The Peacock of Jewels

"The Peacock of Jewels" by Fergus Hume is a mystery novel written in the early 20th century. The story begins with the investigation of a troubling crime involving the murder of a man named Baldwin Grison, whose dead body is found in a shabby boarding house in Rotherhithe. The narrative introduces us to the main character, Dick Latimer, a journalist, who becomes embroiled in uncovering the mystery surrounding the murder and the titular peacock—an elaborate piece of jewelry linked to a heritage and possible treasure that could change the fate of a family and its last descendant, Marie Inderwick. The opening of the book sets a dark, atmospheric tone as Latimer recounts the inquest into Grison's death to his friend Alan Fuller. Grison, a man of dubious history, is revealed to have been living in destitution prior to his murder, with vague hints of connections to a valuable artifact—the "peacock of jewels." As Latimer delves deeper, he mentions Jotty, a street boy who claims to have seen Grison with the jeweled ornament. The plot thickens as connections to Marie and her uncle Randolph Sorley are introduced, sparking intrigue about family history, lost treasures, and potential motives for Grison's murder. The reader is left with a sense of anticipation as the characters explore their intertwined fates amidst a backdrop of mystery and deception.

The Peacock of Jewels, by Fergus Hume. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #56432.