.
‘Yes, I’m afraid so. There are always some casualties if progress is to be maintained.’
‘I doubt that the inmates would see it that way,’ said Crabb.
‘What would happen to the old people?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘That would be a matter for the trustees of the almshouses and the directors of the new company to decide,’ said Clifford, still smiling.
‘The original charter setting up the establishment of the almshouses, might prevent such a demolition,’ suggested Ravenscroft.
‘I would think not.’
‘Might we see who the directors of the new company are — and could you also provide us with a list of subscribers?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘Of course, if you will just bear with me inspector,’ replied Clifford crossing over to a bookcase and removing one of the ledgers.
‘Here we are gentlemen. I will have to ask you to look through this on your own, as I have just heard the bell ring and must attend to my customers.’
As Clifford left the room, Ravenscroft turned over the pages of the ledger.
‘Now let us see. The Leominster and Tewkesbury Railway Company, apparently formed in July of last year. Here is the List of Directors. Good heavens, Crabb, see who is listed as one of the directors!’ exclaimed Ravenscroft.
‘Jabez Pitzer!’ said Crabb.
‘So our Mister Pitzer was a director of the company, as well as being a trustee of the almshouses. That would explain why Armitage and Pitzer fell out. Armitage must have found out about Pitzer being a director. There would certainly be a conflict of interest there, and I have no doubt that once the line had been built our Mr. Pitzer would have received a good return on his investment, at the expense of the inmates of the almshouses. Let’s look down the rest of the list of directors. No, I don’t see either Touchmore, Sommersby or Gladwyn listed. The other names appear to be outsiders, possibly directors of other railway companies. Ah, here is a list of subscribers. There is Pitzer’s name again. He appears to have taken up quite a number of the shares. Besides being a director he was also one of the major shareholders. Our Mr. Pitzer was certainly well committed to the project. I can’t see any other names I recognize in this list of subscribers.’
‘It seems to me sir that Mr. Pitzer was using his influence to have the almshouses demolished, so the new line could go through,’ commented Crabb.
The two men had not noticed that Clifford had returned silently to the room.
‘I trust you found what you were looking for gentlemen?’
‘Yes indeed Mr. Clifford. Can I enquire as to whether the shares are fully subscribed?’ asked Ravenscroft, looking up from the ledger.
‘Not at present inspector.’
‘What percentage has been subscribed?’
‘I would say about sixty per cent.’
‘That would still leave nearly half the issue under-subscribed,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘It would appear so inspector, but I must say there have been a great number of enquiries from both town and country gentlemen.’
‘Tell me Mr. Clifford. If the issue is not fully subscribed by the closing date of the 23rd, am I right in assuming that the proposed development will not go ahead?’
‘That is correct sir.’
‘And the shareholders would lose all their money?’ asked Crabb.
‘No constable. If the line does not go ahead, then the proposed shareholders are released from their pledges,’ replied Clifford.
‘But the directors — ’ began Ravenscroft.
‘They would lose any initial capital investment they made in establishing the company. Can I help you further with your enquiries inspector?’
‘No thank you Mr. Clifford. You have been most helpful,’ replied Ravenscroft.
‘I am glad that I have been of some assistance,’ smiled Clifford giving a little bow.
Ravenscroft and Crabb made their way out of the Reading Rooms, to find that the skies had clouded over and that rain was beginning to fall.
‘Well it seems as though our Mr. Armitage had good cause to want Mr. Pitzer dead, what with him being the director and main shareholder of the railway company,’ said Crabb.
‘That does not mean to say that he murdered him. You also forget that Sommersby was neither a director nor a shareholder in the company, and if our killer is Armitage there would have been little point in killing him as well. No, although we may be getting nearer the truth Crabb, we seem as far away as ever from finding out who killed the two men — and why,’ replied Ravenscroft.
‘Can’t say I cared for your Mister Clifford.’
‘Why ever not Crabb, I found him most helpful.’
‘Bit too silky for me.’
Ravenscroft smiled. ‘I think I see Stebbins running in our direction, and trying to attract our attention?’
‘Mr. Ravenscroft sir, I thought I might find yer ere. This letter was delivered to the Tudor about thirty minutes ago sir,’ said the youth handing over the rain spattered envelope.
‘Thank you Stebbins,’ said Ravenscroft giving the messenger a coin from his pocket.
Stebbins ran off, as Ravenscroft opened the letter. ‘It’s from Doctor Gladwyn. ‘Dear Inspector Ravenscroft. Can you come and see me as soon as possible. I think I may have some important information regarding the deaths of Pitzer and Sommersby, which may be of value to you’. It’s signed, Septimus Gladwyn.’
‘Well that’s a turn up for the book,’ said Crabb.