Page 68 of The Murder of Thomas Cardwell
Stokes pulled a wry face. “Sadly, we’ve had too many cases where, when faced with an apparently straightforward question, the innocent dissemble, and more often than not, it’s for some reason entirely unconnected with the case.”
“And,” Barnaby added, “all too often, the guilty appear brazenly innocent.”
Penelope had been staring at the pavement. She raised her head and looked at Barnaby. “Perhaps you should put your lads onto finding sightings of Keeble, as well.”
Barnaby nodded. “I’ll do that. There’s no saying what they might turn up.” He looked northeastward toward the busy intersection where Pentonville Road met City Road. “I should be able to find some of the crew nearby.” He looked at the others. “Why don’t you head back to Albemarle Street? I’ll see who I can find to get the word out that we need sightings of Sir Ulysses and also Keeble on Tuesday morning, then I’ll join you there.”
The other three agreed, and while they piled into the waiting carriage, Barnaby slid his hands into his trouser pockets and, eyes scanning the streets for any likely lads, strolled off toward City Road.
CHAPTER 13
When Barnaby returned to his house, he found Penelope entertaining Stokes and Jordan in the drawing room. A late tea tray bearing a platter of Cook’s buttered crumpets had been brought in, and with small plates in their hands, Stokes and Jordan were looking distinctly replete and content.
Penelope smiled at Barnaby and leaned forward to pour him a cup of tea.
Barnaby claimed his usual position beside her on one of the long sofas, and she handed him the cup.
He’d just taken his first sip when the doorbell pealed, and half a minute later, Mostyn opened the drawing-room door and ushered Ruth Cardwell in.
The men rose, and smiling rather nervously, Ruth approached. “I pray you’ll excuse the intrusion, but I came hoping to learn if you’ve made any progress in the case.” She hesitated, then added, “The family are keen to know.”
“Of course.” Penelope waved Ruth to the opposite sofa. “Do sit down and let me pour you some tea.” She shifted to do so. “Barnaby’s just arrived, and we were about to review what weknow to this point and plan our next moves, so your arrival is opportune.”
Once Ruth sank onto the sofa, the men resumed their seats.
“It’s entirely reasonable for the family to seek updates,” Barnaby assured her.
“Indeed.” Stokes set aside his empty teacup and, for Ruth’s benefit, briskly recapped. “This morning, we reinterviewed Chesterton and subsequently identified, arrested, and interrogated his backers, of which there were three.”
“Three gentlemen of the ton,” Penelope interjected.
Stokes went on, “While the three will be charged over their part in the gun-running scheme, we do not believe they had anything to do with your brother’s murder.”
“They didn’t even know who Thomas was,” Jordan put in.
“However,” Stokes continued, “we then learned that, in the same way as Thomas had followed Chesterton on Sunday night, on Monday night, some other gentleman, presently unknown to us, surreptitiously observed Chesterton’s meeting with Harrison, Gibson, and Josh and subsequently followed Chesterton from the Fox, presumably to the warehouse.”
“We have to assume that the as-yet-unidentified gentleman also learned about the guns,” Penelope said.
“Also,” Barnaby added, “that he, too, had some reason to find out what Chesterton was up to, presumably linked to the reason that took him to the Fox in the first place.”
“And he wore a disguise,” Jordan said. “And on the Monday evening, after the delivery had been completed, the warehouse would have been full of guns.”
“Just as we found it on Thursday.” Stokes paused, then went on, “Now we know that some other gentleman had also learned of the guns and, it seems, Harrison’s, Josh’s and Gibson’s involvement in Chesterton’s scheme, our attention has, unsurprisingly, turned to the two gentlemen who, it could beargued, had a vested interest in whether information concerning the gun-running scheme was conveyed to the authorities.”
Ruth had been following their revelations closely. She frowned. “You mean Sir Ulysses and Mr. Keeble?”
“Exactly.” Penelope focused on Ruth. “Are you acquainted with them?”
“I wouldn’t say acquainted,” Ruth replied. “We’ve only ever met at ceremonies or events at King Edward’s Grammar, and even then, it was only in passing.” She met Penelope’s eyes. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you anything specific about either man.”
Jordan shifted. “Would Thomas have recognized Sir Ulysses or Keeble Senior?”
“Oh yes.” Ruth was clearly confident about that. “Thomas was only a year younger than Gibson, so Thomas knew Harrison and Josh at school and definitely knew who their fathers were, certainly well enough to recognize them.”
“Hmm,” Penelope said. “We had interviewed Sir Ulysses and Mr. Keeble earlier, but we reinterviewed them this afternoon, seeking to establish if either or both had alibis for the time of your brother’s murder. Sadly, neither did.”
“Well, not satisfactory alibis, at any rate,” Stokes explained. “Both were out walking at the time.”
