Snow kept falling. De Quincey and Becker jumped down among the many guards at the entrance. Officers shouted directions to soldiers. Constables took positions along the walls that bordered the palace’s gardens.As Becker showed his badge to the guards at the gate, another police wagon arrived. Commissioner Mayne hurried to join them.“A man who matches the colonel’s description was seen at the morgue in Westminster Hospital,” Mayne reported. “A surgeon found him holding up the sheet that covered Catherine Grantwood’s body. After attacking the surgeon, two constables, and two clerks, he escaped. He’s wearing brown corduroy trousers and a matching laborer’s coat. Every patrolman is looking for him.”“But dressed that way, he can hide among millions of laborers,” Becker said, “or else he can change his appearance again.”Commissioner Mayne nodded tensely. “The palace is more heavily guarded than ever. Unless he shows himself again, I don’t know what else can be done.”“Has Her Majesty been informed?”“That’s why I’m here.
