“The Webb Chapter Is Closed .. “

The above quote is from an insufferably bumptious individual who no doubt thinks that the fading glory of Nick Pelling’s Cipher Mysteries is his opportunity to grasp the similarly fading attention of what was once a noisy and abusive bunch of opinionated hooligans.

He seems to have forgotten the tight little theory put forward by Dude47 .. a theory held together by the case evidence.

Dude reckoned both ProsperT and SM were involved in the shadier side of motor vehicle commerce. Both moved from Melbourne to Adelaide and it would appear from some of the classified ads PT placed in the local papers that he was seeking both employment and work premises, possibly for SM to work on motor vehicles not legally acquired or ones that required some electrical modifications. Who hasn’t known someone capable of turning back a speedometer? One ad in particular shows PT had the equivalent of $50,000 in cash available for the purchase of a bungalow. In 1948 the SA average weekly wage was under 4 pounds aus.

This ad was placed in November 1948, three years after WW2 ended and at a time the Australian economy was experiencing significant growth, particularly in the car manufacturing industry. There was money in cars then, particularly if you could buy one for less than market price and who would argue that Australians in general would ignore the opportunity to slip one past the accepted norms?

I speak from experience in this matter ..and gained a nice little ex-business Alfa Romeo for an undeclared profit despite the official paperwork required for such a transaction.

Is there a link between Prosper’s ads and Webb’s movements?

A phone number was found written on the back of a Rubaiyat which matched the Tamam Shud slip found in SM’s fob pocket.
That phone number showed it as being subscribed by a nurse Thompson of Moseley St but it was used extensively by PT in his classifieds. Given that, one might assume that there was somebody at home during the day to answer it and take messages, just as it might be assumed SM used it to get in touch with Thomson via the nurse. It’s not beyond belief to assume they may have met over the course of time as well. This may explain Harkness’ shock when confronted by the bust.

THE TOOLS

Derek Abbott took one look at the tools found in the suitcase thought to belong to SM and said they no doubt belonged to Charles Webb in his capacity as an electrical fitter. In particular the cut-down knife, scissors, screwdriver and particle brush. Some of us involved in the electrical manufacturing industry have a different view of what an electrical fitter might need to do his job ..

Dude47 thinks Abbott is wrong as he holds the view that the tools are strong evidence that their owner used them to access motor vehicles and their ignition systems. Such as ..

The screwdriver and bobby pin could have been used to access a locked car door

THE SIX PENCILS.

Pencils hold graphite.

The cut-down knife could have been used to sharpen each of the six pencils found in the suitcase.

The glass dish could have been used to accumulate the graphite released by sharpening the pencils.

The particle brush could have been used to apply the (black) powdered graphite to the inside of the lock where the locking mechanism proved to be too stiff to manipulate.

THE INVESTIGATION.

The police thought it unnecessary to fingerprint any of the items found in the suitcase.

The police lost the Rubaiyat very early in the case.

The Rubaiyat was never photographed.

Dr. Dwyer was “astounded” that no barbiturates were found in SM’s stomach contents.

Senior analyst Cowan said he was unable to identify the ‘black powder’ shaken out of the particle brush.

Where a simple fingerprinting exercise on the suitcase contents would have confirmed SM as the owner, it was left to Professor Cleland and senior government analyst James Cowan to judge whether the trousers, shoes and sports jacket found in the case were approximately the same size as those worn on the body. To achieve this decision both men tried on both the coat and shoes.

Despite the coroner stating that he intended to adjourn the inquest until further evidence was found, and despite such evidence had been found, he decided not to use it and neither Harkness, Prosper or Boxall were deposed.

The coroner changed his mind from initially finding that he did not know where SM died to finally ruling he died where he was found.

A CONCLUSION OF SORTS ..

Maybe Prosper’s client list contained a few names whose owners preferred them not be known, think Epstein.