Linckes’ Great Case

By Georgette Heyer

A mysterious leakage of Cabinet documents and the trust of a very charming young person gave Linckes the chance of his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alien Ebooks
• Release date: May 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667620961

Georgette Heyer

Georgette Heyer (1902-1974) was an English writer of historical romance and detective fiction. Born in London, Heyer was raised as the eldest of three children by a distinguished British Army officer and a mother who excelled as a cellist and pianist at the Royal College of Music. Encouraged to read from a young age, she began writing stories at 17 to entertain her brother Boris, who suffered from hemophilia. Impressed by her natural talent, Heyer’s father sought publication for her work, eventually helping her to release The Black Moth (1921), a detective novel. Heyer then began publishing her stories in various magazines, establishing herself as a promising young voice in English literature. Following her father’s death, Heyer became responsible for the care of her brothers and shortly thereafter married mining engineer George Ronald Rougier. In 1926, Heyer publisher her second novel, These Old Shades, a work of historical romance. Over the next several decades, she published consistently and frequently, excelling with romance and detective stories and establishing herself as a bestselling author.

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Table of Contents

LINCKES’ GREAT CASE

LINCKES’ GREAT CASE

by GEORGETTE HEYER

I

THE chief paused and glanced sharply across the table to where Roger Linckes sat facing him, listening to his discourse.

It is a big job, Masters said abruptly. So much is at stake. It’s not like safe stage robbery, where Lady So-and-So’s pearls are stolen. It’s—well, the whole country—perhaps all Europe—is implicated. Maybe I’m wrong to set you on to it. You’re very young; you’ve had very little experience.

The younger man flushed slightly under his tan.

I know, sir.

Masters looked him over thoughtfully, from his grave young eyes to his brogued shoes. He smiled a little.

Anyhow, right or wrong, I’m going to let you see what you can do. I must admit I haven’t much hope. Where Tiffrus and Pollern have failed, a comparative tyro isn’t likely to succeed. But you did exceedingly well over that Panton affair, and it’s just possible you might hit on a solution to this mystery. He drummed on the table, frowning. I’ve known it happen before. I suppose the big detectives get stale, or something approaching it. Let’s hope you’ll bring fresh ideas into the business. How much do you know about it?

Linckes crossed his legs, clasping his hands about one knee.

"Precious little, sir. You’ve seen to that, haven’t you? Nothing known to the papers, I mean. All I know is that there’s a leak in the Cabinet. Knowledge of our doings is being sold to Russia and to Germany. You say it has been going on for some time. The Soviet got wind of our new submarines. Hardly anyone in England knew about ’em, and yet Russia discovered the secret! Someone must have duplicated the plans and sold them—probably he’s done it many times before—and that someone must be one of those in the small circle of people who knew all the details of the new subs. In