CHAPTER V
THE PRIVATE AFFAIRS OF A DUKE
"A very interesting little problem," said Cleek, studying hisfinger-nails as if the condition of them was of moment. "You are not,sir, I take it, inclined to share the general belief obtaining in thevillage, and to attribute these remarkable doings to any supernaturalagency?"
"Certainly not," the duke replied. "That would be the very height ofabsurdity. It must certainly be apparent to anybody with an ounce ofcommon sense that there is not only a human brain engineering theaffair, but that there is behind it a definite purpose."
"Beyond all question."
"Yes, but what? That is the point. What end can be attained, whatpurpose served by a proceeding of this nature? That is the inexplicablepart of it. Were it not for the disappearance of the child and themurder of the man, it would be but one degree removed from farce."
"Quite so," admitted Cleek, still studying his finger-nails. "But theelements of farce come perilously near to the borderline of tragedy attimes; and we have it upon the best authority that it is but a stepfrom the sublime to the ridiculous. Besides, when one has large landedinterests---- H'm! Yes. By the way, I see that, despite all the rumoursto the contrary, you have finally decided not to take a place on theboard of directors of the company formed for exploiting the new cementwhich is to make the present variety as obsolete as the mud bricks ofthe Early Britons. Septarite it is called, is it not? I see that thecompany's prospectus is out and that the name of the Duke of Essex isnot upon it."
"No; it is not," admitted the duke, with some heat. "Its mention in thatconnection was an unwarranted presumption. The thing had merely beenbroached to me in the most casual manner, and while I was consideringthe project my name was made use of in the most flagrant manner to bringthe company before the public."
"I fancy I have heard that it was the present chairman of the board, SirJulius Solinski, who was responsible for that."
"It was. And a piece of infernal impertinence it was, too! Geologicalborings have established the fact that there is in all probability alarge deposit of septaria underlying a tract of land which I own in thevillage, and the man approached me with a proposition to sell or leaseit to his wretched company for a term of years. As the land waspractically of no importance to me, I told the fellow that I wouldconsider the matter, and on that basis he made the most flagrant misuseof my name to bolster up his pettifogging business. Of course, Iimmediately declined to have any further dealings with him, and thatsettled the affair altogether."
"Unless by one means or another--depreciated value, a deserted village,something of that sort--he might, in time, bring you round to anotherway of thinking," said Cleek, quietly.
The duke sat up sharply. It was impossible not to catch a hint from thatline of argument.
"Do you mean to say that he--that that pettifogging fellow---- The thingis monstrous, Mr. Cleek, monstrous! If that's the little game--if his isthe hand that's behind the thing----"
"Pardon, but I have not said that, Duke. It is possible, of course, andthere is a suggestiveness about it which---- Oh! well, I shall know moreabout that when I go down to Valehampton and look into the matter atclose quarters. And now may I venture to ask a question touching uponmore personal matters? I distinctly remember reading that, at the timeof making known Lady Adela's engagement eleven months ago, you chose theopportunity to declare also your intention of taking another wife. Isthat so?"
"It is perfectly true. The fact is now public property. If all goes asplanned, I shall be married to Lady Mary Hurst-Buckingham this comingautumn."
"I see. One other question, please. Your first marriage never havingbeen blessed by a son, the heir to your title and estates--failing, ofcourse, direct issue in the future--is, I believe, the son of a distantcousin, one Captain Paul Sandringham?"
"That, too, is true."
"You have no very great respect for that gentleman, I imagine. Is that afact?"
"Your pardon, Mr. Cleek," replied the duke, stiffly. "I am afraid Icannot enter into a discussion of my personal affairs. They cannotconcern Scotland Yard, nor have any bearing upon the matter in hand."
"That, I fear, Your Grace," said Cleek quietly, "is a matter upon whichI may be the better judge. One should be as frank with one's detectiveas with one's doctor. Each has the greatest interest in being abledefinitely to lay his finger upon the root of a disease, and each maybecome useless if perfect confidence be not given with regard to allpoints."
"I ask your pardon, Mr. Cleek. I did not at first see it in that light.I admit it then: I have no respect for Captain Sandringham--nonewhatever. He is a person of dissolute habits and very questionable ways.He left the Army under compulsion, but he still retains the title of'Captain.' People of any standing, however, no longer receive him."
"So that, naturally, he will not be invited to share in the festivitiesin connection with Lady Adela's wedding?"
"Most emphatically he will not! I have not written to him, spoken tohim, nor even seen him these ten years past. That, however, would notprevent his inheriting both the title and estates were I to die withoutmale issue. I have not the slightest doubt that he has raised money onthe anticipated reversion, which he will now, of course, be obliged topay back. I don't know how he will manage it, nor do I care."
"H'm! Yes! I see! So then your marriage would be something in the lightof a severe blow to the gentleman, of course. In England is he?"
"I haven't the faintest idea. The last I heard of him he was on theContinent somewhere. But that was ten years ago, and I have forgottenthe exact place. It would be where there is gaming and life of thatsort, of course."
"Quite so--if one is given to that sort of thing. Mr. Narkom!"
"Yes, old man?"
"Don't happen to know the market price for fullers' earth in bulk, doyou?"
"Good lord, no! Why, what in the world----?"
"I should like about fifteen or sixteen pounds of the ordinaryvariety--not the bleached sort, you know," interposed Cleek, rising."You might 'phone through to the Yard and order it. And, by the way,I'm afraid you won't be able to join Mrs. Narkom at dinner this evening,after all. We shall spend the night at Valehampton. And now, before Iset out to look into the matter of this engaging little affair, Duke,one last question, please. Did you take anybody into your confidenceregarding this visit to London to-day?"
"Yes, naturally. I spoke to the Marquis and to Captain Weatherley aboutit, of course; and--yes--to Overton. I fancy I may also have mentionedit while Carstairs was present; he was coming in and out of thebreakfast room a great deal, of course. He's the butler."
"H'm! Yes, I see! You wouldn't mind letting it be understood when you goback, would you, that a couple of ordinary Yard men have been put on thecase? Just ordinary plain-clothes men, you know--called--er--let us say,'George Headland' and 'Jim Markham.' Can you remember the names?"
"I can and I will, Mr. Cleek," the duke replied, stopping to write themdown on the margin of a newspaper lying on a table beside him.
Cleek stood and watched the operation, explaining the while that heshould like the names to get into circulation in the village; then,after having obtained permission to call at the Castle and interview theduke whenever occasion might arise, he took his departure in companywith Mr. Narkom, and left their noble client alone.
"Rum sort of a case, isn't it?" remarked the Superintendent as they wentdown the stairs together.
"Very. And it will depend so much upon what they are. Geraniums, lilies,pansies!--even roses. Yes, by Jupiter! roses would do--roses andfuchsias--that sort of thing."
"Roses and---- My hat, what the dickens are you talking about?"
"Let me alone for a minute--please!" rapped out Cleek. "I say--you'dbetter tell Hammond and Petrie to bring that bag of fullers' earth withthem instead of sending it. Have them turn up with it--both of them--atthe King's Head, Liverpool Street, as soon as they possibly can. Thelight lingers late at this time of the year, and the limousine ought toget u
s down to Valehampton before tea time if Lennard makes up his mindto it."