The Mystery of the Peacock’s Eye

by

Brian Flynn

London

John Hamilton Ltd.

First Printed, July, 1928

Contents

I[The Hunt Ball at Westhampton]
II[Mr. Bathurst Receives a Distinguished Visitor]
III[Chief-Inspector Bannister Gets a “Busman’s Holiday”]
IV[A Case of Identity]
V[John Martin’s Evidence]
VI[Mr. Bathurst Changes His Destination]
VII[Gentlemen and Players]
VIII[Daphne Draws Up the Blinds]
IX[Mr. Bathurst Looks at a Pair of Shoes—and a Luggage-Wagon]
X[A Room Is Ransacked at “Rest Harrow”]
XI[A Newspaper and a Second Suit-Case]
XII[Mr. Bathurst Listens to a Little Local Gossip]
XIII[Re-enter Mr. X]
XIV[The Peacock’s Eye]
XV[Alan Warburton Leads Trumps]
XVI[Of Which Mr. Bathurst Holds the Ace]
XVII[Bannister Strikes the Trail]
XVIII[That Leads Round the Mulberry-Bush]
XIX[Ronald Branston’s Story]
XX[“Findings—Keepings”]
XXI[The Lord Lieutenant Goes Back a Few Years]
XXII[Gallant Mr. Bathurst]
XXIII[Mr. Bathurst Forgets His Change]
XXIV[What Did Mr. Bathurst Whisper?]
XXV[Mr. Bathurst’s Patience Is Rewarded]
XXVI[Rendezvous]
XXVII[Sir Austin Kemble Removes His Hat]

CHAPTER I.
The Hunt Ball at Westhampton

The foot-fascinating strains of the Red Ruritanian Band died gently away—to commence again after a short interval just as exquisitely. The Hunt Ball at Westhampton was the outstanding event of the season and this year it had exceeded all past successes and even present anticipations. It was actually honoured, so it was whispered, with the presence of Royalty—which interesting fact although not announced publicly or even hinted at in the Press—was nevertheless an open secret to at least half-a-dozen of the most influential people present. Life in the Midlands is a very different proposition from life in London or in the residential neighbourhoods that are within that great city’s reasonable range. Social distinctions mean very much more—there is the sharply-definite cleavage of class—determined very often by “County” prejudice—a line of division against which there is little or no chance of struggling with any degree of success.