Murder Most Beautiful

Bland's Last Case?

Giles Jones, an out of work newspaperman sat on a bench watching the Thames flow by. There was a lot of traffic up and down the river at this time of night. Boats full of revellers were going past lights blazing, and music blaring. He had his camera on the seat beside him, just one good picture was all he needed. Something splashed in the water up stream from him, as it got nearer he thought it was a small boat, it had two lanterns and a bell on a rod which tinkled. It was a child's coffin and in the soft glow of the lanterns he could see that there was an occupant. This was the first victim of the Messenger of Death.