Joe Leslie's Wife: A Skeleton in the Closet
9781465653796
281 pages
Library of Alexandria
Overview
The little clock in the dingy office of Eric Darrell was just pointing out the hour of four when there came a rap on the door. Within the proprietor sat alone, his feet elevated upon the top of a desk, and from his position it was evident that his thoughts were far away, for although he took an occasional whiff at his cigar, it was in an absent-minded way. At this summons, his interest was at once aroused—his feet came down from their elevated position, and an expression appeared on his face that might have been a smile. “A woman, by Jove!” he muttered, giving his handkerchief a flirt over the desk where his feet had been so recently deposited. There was no guess-work about this, neither had the detective been able to distinguish anything feminine about the knock. Over the door was a peculiar little contrivance, which by means of several small mirrors would tell the occupant of the office who summoned him—a useful affair under the circumstances, as the detective might at some time have a visitor bent on taking his life, and under such circumstances he would be warned. Jumping to his feet he approached the door—had it been a man he probably would have sung out: “Come in,” and been done with it.
