Here, where I make this cross, is
Daniel Multenius's pawnshop. The front part of it--the jeweller's shop--
looks out on Praed Street. At the side is a narrow passage or entry: from
that you get access to the pledge-office. Now then, Multenius's premises
run down one side of this passage: Parslett's run down the other.
Parslett's house has a side-door into it, exactly opposite the door into
Multenius's pledge office. Is that clear, Mr. Purdie?"
"Quite!" answered Purdie. "I understand it exactly."
"Then my theory is, that Parslett saw the real murderer of Daniel
Multenius come out of Multenius's side-door, while he, Parslett, was
standing at his own; that he recognized him, that he tried to blackmail
him yesterday, and that the man contrived to poison him, in such a fashion
that Parslett died shortly after leaving him," said Ayscough, confidently.
"It's but a theory--but I'll lay anything I'm not far out in it!"
"What reason have you for thinking that Parslett blackmailed the
murderer?" asked Purdie.
"This!" answered the detective, with something of triumph in his tone.
"I've been making some enquiries already this morning, early as it is.
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