Publisher's Synopsis
"Jabez Tracey," he repeated. "Well, let me hear some of the conversation, please, Miss Crane." Miriam complied readily, suppressing nothing, not even the fact that Jabez had threatened to "knife" Barton should he molest him. "I must tell you I am the daughter of a sea-captain, and was brought up in the little fishing village of Brixham in Devonshire. About that time my father died, and I, too, had to go to London, and try and earn a living as a governess. To do so would have been to make a false move she knew, since Mrs. "He is an old playfellow of mine," she went on. Barton as governess for his little grand-nephew, I told him about Jabez. He became the teller of one of the banks in the West of England, and in a weak moment he embezzled some money. Excerpt: ...have failed to notice that glance of Miriam's, and, having noticed it, to remark that the name Tracey was there in all the largeness of print upon a list of voters hanging on the wall. Then I received a letter from Jabez saying that he was coming to Lesser. "That I have never told to anyone, but I will tell you now," said Miriam, in such a tone that the good inspector's protective shell of professionalism was so far pierced as to permit of the relaxing of his facial muscles visibly. One day I met Jabez in the street. When I was engaged by Mr. He, being intensely interested, as you probably know, in everything to do with crime and criminals, made inquiries about Jabez, and found out that he was once again in danger of arrest. He looked so miserably poor and ill, that in spite of everything I felt sorry for him, and I gave him what money I could. Darrow was sure to make a feature of it. He was prosecuted and sent to prison. Jabez Tracey was the son of a retired naval officer, and lived in the next house to ours. After he had served his sentence he went to London, where he fell into a life of dissipation and evil ways. "And who is this man?" asked the inspector. As it was he noticed nothing of the kind.