Chapter I: Front Matter

THE

CHESTERMARKE

INSTINCT

THE MYSTERY STORIES OF

J. S. FLETCHER

"_We always feel as though we were really spreading happiness when we can announce a genuinely satisfactory mystery story, such as J. B. Fletcher's new one._"--N. P. D. in the New York Globe.

THE MIDDLE TEMPLE MURDER [1918]

"Unquestionably, the detective story of the season and, therefore, one which no lover of detective fiction should miss."--_The Broadside._

THE TALLEYRAND MAXIM [1920]

"A crackerjack mystery tale; the story of Linford Pratt, who earnestly desired to get on in life, by hook or by crook--with no objection whatever to crookedness, so long as it could be performed in safety and secrecy."--_Knickerbocker Press._

THE PARADISE MYSTERY [1920]

"As a weaver of detective tales Mr. Fletcher is entitled to a seat among the elect. His numerous followers will find his latest book fully as absorbing as anything from his pen that has previously appeared."--_New York Times._

DEAD MEN'S MONEY [1920]

"The story is one that holds the reader with more than the mere interest of sensational events: Mr. Fletcher writes in a notable style, and he has a knack for sketching character rapidly. Reminds one of Stevenson--and Mr. Fletcher sustains the comparison well."--_Newark Evening News._

THE ORANGE-YELLOW DIAMOND [1921]

"... A rattling good yarn.... The excellence of The Orange yellow Diamond does not depend, however, entirely upon its plot. It is an uncommonly well written tale."--_New York Times._

_To be published July 1st, 1921:_

THE BOROUGH TREASURER

Blackmail, murder and the secret of an ancient quarry go to make a very exciting yarn.

_$2.00 net each at all booksellers or from the Publisher_

ALFRED A. KNOPF, New York.

THE

CHESTERMARKE

INSTINCT

BY J. S. FLETCHER

NEW YORK ALFRED A KNOPF MCMXXI

COPYRIGHT, 1921, BY ALFRED A. KNOPF, INC. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I. The Missing Bank Manager, 9

II. The Ellersdeane Deposit, 19

III. Mr. Chestermarke Disclaims Liability, 29

IV. The Modern Young Woman, 39

V. The Search Begins, 49

VI. Ellersdeane Hollow, 59

VII. The Travelling Tinker, 69

VIII. The Saturday Night Stranger, 79

IX. No Further Information, 89

X. The Chestermarke Way, 99

XI. The Search-Warrant, 109

XII. The First Find, 119

XIII. The Partners Unbend, 129

XIV. The Midnight Summons, 139

XV. Mr. Frederick Hollis, 149

XVI. The Lead Mine, 159

XVII. Accident or Murder? 170

XVIII. The Incomplete Cheque, 179

XIX. The Dead Man's Brother, 189

XX. The Other Cheque, 200

XXI. About Cent per Cent, 209

XXII. Speculation--and Certainty, 221

XXIII. The Aggrieved Victim, 230

XXIV. Mrs. Carswell? 240

XXV. The Portrait, 248

XXVI. The Lightning Flash, 257

XXVII. The Old Dove-Cot, 266

XXVIII. Sound-Proof, 273

XXIX. The Sparrows and the Sphere, 279

XXX. Wreckage, 289

XXXI. The Prisoner Speaks, 295