‘So that leaves either one of the clubs, where it’s difficult to be private, or my place,’ said the Honourable Justin Rutherford with an air of decision. ‘The latter, do you agree?’
Velmond nodded, and they fell into step side by side until they had covered the short distance to Albemarle Street, where Rutherford had a set of rooms.
Only commonplaces passed between them until they were comfortably seated, one either side of a glowing fire with a decanter of wine and glasses at hand.
Justin raised his glass. ‘And now a long overdue toast to you and your bride, my dear chap. I hear she’s the most stunning creature — lucky dog!’
‘Thanks. Yes, Lucy is lovely.’
‘Do I detect a hint of reticence? Come now, I’m quite prepared to endure your raptures — least an old friend can do, what? Rhapsodize on, George, and damn’d be him who first cries “Hold, enough”, to quote the Bard.’ He broke off and set down his glass, his eyes alert. ‘You’re not in the mood for funning, either. Best tell me what the trouble is. Two heads better than one, y’know.’
Velmond told him, while the other listened attentively. In spite of a sometimes frivolous exterior, Justin Rutherford possessed a powerful intellect which was at once engaged by the mystery attending Yarnton’s death.
‘Well, it wasn’t you, so who was it?’ he asked at the conclusion of Velmond’s account. ‘Any theories?’
‘You accept that I’m not guilty, then?’ Velmond countered, a slight tremor in his voice. ‘You take my word for it?’
‘Indubitably. Not your style, is it? You might land a man a facer in such circumstances, might even call him out,’ said Justin judicially. ‘Murder — no. Not you.’
Velmond seemed much moved by this and murmured his gratitude.
‘Stuff! One doesn’t know a man all those years at Oxford, and since, without learning something about him. But have you no suspicions about any of the others present? Anything you noticed?’
‘Can’t say I did. He wasn’t liked, of course, but can’t think anyone would consider him worth swinging for. Besides, I was too annoyed at the time to trouble myself about other people’s reactions.’
‘Hm. This innuendo concerning Lady Velmond which aroused your ire,’ said Justin carefully. ‘I imagine she’s explained about that?’
‘Oh, yes,’ replied Velmond with a bitter edge to his tone. ‘She’s explained, for sure. Only —’
He broke off and tossed down the wine in his glass.
‘Look here, Justin — as you say, we’ve been friends a long time — devilish good friends. I know I can trust you. The thing is, I can’t believe the story Lucy told me. See what you think.’
He repeated Lucy’s tale.
‘Of course,’ he concluded, ‘she might have done something like that. She’s generous, compassionate and impulsive enough. But why the devil couldn’t she simply have given the girl some money to take home herself? No need that I can see for Lucy personally to go to all that trouble in the business. Besides, it’s not only that the story’s too thin. There’s this other matter of a man named Thompson whom Yarnton quizzed us all about — she knew that name, I’ll swear. She turned as pale as a ghost when she heard it, though I didn’t realize that was the reason until afterwards, when I taxed her with it again this afternoon. Same reaction — devilish near swooned.’
‘And how do you account for her lying to you? That’s to say, if she really is lying.’
‘I think,’ said Velmond explosively, ‘that she had an assignation with this fellow Thompson, whoever he may be, and that Yarnton knew of it by some means. Trust him to sniff out that kind of thing!’
‘My dear old George,’ said Justin in a voice of deep concern. ‘Why on earth should you entertain such an outrageous notion? Not long married, and Lady Velmond so young and innocent —’
Velmond repeated the last words scornfully. ‘Young, yes, but how do I know she’s as innocent as she seems? I tell you, Justin, her father and brother are deep in the river Tick and promoted our marriage as their only lifeline! As for Lucy, I thought she loved me as I do her, but how do I know that? She’s reserved with me — I supposed that might be the shyness of a young bride and it would wear off in time. But perhaps it’s because she considers ours a marriage of convenience and all the time she’s given her heart elsewhere, to this man Thompson! But I tell you, I’ll find that scoundrel if it’s the last thing I do, and when I do find him, I’ll, I’ll —’
‘Commit murder?’ asked Justin quietly. ‘No, George, I don’t think you will. Instead, perhaps you’ll permit me first to look into this matter of Yarnton’s murder and see what emerges. You know, old fellow, people — especially females — often make a mystery of some damn silly thing which isn’t of the least consequence to anyone else and only exists in their imagination. So I beg you, don’t do anything hasty until I’ve had the opportunity to pursue a few investigations myself into Yarnton’s unfortunate demise. The affair intrigues me. You say my godmother, Cassandra Quainton, was one of the guests? I’ll have a word with her — she’s an unusually observant female.’
‘I must say it’s a profound relief to know that someone doesn’t think I’m a murderer,’ remarked Velmond in a slightly more cheerful tone. ‘And I know from past experience that you’re a bit of a wizard at solving puzzles, so perhaps you’ll turn something up. I wonder if that damned Runner has followed me here?’ he added in a changed tone, going over to the window and peering out. ‘Yes, there the devilish fellow is, leaning against a lamp-post. It’s the outside of enough!’
Justin followed him over to the window and glanced outside. Then his gaze sharpened as it lighted upon a stocky individual with a familiar profile of jutting jaw and long, sharp nose.
‘Good God, it’s Sergeant Watts!’ he exclaimed. ‘You say he’s a Runner, George? He’s the man who worked with me during my brief spell in the Peninsular army. I ask you, my dear fellow, what could be more fortunate! I’ll fetch him in at once.’
Velmond gave a snort.
‘If you’ve a back way out, I’ll be off, then. I’ve seen enough of him for today. No doubt you’ll explain that I’m not fleeing the country!’
CHAPTER 3
‘The trouble is, captain,’ said Joe Watts, when the two of them were alone together, ‘we’ve precious little to go on in this case. A nice straightforward robbery with violence, now, and we knows where we be. But our first interrogations cleared the domestics, which leaves only the Quality, and that Sir Nathaniel don’t like at all. Out of his depth, he is. It’s my belief as he’d be downright glad to have you take a hand, captain.’
‘Forget the “captain”, Joe. We’re not in the army now. Well, what if you take me to see Sir Nathaniel Conant?’
‘Yessir. The only thing is, I’m supposed to be keeping an eye on the gentleman who’s just left. Beggin’ your pardon, for he’s a friend of yours?’
‘Take my word for it, Joe, he’s not your man. Anyway, I’ll make that right with the magistrate.’
Justin’s subsequent interview with Conant was extremely affable and ended just as he wished. He was allowed to retain the exclusive services of Runner Watts at the usual fee of one guinea per day and expenses. Conant did not think it necessary to say so, but he intended to put another man on surveillance of Lord Velmond, although he now felt even less certain of the nobleman’s guilt. Moreover, Justin was promised access to any further information obtained by the authorities. Some was already to hand.
‘We’ve made inquiries into the deceased’s circumstances,’ said Conant. ‘It transpires that he had little of value to leave and no direct heirs, so that rules out financial gain as a motive for the crime. In a case such as this, a really strong motive would be a clincher, when one considers that almost anyone present could have had the opportunity for the deed. So far, unfortunately, we’ve failed to uncover a specific motive. It could well be that he was killed for revenge on account of his malicious remarks, but I’m bound to say those
who knew him pooh-pooh this notion. All the same, we can’t entirely discount it, of course.’ He coughed, thinking of the quarrel with Velmond. ‘Another motive that frequently occurs in such cases is jealousy. I don’t need to point out to you, my dear sir, the strength of feeling when a lady’s involved. It’s not unknown for a man to kill under its influence. But so far, our investigations have failed to discover any emotional entanglement in the deceased’s life — indeed, he appears to have been a man without close friends of either sex.’
Justin nodded. ‘I collect that not much above half an hour elapsed between Yarnton’s quitting the drawing-room and the discovery of his body in the cloakroom? Is there any evidence to show that he went into the cloakroom at once and remained there all the time?’
‘Unfortunately, no, sir. He was observed by some of those near the exit to leave the room hurriedly, but there are no witnesses to his movements after that. As there was no servant on duty in the cloakroom at the time, this is scarcely surprising. One would hardly expect the guests to notice.’
‘Quite so. One other point occurs to me. It’s possible that the murderer may have been still concealed somewhere in the cloakroom when Lord Velmond first entered it, and afterwards, when he came back with the doctor. By the time your people arrived on the scene, the fellow could easily have managed to escape, of course. But did your questioning elicit from either of the two gentlemen that they had heard any noise, or sensed anything that would suggest the presence in the room of a third party?’
Sir Nathaniel looked uncomfortable. ‘I must admit, Mr Rutherford, that the question was not put to them, but I feel sure they would have mentioned it, had such been the case.’
Justin nodded. ‘Thank you, Sir Nathaniel. You have been very good, and I’m much obliged. I wonder if I could trouble you a little further, and request a list of all the guests present at the soirée?’
Conant willingly complied, and Justin Rutherford took his leave.
‘Well, what would you like me to do now, sir?’ asked Watts as they left the Bow Street office.
‘Do you know the area around Petticoat Lane, Joe?’
‘Lor’ luv ye, sir, like my own backyard! Not a place to venture after dark, though, unless you’re in company,’ he added.
‘Leave it until tomorrow, then. What I’d like you to do is see if you can find someone in that vicinity who observed a young and pretty lady, veiled, alighting there from a hackney one day during the past week or so. I wish to discover where she went, if possible. You’ll know the kind of thing.’
‘Right, sir. Mayn’t get the information for a day or so, though. Report back to your place, sir?’
Justin nodded. ‘I’ll give orders for you to be admitted at any time, and if I’m not here, write me a note and leave it on my desk yonder.’
He indicated a mahogany writing desk against one wall with a number of neatly disposed files on its surface.
‘And you’d better leave me a direction where I may get in touch with you if needed,’ he added.
When Watts had gone, Justin sat down at his desk and drew the long guest list from his pocket.
He studied it with a frown. The usual people had attended Lady Windlesham’s soirée, allowing for the fact that it had been held in mid-March, before the season had really begun. Most of the guests were known to him in a casual way, though few more intimately. He would need assistance to sort them out.
He glanced at the clock. Scarcely the right time for a social call, but he knew he could depend upon a welcome in that quarter at any hour of the day.
He was fortunate enough to find his godmother, Lady Quainton, at home and for once alone. She was delighted to see him, insisting that he should stay to dine with her.
‘That’s to say, unless you’ve anything of more interest to do,’ she added, laughing, ‘for I’m certain there must be scores of females in Town positively languishing for your presence!’
He smiled quizzically. ‘So I always hope, ma’am, but I fear they have a disconcerting habit of getting themselves wed to another in my absence.’
‘That is quite your own fault, my dear Justin. You should remain here long enough to marry one of them yourself. Do you not feel that perhaps it is time you settled down?’
She kept her tone light, but in fact the question was one which she often considered in all seriousness.
He grimaced. ‘Settled down! It has an ominous ring, ma’am, a suggestion of stagnation which I fear doesn’t appeal. Fortunately, as a younger son I have no responsibilities of title or estate. Frankly, I rejoice in my freedom.’ His tone changed. ‘But tell me of the exciting events which have occurred in Town recently. I saw George Velmond today and hear that the poor devil is pretty well suspected of murder.’
Her face became grave. ‘Yes, I believe there is some suspicion hanging over him. Quite absurd, of course, to anyone who knows him as we do, but circumstances were unfortunate, one must confess. I dare say he told you all about it?’
He nodded. ‘But as I understand you were present, I’ve come to you to fill in the gaps, for you’re quite the most observant person of my acquaintance.’
She gave a whimsical pout. ‘Fie, for shame, and I thought you’d sought me out for the sake of my own delightful company! But there, when a female is stricken in years —’
He laughed and patted her hand. ‘So stricken, godmama, that she puts every other female of her years to the blush! Not a single grey hair among the rich brown, and a complexion any young girl might envy! I tell you, I live in daily expectation that you’ll announce your second marriage.’
‘Pooh, what a shameless flatterer you are, boy,’ she answered severely, though she looked pleased. ‘You have no need to try and turn me up sweet! As for second marriages, I don’t wish to brag, but there have been opportunities.’ Her tone sobered. ‘But you see, Harry Quainton, God rest him, is a difficult man to replace. I’m well enough suited as I am.’
He nodded, and they were silent for a moment.
‘You may as well know, ma’am, that my interest in this affair has been aroused to the pitch where I mean to discover who did commit the murder. In fact, I’ve seen the Bow Street magistrate and hired one of his Runners, a fellow I worked with in the army, to assist me in my inquiries.’
‘Indeed? Well, I’m not so surprised as I might be, knowing your liking for solving puzzles and, of course, your long friendship with young Velmond. Ask me anything you wish, and I’ll endeavour to provide satisfactory answers.’
‘First of all, who do you suppose might have perpetrated the deed? Woman’s intuition, y’know.’
She shook her head. ‘I’m at a loss to suggest anyone. Several people must have disliked the man, but murder! Only a powerful incentive could produce such a dire action.’
‘Exactly so. Bow Street investigations have so far failed to produce such an incentive.’ He briefly outlined to her what he had learnt. ‘Velmond’s motive remains the most outstanding, unfortunately. Was there anything else you heard Yarnton say which might have affected another of the guests powerfully, although it didn’t actually precipitate a scene such as poor George made? Something, perhaps, which simmered in the mind and later produced murder?’
‘Well, yes, there was,’ she said quickly. ‘Only a short while before Velmond overheard that unfortunate remark, Yarnton made a cryptic reference to some unknown man before a small group of us. It was to a Mr Thompson.’
Justin’s eyes lit up. ‘Ah! Yes, George told me of that — said that his wife turned pale at the name. He seemed to believe — this I know will go no further, ma’am — that Lady Velmond’s mysterious visit to Petticoat Lane was to keep an assignation with this Thompson, whoever he may be.’
‘Oh, dear, oh dear!’ Lady Quainton was distressed, but she rallied almost at once. ‘But that’s absurd — it must be! Whoever keeps assignations in such a locality? Besides, I’ll not believe that Lucilla Velmond doesn’t positively dote on her husband; you should only see the girl look
at him when he isn’t noticing! Another thing, and more to the point, Justin, is that she wasn’t the only one to be affected by mention of that name, unless I’m much mistaken.’
‘Which I dare swear you are not. Tell me precisely what occurred: who was in the group, how Yarnton phrased his remark, every detail you can recall,’ he demanded quickly.
‘Let me think. There were eight of us together at that time — myself and Lady Kinver, the Velmonds, Mr and Mrs Cleveland, Mr Bradfield and Dr Wetherby. You’re a little acquainted with them all, I believe?’
He nodded, not wishing to interrupt. Her face wore an abstracted look as she attempted to recall the scene in precise detail.
‘Yarnton insinuated himself among us, in that odious way of his, and made some feline remark to Sophia Cleveland — she dyes her hair but thinks no one knows it! Then he turned his attention to the men and quizzed Cleveland about engaging in business discussions at a soirée, because Cleveland had just been conferring with his secretary, Peyton. Oh, I forgot, Peyton was there too, though he’d come only to bring a message to his employer. Anyway,’ she resumed, ‘Yarnton went on to say that life was full of mysteries and that one in particular had been puzzling him of late. Then he asked if anyone could tell him who Mr Thompson was — though he said it as if he knew all the time.’
‘No one obliged, I collect. But you did observe reactions in someone other than Lady Velmond?’
‘I could scarce avoid noticing Jane Kinver give a nervous start, for she was close beside me. But she is a very high-strung woman, you know, and that might have meant nothing,’ she said doubtfully. ‘I’m almost certain, too, that I saw a slight spasm pass over Cleveland’s face — gone in a moment, for those political gentlemen aren’t the kind to betray their feelings. Nevertheless, the impression remains with me that the name had some significance for him. As for the other gentlemen present, Velmond and Dr Wetherby at once demanded to be told what he meant. But he refused to enlighten them, beyond indicating that they could help him if they chose, as the man Thompson was present, and not so very far away — or words to that effect.’
A Reputation Dies: A thrilling combination of detective fiction and romance (The Rutherford Trilogy Book 1) Page 3
