Chapter 18
THE HOME OF CHIEF INSECTOR COLLINGWOOD, ST JOHN’S WOOD
ON THE THIRTEENTH DAY of his convalescence, Jenkins brought to Collingwood a highly polished black leather box, about the size of a shoe-box. Jenkins carried the box on a silver tray, balancing the tray upon the tips of his fingers, holding the tray away from his body as though it carried something particularly obnoxious. Collingwood was in his chair by the window again, the bright morning sunrays streaming through the window reflected off the gleaming black leather as keenly as a mirror.
Clasping the box between his palms (his hands were still bandaged) Collingwood lifted it from the tray and carefully laid it down on the marquetry inlaid side table alongside his chair, turning the box to catch the most light from the wi
