thieves’ kitchen, which few of our law officers dare to penetrate. We expectit is there you will find the monster who committed this dreadful deed.’
Tam had his own reasons for considering that extremely unlikely as the prince boomed:
‘The Watch will give you any assistance that you require, although they are notoriously lacking in able-bodied men. We have as yet no force to equal the Bow Street Runners who take care of such matters in our capital under the admirable supervision of Mr John Townsend. If you fail to make an early arrest, we shall summon his assistance to track the villain down.’
Tam detected a little reluctance in that suggestion as the prince continued: ‘Well, sir, and what are your conclusions now?’
Tam bowed, sought refuge in: ‘Without having access to all the facts, one must not be too hasty, Your Royal Highness, but be assured that I am giving the matter careful thought.’
A secret entrance, invisible and inaccessible from the outside, that could, however, be activated from within the Pavilion, and no signs of a struggle, were facts whose significance he was unwilling at this stage to share with the prince, or the obvious indication that his marchioness was playing him false. Further, that the identity of her killer was well known to her, would possibly be received with anger and astonishment by her royal lover.
Suddenly the room seemed unbearably oppressive. This sordid scene, the smell of stale human sweat, stale perfume – and death.
Tam felt badly in need of some of the sunshine and fresh air that filtered in from the gardens deep in birdsong. For a glimpse of the sea, which he was certain would be an undiminishing blue line stretching to the horizon. A wholenew exciting world waiting to be explored.
An insect trapped in the window pane buzzed frantically seeking an escape route. The prince glared at it angrily and, rising to his feet with a creaking that put in jeopardy the future of the frail gold chair, he indicated that Tam should follow him.
Chapter Six
In the withdrawing room the two grooms sprang to their feet, their countenances registering embarrassment, and Tam decided he would have enjoyed being a fly on that particular wall. What were those two polite scions of the nobility – one a royal bastard – making of this latest conclusion of an episode in the prince’s love life?
Tam paused. ‘With Your Royal Highness’s permission, I should like to ask these two gentlemen a few questions.’
The prince frowned, stared from Henry to Percy and back again, as if the request was a matter requiring intense deliberation. Tam thought he was about to refuse, then with a brisk nod he said:
‘Of course, of course. Proceed. We will leave you to it, Mr Eildor.’ And to the grooms, ‘And when Mr Eildor has completed his enquiries, you will attend us in the salon. We have our duties to attend, our appropriate uniforms of the day to consider,’ he added sternly. ‘Life must go on,’ and with a shake of the head, that wry philosophy completely inadequate to the occasion, he quit the room, leaving Tam to explain that he was an Edinburgh lawyer and that, assuch, the prince had asked him to look into the night’s events. The two grooms looked increasingly uncomfortable, frowning sternly at their well-polished Hessian boots as if such elegant footwear might be expected to provide reassuring answers to the problem.
Endeavouring to put them at their ease, Tam said: ‘Won’t you please be seated, gentlemen,’ and indicating the table nearby he took the seat opposite.
‘This is a very unpleasant business,’ he said in what he hoped would pass for a good imitation of a member of the legal profession. ‘And as both of you gentlemen were on duty in the vicinity at the time of death,’ he continued gently, ‘I have to ask – did either of you have cause to leave this room unattended during His Royal Highness’s absence?’
Uneasy looks were exchanged, then Lord Henry
Tam had his own reasons for considering that extremely unlikely as the prince boomed:
‘The Watch will give you any assistance that you require, although they are notoriously lacking in able-bodied men. We have as yet no force to equal the Bow Street Runners who take care of such matters in our capital under the admirable supervision of Mr John Townsend. If you fail to make an early arrest, we shall summon his assistance to track the villain down.’
Tam detected a little reluctance in that suggestion as the prince continued: ‘Well, sir, and what are your conclusions now?’
Tam bowed, sought refuge in: ‘Without having access to all the facts, one must not be too hasty, Your Royal Highness, but be assured that I am giving the matter careful thought.’
A secret entrance, invisible and inaccessible from the outside, that could, however, be activated from within the Pavilion, and no signs of a struggle, were facts whose significance he was unwilling at this stage to share with the prince, or the obvious indication that his marchioness was playing him false. Further, that the identity of her killer was well known to her, would possibly be received with anger and astonishment by her royal lover.
Suddenly the room seemed unbearably oppressive. This sordid scene, the smell of stale human sweat, stale perfume – and death.
Tam felt badly in need of some of the sunshine and fresh air that filtered in from the gardens deep in birdsong. For a glimpse of the sea, which he was certain would be an undiminishing blue line stretching to the horizon. A wholenew exciting world waiting to be explored.
An insect trapped in the window pane buzzed frantically seeking an escape route. The prince glared at it angrily and, rising to his feet with a creaking that put in jeopardy the future of the frail gold chair, he indicated that Tam should follow him.
Chapter Six
In the withdrawing room the two grooms sprang to their feet, their countenances registering embarrassment, and Tam decided he would have enjoyed being a fly on that particular wall. What were those two polite scions of the nobility – one a royal bastard – making of this latest conclusion of an episode in the prince’s love life?
Tam paused. ‘With Your Royal Highness’s permission, I should like to ask these two gentlemen a few questions.’
The prince frowned, stared from Henry to Percy and back again, as if the request was a matter requiring intense deliberation. Tam thought he was about to refuse, then with a brisk nod he said:
‘Of course, of course. Proceed. We will leave you to it, Mr Eildor.’ And to the grooms, ‘And when Mr Eildor has completed his enquiries, you will attend us in the salon. We have our duties to attend, our appropriate uniforms of the day to consider,’ he added sternly. ‘Life must go on,’ and with a shake of the head, that wry philosophy completely inadequate to the occasion, he quit the room, leaving Tam to explain that he was an Edinburgh lawyer and that, assuch, the prince had asked him to look into the night’s events. The two grooms looked increasingly uncomfortable, frowning sternly at their well-polished Hessian boots as if such elegant footwear might be expected to provide reassuring answers to the problem.
Endeavouring to put them at their ease, Tam said: ‘Won’t you please be seated, gentlemen,’ and indicating the table nearby he took the seat opposite.
‘This is a very unpleasant business,’ he said in what he hoped would pass for a good imitation of a member of the legal profession. ‘And as both of you gentlemen were on duty in the vicinity at the time of death,’ he continued gently, ‘I have to ask – did either of you have cause to leave this room unattended during His Royal Highness’s absence?’
Uneasy looks were exchanged, then Lord Henry
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