Inspector Cutler..  

The beaded face man — with a scar.

Chapter 1

It was a cold, dry, foggy morning.

The covered wagon — merging with the background, allowing the shadows to flitter to and fro with the slight breeze.    In the dark misty streets — seen occasionally, through the dull vapour, a heavy outline of some night travellers, wending homewards (some sober others intoxicated,) none in either state ... took notice of the covered wagon — with its wheels stationary; nor the two men — dressed in black coats and caps — encouraging calmness and composure with their charges.          Stillness of the night and the mist and the fog ... can confuse even the most experienced constable — walking his patch; pacing slowly up and down — cursing the indifference of hours that intervene between him and his sleep.       He too looked in another direction, for the sound travelled, muffled to him through the heavy mist and thick fog anomalous. 

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The list of the missing goods from the East West Shipping Company lay on top of a pile of paper work that greeted me — that Monday morning.         A quick glance of the goods stolen interacted a gang of at least  four.         An eye witness (later) confirmed my suspicions.     Yes, the mist and fog was very think that night (he said,) however he was close enough to see — yet far enough away not to be seen; a four wheeled covered wagon drawn by four horses (he saw,) parked before the dock of the East West Shipping Company.        The report showed (the witness advised the constable,) one person of small build, in a coat a size to large for his frame — at the reigns of the leading horses (the horses stationary at this time.)        He contained his urge for departure a little time longer — although the he had other important duties to perform (he was sure about that,) however his curiosity held him fast.         The witness suggested that he saw no less than four men at anyone time in the period he stood watching.

A note: the fifth person (by the name (Mobbs,) given to him, by his mother, and when turning seven ... consigned to the pits of hell,) it was he; holding the horses — in the coat one size to large.      

(He said,) one man held a lantern (giving only a small up turned glow,) outlining a beaded face with (yes; a scar, running from his left eye to his chin.)

Chapter 2

Be that the case or not.

That night before this Monday, I spent with good food, wine and in the company of a young woman of only seventeen years and six months — who had reported the disappearance of her father ... the father (she told,) the constable was never late in returning from his employment ... for he knew she would be waiting for him (alone,) as she had done since her mother was taken ill and past on just six months before — the same woman of slender build with fair clean skin; her long hair well combed (a mixture of dark and light,) flowing gracefully over her shoulders.        It will take little knowledge (from those without investigation insight,) to come to the concussion, I have a liking towards this young women — and the suspicious among you will be giving thought, that I am with holding my efforts in locating her father, as a ruse to seduce her.        Be that the case or not.       Reading the ledger of goods taken (brought forth the morning after — by the warehouse manager,) once made aware of the activities (clears my mind of such thoughts.)           As reported by our witness ... on the night of the brake-in; if a brake-in it was, a covered wagon and several men (he said,) concealed by shadows — like ghosts lost to the past ... now with new interest in life; moving to and fro — one rolling a timber casket, from out of the dark and into the wagon ... another casing a taller shadow — for a box or carton placed on  his back.        To a night traveller (on that night of mist and vapour,) he could be mistaken for the Hunchback of Notre-Dame.          Let the record show (on my inspection,) there was no sign of a brake-in ... the door was still intact, no window ajar, or glass broken — to me it was looking like an inside job.

Chapter 3

The Syndicate.

They were not Knights of King Arthur's Round Table, or Universal Solders of war ... or New World Revolutionaries — plotting to overturn the King and his Parliament — but four  scoundrels (villains,) with dishonourable intentions — bent on a life of crime; to relieve those with much  — and like (Robyn Hood;) give to those with less ... that is how they saw themselves as they cradled their ale, sitting as they did (close to the open fire,) on many a cold dark night, in the Waterhole Tavern —  if ever the truth was told there by either of the four ... on anyone night in particular was relentless, only on satisfying their own greed — are their minds set upon — together thieving others riches. 

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If one had approached the taller man with the name of Maxbohm — a decade earlier than this moment in time ... his military uniform (would if you could imagine it,) still be of its splendid scarlet red, with shiny gold buttons and white belt and buckles, and pistols complete — with a fighting  short broad-sword — with a silver basket hilt.      But that was then ... now showing no indication of being a military man or a man of wealth — encountering him now you are sure his better days have passed.          His un-kept hair, long, hanging in pigtails, dirty and at random lengths — un-shaven hair across his face ... there I would suspect to cover a sinister motive and a mouth —  missing many a chewing tooth.      To his left, sitting (hunched a little forward — for he is a little hard of hearing, and his arms a little short of reaching his pewter tankard ale,) is a partner in crime — answering to the name of Magley~Magley is quite large form — from any angle his is approached from ... a body supporting the proportionate sized head (with very black hair,) which is shaved to a whisker of his crown; nothing covering the amber coloured nose, the one good seeing eye or the slot of one missing; the very full under-lip which would move (slightly on an angle,) when he spoke (in a hoarse like voice,) and very loud — as if always shouting to be heard.      Migsby (the third member,) returns from his time at cards — drawing a chair near the fire, fell into conversation with the others.       Although, from afar ... one would have the impression he was the lest important of the group; yet was in fact the most important — and was very talkative, and held most — if not all, the conversation; perhaps for he spoke in a whisper, demanding the others to lean forward in their seats to hear him, making him the centre of attention for that reason only ... or maybe because of the quantity of spirits and ale he sipped while playing cards.        Now to business.       (He sniffed in large quantities of snuff — from a brown paper bag,) from his waistcoat pocket — he laid open the hand drawn plans of the East West Shipping Company building.          They all spent some length upon the merits of his plan, and the acquirements of his job; it was an hour later that Markby (the forth member arrived — no explanation on way he was late, was provide.)        With the aid of further filling of the pewter tankards — the plans once again were discussed.

Chapter 4

For the plan was discussed once more and actioned upon

In my own hand, I make a note ... the young women's name is Kate; and I must acknowledge —  she has made myself aware of her father's name — John Noggs; a-through lips (those my eyes find difficult to see past,) more of his movements before his disappearance ... fill the lines of my pad.         He is a man with a pretty (although such a word should not be used to describe a mans nose, Kate added,) a handsome / striking nose, slightly turned-up nose (a more fitting description (she continued;) he has large mouth (this I can see, she has inherited — and benefits her splendidly.)       She continues .... he has a broad face, and two large (cobalt blue eyes.)           Enough!       Torn between my duty, and the pleasure her added acquaintance brings to my thoughts — if a weaker man were I (to quote (from whom, I do not recall,) no further time would be spent on finding her father's were about(s) nor would I had left her company this day, to apply my skills to the items reported missing.

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However it must be the case — for the plan was discussed once more and actioned upon ... young  Mobbs (his job to have the horses stand in silence — a job he carried out to perfection,) did disappear (as if he was a magician's assistant) when stood between the lead horses ... and offered no assistance to the witness — who was looking in his direction; for the mist and fog was very think that night (this was told to the constable,) yet he was close enough to see — a figure; stationary and a four wheeled covered wagon — parked before the dock of the East West Shipping Company.       

It is recorded the wagon took its time upon the road — possibly in consequence of the state in which the travellers found themselves that morning ... after a fill night of consumption of cheep ale and port-wine, supplied by the tavern owner in an effort to free loose tongues.     However, he secured no information, and sent them packing.       A little girl in a dirty white frock — no longer than to her knees, then at seconds thoughts added short trousers to her outfit, sandal like shoes, white bonnet, with green veil and pink flowers; who turned from the lane outside the tavern in good time ... so as not to be run down — bounded forward to within only feet of the wagon.         Markby (he that was last to arrive,) sat with the reigns in hand — to his left, Migsby, with his blue trousers in contrast with his green great-coat, there for all to see ... and on  his person he carried an ash walking-stick (more for show than use — the others thought,) yet he flourished it about ... when coming to a corner he thought they should take.    Magley and Maxbohm sat uncomfortably behind on the boards of the wagon ... more uncomfortably than them — was young Mobbs; for he had to master the horses and with lantern in hand (for a good distance,) stumble along in front.

Chapter 5 

 The Trial 

Evidence was given.         Josh Saddleback stayed hid ... his only company for those four hours — two rodents — who saw him every half hour; and the night watchman, who did not see him every other half hour.          The Q to leave his hiding place, came from the light of a lantern  — through the planks of the timber door (he told the court,) he insisted this was his total involvement, and was paid a small sum — to do so, and a further small sum — to keep silent once completed.          When asked if the man, or men — were in the court, they who paid him those small sums; he pointed to the four ... individually.           Mobbs, stood (without his over size coat, and his hands to his back,) looking neither towards the Judge, nor towards his fellow accused.       Next to voice his opinion  - Mr Vincent ... bent forward to pronounce his every last word with greater emphasis; and having done so, stood straight once — then frowned and then repeated again all that he had said — without being asked to do so ... and then nodded, and bent forward as before to start~from the start his evidence - and would had done so, if it were not for the judge raising his hand to silence him (as it did.)         It was he, who witness ... through the mist and fog that night, the wagon outside the East West Shipping Companies open door, and the small figure ... (Mobbs) a front the horses, and the men (rolling timber caskets,) to and fro.         The court was told.       They took to Drury Lane - the road that Nicholas Nickleby and Mr Lillyvick (the collector of water-rates,) so took ... to reach the home of Miss Petowker.         There they found Miss Petowker, still in her bed; and had to wait until she rose from it.         Although the four men and one young boy (the court was told,) took to travelling on Drury Lane — their destination was not that of Miss Petowker ... but that of the East West Shipping Company; which they reached after dark — and almost passed by for the mist and fog was so think.        Had it not been for the young eyes of the young boy (in front, leading the horses,) seeing the iron gates of the premises, and then to gain a better sighting ... swung the lantern (more to and fro, than in a circle,) however Josh Saddleback — took this as his Q to open the door.          The accused men stood, side-by-side — chained as one .... Maxbohm, looking in one direction.       Migsby and  Markby in another.          Magley (with red blood-shot eyes,) piercing through the head of young Mobbs — and far out to sea.          For if not for the greed of those with less than those of more ... although those with plenty, at times wish for more, larger, brighter — two of one thing over only one of the same thing; would be far from in this court .... if he and his fellow companions had only continued with his well planed out operation to lift only the four caskets of cheep ale and port-wine .... than the eight that they did — causing (once on the road again,) a spoke of a wheel to brake — causing the end result to be their capture.

The End.