6

London, Thursday, May 27

The elderly man at the reception desk nodded his welcome to the modestly dressed, slender gentlemen before him. I hoped my clear pince-nez glasses and slight build gave me the appearance of a clerk or academic.

“Welcome to the Marlboro Club, sir,” he said.

“Is Professor Joseph Bell in? He’s expecting me.”

“Who may I say is calling?”

“Pennyworth. Robert Pennyworth.”

“I believe he’s in the reading room. Shall I conduct you?”

“No, thank you. I’ve been here before.”

Professor Bell had aged well since I had last seen him nine years ago. His forehead was a bit more pronounced, but he was trim, and his eyes had the same flash when he looked up from his reading. His smile was as warm as ever. “Ah, Mister Pennyworth. So good of you to stop by. The glasses are a new addition.”

“Yes,” I replied, returning his smile. “I can no longer pass as a young man, so the glasses make me look like a bookish gentleman well into his career. The glint of the lenses also makes people glance away, so that they pay less attention to my face. But to business. Who are we seeing before traveling to Germany?”

“We have an appointment at one o’clock this afternoon with Inspector James Ethington of the Special Branch of Scotland Yard. Special Branch is responsible for counterespionage within Britain, and since this affair concerns a foreign power, I felt it best to speak with someone from his agency, so that we do not become suspect of being foreign operatives ourselves. His superiors arranged for a brief conversation today, with the understanding we’ll render a full report upon our—by which, I mean your—return, for I shall go on to Heidelberg once we have completed our work in Berlin. Is that agreeable?”

“Quite. Have you arranged our fee, or is that yet to be determined? I have plans for that payment, if it’s as generous as you suppose.”

“Twenty pounds a day for a minimum of ten days. Each. I was quite insistent on that point. If we accomplish our task sooner, we still receive payment for the entire time. All expenses paid. I have fifty pounds for you now as a retainer.”

I gave a low whistle. “Then let’s meet with this Inspector Ethington and be on our way!”

Bell laughed, “I’ve already purchased our tickets for the train to Dover and on to Berlin for Sunday the thirtieth. Why don’t you join me for lunch here at the club, after we have our chat with the inspector?”

“I hope the beef Wellington isn’t as rare as before,” I teased, recalling when Bell, Doyle, and I had met there last after concluding our hunt for the Ripper. “Though the company more than made up for it.”

Inspector Ethington arrived fifteen minutes late. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, based upon the distinguished silver edges to his light brown hair. He had a sad smile and kind brown eyes with the fine lines at the corners which reflected a familiarity with hardship. I admired his trim figure and erect posture as he strode into the room. I have always been attracted to confident men, at least when I felt their confidence was merited, and despite his tardiness I was favorably impressed until I smelled a trace of whiskey on his breath. I kept a straight face but began to wonder what made Special Branch so “Special.”

“I was sent round to learn the nature of your business with the German government,” Ethington said, carefully removing his hat and holding it in his lap. “Please be brief, gentlemen, I’m a busy man. Which one of you is Professor Bell?”

I colored at the question, embarrassed for the inspector that he should ask such an obvious question, but Bell merely nodded. “I am. It was I who informed your superiors of our contract. I hope to keep this all above board and not be accused of doing anything that might harm Her Majesty’s government.”

“Understood, Professor. We’re not always on the best of terms with the Kaiser but we do cooperate with the Germans on matters of mutual interest. Nonetheless, I expect a full report when you return, but you haven’t specified the nature of your assistance.”

“I was told the sensitive nature of the task required I not be fully briefed until our arrival. I was given assurances this undertaking in no way compromises British interests. Should I suspect otherwise at any time, I’ll terminate our arrangement and inform you.”

Ethington nodded. “Quite satisfactory, Professor. I look forward to reading your report. There’s not much we know about our German counterparts, not even names of their key personnel. Anything you can tell us will be useful.”

Then turning his eye to me he said, “But you haven’t introduced your companion. Who might you be, sir, and what’s your role in all this?”

“Robert Pennyworth, Inspector,” I answered. “I’ll be the professor’s translator. We’ve worked together before, and I look forward to doing so again.”

Bell and I had a difficult time suppressing a laugh when Ethington narrowed his eyes. “I suspect there’s more to you than meets the eye, Mister Pennyworth, but I lack the time at present to inquire further.” Handing each of us his card, he finished with, “Contact me when you get back. That’s all for now.”

With that, the inspector carefully stood and went off on his unspecified, yet urgent business which I suspected involved a certain brown liquid.

“If that is London’s finest, things have certainly gone downhill since Inspector Abberline retired,” I said.

“He is in great pain, Margaret. While I do not condone his treatment, I empathize with his attempts to maintain his dignity.”

“Walking in reeking of the bottle? How is that dignified?”

“I think that’s a bit harsh. Describe him to me.”

“Average height. Light brown eyes and hair. Slender and soft-spoken. No tremors, though he walked with the care you see in drunkards who try to pass for sober.”

“Correct so far. And his clothes? What of them?”

“Light gray tweed suit. Black four-in-hand tie. Black brogans.”

“And their condition?”

“His shoes were polished, the suit pressed.”

“Yes, and his shirt was ironed and his black derby, though now faded from years of use, was carefully maintained. Did you notice how carefully he held it? It’s of fine make, and I suspect his name is embroidered inside to denote pride of ownership.”

“What of it?” I asked. “I’ve seen too well how drunkenness can wreak a man’s life, and his family’s.”

“These outward signs tell me there is still a flicker of self-respect remaining. Also, consider that he must have been of extraordinary ability to have achieved his post, even if he now appears unworthy of it. The vessels of his nose are not enlarged, so he has just recently turned to drink, or only does so sporadically. I can deduce much about a man by how he walks and dresses himself, but the source of his fall from grace is beyond me at present.”

“Every drunkard has a sad tale to tell,” I said. “Then they create more.”

Bell shrugged, realizing my opinion of the man could not be changed. “In any case, we have done our duty as loyal subjects of the Crown. Shall we to lunch? I suspect you still have a bit of packing to do. Oh, and please come ‘dressed’ for the journey. Your Pennyworth disguise is as effective as ever, but it is unnecessary for this adventure.”

“Old habits die hard, Professor. I believe that up ’til now I have spent more time in your presence in masculine attire. Very well, but do not begrudge me a proper suit—just in case.”