With a few quick words to Beck’s landlord, Tarn was able to step into Beck’s apartment, which had been wrecked much like Nutmeg’s office, under the landlord’s supervision. The furniture had been overturned with drawers pulled out and curtains, bedding, and seats had been slashed, obvious signs of Carroll’s gang searching for the gold coins. But there was no sign of the coins having been found or of Beck himself. “You’re certain he left before the break-in occurred?” Tarn asked the landlord as he looked around. Please let him be all right, not hurt like Nutmeg or killed like Ralph, Tarn thought. He couldn’t bear to have another person on his conscience. “Definitely, he had all of his belongings with him when he left. And then they came storming in here, a whole crowd of them.” The landlord said. “They left not long ago. I have half a mind to track Beck down to pay for the damage.
