There were people slowly starving to death not more than a few dozen yards from this coach, Blackstone thought. And there were probably folk in exactly the same condition in St Petersburg. So what business did this Faberge bloke have making golden eggs encrusted with diamonds? And what business did people like the Prince have buying them?
“So this egg was stolen somewhere in Russia,” he said. “What’s that got to do with us?”
“It was stolen from the man who will soon be your king,” the AC said severely.
Not my king, thought Blackstone, who had republican leanings. But aloud, all he said was, “Even so, it’s a matter for the Russian police.”
“The police in Russia are more concerned with watching political dissidents than they are with apprehending criminals,” Sir Roderick said. “Besides, they are not to be told of the matter.”
“Why aren’t they?” Blackstone asked, in a tone which came close to being a demand.
“The egg in question was a gift to the Prince from His Majesty, the Tsar of Russia,” Sir Roderick explained.
“And presumably, the man who stole it was a subject of the Tsar, so it’s still a Russian matter,” Blackstone countered.
“That is not the way our masters in government see it, and thus it is not the way we see it, either,” Sir Roderick said. “It has been agreed that we will investigate the robbery ourselves. To which end, you and I will sail to St Petersburg tomorrow, and travel from there to the Count’s estate in the country.”
Blackstone considered what to say next. Outright refusal was clearly out of the question, so he was going to have to be sneaky.
“I’m an orphan,” he said. “I was brought up in Dr Barnardo’s home for orphans.”
“I fail to see what that can possibly have to do with the matter in hand,” the AC said frostily.
“After I left the orphanage I joined the Army and served in the ranks,” Blackstone continued. “And since then I’ve been a policeman.”
“We’re both policemen, Inspector.”
“But not the same kind of policemen, sir. I don’t deal with cabinet ministers and mandarins in the civil service. My work involves me with what people like to call the ‘dregs of society’.”
“I’m a patient man by nature,” Sir Roderick said, in a voice which revealed quite the contrary inclination. “But even my patience has its limits. So tell me, Inspector, exactly what point are you trying to make?”
“I’m not used to dealing with members of the aristocracy,” Blackstone said. “Not even members of the Russian aristocracy. You’d be far better off taking someone else with you.”
“Two years ago, you had a case which involved not just the aristocracy but the very monarchy itself,” Sir Roderick said.
“Oh, you’ve heard about that, have you?” Blackstone asked disappointedly. “I thought it was supposed to be a secret.”
“It is a secret,’” Sir Roderick agreed. “But I am a member of the charmed circle which has been told about your exploits.” He laughed, genuinely amused this time. “Don’t look so down in the mouth, Inspector. Even if you do find it difficult to deal with your betters, there’ll be no need for you to have much contact with them on this particular case.”
“Won’t there?” Blackstone asked.
“Of course not! You’ll be investigating a robbery, Inspector Blackstone. And when you do apprehend the criminal, you’ll probably find that he differs very little — apart from his nationality — from the scum who you’re normally forced to rub shoulders with.”
“In other words, you’ve already ruled out the idea that any of the other guests at the house could have been the robber,” Blackstone said.
“Naturally,” Sir Roderick replied, clearly astonished. “The other guests will all have been people of quality. And people of quality do not act like common criminals.”
No, they don’t, Blackstone thought. Sometimes they can act one hell of a lot worse. But, again, he kept the thought to himself.
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Why not read Book Six in The Blackstone Detective series next?
Blackstone and the Heart of Darkness
Also in The Blackstone Detective series:
Blackstone and the Rendezvous with Death
Blackstone and the Great Game
Blackstone and the House of Secrets
Blackstone and the Burning Secret
Blackstone and the Stage of Death
Blackstone and the Heart of Darkness
Also by Sally Spencer:
Pilgrimage of Death
The Madeiran Double Cross
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Blackstone and the Stage of Death (The Blackstone Detective series Book 5) Page 25
