THE TRIAL OF THE DETECTIVES—PEACE’S VISIT TO BOW-STREET.
Although Charles Peace was what is termed playing a game of hide-and-seek, and to play this game effectually it is usually deemed advisable to court publicity as little as possible, Mr. Thompson—as he called himself—did not choose to pursue this course of action. He went abroad, and paid frequent visits to places of public resort, and was as self-possessed and confident as if he had no oppressive weight on his conscience, no heinous crimes to answer for. In point of fact, he assumed all the airs and graces of a man who had done nothing but meritorious acts throughout his life.
It was at this time that the town was startled by the extraordinary detective case in which the convicts Kurr and Benson played so conspicuous a part. The confidence of the public was suddenly shaken in the whole system of the detective department of this country, and it was only after an overwhelming weight of evidence had been brought forward, that they could give credence to the startling revelations of bribery and corruption practised by Kurr and his accomplices upon paid officers of the Crown. Far be it from us to stigmatise the whole force as corrupt and unreliable. There are doubtless many good men, many intelligent, active, and praiseworthy officers to be found, but the machinery appears to be too cumbersome to be put in motion with sufficient rapidity to be of much service in cases of murder or manslaughter. We have alluded to this in a previous chapter, and since that was written, events have occurred which strengthen us in our opinion.
The Scotland-yard detective department is, and has been for years past, miserably inefficient in tracing out the perpetrators of the heinous crime of murder, and we are convinced that, sooner or later, it will be requisite, for justice sake, as well as for the safety of the public at large, that some better organised body of men will have to be formed to meet this crying evil.
Murders are rife in the land, and it is perfectly appalling the number of murderers who escape the strong arm of the law, which of late seems to be almost paralysed in dealing with crimes of this nature.
Charles Peace had read in the papers the report of the first inquiry into the charge made against the four detectives. He was greatly interested in the case, for, said he, with a sort of chuckle—
“I think I ought to know something about chaps of that kidney. I’ve dodged ’em a good many times, and when it answered my purpose I’ve bribed them; but this I only did when my dodgery failed. I’ll go and have a squint at these beauties when they come up for their next examination.”
“I’m sure I’d do nothing of the sort, if I were you,” observed his wife. “What good can it do you? Talk about women’s curiosity, why it’s nothing in comparison to yours.”
“Mind your own business, you fool,” answered Peace sharply. “Leave me to be the best judge of my own actions.”
“Oh, well, I’ve done. You know best, I suppose. I only made the remark for your own good. I shouldn’t have thought you had any desire to be seen in Bow-street Police-court.”