Moments later it opened, the same man but on this occasion bearing a smile, “please come in,” he said. His Lordship will see you".

They went inside it was a typical Georgian town house high ceilings, a large hall with a formidable oak staircase.

There were large rooms to the left and right of the front door, easily visible, as the doors into the rooms were open.

Large portraits adorned the walls inside and up the stairway, mostly ancient judges and other county gentlemen some of whose names were familiar to Jack.

“Follow me if you please,” said the man who had not announced his identity.

He led them into a large room further along the hall and on knocking the door a voice called, “Yes Jeffries, please come in”.

 The man who had greeted them was it seemed, a Jeffries and on opening the door he intimated for them to enter, which they did.

On arrival inside the room, which was very tastefully furnished, there were large portraits of previous residents, judges, some whom Jack recognised as of great distinction.

There was a man seated at a large desk, a lady, seated by his side.

The man was dressed in a morning suit, aged at least sixty years of age he was clean-shaven, had a ruddy complexion and appeared to be on the plump side.

Just what one would imagine a High Court Judge to look like?

 Jack recognised him from the Old Bailey, though like him, the man had changed somewhat in his appearance.

The lady was younger, aged about forty, very slim, with a gaunt face her sallow complexion gave one all the hallmarks of a secretary devoted to her work. A glance at her hands revealed no rings, “yes she was a definite Miss” thought Jack.

“Please do come in. Inspector Scott-Ling I believe we have not met previously, I am Judge Stevens, and of course Jack Richards.”

“Might one venture to say, I believe you are retired, officially at any rate.”

“The very famous and respected detective, Jack the Hat. Still wearing the hat I see, it looks the same hat to”.

 He laughed as Jack who had forgotten to remove his trilby, now did so post haste.

The lady seated next to him smiled but did not speak.

“I suspect you will recall me Mr Richards, Judge Stevens?”

He turned to the lady and said, “May I introduce my Clerk, Miss Carver”.

She smiled and nodded but again did not speak.

The learned judge continued, “ May I introduce Jack Richards of New Scotland Yard fame, we have met officially of course on many occasions over many years at the Old Bailey.”

“Little if ever at the Central Criminal Court, Appeals Division an indication of how thorough your investigations are”.

The two visitors smiled, Jack spoke to say, “Thank you Sir”, and added, “Please to meet you madam, I am sure”, looking at Miss Carver.

“Now, said Judge Steven, “the Home Secretary has made it known to me you are investigating some suspicious deaths of police officers and are currently seeking exhumation orders of the remains for second post mortem medical examinations by Professor Webster no less, a good man, very good indeed, highly respected.”

“Yes My Lord,” replied Jack”

“Have you brought me the necessary documentation?” Asked the Judge.

“We have My Lord”. He looked at Doris who opened the brief case retrieved the file, stepped forward and placed it on the desk in front of his lordship.”

 Miss Carver now produced a small book and held it in the direction of Doris.

Jack leaned to Doris and whispered, “The Oath, take the Oath". He was hoping she recalled the words.

Doris met the challenge with distinction, took the bible in her right hand, raised both into the air and said. “I swear by Almighty God that the evidence which I shall give will be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Doris Scott-Ling Police Inspector of the Cheshire Constabulary currently stationed at Chester my Lord”.

“Thank you officer” replied his Lordship.

Miss Carver put out her hand to take back the bible, placing it on the desk”.

The judge asked, “Do you produce to the court a file containing all the known facts surrounding the cases of five police officers all found dead whilst on duty?”

“I do my lord” she replied.

“Thank you both. If you would please wait outside I will peruse the evidence you have submitted and make my decision known to you shortly”.

They left the room; outside the butler was waiting and pointed for them to be seated.

It was fifteen minutes later when the door opened and Miss Carver looked out and said, “Please, come back in, his Lordship is ready".

They went back inside and stood, the judge was signing something.

After a moments hesitation he said, “ I have considered the facts of the case and I am satisfied it is in the interest of justice and further in the public interest that a second post-mortem should, in fact must, be carried out upon these deceased officers, I therefore grant the applications”

“Thank you my Lord,” replied Jack.

The judge then added, “You will appreciate of course these matters carry some risk of trauma for the loved ones of the deceased, I am sure Mr Richards with your vast experience that matters will be dealt with efficiently, respectfully and with discretion”

“They will indeed my Lord,” replied Jack. He added “and the other matter in the file Sir”.

“Ah yes, that is a little more difficult and a very unusual request but again from the evidence which you have laid before me as to the necessity of the evidence and the views of the holders of the information I agree that such information should be released to you but verification of a court order is required.”

“ I am also satisfied that normal protocol should in this instance be set aside and I do therefore grant you the additional disclosure orders you have sought”.

“Thank you” replied Jack.

“Well now officer,” said the judge closing his papers, turning to Doris “may I suggest to you, that as you appear young in service you should pay all attention to Mr Richards.”

“Over many years he has gained a vast and wide ranging knowledge of investigating serious and unusual crimes and those who commit such crime.”

 “You may recall some moments ago I mentioned I have come face to face with Jack the Hat on many occasions in the Old Bailey and other crown courts but rarely indeed, if ever in the high courts of appeal.”

“The reason is simple; Mr Richards was such a thorough investigator with intricate attention to detail and the ability to keep focused that once his investigations were completed there were little or no grounds for an accused to appeal”.

“His cases as presented were such the evidence against the accused was always conclusive it was rare if ever any legal loophole could be found.”

“I might add I cannot recall a single case or allegation of any miss-carriage of justice in any case, in which he was the investigating officer. You would fair well to learn and mirror this man”.

They remained silent, then the judge said, “Well thank you that closes proceedings”.

“Thank you Mu Ludd” replied Jack emulating the court phrase; they were about to leave when the judge called.

“Mr Richards”.

Jack turned; the Judge smiled and said, “I can’t be involved further in this case now having seen your evidence to date”

 “I am not breaking any protocols by saying that I have been honoured to be invited to this year’s annual conference of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary and Chief Officers of Police.”

“The end for once may well prove to me more interesting than the conference,” he smiled, winked and finally looked down at his papers.

Jack turned and left the room.

They were heading out of town when Doris looked and realised that the car required fuel, in her excitement with the new vehicle she had forgotten to top it up, seeing a large filling station she pulled in and stopped.