Chapter Twelve

Blathers took charge again. “We were,” he glanced at Alice, “just finishing up here, Mr. Childers. Make yourself comfortable while I collect the bits and pieces of our game.” He quickly gathered the papers and carried them out of the room. Alice and Clara moved the pens and ink to a table near the wall.

Barkis, himself, looked confused. He was not aware of the sensitivity of the cipher. He scratched his head and said, “I just has had a thought.” He scratched some more and looked around the room. “Well, I guesses it’ll wait.”

I asked, “What brings you out today, Mr. Childers?”

“Well, by Jove, I am looking for my son. There is an important business meeting today, new railroad, you know. The lad should be there. Good opportunity, don’t you think? Say, you chaps wouldn’t be interested in making an investment, would you? Railroads are the future, you know. Good chance to get on board, as they say.” Childers chuckled, but his lips remained stiff, particularly the upper one. It seemed he was fearful of wrinkling his moustache.

I told him we had not seen the young man that day. “I believe that Blathers was with him yesterday.” I remembered that Blathers had spent some time last evening, shall we say, being kind to Major Martin’s landlady. I suspected the kindness spilled over to this morning, and that was the reason for his not arriving at his usual time.

Blathers said, “I haven’t seen him since yesterday.”

Barkis was agitated. “I see your glass is empty there, sir. Does ya wants another, or is ya goin’ ta move on and look fer the lad?” Barkis grabbed the tumbler from Childers’ hand.

Childers looked at the pens and inkbottles stacked on the side table. “Well, by Jove, since the game appears to be over, perhaps I will continue on my quest. What do I owe you for the brandy, landlord?”

Barkis was really anxious to have the man leave. “The drink is compliments o’ the Black Lion, sir. Please ta come again.”

The oak door was hardly closed when Barkis said, “I thinks I has some things that might help ta answer the cipher. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Clara, where is the stuff I brung back from the army?”

“In the chest at the end of the bed.”

Barkis hurried from the room.