‘Crowley has taken the ring.’ Alice Lovell appeared in the open doorway. ‘Is everything all right?’ she asked. ‘Has anything been taken?’ The private detective dropped into his chair. ‘A precious item has been stolen,’ he said. ‘But I know who the culprit is and will pay him a visit in the morning.’ But Mr Bell had certain qualms regarding this. Crowley had entered the house with seeming ease. He had known exactly where to find the Ring of Moses. Nothing else had been tampered with. Nothing else was stolen. Crowley’s claims to magical powers were not, upon this evidence, without some foundation. Cameron Bell felt most uneasy —magic was hardly within his province. Commander Case had let slip that magical doings were afoot in Whitechapel. Was there a connection, or connections? Mr Bell had had quite enough for one day. ‘Let us bring in your belongings,’ he said to Alice. ‘Settle your kiwi birds in the outhouse and then I will show you to your room.
