Chapter 40

Just to one side of the Scotland Yard gate there were several Bobbies standing guard over the apple cart and its contents, including the body of the young man. Several raggedy women stood nearby crying. Behind them a crowd had gathered. The unruly throng rumbled about the shooting.

The Superintendent said, “We must get this mess cleaned up as soon as possible.”

“One minute.” I pointed to the gun almost touching the youth’s right sleeve. “When I bought some apples from this fellow, he took the money with his left hand and put it in the left-hand pocket of his coat. If he is left-handed, then the gun should be near his left hand.”

The policeman raised his eyebrows and shook his head. He asked the nearest Bobbie, “Is anyone here related to this lad?”

“Aye, sir, them ladies there. Me thinks as one o’ them be ’is muther.”

The Superintendent approached the grieving ladies. “Ladies, are you related to this young man?” he pointed toward the apple cart.

“This ’ere be ’is mum.”

“Please accept my sincere sympathy over this tragedy. I would appreciate it if you would all step into my office, where you can be more comfortable. We need to make a brief investigation of the situation here, and then we will help you with the necessary arrangements. Could you please tell me the young man’s name.”

“He be Tom Green.”

“Can you tell me, then, was Tom left-handed or right-handed?”

“Tom Green ’asn’t got no right hand. It were cut off by one o’ them Bow Street Runners when he were a wee lad.”