Chapter 20

Barbary met Blathers and me for breakfast the next morning. He offered to have his cab available for us, as needed. I suspected Blathers had made some kind of deal with the driver. I had to admit (only to myself, of course) that having transportation readily available was a benefit.

Joe stayed in my rooms to rest for a few more days. I was thinking I might have enough room in my place that Joe could move in permanently. If it weren’t for his experience in the textile factories, and the resultant crippling of his body, Joe probably would have led a quite different life. I was thinking about giving him a chance to become the type of person his intelligence and diligence indicated he could be.

Neither Blathers nor I had ever married. Blathers didn’t seem to be the type to settle down and raise a family, and while I would like nothing better than a home-sweet-home situation, I find it difficult to talk to the type of woman who would be appropriate for the home I envision. Being a stepfather to Joe, however, might just be like having a family.

After breakfast, Barbary drove us to the Black Lion. It was still early enough that Clara was busy cleaning and preparing for the noon trade. Blathers accepted “a wee bit o’ brandy,” and Barbary and I had tea. Barbary, realizing our business with Mrs. Barkis was confidential, took his tea into the taproom, while we got our heads together in the parlor. The parlor was now vacant. The morning coach had just left.

Clara said, “Ah, there’s fewer and fewer taking the coach, now them trains has started up. They do make some awful noise and soot. I hope they don’t come too close to this place.”

“The trains will bring great changes to London and all of England. Mark my words,” I prophesied.

“We hasn’t come here ta talk about trains, Clara,” Blathers said. “What we needs ta know is about a feller what were here yesterday. Our lad, Joe, trailed him here, and he leaves a note wi’ the hostler. Does ya know what that’s about, does ya?”

Mrs. Barkis lowered her eyes and stared at the tabletop. “It was a note for my lady. I took it to her yesterday, after the midday meal was done. She said she wanted to meet you two again, but she can’t get away for a few days. Instead she sent you this. She said we three should read it together.” She handed a note to Blathers. He handed it to me.

I broke the seal and read:

Dearest Clara and Dear Gentlemen,

There has been a serious misunderstanding. The man who was found murdered in the house was not the man with whom I was acquainted. The man about whom I inquired, John, is still alive and has been in touch with me. He has my necklace and wishes to return it.

Unfortunately, it will be very dangerous for both of us if we meet. I therefore need your help in retrieving the jewelry.

I believe the best way to handle this would be for Mr. Blathers and Mr. Duff to meet with John and obtain the necklace from him. They then should bring it to dear Clara, and she can bring it to me without giving rise to suspicion on anyone’s part.

John will be in the neighborhood of the gin shop in Spitalfields at about six in the afternoon for the next several days. I am told that you gentlemen will recognize him. He will have the necklace with him, and he will give it to you without further ado.

I wish to thank you gentlemen for your service. Clara has an envelope for you, which she will give to you when you hand her the necklace. I trust the contents will be sufficient to cover your fee and expenses.”

The note was not signed.

I said, “Mrs. Barkis, we will bring the jewelry to you as soon as we get it. Will you be able to take it to the lady tonight?”

“I will, but I would be happy for your company at least part of the way. I am sure you have recognized the lady, so it won’t be any problem if you see where I go. But you won’t be able to come on the grounds, so if you’ll just go with me as far as the gate, then the job will be done.”

Blathers wasn’t so sure. “Aye, it’ll be done, if’n this here John ain’t a dangerous murderer, or if’n the ones what did kill the lad from Dublin ain’t lingerin’ around the gin shop. I’d best bring me pistol fer the evenin’s activity.”