Cargo of Eagles by Margery Allingham, 1968

 

Series: Albert Campion #19 (last in series)

About the author: Margery Louise Allingham (1904 – 1966) was an English novelist from the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction". Allingham is best remembered for her hero, the gentleman sleuth Albert Campion. Initially believed to be a parody of Dorothy L. Sayers's detective Lord Peter Wimsey, Campion matured into a strongly individual character, part-detective, part-adventurer, who formed the basis for 18 novels and many short stories. (wikipedia) 

Major characters:

• Morty Kelsey, professor and historical writer
• James Teague, a released prisoner
• Target Burrows, ship's engineer, with a glass eye
• H.O. Wishart, poet
• Dixie Wishart, his wife, barkeep at "The Demon" [bar]
• Mossy Ling, the only one who has seen The [real] Demon
• Dr. Dido Jones
• Sir Albert Campion

Locale: England

Synopsis: Historical professor Mortimer "Morty" Kelsey brings Albert Campion to the seaside village of Saltey, a rather desolate and forbidding place. Kelsey regales Campion with stories of past pirate adventures, a legendary demon, and a hidden treasure. The action centers around the house of Miss Kitty Kytie, who has left it to attractive Dr. Dido Jones, who knew her when she was in hospital. Kelsey believes a treasure is hidden in the vicinity, sought after by released prisoner James Teague. When Dido arrives to take possession, she finds the body of her attorney, Hector Askew, inside. 

Review: This story takes us back to The Beatles era, with "mods" terrorizing the community on motorbikes with their tight black outfits, blasting music on their "transistors". The pirate/smuggling backstory is right out of Jamaica Inn (Daphne du Maurier). The hidden treasure is indeed found, and in a clever hiding place. The disposition of the treasure is an interesting exercise, and this is the significance of the title. Mossy Ling is an enjoyable character, hanging around the bar and telling his story (he was the only one who saw The Demon) in exchange for drinks. The true story behind the legend comes out, and it is quite funny.