The Crooked ManThe Crooked Man public house, situated as it was, something over a mile from the Bellhaven residence, in a less than salubrious street far removed from the genteel surroundings of Lewisham Place, was, nevertheless, a haven of fervent activity. As Norris and Hillman entered through the double doors that led into the saloon bar, their nostrils were immediately assaulted by the heady smell of beer, spirits and other less tangible aromas. Music filled the smoke-laden air as a lone pianist sat banging out a succession of raucous melodies in keeping with the establishment's credentials, the piano desperately in need of retuning, and many of the less than sober denizens of the pub were doing their best to sing along, whether or not they knew the actual words to the songs.
Norris a
