The Spider Web (A Sherlock Holmes Uncovered Tale Book 4)

by Steven Ehrman

  “Not as of yet, Grissom,” said Grey. “A little dust will do the hall no harm and I do not wish a clue to be disturbed simply because we do not recognize it as of yet. Don’t you agree with that logic, Mr. Holmes?”

  “Indeed, and I applaud your thinking, Inspector.”

  The Inspector allowed himself a sly smile and he and Grissom left the great hall, each leaving by a different exit, with Grey heading for the library and Grissom likewise for the servants quarters. Percy and I found ourselves alone for the first time since we had sat in the drawing room. I felt his eyes upon me and I met them with a twinkle.

  “By the expression on your face, my friend, I deduce that you lack confidence that I have indeed solved the crime.”

  “Oh, no, Holmes,” he said quickly. “I know that you know the difference between fact and fancy, it is just that the matter seems so deep. I admit that I am quite at sea.”

  Percy had resumed sitting the chair that Miss Hardwick had indicated was her seat during the time of the crime. I remained sitting on a sofa that was positioned across from the other sofa with the table between them.

  The confidence I had expressed outwardly had seemed to be waning within me. A statement that had been made at the first meal that I had shared with the inhabitants of Hardwick Hall, or the Spider Web as I now thought of it, and an incident during the interviews had convinced me of the identity of the person behind this foul crime. However, I wondered at my ability to transfer my surety into a conviction in English court. Something from under the sofa across from me caught my eye. I realized that Percy was speaking again.

  “It would be a jolly good feather in your cap, Holmes, should you be able to bring this miscreant to justice, as the Inspector seems quite out of his depths,” he said. “Indeed, I believe that it would impress my cousins, as well. I think that some of them disbelieved me when I mentioned your gift for observation and deduction. It would be talked about for…Holmes, I say, what are you doing?”

  I had crossed over to the opposing sofa and had knelt beside it. I stood up as Percy spoke.

  “Why, I was doing nothing in particular my friend,” I said innocently.

  “Now, that will not do, Holmes,” he scoffed. “I may not have your powers, but I most certainly saw you reach under the sofa and retrieve something.”

  “Retrieve something?” I asked, and again I did so with a childlike innocence.

  “Yes, retrieve something, my dear Holmes. Do not smile at me. I saw you put it your pocket, where it still resides. Is this another secret of which I am not to be privy?”

  “Let us take a walk and drink in some fresh air,” I said, taking Percy’s arm. “You did advise me that the air in the countryside was most refreshing. I believe a sample of the air is in order.”

  The two of us walked out the main entrance and began circling the manor house in ever increasing rings. The grounds were still teeming with gardeners and their helpers. Although they had certainly been alerted to the crime, Grissom had questioned them after all, they nevertheless were continuing with their duties. I noticed one elderly man with an intelligent face watching us while leaning on a spade. I decided to speak with him. As Percy and I approached he began to resume his work in a vigorous manner.

  “Pardon me, my good man,” I said to the fellow. The man tipped his tweed cap to us and tugged at his dark jacket and looked attentive. “I say, the grounds here are remarkably well kept.”

  “That is so, sir,” said the man, with a wide smile.

  “Who is the head gardener?” I asked. I felt Percy begin to say something, but I stayed his hand with a look.

  “That would be Fletcher, sir. He is a young man. He is well versed in the modern methods, such as they are.”

  The elderly man gave an expression on his face that intimated that the old methods were far superior.

  “Fletcher, of course. That was the name,” I said. “I suppose you have been here for some time.”

  “That is so, sir. More than twenty years.”

  “Just where is Fletcher to be found?”

  The elderly man looked around and in time pointed to a figure some hundred yards off by the study windows.

  “That would be him, sir.”

  “I don’t mean to gainsay you,” I said. “But Fletcher was described to me, and surely that is him over by the cart shed.”

  The gardener blinked in the sunlight and peered in the direction that I had indicated. He shook his head doubtfully.

  “It is possible I suppose, sir, but I believe that that is one of the helpers. Of course, many gardeners look the same from a distance.”

  “At any rate, as I say the grounds are just lovely. I understand Miss Grafton is a dedicated gardener herself.”

  “That is so, sir, but of course it is the flower gardens she tends. The lady does not swing a sickle, sir,” he said with a grin. “But she is about the flower beds most days.”

  “Well, with all the flower beds on the estate I imagine any help is gratefully accepted. And what was your name, my man?”

  “I’d be Hinckley, sir.”

  “Thank you, Hinckley. We will not keep you from your work any longer.”

  The man tipped his cap again, and Percy and I strolled away.

  “Holmes, the Inspector will wonder what has become of us,” said Percy anxiously. “Should we not return to the hall?”

  I nodded and we began a slow walk in that direction. I thrust my hands into my pockets and was reminded of the object that I had found. Percy noticed immediately and again asked what I had found.

  “Percy, I had thought to keep this a secret that only I knew until the right moment, but perhaps it is better that I reveal it to you so that you can testify as to where and when I found it.”

  I pulled my hand from my pocket and with a small flourish; I opened my fist so that Percy could see my find. I heard an intake of breath as he realized what it was.

  “What can this mean, Holmes? I do not quite understand the importance,” he said baffled.

  “It means, my dear Percy, that the snare is complete. Come, let us find the good Inspector. I have a speech to make.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Our pace increased as we approached the hall. We entered the manor, and we soon heard the hum of conversation from the library. As we were about to join, what sounded like the entire household in the library, I was accosted by Inspector Grey coming from the dining room.

  “Mr. Holmes,” said he. “I would like a word with you, if you will.”

  It was stated in the form of a request, but it sounded more in line with an order. I stopped and motioned for Percy to continue. He left the room and Grey and I were alone.

  “Just the man I was looking for, Inspector.”

  “That is well, Mr. Holmes. Have you come to the point where you will take me into your confidence?”

  “I now hold all the threads, Inspector. The case is complete. All that remains is to spring the trap so that our prey does not escape.”

  “Is escape possible? You said the case was complete.”

  “And so it is, but if you will allow me to present it in my own way, I believe that I can promise you an arrest, as well as a conviction, for murder.”

  “You insist on playing a lone hand, I take it,” said Grey, with some slight suspicion.

  “Just so, Inspector. I have a program planned out in my mind. I believe if the evidence is presented in the right order, and at the right psychological moment, there will be no doubt.”

  “Very well, Mr. Holmes,” said the Inspector. “But God help you if you lead me down the primrose path.”

  “Is the household gathered in the library?” I asked.

  “They are all in there with Constable Grissom, Hudson included.”

  “Then let us begin our program. A murderer awaits us Inspector.”

  All eyes were upon the Inspector and myself as we entered.

  “How much longer are we to be prisoners in our own home, Inspector?” asked
Agatha Hardwick.

  “Indeed, Inspector,” joined in George Hardwick. “Rather abusing your authority aren’t you, Grey?”

  I saw heads nodding in agreement, but Grey was not swayed.

  “There is no question of abuse, Mr. Hardwick,” Grey replied. “A crime has been committed, and it is within my powers, and indeed is my duty, to uncover the culprit. What little discomfort the investigation has caused you surely pales in comparison to the crime.”

  At the concise logic of the statement the room was again quieted.

  “Now, this may seem unorthodox, but I have allowed Mr. Holmes to aid me in this matter as he has exhibited great skills in observation and deduction. As such, he believes that he has unraveled this mystery and I am giving him the floor in order to present his case.”

  “Grey, this is the absolute limit,” cried George Hardwick.

  “I agree with my nephew, Inspector,” said Agatha Hardwick. “I will not stay and listen to this outsider. Come, Robert. Come, Jane.”

  The lady began to rise while the others looked about in some confusion.

  “No one is leaving, madam,” said Grey coldly. “It is true that I cannot make you listen, but stay, you shall.”

  Grey’s authoritative manner overawed the group and everyone remained seated. Agatha Hardwick sat with a grim expression upon her face, but she did remain. I stood in the center of the room. I felt some slight trepidation at what lay before me, but I gathered my courage and began.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I have a good bit to say, but I assure you I will be as brief as possible. As Miss Hardwick has pointed out I am a stranger to the household, and I believe that as such I am able to examine the evidence that has been presented, with no prejudice.

  “When I accompanied my friend Percy to Hardwick Hall, I came along for a bit of rest in the country, but we had hardly sat down when Sir John announced his engagement to Miss Stuart. Unbeknownst to Sir John his household was a cauldron of resentments, and when he made his announcement it lit a fuse that resulted in his death.”

  “Hardly that I think,” said Robert Hardwick. “Besides the long standing trouble between George and myself, I believe the house was a happy one.”

  “On the surface perhaps, Mr. Hardwick,” I said. “But as an outsider, as I say, I was able to note the cross currents immediately. Let us start with the two of you. As you say there was constant bickering between the two of you, and two physical confrontations of which I was witness, but you each had your champions. As for Mr. George Hardwick it seemed apparent that Sir John favored him. This was only natural as George Hardwick was of much aid to him. Indeed, he has led a selfless life by all evidence. Now, Mr. Robert Hardwick was favored by Miss Agatha Hardwick, as anyone could easily see.

  “These conflicts lived along side of, shall we say, romantic entanglements. I, myself, heard Mr. Robert Hardwick say, he pretended in jest, that he had had his eye on Miss Stuart himself. Was that a possible reason for murder?”

  “Oh, Mr. Holmes,” cried Irene Stuart. “You have misread the situation. Robert has been the kindest of men, but there was no entanglement as you say between us.”

  “As you say, madam, yet you flew into Robert’s arms when you learned of the death of your intended.”

  The lady said nothing in return and appeared to be on the verge of tears. Robert Hardwick merely smirked at my statement.

  “Even Miss Grafton had, I believe, romantic hopes of her own that were hidden from her uncle and most others.”

  I saw a look of alarm cross Jane Grafton’s face.

  “Are you trying to pair us all off together, Mr. Holmes?” she asked. “You are a bit young to be my Dutch uncle. Will Aunt Agatha marry Constable Grissom as well?”

  “Jane, please,” scolded Miss Hardwick. “Now, young man, are you implying that my dear brother was killed because of a romantic entanglement?”

  “In a way yes, madam,” I said. “But while it was his engagement to Miss Stuart that was the impetus of the crime, the motive was a financial one. It was immediately apparent to all who had lived, in one way or another, under the shield of Sir John that matters would have to change upon his marriage. Even more so if the marriage produced any progeny. Soon after the announcement, Sir John called in Percy and myself and explicitly told Percy that his financial support of him was at an end. It was implicit that the others would find themselves in the same straits. Additionally, Sir John told us something else of note. That his fortune had dwindled dramatically, and while he hoped to rebuild it in time, he was in much reduced circumstances for the near future. How widespread this knowledge was, I do not know. Did he confide in you, Miss Stuart?”

  “He did not, Mr. Holmes, but it couldn’t have mattered less. I was not marrying John for his money.”

  “But he was giving you the Spider Diamond necklace as an engagement gift,” I reminded her. “And in Sir John’s current financial distress the diamond represented the bulk of his estate. An estate that now falls to his relatives, since his marriage will now never take place.”

  “That is enough, young man,” said Miss Hardwick. “It is bad enough when it is merely implied that one of us was responsible for John’s death, but to say it outright is beyond the pale.”

  “I do not say it lightly, Miss Hardwick. Indeed, the shadow of doubt and suspicion will hang over all of you unless the crime is solved.”

  “But everyone alibis each other,” said Jane Grafton. “I heard George and Robert playing chess at the time and indeed they alibi each other. They in turn, heard me outside. Aunt Agatha also heard the two of them, and she says no one passed through the drawing room, so that let’s out Irene. And as for Percy, you and he were in town at the time. So you and he alibi each other.”

  “That is a remarkably concise statement of the interaction of the household during the time in question, Miss Grafton,” said I. “On the surface it would seem to let everyone in the house out of the realm of suspicion for the crime and indeed, I am certain that it was meant to. That is what has always puzzled me from the start.”

  “What do you mean, Holmes?” asked Percy.

  “Only that the crime was particularly brutal, but pains were seemingly taken to ensure that no harm would befall anyone in the household, but upon deeper examination another problem became apparent.”

  “What would that be, Mr. Holmes,” asked Irene Stuart, as she perched on the edge of her seat.

  “Surely the fact that everyone has an alibi is not a problem.”

  “Of course not, Irene,” said Robert Hardwick. “Young Holmes here is simply pontificating. It is a well known disease of the young, and in his defense I would point out that he has been encouraged by an authority figure who should know better.”

  Most of the people in the room shot a glance at a clearly uncomfortable Inspector Grey at the words of Robert Hardwick. The Inspector however, remained impassive.

  “The problem, Miss Stuart,” I said, ignoring the interruption from Robert Hardwick, “is that most of the so-called alibis, are worthless. Nearly everyone in the room had the opportunity to kill Sir John and, as I have previously noted, everyone had a motive to do so.”

  Chapter Twenty

  The room was as silent as a graveyard for a few moments, and I waited for the protests of innocence from the family members. Interestingly, instead of protests, I saw suspicion grow on each persons face as it began to dawn upon them that a loved one may actually be guilty of the act of murder.

  “Now, half a moment,” said Robert Hardwick. “It seems to me that no one in the house could have been the killer. You are simply trying to confuse the issue, Mr. Holmes.”

  “I am afraid you are mistaken, Mr. Hardwick. Let us begin with Miss Grafton. It is true that she was the last to leave the great hall and that both of the Mr. Hardwicks reported that they could hear her outside the conservatory in the garden, but would they really have noticed if she stepped away for a few minutes? I think not. They were absorbed by their game and they were arg
uing with one another.”

  “But I thought that the gardeners had been questioned,” said Jane Grafton. Did they not report that they saw no one?”

  “That is not what they reported. As I discussed with the Inspector earlier, what they said was that no stranger had been on the grounds. A family member, especially one they were used to seeing on the grounds tending flowers, might have escaped their notice.”

  “That seems wildly speculative, Mr. Holmes,” said Jane, with a bored look upon her face.

  “Perhaps. At any rate, let us move onto Miss Stuart.”

  “Now, I will stop you right there, young man,” said Miss Hardwick. “You know very well that I have told you that no one passed through the drawing room during the time in question. That completely eliminates Irene from suspicion.”

  “If only that were so, madam,” I said. “I must beg your pardon in reporting that during your questioning in the hall, I conducted an experiment that proved beyond doubt that a person could easily cross through the drawing room unbeknownst to you.”

  “Inspector, is this true?” asked the lady with asperity. “Have you been laughing at me behind my back? I will not stand for it.”

  “No one is making sport of you, Miss Hardwick, I assure you,” said Grey calmly. “But it is true that Mr. Holmes has demonstrated, to my satisfaction, that what he says is true. Let us hear him out.”

  “Now, as to Robert and George Hardwick,” I continued. “Here the alibi is a bit tougher to shake, but the conservatory is very close to the music room and the deed would have only taken a minute or so. Let us say that during the game one man gets up for a drink or to look at the game from the other side of the table. Both men testified that each man did arise from the table at different times. If at a particularly difficult point of the game, when one man may have been deep in thought the other might have stolen from the room and returned without the other noticing.”