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1: `Chapters
1 - 4'.
The story opens with a meeting at Scotland between the Commissioner of
the Metropolitan Police; Sir Graham Forbes, Chief Inspector Dale and Superintendent
Harvey. The topic of conversation is a mysterious series of jewel robberies.
The latest in the series has just occurred in Birmingham; Dale believes
they are all unrelated, but Harvey is inclined to agree with Inspector
Merritt (a local officer - first on the scene in this case) who is
of the opinion that there is a criminal organisation at work, and that
this gang committed the earlier robberies. A nightwatchman has died after
being chloroformed. He was semi conscious when Harvey arrived, and all
he said was "the Green Finger..."
It transpires
that a suspect in the earlier robberies dying words were also "the Green
Finger...". What is it? Sir Graham tells Dale and Harvey that this is something
they must find out.
Sir Graham is
also out of sorts about a press campaign to the effect that Scotland Yard
should `Send for Paul Temple'. While they agree that Temple helped them
catch `old Tenworthy' - Sir Graham feels he is `...just an amateur criminologist...'
and that he had a lot of luck in the Tenworthy affair, and got a lot of
very good publicity for his novels. Sir Graham feels the Yard can handle
the case, but realises that result must be achieved soon!
Later: Paul Temple
is entertaining two of his near neighbours, Dr Milton and his niece - the
very attractive Diana Thornley at Bramley Lodge, Temple's home near Evesham.
After dinner, conversation turns to the "Midland Mysteries" - Diana asks
Temple what he thinks, and whether he believes the robberies are the work
of an organised gang? He says if he was Scotland Yard he would... send
for Paul Temple. The next thing - Pryce: Temple's manservant enters and
says that Superintendent Harvey of Scotland Yard is here to see Paul Temple.
Harvey enters
(he knows Temple quite well) and says he is taking a short holiday and
has booked into a local hotel. Dr Milton and Diana decide to leave (as
Harvey obviously wants to talk to Temple) and it's getting late. After
they are gone, Harvey thinks he has seen Milton before, Temple feels Harvey
has probably seen a photograph as Milton has not been in the country long
and is a retired specialist from Sydney.
Harvey explains
that his visit is unofficial, and wonders if Temple has any theories about
the robberies, as the Yard aren't making any progress. Harvey outlines
the case, and the obscure references to `The Green Finger'. This intrigues
Temple. Harvey says he is staying at `The Little General' and Temple insists
they go and collect his bags and for Harvey to be his guest at Bramley
Lodge. Harvey accepts and they take Temple's car to `The Little General'.
Paul waits in the Car while Harvey goes inside to collect his luggage.
After a while Temple begins to wonder why Harvey is taking so long. He
is just about to go inside when out rushes the innkeeper - Horace Daley.
`My Gawd, it's awful...' he cries. 'What's happened?' asks Temple and Daley
claims Harvey has shot himself.
Temple investigates
- Harvey is dead, it might be an accident or suicide. There appears no
reason why he would have done it. The police surgeon is unavailable so
Temple's neighbour Dr. Milton is called in. There is no suggestion of foul
play, as only Daly and one guest - Miss Parchment are present in the inn.
Miss Parchment appears innocent enough, and is on a tour looking at old
English inns. She finds this inn particularly interesting as there has
been one on the sight for over 500 years. Daly isn't very interested in
this and says he has only been there for 6 months. Temple believed that
the inn had only been there since 1800 and can't understand why it is called
`The Little General' if has been there longer. Miss Parchment explains
that the inn was rebuilt in 1805 and renamed then. But it originally had
a different name. `The Green Finger'.....
2: `Chapter
5 - 8'.
Paul is taken back by the reference to `The Green Finger', and is now suspicious
- partly of the ill at ease publican. The police and Dr Milton finally
arrive. The Doctor is shocked to see Harvey in such a state after only
meeting him a few hours before, he concludes that the Superintendent probably
died instantly. The police interview Temple, Daly and Miss Parchment. Again,
Daly comes across badly, and is quite aggressive. The police check
the premises for any intruders, and apart from a lot of pigeons in the
courtyard, nothing is out of the ordinary, making suicide look the most
likely explanation. The Sergeant feels he must report to Inspector Merritt
about the strange circumstances in which a top Scotland Yard officer has
died in his patch. Temple offers to give him a lift and they leave.
The constable
is detailed to wait outside the inn and prevent anyone entering, and Miss
Parchment retires to her room to recover from the shock. Now left alone
together - Daly and Dr Milton discuss what has happened. `I don't like
it' says Horace... `don't be a damned fool... it's worked out perfectly'
replies the doctor. They discuss the "Leamington job" and a meeting is
arranged for Room 7 on the coming Thursday!
Later: It transpires
that Temple has had a meeting with Dale at Scotland Yard, and a newspaper
has published an article stating Harvey had discussed the "Midlands Mysteries"
with Temple shortly before his death..... Temple is now being beseiged
by journalists. Pryce is instructed not to let any in. He reports that
Miss Parchment has also called to see Temple, and a particularly persistent
young female journalist - called Steve Trent, who won't take no for an
answer. Temple isn't interested in seeing her no matter how persistent
- however she arrives at Bramley Lodge, and as Pryce is trying to brush
her off, Temple becomes intrigued enough to see her. Temple is very taken
with the attractive reporter - however she has but one question she wants
Temple to answer, and this makes him very uncomfortable. Does he think
Superintendent Harvey killed himself? Finally he answers `No..... I think
he was murdered!'
This is the answer
Miss Trent was hoping for, and she starts to open up to Paul. She says
that while she is a journalist, her interest is actually personal.....
Steve Trent is an alias, her real name being Louise Harvey - sister of
the late Gerald Harvey. Temple is surprised as he'd didn't know Harvey
had a sister. She tells how Harvey believed he was in danger, and that
it dates back to when he and another officer in Cape Town (South Africa)
investigated a criminal known as "The Knave of Diamonds" - real name Max
Lorraine mastermind behind a number of jewel robberies and killings. Lorraine
appeared to be a very intelligent man, who always managed to allude arrest.
Harvey and his partner had many close calls on their lives - all of which
they think were linked to their pursuit of Lorraine. Finally Harvey's partner
was murdered. Now, years later in the English Midlands - Harvey saw the
same pattern from the Cape Town days and was convinced that "The Knave"
was alive and well and the mastermind behind these new crimes.
Temple considers
all Steve has told him, and believes it is all true. He asks if Harvey
ever saw or met Max Lorraine? She replies `No! not once. But he knew his
methods - he knew everything about him...... and he was afraid.' Harvey
also passed what he knew to Steve the day before he died. Temple reminds
Steve that she is probably in great danger. She is well aware of this,
and wants Paul Temple to take on Max Lorraine! He laughs and says that
Pryce had told him Miss Trent wouldn't take no for an answer.
Elsewhere - the same
afternoon:
A meeting in Room 7 of `The Little
General'. Present: Dr Milton, Horace Daley, `Skid' Tyler, and Dixie. Four
members of the `Midland Gang'. They are discussing the details of their
next robbery. Horace is grumbling, and wants to know who the Knave is,
the doctor reassures him that he will find out in good time. It's a big
job and the Knave seems to have inside information.
Paul and Steve
next meet up at Bramley Lodge, and Paul having had time to think things
through believes Steve should tell Sir Graham all she knows about Max Lorraine.
She isn't so certain, feeling Sir Graham won't believe the story. Temple
says that he thinks Sir Graham will believe the story and that he can prove
that Harvey was murdered and didn't commit suicide. They discuss the information
Miss Parchment provided about the former name of `The Little General' inn,
and in light of the previous references to `The Green Finger' - agree that
the inn may well be a meeting place for the gang. Temple tells Steve that
Merritt is keeping an eye on the place and will let him know if anything
happens. The phone rings - it is Dale speaking on behalf of the commisioner,
according to Temple they have decided to send for Paul Temple!
3: `Chapter
9 - 12'.
The gang are in
Royal Leamington Spa - Diana acts as a decoy - and a van is driven into
a shop window. All distractions which help the robbery go off without any
problems.
Steve is now spending
a lot of time in Paul's company at Bramley Lodge - She is still working
on articles for The Evening Post (she reveals that she was behind
the Send for Paul Temple campaign). Temple intends to take Steve
to his meeting with Sir Graham, but she must return to London in the meantime.
Temple has a visit
from Merritt - he tells Merritt of Steve's real identity, and he is equally
surprised. Merritt believe's that there is something very suspicious about
`The Little General'; reporting that a character called Skid Tyler has
been seen there. Merritt has checked up on Miss Parchment and believes
she is quiet harmless. Temple states that he can't help feeling that somehow
she fits into the whole business. A phone call comes through for Merritt
reporting the jewel robbery in Leamington. Merritt tells Temple about the
lorry crashing into a shop window, Temple asks Merritt to tell them to
hold the lorry driver, because he believes it will be Skid Tyler.
The meeting takes
place at Scotland Yard: Steve tells Sir Graham the full story of "The Knave
of Diamonds" - Max Lorraine. Sir Graham is intrigued but not totally convinced
that this is who is responsible for all the robberies. Temple says he thinks
the story is totally true, as Harvey was convinced and he was no fool.
Paul states that he believes Harvey was murdered... Sir Graham asks why?
Temple replies that he was shot in a position in which he would have had
to be a contortionist. Sir Graham then states that the Yard believed from
the first that Harvey was murdered..... and how surprised he is that the
doctor didn't spot it.
Dale enters and
tells Sir Graham that Inspector Merritt has arrived with Skid Tyler for
interrogation. Skid is easily frightened, and Temple tells him he's been
left holding the baby. He starts to crack under the pressure, and gives
up saying he will talk but needs a drink first. Sir Graham obliges and
pours him a brandy. Skid admits that the gang is run by the "Knave of Diamonds",
and drinks the brandy. He is about to continue but is seized in a fit...
collapses and dies. Something in the glass?? Merritt announces that it
contains enough poison to kill a regiment. Sir Graham is shocked that a
new bottle in his office could somehow have poison in it. Temple is of
the opinion that the intended victim was Sir Graham, not Tyler. This poses
even more questions. Steve now leaves, knowing she has one of the best
stories she will ever get.
More evidence
comes out about the girl at Leamington - who wore a small black wristlet
watch. This suggests something to Temple. Temple also suggests to Sir Graham
that they arrange to setup a jeweller as a target for the gang. He knows
someone in the trade who would cooperate to help stop the gang. He will
arrange it all - but it must be handled carefully and kept secret.
4: `Chapter
13 - 16'.
Paul visits Steve at her flat in London. While there her char woman, Mrs
Neddy brings in a parcel for Steve. It is a gramophone record - but no
name as to who sent it. She opens it and the label says `to Louise Harvey
From the Knave of Diamonds'. Steve is about to play it, but Paul stops
her. He believes somehow it is a trap, as Lorraine could just as easily
sent a note. Paul believes there is nothing on the record, and asks about
the gramophone.... Steve admits that she has only just noticed it is in
a slightly different position to usual. Paul engages the tone arm (while
standing to one side of the radiogram) and the sound of a gun shot echoes
around the room. A gun has been placed in such a position in a speaker
recess, that anyone standing in front to put a record on would have been
shot. Steve has had a narrow escape!
It appears that only 4 people know
Steve's real name: the newspaper proprietor, Sir Graham, Temple - and as
Temple tells her, Merritt who he has told. Could one of them be the Knave?
At Dr Milton's
house, the doctor and Diana are discussing a meeting Diana was supposed
to have in London with the Knave. He never turned up - and she is worried
as they know the police have Skid in custody. They receive a visit from
Snow Williams (another member of the gang), he thinks something is in the
wind, and believes Skid will talk. The phone rings - it's Max Lorraine.
He tells them of the demise of Skid, to much general relief. The Knave
also has news of their next jewel robbery, to take place at a jewellers
in Nottingham, and a request for Dr Milton. Take care of Paul Temple! The
doctor is more than confident of carrying out this order.
Paul and Steve
are at Bramley Lodge and receive a visit from Paul's friend - jeweller
Alec Rice. The stunt has worked and they have had many enquiries to see
the diamond. One from a very attractive young woman. By description and
the fact that she is wearing a particular type of wristlet watch, Paul
realises it is definitely his neighbour, Diana Thornley! They decided to
take the bull by the horns and visit Dr Milton. At his house, neither the
doctor or Diana are home, they are led into a study to wait and are left
alone. They examine the room, and Steve touches an ornament that reveals
a secret room. They enter and the panel slides shut. It is actually a lift
and starts desending.
5: `Chapter
17 - 20'.
When they reach
the bottom they have no difficulty getting out. Luckily, Paul has bought
an
electric torch with him. They enter a passage way and start searching.
Eventually they see an oil lamp. Steve has the idea that the passage leads
to `The Little General', and is proven right. They hear voices, and creep
towards a staircase that leads to a door through the door they hear the
gang discussing plans. Horace is moaning as usual, and unhappy about the
demise of Skid. Milton outlines the jewel robbery, but now says that it's
off as the Knave knows it is a trap. It is explained that Temple suggested
the trap, and the general opinion is he needs to be dealt with. Dr Milton
states that he will be taken care of very soon. Temple and Steve hear the
details of the next meeting in Room 7 at which the Knave will be present!
and beat a hasty retreat back to Milton's house. They have no trouble getting
the lift to go up, and return to the room. They close the panel and decide
to leave the house, they ring for the servant and are shown out, it appears
no one knows what they have been up to. As they walk back to Bramley Lodge,
Paul tries to convince Steve to go into hiding, but she won't have a bar
of it, wanting to face Max Lorraine. Steve also tells Paul that the name
of Harvey's partner in Cape Town was Sydney Bellman, Paul seems to have
some idea about this.
Paul returns to
Scotland Yard, bringing Sir Graham up to date with his adventures under
Ashdown House, and Alec Rice's visit. Temple also tells Sir Graham that
the Knave knows all their plans. The Commisioner can't believe it, but
Temple says it quite simple, he knows because he is here! Sir Graham can't
believe it is a member of the force, be he has to admit that the facts
point to no other conclusion. It is decided to raid `The Little General'
at the organised meeting, he details Dale to arrange matters. He also suggests
that both he and Paul Temple should be on hand to see the Knave unmasked.
The following
evening at Bramley Lodge, Temple, Sir Graham and Inspector Dale discuss
the raid. All is organised, and some of the men are armed. They will raid
Milton's house and `The Little General' at the same time. After Dale leaves
to coordinate his troops, Sir Graham states that Dale is a very competent
officer, although he has only been with the Yard for 12 months. They are
discussing the evenings entertainment when Temple receives an unexpected
visitor Mrs Neddy - Steve has vanished! She had been called in to work,
but never arrived. Paul realises this means only one thing..... she must
now be the prisoner of Max Lorraine.
Temple and the
Commisioner head to the inn, on the way, Sir Graham offers Temple an unofficial
position with the Yard, he is delighted to accept and feels the arrangement
should work well.
They search the
place, but it is empty... it appears to have been a wild goose chase. They
hear a noise, it is Dale behind the wall, he has followed the passage from
the doctor's house, which was also empty. But Dale has found a playing
card - the Knave of diamonds - with a message: `Enter Paul Temple.... Exit
Louise Harvey'!
Another guest
arrives, Inspector Merritt.. he wasn't part of the raid, but says he was
looking for Temple and directed to `The Little General' by Pryce. He is
surprised to see Sir Graham - and has only bad news, there has been another
jewel robbery. This time in Malvern. Merritt also has a cable for Temple.
It is from South Africa and says that Sydney Bellman didn't have a wife
but had a sister. Temple wonders about this sister. They hear a knock at
the panelling and a constable emerges saying he has a lady who insists
on seeing Paul. The lady is Miss Amelia Parchment.
7: `Chapter
25 - 28'.
Dr Milton is in
a rage, and threatening Miss Parchment as to what he will do if she doesn't
release them. Milton and Diana can't work out how Miss Parchment fits in
to the scene. She reveals that she is the sister of Harvey's murdered partner
in Cape Town - Sidney Bellman. She threatens that if they don't tell who
the Knave is she will fire! The doctor is about to - much to Diana's disgust,
when they hear a noise. It's Horace...... He has revived and over powers
Miss Parchment, locking her in a cupboard.
Daly can only
think of the gems from the robbery - now in Temple's possession, and goes
off after them - leaving Diana and Milton still tied up, despite them imploring
that he free them.
Steve explains
to Paul (as they head to Bramley Lodge) how she was captures, and Paul
explains about Miss Parchment and the fact that she knew about `The First
Penguin'.
They realise that a car is now hot
on their trail. Daly tries to run them off the road and fires several shots
into Temple's car. On a bridge, Temple manages to tip Daly's car over the
edge. Temple's car is too damaged to continue..... but they have survived.
Daly however has been killed. Paul and Steve head off on foot.
They arrive at Bramley Lodge - and
head to Pryce's quarters. Pryce tells them that 3 people have been in the
house tonight. Sir Graham, Dale and Inspector Merritt have all been there.
Pryce states that Merritt used the phone, but also that Dale and Merritt
had gone out for a short time, leaving Sir Graham alone.
Temple has a plan
- one of the 3 must be Lorraine; Temple writes a message on a piece of
paper and then leaves.
8: `Chapter
29 - 32'.
Sir Graham, Dale
and Merritt can't work out why Temple hasn't returned or at least phoned.
They then notice that the phone wire has been cut! They are discussing
this when there is a crash of breaking glass as a rock with a message comes
through the window. The message:
Temple caught... First Penguin
awaiting instructions... Malvern Pigeons despatched....
They all appear
perplexed by the message. They realise the pigeons at "the Little General'
must be carrier pigeons - and that they have been used to get the gems
out of the country. None of them can work out what or who the `First Penguin'
is. All three leave the house and head off in different directions.
Paul and Steve
arrive at a local police station. Paul asks the Sergeant if he can watch
`The First Penguin' and arrest anyone seen leaving it..... even if it's
the Commisioner himself! He tells the Sergeant that he and his men should
enter the inn when they see a light in an upper window.
The Sergeant asks
who he thinks will be visiting the inn? Temple replies `The Kanve of Diamonds!'
Back at the inn
- the two prisoners are still tied up, they hear a car and hope it's the
Knave.... unfortunately for them, it's Paul Temple & Steve. He asks
where Miss Parchment is, but they tell him that she has left. They gag
both Diana and Milton and wait in the dark. Temple is expecting that the
next guest will be the Knave himself - Max Lorraine. They don't have to
wait long. He has understood the note, and come looking for Diana. Steve
switches on the light and there is the Knave himself: Chief Inspector Dale!!
Dale tries to
bluff it out, then wonders why Diana sent the note? Realising too late
that he had fallen into a trap set by Temple. The police enter - they have
been joined by Forbes and Merritt. Temple has got a message to them. Sir
Graham is in shock that a senior Yard man has turned out to be the Knave.
Sir Graham asks Dale/Lorraine what happened to Skid Tyler? Lorraine admits
it was a lucky accident! That the poison was in fact intended for Sir Graham
himself. The police lead out Diana and Milton, Lorraine's last words to
Diana are 'Remember what I always said... they won't take me'.
Temple explains
to Steve that he had been suspicious of Dale for sometime, Pryce had been
mistaken about which two had left the house, it was Sir Graham and Merritt
- leaving Dale alone in the house to make the phone call. They are discussing
the case when Merritt returns with the news that Lorraine is dead. He had
taken something from his cigarette lighter while in the car, poison of
some sort. The case is over. Paul and Steve discuss meeting up in London
for dinner or lunch or tea or breakfast..... Paul is making a poor job
of it when Steve says `we could get married.' Paul is taken back... in
an absolutely delighted way. That settles matters. Miss Parchment has recovered
and starts banging on the cupboard and Temple releases her. When the details
are explained to her she is most upset that she missed all the action.
Prepared
& pictures scanned by Greg Marshall.
24 September 2000.
Book
Images from "Send for Paul Temple"
(Chivers Press edition 1992 - Black Dagger Crime Series).