CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
His Grace William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Portland
IT WAS NINE o’clock precisely Thursday morning when Trickett arrived, this time with reinforcements. William had been expecting him. He sent the maid down to escort him to the chair outside his study. Trickett began with what was obviously a previously prepared letter.
Your Grace,
My apologies again for the intrusion, but this time I must insist on an interview. Magistrate Wentworth of London who, as I understand it, is an acquaintance of yours, has asked me to make a discreet enquiry with you, given a crime has occurred in his locality for which it appears you are connected.
Two gentlemen have been shot, one since died, in the early hours of this morning at 221 Baker Street London, next door to what was previously called the Baker Street Bazaar. The landlady of both premises, a Mrs Druce, insists that you were present at the time and has accused you of being guilty of shooting both men in a fit of jealous rage after finding your supposed mistress with them. Mrs Druce knows both men, one a previous tenant, Philidor, the other her current tenant, Pinetti. She also claims you are her previous tenant, Thomas Charles of the Baker Street Bazaar, who died and whose funeral she attended only days ago. She has admitted listening at close proximity to a heated argument during which this information was disclosed, by your good self apparently. She has also come into possession of a drawing of your likeness, labelled the 5th Duke of Portland, which she insists is also her previous lodger, Thomas Charles. Further to this, she claims that her baby son was fathered by this Thomas Charles, and that he is therefore the heir to your fortune and estate.
The missing girl from your estate, Elanor, remains unaccounted for. Although at the time we closed the investiga- tion unfortunately circumstances have changed. Magistrate Wentworth has intimated that only a pretence of a search will be required of Welbeck and that although Mrs Druce insists on coming to Welbeck to identify you in person, he will circumvent such action by whatever means necessary. Magistrate Wentworth also asks me to convey to you that he most assuredly seeks your best interests in this affair.
Parish Constable Trickett.
Trickett,
I have no knowledge of Mrs Druce or of this Thomas Charles who supposedly bears a likeness to me. I have never been to such premises and, as is well known, am reluctant to leave my house. I refute all such claims including that of having a mistress. Mrs Druce is lying.
Recently I have had a lodger here who goes by the name of Philidor; however, I do not know what he was doing at that hour and know of no gentleman of the name Pinetti.
The time is right for me to impart to you information that has a significant bearing on the case of the missing girl, Elanor. I believe the body of this girl to be buried beneath an oak tree on my estate, and closer examination of the skeleton by the coroner will, I’m sure, corroborate the following information. She was accidentally killed with a single shot to the heart by my father in one of his nocturnal wanderings. He was seized by one of his frequent bouts of mania and believed the girl to be an intruder. Since then, as a loyal and obedient son, I have acted to protect my father and our family name.
I will, of course, finance a funeral ceremony and proper burial for Elanor once her body is exhumed.
His Grace William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Portland
Your Grace,
I will instruct my men to dig for the body immediately, and I thank you for your assistance. Magistrate Wentworth will be advised and I am certain the matter will be settled and no further enquires required.
Parish Constable Trickett
It was finally over. William had cut out the infection that had festered with pus for so many years in his breast. Now he might finally be left alone by the ghosts of the living and the dead. He had no fear of prison or scandal or dishonour now – something else was coming for him. He could feel it in his bones.