The Black Museum - The Tan Shoe

On the morning of May the 20th, Wallace Bennett and John Linkman walked along the platform at Newcastle Station to board their train. Wallace says "I tell you John, my firm regards me most highly". John asks "In what way?" Wallace says "Well as you know, they allow me to travel with the colliery (coal mine business) wages each Friday from the bank in Newcastle to our office at Alnmouth". John says "That's a very responsible task. Come my friend, admit the truth. They really don't allow you to travel unescorted, with so much money in that black leather bag?" Wallace says "Oh yes they do. No guards whatsoever. You see they place great trust in me". John says "They do indeed". Wallace says "Mark my words, I'm in line for a colliery managership one day". John says "And you deserve it my dear chap". Wallace says "Yes, it'll be a fine reward for 20 years work". As they continue to walk along the platform, Wallace greets a man that is with a neighboring colliery (coal mine business) named Collins. Wallace says "Come on, John. This is our carriage". As they climb aboard, John says "It seems to be empty. Splendid, we can have good talk on our journey to Alnmouth". There were small station stops along the line. At Morpeth, the train took up water. A few people got out to stretch their legs. Others passed through the barrier and gave up their tickets. Among them was a man in a grey overcoat. The ticket clerk says "Oh, sir, your tickets are onward to Alnmouth. The man says "Yes, I've changed my mind. I'm getting off here, thank you".