Inspector Cutler  — travels to Franklin's Flat. 

Thomas Leathan-drum

Edward Cutler, unlike, say, Sherlock Holmes — Holmes with his intriguing ways of solving crimes—crimes of lost love and mysterious murders; he (Holmes,) with his friend and colleague Watson — together masters of disguise and the envy of many.        Edward Cutler; one day a constable — a servant of dark alleys and back streets of ____ ,then the next an inspector — thrust into the world of trivial penny-theft and social misbehavers; he (Cutler) with no trusty side-kick to impress — with great crime solving achievements, no dark rooms of cards and lair of women and opium.      No famous Baxter Street residence, nor house-keeper to fuss over him ... for him (Edward Cutler,) his apartment commanded just four rooms on the forth floor, of an ordinary red-brick-fronted building — eight stories high (some      fifteen minute walk to Graymarsh police station)    The front door (the only real interesting feature,) with its coloured glass and brass lion-head door knocker.     Inside, the ground floor (a tiled floor community hallway.)       Further elevated — either by the lift, or by stairs—stairs once covered with carpet (now bare timber.)     

As I have stated once already, we find Inspector Cutler's apartment.       One reception room, with a fire-place, a table and two large arm-chairs (well used;) one window to the exterior wall, plus what we would call today — a kitchenette (no window,) bench, sink and an electric kettle.    Off this room the bedroom; with one window to the exterior wall —  one single bed and side table; from here the bathroom, containing sink and a bath.      To finish ... one electric light per room; rooms with a window — a view of the next building ... interior walls, in need of a fresh coat of paint, reception room and bedroom ... new carpet ... the apartment in general — in need of a women's touch.

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Edward from a beat constable (as I have stated once already,) and I must add (one noted by those — above all beat constables,)  one selected ... as one, a cut above many of his fellow _____.    

So it is we find the inspector engrossed — that is to say; to be completely occupied ... with his full attention; sitting (in his office,) absorb upon a file.

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APPREHENSION OF THE THREE OTHER MEN.

To begin ... Traveling to Nelson, two unfortunate men — whose sudden disappearance on their way to ____marina, have been reported murdered.      Their remains, and circumstantial evidence is gathering against the four persons now in custody. 

It continued ... The packhorse which belonged to the two missing men was first tracked down on Tuesday near to a ravine —about one and a-half miles on the North side of Franklin's Flat; and then the traces disappeared.     Yesterday, it was reported;  the horse was found down in James's gorge — shot, with one packed-saddle still attached.

The office door opened ... Edward's (Watson for the day,) constable Harry Whitman, interrupted with his morning routine.

'Good to see inspector,' and 'you be needing your coffee - Sir?'

By-and-by and after many of the same morning rituals completed; such as window shutters, and curtains opened or drawn ... doors opened or shut, desks occupied or vacated — he (inspector Cutler,) returned to his reading.

 Note:    Three men, who were apprehended on Tuesday, as well as the man William Levy— who was taken last Monday night; are believed to be the murderers of mr. Dobson; and are the men wanted from Grey Street on a charge of intending to commit a felony on mr. Fox (the storekeeper,) for whom poor Dobson was mistaken, and no doubt shot dead, and his body disposed of.      

Where could his body be?     Thought the inspector.    As if reading his thoughts, constable  Whitman suggested.       'He could be found  in that there ravine long-side that of Franklin's Flat.'

'My thoughts exactly,' replied the inspector.

The next morning ... The train left Graymarsh station at 9 o'clock  ... on board, constable Truman, constable Whitman and inspector Cutler.      It would be all of one and a half hours before reaching Franklin's Flat.       Constable Truman had a packed lunch (Mrs. Truman was always in a habit of doing so.)     Constable Whitman had purchased a sultana bun from the station cafeteria ____          

'How could anyone mistake mr. Dobson for mr. Fox.' Asked constable Truman.      'They are only of the same height.'    He added.    His following statement and question.      'Dodson resides in _______ Street, where mr. Fox's shop is in Grey Street ... any why then take his body so far from where he was murdered?'

'Why did it take four to murder him, and what was their gain in murdering him?'  Constable Truman felt it was his turn to offer forth a question.

'We have no information to confirm that his body is where we intend to look.'     Inspector Cutler added to the conversation.

The Constables played dominoes.

~~~~

Inspector Cutler's thoughts were on miss. Stephanie Wallbouys.      Their first meeting was on the night of the police-mans ball.    How radiant she looked ... in her waitresses uniform.      Black suited her he was thought. He liked the way her hair — tied back, with little bits, escaping from under the white bonnet.     The white apron (not a size too large or too small,) just right, holding her chest together and mid drift apart.       When she walked past him the first time their eyes meet at the same level.      A perfect height was his thought.      She asked if he required a glass of ______?     Her parting view held his attention (voluntary) watching as her rear cheeks gliding across the room ... rotated in small circles above two slender legs ... gracefully extending out from under her pleated dress, right down to a pair of low heal slippers.

'Sandwich?' asked constable Truman.  The inspector could smell the fish paste.

‘No, thank you.'    He replied.     Returning his thoughts to the face of miss. Stephanie Wallbouys.      It was the second time she passed his way.      Would you like another drink - Sir?       Two very blue eyes struck love into his heart.      His pulse increased at an alarming rate, he began to perspire, his legs becoming week; at any moment he thought he would faint — to be found, floating on the floor on his own sweat.        No way for an inspector to be found.

Yes, thank you, he said as she handed him the glass.       This moment of a few seconds (it took to complete this transaction,) was all it required for two hearts to be as one.      As on that night when the band stop playing and the dim lights once more burst into light ... the train came to a stop and the doors opened.     The two constables and the inspector left the train.

~~~~

To continue with the narrative of circumstances and facts which have occurred since Tuesday last.     On that day (it was reported,) the capture of William Levy — the man who had visited mr. Dodson's residence  on the Sunday of an earlier week; had been brought before the Resident Magistrate and remanded.     Since then, the police obtained some information which led to the apprehension of three men, with whom this Levy is more or less identified — and who, as we have said ... are implicated in the supposed murder of Mr. Dobson.

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Meanwhile ... The two constables (Truman with a half eaten sandwich in hand ... Whitman a sultana balancing upon his jacket sleeve;) the inspector (first to the door,) exercising his inspector like skills, and like a mother with her two duckings ... they stepped onto the platform.       The gale like winds pushed them towards the passenger waiting room door — as it did the other half dozen passengers; the half eaten sandwich was discarded and the solitary sultana digested. 

    ~~~~

Levy (told the Magistrate,) he had no other  mates ... but it was ascertained that he had lodged with a man in the Oyster Saloon, and this man's baggage was found there and seized, and himself shortly after apprehended.     

~~~~

Welcome to Franklin's Flat.' constable Truman said.     'I can see why someone would want to hide a body here,' he continued; 'be no other reason to come, anther that to hide one.'  Finished he sat down.

Both other men agreed.

Directions were gathered to the where-abouts of the Oyster Saloon ... they were told it would take fifteen minutes by foot.     With no time to waste and a thirst to quench (not to  forget,) a body to be found, an effort was made to leave.    It took no longer than the fifteen minutes given to the task.

~~~~

The same night, two others were taken into custody; and there seems no doubt that they are all of one gang. These three, who gave false names of Richard Henry Mullen, Thomas Joseph M'Ghee, and Thomas Noon, were brought before Mr. Pointer, on Wednesday, charged with being suspected of waylaying the two lost men. 

The prisoners were remanded till the next morning (being a Monday.)Edward had excepted the invitation to dinner, (it had been three weeks' since the policeman's ball ... long enough he had thought.)      His cup of coffee and paper was on the table.    No pipe for him — just his after-dinner cigar (although he had not dined as yet,) no smoking jacket, nor red velvet  slippers either; dressed only in his shirt, trousers and socks (for he had removed his shoes,) again (voluntary) his attention drawn towards those two cheeks as they glided to and fro ... each rotating in small circles above two (loverly) slender legs ... each gracefully extending out from under a pleated dress (no low heal slippers tonight,) just the bare feet of Stephanie Wallbouys.

The end..

Based on a true report in the  Wellington Independent, 30 June 1866. Many names and places are as reported at the time

 - some have be changed.  Inspector Cutlet is a fictional character.