We recently came across a previously unknown notebook written by Commander John Parker who, in 1925, retired from the police force. It reads.

 ’ “ Late on Christmas Eve 1926 I was summoned to the home of Margaret Swann, the widow of my old boss Herbert Merriman Swann, one of the finest policemen that ever lived…” ‘

” John, thank you for coming.”

” It’s a pleasure, Margaret. What is it, is something wrong?”

” No, nothing is wrong. It’s just that I’ve been sorting out some of Herbert’s things and I came across this small notebook which I think you should have. I know that Scotland Yard have asked you to privately investigate the fire at the Memorial Theatre, and I think you’ll find this notebook of interest. It may not help you solve the case, in fact it may hinder you, but it will certainly shed light on the circumstances of the fire.”

” How did you know that I had been asked to…”

” John, I was married to Herbert for over thirty years and we had many friends in the force and the Black Section…”

” He told you about the Black Section?”

” After the Great Christmas Train Robbery of 1881 he told me everything. In fact, John, I became involved in many cases.”

” I see. The Great Christmas Train Robbery, my goodness that was a night and no mistake.”

” Take the note book home and read it, and before Christmas Day dawns you will have your answer.”

” And I did. My wife Ann had died many years before in a dreadful shooting incident outside the church, and I was now living with my new wife in a small house in Old Town, not far from Holy Trinity. Although my wife Paola (she is of Italian extraction) and I spend a good deal of time at church, I have to say I was glad of the opportunity to get involved once more in an investigation.”

” What did Margaret want?”

” She gave me this notebook of Swann’s. She wants me to read it tonight, although I fear my eyesight is not up to it.”

” Would you like me to read it?”

” Please.”

I poured two glasses of wine and we settled down in front of the fire. Paola began to read.

” My dear John, I left a note asking Margaret to give this notebook to you as you are the only man who could possibly even try and understand what happened that Christmas Eve so many years ago. Other than Margaret and the Revd Arbuthnot, I have never told a living soul this story. It was 1902, and if you remember you were away investigating the Dreadnought case in Southampton…”