Tell Me, Pretty Maiden (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #7)

“We’ve both covered all bases,” I said, “and another thing I have to do today is to inform the family that hired me that they do not want Mr. Roth marrying their daughter.”


“Why would you say that? What possible reason can you have? The man is a paragon. Do you think she would die of boredom?”

“He’s a paragon who hangs around theater stage doors with a reputation of ‘playing rough,’ as one girl put it. I saw him outside the Casino last night.”

“Good God,” Daniel said. “I’d never have thought it of him. Are you sure it was he?”

“Oh yes, and he went off in a cab with the chorus girl who is most generous with her favors.”

“Well, I never.” Daniel shook his head. “So you’ve concluded one case, at least. Now you just need to find a theater ghost and the whereabouts of JJ Halsted.”

“How are we ever going to do that, Daniel? Presumably the police across the country have been alerted to be on the lookout for him.”

Daniel thought for a minute. “Well, if I were running the case, I’d work outwards from the car. We’ve tried local farmhouses and we’re pretty sure he didn’t hide out there. So where is the nearest station? Did anyone see him getting on a train in the morning? And if he had the loot with him, how did he carry it? Silver isn’t particularly light.”

“Right.” I nodded appreciatively.

“And probably carriers have a regular route up and down that stretch of road. I’d ask if Halsted could have hitched a ride with any stage going into the city. And then it might be worth checking the steamship companies and finding out if anyone matching Halsted’s description booked passage to somewhere like South America.”

“This is all presupposing that he’s guilty,” I said.

“Then give me another explanation.”

“I can’t.”

“Then we have to assume that something drove him to act in a way that was completely uncharacteristic for him—debts or drugs. And assuming he’s guilty, the next step is to see if he has fled the country.”

“You’re hired for the job, Daniel,” I started to say when there was another loud knock at my front door. This time it was Dr. Birnbaum, who came in waving a letter.

“We’ve had our first reply to my second advertisement,” he said. “It looks promising, I think.”

He handed me the letter.

I started to read.





Dear Sirs:

We saw your advertisement regarding a young woman called Annie who might be missing from home. One of our dancers, Annie Parker, failed to turn up at the theater last week and we have had no communication with her since. Her fellow dancers suspect she may have run off with a young man.

H. Goldman

Goldman’s Theater

New Haven, CT





“New Haven, Daniel,” I shouted in glee. “She’s the girl who ran off with Halsted! I told you I suspected it, didn’t I?”

“Let’s go upstairs and see if we can jog her memory,” Daniel said, already heading for the staircase.

Birnbaum held up a warning hand. “This must be done cautiously and correctly. Do you realize that your bursting in and confronting her with her past might push her over the edge into permanent insanity?”

“Very well, Doctor,” Daniel said, turning back to me. “We’ll let you handle it.”

Dr. Birnbaum nodded gravely. “I should like to work more with her today, but I regret that I am expected at a hospital. I just stopped by to give you the news.”

“Thank you for coming, Doctor,” I said.

He gave a curt little bow in reply. “Before we take that next step it might be wise to know that we indeed have the girl from New Haven here, and it is not just a coincidence that the girl’s name is Annie. I suggest you ask the theater owner for a picture of his missing Annie before we attempt any communication with our young woman.”

“Good idea,” I said. “I’ll write him a note.”

“And I must take my leave.” Dr. Birnbaum headed for the front door.

“I was planning to go up to New Haven myself today,” Daniel said. “I’ll take the letter, if I may, and talk with the theater manager. Do you have time to come with me, Molly?”

I was going through a whole range of emotions. Relief that we might have found out who our Annie really was mingled with less noble feelings of indignation that Daniel seemed to be taking over my case, and suggesting I come along as his assistant.

“I’m not sure,” I said. “Let me see. I have to be at the theater by five. I wanted a chance to speak with Blanche Lovejoy before that, and I suppose I should visit the Mendelbaums to let them know what I’ve discovered.”