Текст книги "The Children of Silence"

Автор книги: Linda Stratmann

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Текущая страница: 7 (всего у книги 22 страниц)

CHAPTER NINE

Next morning Frances received a short note from Lionel Antrobus saying that he would call to speak to her at 10 a.m. He seemed to assume that this arrangement would be convenient for her, since he did not ask if it was, and the reason for the appointment was not mentioned.

‘So you don’t like him much, then?’ grinned Sarah, after Frances had spent a minute or two expressing her opinion of that gentleman.

‘I am not at all convinced that he is acting in the best interests of his family, although he works very hard at appearing to do so. He has the entire trust of his brother, despite the difference in their fortunes, which must surely weigh hard upon him, and all power, both of making decisions and the disposal of income has been placed in his hands. Mrs Antrobus fears that he may be appropriating his brother’s fortune for his own use. If Mr Edwin Antrobus is not found then more than three years will go by before anyone will be able to see whether his executor has been as honest as he makes out and, if he is adept at covering his tracks, in all probability not even then.’

Frances had already decided to go to Paddington Green police station that morning to speak to Inspector Sharrock in the slight hope that he was willing to divulge what enquiries had been made in London at the time of Edwin Antrobus’ disappearance, and there was just time to do so if she looked sharp. The Inspector’s willingness to help her seemed to vary with the state of the weather, but she suspected that it might be due to the amount of peace he obtained at home where his wife had to manage not only him but also their six children. Frances, hoping that erupting teeth and summer colds had not deprived the Inspector of too much sleep, ordered a cab and, after writing to Lionel Antrobus to confirm their appointment, set out.

Sarah was busy with an unusual case presented to her by the Bayswater Women’s Suffrage Society. She was an active and valued member, standing guard at the door of meetings to control and eject any disruptive elements. Men who came to make a lot of noise and deride the lady speakers did not do so a second time. The society had recently had some leaflets printed to place in ladies’ reading rooms with the intention of attracting members, but to their annoyance there had been errors in the spelling that had served to make the lady suffragists appear ridiculous. The printer had tried to maintain that the errors were in the original written copy, but after a visit from Sarah he had been forced to admit that this was not the case. He next claimed that there had been a trivial mistake in the typesetting and wrote to the society offering to refund half the cost. Sarah was about to pay him another visit, to point out that a mere shift of type would have resulted only in a nonsense and not, as it had in this case, an insult to the appearance of the ladies. She suspected sabotage and wanted to root out the culprit.

Frances did not have a successful visit at Paddington Green as the Inspector had just been summoned away on an urgent matter and no one at the station could tell her anything about the Antrobus case or would permit her to examine the papers. She knew she had no entitlement to see the papers but thought it worth making the request. Unfortunately, young Constable Mayberry, the only policeman she might have been able to pressure into doing as she asked, was with the Inspector. The desk sergeant took great pains to inform her that once she was made an Inspector of police then she could order them all about as she pleased, and Frances departed thinking that that would be a very interesting situation.

From time to time Frances undertook secret work for the government, although she was never asked to do anything that placed either her life or her modesty in danger. She did consequently have the ear of the Prime Minister, but she had never dared to suggest that he should allow women in the police force. Mr Gladstone was no longer a young man and the idea of a female in uniform and wielding a truncheon might have given him apoplexy.

Sarah returned in time for a pot of tea to be made and reported her success. She had discovered that the printer’s new assistant, having had a falling out with his wife, had decided to take revenge on all women who dared to voice their opinions. The business that the Suffrage Society conducted with the printer was not so large that loss of its custom was a serious threat; however, Sarah had informed the proprietor that many of the society members were married to men of considerable influence in Bayswater, who, if they had any sense, deferred to their wives’ wishes. Matters were concluded to everyone’s satisfaction, except that of the printer’s assistant.

As Frances anticipated, Lionel Antrobus arrived to the very minute of his appointment. He favoured the apartment with a rapid critical glance, saw nothing that offended him and took a seat. Frances, as usual, introduced her valued assistant, and he gave Sarah a wary look and a curt nod.

‘Miss Doughty,’ he began, in the manner of a man who had no time to waste, ‘I understand that Miss Charlotte Pearce has been to see you following the delivery of Mr Marsden’s letter.’

‘She has, yes, and she was in considerable distress at its demands.’

He exhibited surprise. ‘I really can’t see why. She must have known that I would require the house for my nephews’ use. She cannot have been ignorant of young Edwin’s approaching birthday. I believe that I have been more than generous in permitting Harriett and Miss Pearce to remain in the house for so long, and they have been afforded ample notice to find some other accommodation.’

‘But their requirements are very unusual and their means limited,’ Frances reminded him.

‘Neither their requirements nor their means are any concern of mine,’ he declared. ‘My only duty is to carry out the wishes of my brother, to take the very course he would have taken had he been here. He had always intended that Edwin and Arthur should enter the business at the age of sixteen, and they will need a London home. I do not wish to part the brothers as they take great comfort from each other’s company, so Arthur will henceforward live and be schooled in Bayswater. I can scarcely place them in lodgings when their own father’s house is available.’

‘That much I understand,’ said Frances carefully, ‘but is it not also the case that you will reside with them?’

‘What are you implying?’ he retorted angrily. ‘The sole purpose of my living with my nephews is to supply a father’s supervision. There is another circumstance it would be only fair to mention. At present I reside above the shop premises with my son and his wife.’ Frances realised that he must be referring to the young man and woman she had seen serving in the shop. ‘My son has just advised me that in six months I can expect to be a grandfather. Upon that event, a relative of my daughter-in-law will come to live with us as housekeeper and nursemaid. The available accommodation is not suitable for the addition of both a child and a single female.’

‘Was it your brother’s wish that you live at Craven Hill?’ asked Frances.

‘You seem to think I am doing this for my own personal profit,’ he snapped. ‘I can assure you that this is not the case. I only take the place of my absent brother, as is my duty. When residing at Craven Hill, which is not my property and never will be, I will also attend to its upkeep and pay a fair rent into my brother’s estate for the good of his sons.’

‘But why can they not live with their mother?’ pleaded Frances. ‘I can understand that when they were boisterous young children it would have been hard for her, but they are older now and must surely appreciate how they must behave in her company.’

‘So much is true,’ Antrobus admitted, ‘but it was Edwin’s wish that they should not reside with their mother, for reasons which must be obvious.’

Frances remained stubborn. ‘It is not obvious to me. Kindly explain. When did he express this wish to you? It is not in the will.’

‘He last spoke of it only a few months before he disappeared. The reasons, Miss Doughty, are very plain, and I am sorry that you are unable to appreciate them. There is bad blood in that family, and I am not talking of their humble beginnings, which anyone with ability and diligence might rise above. I am referring to Harriet’s confused brain, which so far I am pleased to see has not revealed itself in her sons, but all the same, Edwin felt that any prolonged contact with their mother might provoke similar imaginings in the boys. Then there is her cousin, a hardened criminal who was forbidden the house. He used to lurk in the street nearby hoping to find a way in so he could beg or steal. He is currently in prison, I believe, but once he is released there will need to be a man in the house to protect the property.’

Frances saw that it was impossible to reason with her visitor and abandoned the attempt. ‘I understand your concerns, but I do not know why you have come to see me.’

He paused to collect his thoughts. ‘I cannot ask you to simply stop encouraging Harriett in her madness; your profession is your bread, I appreciate that. But you must be warned: you are being drawn into some very dark business. Miss Doughty, would you be prepared to change masters – to be employed by me instead? Only tell me what Wylie is paying you and I will undertake to pay you that sum with an additional ten per cent.’

Frances was about to respond with some asperity that her allegiance could not be bought or sold, or no client would ever trust her, but was prevented by a knock at the door. She had already told the housemaid that she was not to be disturbed when interviewing a client unless it was a matter of importance, so she waited with some interest for the door to be opened.

‘Miss Doughty,’ said the maid, awkwardly, ‘I’m sorry to intrude, but it’s a Mr Wylie, and he says it’s most urgent.’

Lionel Antrobus rose abruptly to his feet. ‘In that case I will take my leave at once. Please consider what I have said.’

‘You will not leave, you will stay where you are,’ said Frances, who could snap out an order when the occasion demanded.

He stared at her in astonishment.

Sarah, who had been sitting stitching a lace edging to a cap while listening carefully to the conversation, quietly put her sewing aside and flexed her fingers.

‘You have not misheard, please sit down.’ Frances turned to the maid. ‘Please ask Mr Wylie to come in.’

‘Have you planned this encounter?’ demanded Antrobus.

‘I have not. I was not expecting to see Mr Wylie today and am most curious as to what he might have to say, as indeed you must also be.’ Antrobus gave a dark frown but made no move either to sit or leave.

Wylie arrived somewhat out of breath and was taken aback to see the other man. ‘Antrobus? What are you doing here? Well, no matter, this is something you will want to hear. I have brought the most extraordinary news. The remains of Edwin Antrobus have been found, and this time there can be no doubt!’

Lionel Antrobus drew a deep breath and sat down. He was clearly shaken by the announcement and took some moments to calm himself. Frances realised that Wylie, who could see only what was good in the news he had brought, had been somewhat insensitive in the way he had informed Lionel Antrobus that his brother was dead, perhaps assuming that because of the other man’s stony exterior there was no trace of fraternal feeling within.

‘Please take a seat Mr Wylie and tell me what has happened.’

Sarah, seeing that there was not, after all, to be a fight, looked more at ease, but she did not take up her sewing and remained keenly observant.

Wylie sat, his face glowing with excitement. ‘I received a message from Miss Pearce telling me that a policeman had come to the house. A very noisy policeman, I am afraid. She was able to persuade him that Mrs Antrobus could not be disturbed and spoke to him herself. He informed her that some remains have been found in a brickyard in Shepherd’s Bush.’

‘What kind of remains and why do they think it might be Edwin’s?’ asked Lionel Antrobus, more quietly than his usual manner, though his hard tone remained.

‘A skeleton, and with it a gentleman’s leather travelling bag of the very kind Mr Antrobus carried. The bag was empty, so we must presume a thief took the contents, but there was a small inner pocket he must have missed. It contained Mr Antrobus’ business cards.’

Lionel Antrobus remained sceptical. ‘That only suggests that the bag might be Edwin’s; it does not necessarily identify the skeleton. However, it is progress of a sort.’

‘Miss Pearce advised me that she interviewed her sister and conveyed to the policeman some information which might assist in finally establishing the identity of the remains.’

‘What information?’ demanded Antrobus.

‘She did not elaborate, only begged me to come here and inform you of the development at once.’

‘What did Harriett have to say? Did you see her?’

‘Briefly, but she was too overcome to speak. Naturally there will be an inquest.’

Antrobus rose to his feet. ‘Was this policeman from Paddington Green?’

‘I believe so, an Inspector Sharrock.’

‘Then I will proceed there at once and find out what he knows.’

‘I went to see Inspector Sharrock at the police station early this morning,’ Frances informed them, ‘but he was not there, as he was engaged on an important matter, which might well have been the discovery of the remains.’

‘It was,’ confirmed Wylie. ‘He told Miss Pearce that he had already been to the tobacconist’s but Mr Antrobus was not at home, and he was on his way back to the station, so he might be there now.’

Frances rose to leave. ‘Then we will all go. Sarah, please secure a cab.’

The two men looked at each other in the unfriendliest manner possible.

‘And it is essential, sirs,’ she told them sternly, ‘that you put aside your differences and address yourselves to your common interest – discovering the truth.’ Frances had found that speaking to grown men as if they were schoolboys tended to produce the best results, and this occasion was no different. Both sulkily agreed.

On her way out, Sarah cracked her knuckles, loudly.

There was a grim absence of conversation in the cab as it rumbled down Westbourne Grove. Frances reflected on the relief that would come with the dismissal of uncertainty, even by way of bad news, a relief that Mr Wylie undoubtedly felt but Lionel Antrobus clearly did not. If Edwin Antrobus could finally be laid to rest then a great many things would change – and not all of them to his brother’s satisfaction.

Sharrock had only recently returned to the station together with Constable Mayberry, who was quickly dispatched to fetch chairs for the visitors, but Lionel Antrobus was too impatient to wait for chairs. ‘Inspector,’ he rapped, ‘I am Edwin Antrobus’ brother and I demand to see the remains at once, together with any other evidence you may have.’

‘I can show you the bag that was found but the remains have been sent to the Westminster Hospital for Dr Bond the police surgeon to look at. And you sir?’ he asked Wylie.

‘I am Stephen Wylie, a business associate of Mr Edwin Antrobus and acting for his unhappy wife. Miss Doughty is employed by myself and Mrs Antrobus to discover the truth about her husband’s disappearance.’

Sharrock grunted. ‘I suppose both of you are content that the ladies join our discussion. Not that it will make much difference if you aren’t, from my experience. Come this way.’

The discomfort in the Inspector’s office as they were all seated was due to more than just the overcrowding. Only Sharrock seemed at his ease as he placed a leather bag, creased, scuffed and discoloured, on top of the untidy pile of paperwork on his desk. ‘Can either of you gentlemen identify this as the property of Mr Edwin Antrobus?’

Lionel Antrobus examined the bag. ‘My brother had purchased a new travelling bag not long before he disappeared. He was thinking of having it stamped with the name of the business but he had not yet done so. This could be the one, assuming it has lain neglected in contact with dirt or rubbish, but it could equally well have nothing to do with him.’ He opened it and peered inside.

‘It is very like the kind of bag he carried, but more than that I cannot say,’ Wylie admitted. ‘I was told there were some business cards?’

‘Still where we found them,’ said the Inspector.

Lionel Antrobus drew a card case from an inner pocket. There was a long silence as he opened it and studied the contents. At last he took a deep breath and nodded. ‘This is Edwin’s card case, engraved with his initials, and these are his cards.’ He paused, then placed them on the desk. ‘You will want these for the inquest, I suppose, but in time I would like them returned to me. Of course, this does not even identify the bag, let alone the remains.’

‘True, which is why I would like to ask if you know of anything about Mr Antrobus which might serve to establish whether or not the skeleton is his,’ said the Inspector.

‘There was no clothing or jewellery found with it?’

‘The remains were disturbed by the activities of workmen. Small items, like pieces of old clothing, buttons, shoe leather and so on, were all mixed in with the general rubble.’

‘I suppose no one was seen disposing of a body there?’ asked Frances.

‘On the contrary, the remains were deposited in the brickyard by workmen who were demolishing some houses recently purchased by Mr Whiteley. The bricks and other rubbish were all loaded onto wagons and taken to Shepherd’s Bush. It was only when a skull turned up in a cartload of material being tipped out that the carriers realised there was a body at all. We got some men to sift through the dust heap, and that was when we found the bag and other bones. No jewellery, but a lot of rags and bits of old shoes that could be anyone’s. As far as we can see we have just the one skeleton.’

‘Which might just as well be that of a female or any other man,’ said Lionel Antrobus dismissively.

‘We’ll leave that to Dr Bond, shall we sir? The size of the skull does suggest a male, and it’s more complete than what was found in the canal, so we have a better chance of making an identification. Can you think of anything that might distinguish the skeleton of your brother from that of another man?’

Antrobus gave the question some thought but after a while shook his head. ‘Edwin and I did not spend a great deal of time in each other’s company, even as children. If he suffered any accidents or illnesses which might have left their mark he did not mention them to me.’

‘You don’t know if he attended a dentist?’

‘No. In fact he had an aversion to dentists and may have avoided them.’

Sharrock looked disappointed, so much so that Frances felt sure there was some aspect of the teeth that could prove vital in identifying the remains. ‘Mrs Antrobus was also unable to help us with that, and we are visiting all the dentists in Bayswater.’

Mr Wylie gave a gentle cough. ‘Er – I might be able to suggest something.’ Lionel Antrobus gave him a look of withering contempt. ‘Some years ago when Antrobus was in Bristol he complained to me of a bad toothache – he thought there was an abscess, and it was giving him some considerable pain. I said he should go to the dentist’s at once and not wait until he returned home. He took my advice and later told me he was much better for it. I am afraid I don’t know which dentist he went to.’

‘Did he have the tooth out?’ asked Sharrock.

‘Yes, I am sure he did and the abscess drained.’ Wylie clutched his hand to his jaw. ‘He used to hold his hand to his face like this.’

‘The left lower jaw, then?’ said Sharrock intently. Frances recalled that the lower jaw of the man in the canal was missing, so that particular clue would not have assisted identification of those remains.

‘I think so.’ Wylie, now that his information was being questioned, began to look nervous. ‘Or it could have been the right. I really can’t be sure. But from the way he placed his hand, it was the lower one. A wisdom tooth, I think he said.’

Sharrock had the air of a man who had received some crucial information and was trying to appear nonchalant. He pulled a notebook and pencil from his pocket and made a quick jotting. ‘I’ll let you know when the inquest will open as both of you will be required to give evidence.’

‘When do you expect the report from Dr Bond?’ asked Frances.

Sharrock glanced up from his writing. ‘I suppose you want to see confidential police records as usual, do you?’

She smiled. ‘That would certainly make my work easier.’

‘Yes, well, we’re not here for your convenience,’ he grumbled.

‘I am sure,’ interjected Wylie, ‘that Miss Doughty can be afforded all courtesies and information that you would see fit to allow Mrs Antrobus.’

‘Well, we’ll see about that,’ grunted Sharrock. ‘As to the report, I hope to have it in the next two days in time for the inquest, and I really don’t think you would like me to show that to Mrs Antrobus. Funny things bones, a man once said that the whole of a person’s life is written on them. Don’t see it myself.’

‘Can you at least tell us the address of the building being demolished?’ asked Frances.

‘It was one of the set of houses in Queens Road being knocked down to make way for Mr Whiteley’s new warehouse. The ones with all those great big hoardings blocking people’s windows on either side. We’re trying to trace the owners now but the properties have been empty for some time. Before that they were lodging houses. Now then, I’m a busy man and unless any of you intends to make an actual confession to murder I must ask you all to leave.’

There were a great many things Frances wanted to discuss with the Inspector, but the visitors decided to take the hint and depart.

Outside the police station, as everyone prepared to go their separate ways, Wylie turned to Lionel Antrobus but was unable to fully meet his gaze. ‘I suggest to you, sir, that any legal action you are currently contemplating should be postponed until we know the outcome of the inquest.’

‘I will take whatever action I think necessary, without any advice from you, sir,’ replied Antrobus stiffly, but he looked thoughtful, nevertheless.

Frances hired a cab but decided that she and Sarah would go straight to see Harriett Antrobus, who she hoped would tell her more than the Inspector had done.