That bloke

Are we not quite chameleons

Matters were somewhat quiet at present in Raxdell House – for the very best of reasons, thought Bert Edwards, that was, officially, Lady Raxdell’s social secretary and found himself undertaking a deal of other duties within that household. Both the daughters married off – Miss Harriett that was now Mrs Brumpage Parry-Lloyd, a flourishing mother already and another in prospect – Miss Emma at Naples with her husband that was a descendant of Neapolitan aristocracy – all very gratifying – and now here was Mr Peter had made quite the most appropriate match. Daughter of Lord Vinwich, that had been part of that fine set about the late Lord Raxdell, nothing could have been more suitable.

The happy couple now made a bridal tour upon the Continent, that most fortunately kept 'em out of the way whilst the east wing of Raxdell House was furbished up suitable for their separate establishment. And here was Bert found himself more or less in the capacity of master of works for that!

Sure that wing was in reasonable good order, but had been somewhat neglected over the years since the Ferrabys had departed. And was entirely proper to be about some matters of decoration for a new bride!

Had walked through the various chambers with Miss Frances – FanFan – that waxed somewhat wistful over the fine New Year parties the hospitable Ferrabys had been wont to hold for the children of their extensive set and, indeed, their own grandchildren.

O! – but why are there bars to the windows here?

Bert fancied that Miss Osberton had some notion of a quite Gothic tale – mayhap of the days of the Vicious Viscount, the late Lord Raxdell’s abominable father –

This was, I apprehend, the nursery. When the Ferrabys first came to Town, Quintus and Miss Flora were still quite infants, but very venturesome creatures, the tales give out, and there was a deal of worry that they would climb up to the windows and mayhap fall out.

What a very sensible thought – so like Lady Ferraby – we must – she blushed a little – keep this chamber to be our nursery.

And there was convoking with Waxman the butler and Mrs Waxman the housekeeper about servants, and with Seraphine Roberts over the kitchens. Seraphine sighed, saying that had Miriam not showed so impatient and gone take that place with the Grigsons, would entire have advanced her interest, but as 'twas, considered that Eugenie was ready to have her own kitchen under hand.

He was at present wondering about what one might do about a personal maid for Mrs Peter.

But he supposed that Jerome, Lord Raxdell’s valet, was undertaking the question of a valet for Mr Peter.

As was his wont every fortnight or so, Jerome had invited him to take a glass or so in his sitting-room and talk household matters and the news of the day, 'twas exactly the occasion to open it.

Handsome Jerome – well on in middle years now, but still a fine-looking fellow with that tawny complexion and curls that only showed a hint of grey – nodded, and said, had been bringing on that lad Antony – you will recall him, was one of the footmen we had from the Potter-Welch agency, one of the orphans that they train up for good service – showed a very pleasing ambition to advance to valet so I have been instructing him in good practices – will be entire ready to take up the position when Mrs and Mrs Peter return –

We were fortunate to engage the services of that fellow Mompson! Not only does he come highly commended as a courier – by Lord Gilbert Beaufoyle no less – but was quite willing to undertake a valet’s duties, having previously been in such a place.

Bert nodded. He had seen the testimonials to Mompson’s abilities, and one felt a deal more comfortable about Mr and Mrs Peter knowing they were in those hands.

But talking of valets, Bert said, I daresay you will not have come across anything of the like – 'tis certainly not good practices! – but I have heard lately that there is some fellow goes about offering reward to valets, and mayhap ladies’ maids, for any compromising letters or such they may get their hands on –

Jerome looked very severe. Sure one hears of chaps that are turned off, or have other reasons for resentment, will possess themselves of letters that might lead to a crim.con. or the like – 'tis low vulgar behaviour but one understands there may have been provocation – but that sounds above and beyond the right way of going on.

Or, perchance, Bert went on, to be entirely fair, may have had some threat to bring against 'em, themselves, to do the deed.

Jerome nodded. After a pause he said, have not heard aught of the matter, but will keep my ears open for hints. I daresay this is some investigation your young lady has been commissioned to?

Bert allowed that the business had been mentioned to him by Miss Hacker. She was not what Jerome supposed by his young lady but they were excellent good friends and it did no harm at all to be seen about with her at the theatre, the Buffle Arms song and supper room, or Cremorne Gardens.

Jerome sighed and said, should not let the grass grow beneath his feet when it was a case of a fine young woman. There had been that magnificent creature Livvy Bracewell, a friend of Sophy Lacey’s as then was, visiting Town with the Fairleighs – lord, a splendid healthy country girl that showed up your drab Town women – admirable character –

But I failed to speak afore they all went back to Herefordshire.

Bert wondered. There was Jerome – still caused a certain amount of sighing amongst the maidservants – such a handsome fellow – such elegant manners – it must be a useful tale to put about that there was a lost love that still commanded his heart.

Because matters at Raxdell House were so quiet there was no difficulty about Bert slipping out discreetly the next evening to go visit Prancey’s, not in his character as the Duchess of Clerkenwell Green but in his usual garb, to take a glass or so with Prancey and discuss arrangements for the next revel of the sisterhood there.

Prancey was entire delighted at the prospect – caused no trouble – paid very generous – the fiddlers had remarked that they were ever being offered additional fees to play particular airs –

Bert nodded, and said that the fiddlers were indeed considerable praised. Also the wine –

Sure Mr Barron’s friends at Brighton trade in some very nice stuff! And lately I have had an offer from Vohle, that makes daguerrotypes –

Bert frowned a little, for his recollection of Vohle’s daguerrotypes was that they were of naughty scenes, that he purveyed at Black Tom’s to the young men that came into Seven Dials to see life. Though he also, now Bert thought upon it, provided as 'twere trade cards for Covent Garden Misses displaying their assets.

– took the thought that mayhap your sisterhood might care for mementoes of themselves in their splendour –

That was a very appealing thought! The Duchess of Clerkenwell Green, very stylish in her finery –

Why, I should say that was an excellent thought, but that there is a thing at present gives me pause, that indeed I intended opening to you.

Prancey sat up and looked attentive. Vice Society?

No, not that, 'tis another troubling matter. He described the business as Leda Hacker said Matt Johnson had fathomed it out – some fellow that was going about bribing, or using threats, to get his hands on letters, or mayhap other items, as such depictions would be, that might not be exactly criminal, but would be matters that their rightful owner would pay highly to ensure were not disclosed.

Financial transactions he would not wish his employer, or mayhap his father-in-law, to know of – letters from some lady, that would have an adverse effect on his suit to the heiress he is courting, or perchance bring him into court for a crim.con. proceeding – one surmizes that a chap would not wish his wife to see him prinked up in a finer gown than any she owns – Oh, one perceives a deal of possibilities. Prancey sighed. And sure, who is easier to threaten than a fellow that has reason to fear being took up for unnatural offences?

They both groaned.

Prancey filled both their glasses again, saying, would very discreet see what he might find out. A deal of the fellows that came here were in places where they might have the chance to lay their hands on those sorts of things.

Indeed, thought Bert, was the Reveleys given to indiscretions, that was hard to even imagine, he would be exceeding well-placed to discover 'em! But la, he was the fellow had secrets to conceal, in that household.

So, would not yet be about any matter of a daguerreotype of the Duchess, but opened these findings to Leda Hacker, as they went take a genteel stroll in the Park of Sunday.

Hah! said Leda, sure I shall be about going get my image took by Vohle –

What, as Babsie?

Leda gave a snorting giggle and remarked that from what she understood, Vohle would expect a deal of bubbie on display – no, he already knew her, very like, as Larry Hooper, from Black Tom’s, so she would present in that guise – could contrive some story –

Will give me opportunity to look about his studio – see are there signs of some hidden safe or such –

She tucked her arm into Bert’s and grinned at him. And then might make another visit more covert with my lock-picks.

Today, a-walking in the Park, sure she looked entire a proper young women in some genteel occupation – nothing like the old Bet Bloggs! – and indeed, nothing could be genteeler than, o, she undertakes a little secretarial work for Lady Bexbury, that has so much on hand with her charities.

She dug him in the ribs. Fie, are we both of us not quite chameleons? Then looked up and said, why, there is Frinton with her Ma and young Walter, let us go make civil.

That was entirely agreeable to Bert, that knew from Leda that Miss Frinton was an entire connoisseur of stationery, that he had a considerable nice taste for himself, and was about advizing some business about it.

Compromising correspondence

Matt looked across his desk to the fashionable young man opposite – Mr Phineas Taskerville, that had been a hanger-on of Blatchett’s set, but had lately been showing rather cool towards him. Matt sighed a little inwardly – wondered did priests sometimes feel thus in the confessional?

Here was a tale that he had been hearing rather oft of late – perchance not quite the same, but much the like in its essentials. Here was a young chap had been enjoying the favours of another man’s wife or mistress – lord, did no young men these days practise the discretion that had kept Geoffrey Merrett, that well-known consoler of neglected wives, out of the exposure of a crim.con. action? – and came to him about certain letters of a most indiscreet nature.

There was Mr Taskerville, had expectations from a wealthy and pious aunt, that were these disclosed to her would not only cut off her habitual generous gifts at appropriate seasons but doubtless leave her fortune in due course to some missionary enterprize. Alternatively, the scandalmongers had it that Sir Francis Whibsall and his lady were at outs and Sir Francis might well show generous for evidence towards bringing a crim. con.

Matt gave the young man a benevolent and reassuring smile, saying that they would look into the matter – might require additional information once they had, but Mr Taskerville might be confident the business was in good hands.

The latter rose, blushing and mumbling that he had heard a deal of good reports of the Johnson agency’s ability and discretion in dealing with similar problems.

As he left, Matt pulled over and opened the ledger so that he might record that the interview had took place on this day, and then took a sheet of paper to make the more confidential notes. This accomplished, he stepped out of the office to go into Ginevra Frinton’s filing room, where his prime operatives were wont to gather and gossip.

Excellent: there was Hacker, that was exactly the one that he would desire in a matter of this kind, and he requested that she might step into his office.

Once she was seated opposite him he opened the case to her.

Ah. Another one – do we apprehend that there is one particular chap that is making quite the business of it? Mayhap goes about bribing maids and valets – or finding somewhat to threaten 'em with – to get his hands on compromising correspondence.

I think you hit it off very just! This is no common instance of a discharged valet going be vengeful.

They looked at one another.

Hacker flexed her clever fingers. Might one find his hide-out – for I fancy is not the like to hire a bank-box to keep his trove in –

Can one find him first! – hah, suppose I put it to Taskerville that he arranges to meet the fellow, to say he does not have the sum immediate about him –

I doubt he does, he lately did very badly on the turf!

– and must thus go raise the ready, but has that in hand with his bank – and we have watchers about that might follow him when he leaves –

Dickie goes about to become very adept in that matter. And, she continued, a thought strikes me that I may have a way to come at this matter of suborning of valets.

It had been quite the happiest day when he had been persuaded to take on a former pupil of the noted ken-cracker Laffen! Here was Hacker had a deal of skills and quite the nicest insights – made very useful acquaintance –

Why, go to’t! Now, you might send in Frinton, is she not too occupied at the moment.

A few hours later, Matt was just stepping back from taking a glass of ale and a plate of bread and ham at the Lord Nelson, when Dickie quite burst out into the hallway saying, there was an Irishman had come very desirous of an interview with Mr Johnson about a matter of grave importance.

Matt, bestowing his stick in the stand and his hat upon the hook, said he dared say 'twas yet another fellow had had a female relative beguiled into matrimony by the scoundrel O’Neill!

But it turned out to be a different matter concerning the tangled affairs of Miles O’Neill and the womenfolk that became embroiled with him.

The fellow was clearly in some prosperous line of business – handed over his card – one Rory Sullivan of Cork –

They had been in brewing and distilling this age, and here was a bottle of their excellent whiskey as an earnest of their quality for Mr Johnson –

Why, that is a very thoughtful thing, and I daresay 'tis not too early in the day to invite you to join me in a small glass?

So he took the glasses from the cupboard – there was not infrequent occasion to provide a client with a drop or so of reviving brandy! – and poured out, and praised the liquor, and enquired about Mr Sullivan’s journey to Town, &C, and thus proceeded to his reasons for coming here.

Mr Sullivan was a cousin of Lady Wauderkell, that he understood had been quite cleared of any imputation of murder or assault – had supposed that she would at last have retired to her old home, but they had seen naught of her, and had no direction where they might write to discover what had become of her –

Had Mr Sullivan not heard of Lord Fendersham’s determined pursuit of the lady? Or perchance did not wish to apply to such a rigidly Evangelical peer.

Why, said Matt, I am given to understand that she goes undertake a retreat at a convent in Sussex.

Mr Sullivan praised the Blessed Virgin and crossed himself. That is quite the finest news! Would write to the good sisters – dared say there was a Mother Superior that he should address himself to –

Quite so, said Matt, I may find that out betimes.

Mr Sullivan became confidential. It was the matter of the lawsuit over the family business – when cousin Juliana had become so besotted with that wretch Wauderkell they were very loathe to let him get his fingers into her share – would be an entire leech – so they concocted legal proceedings that would cast doubt on whether she had entitlement to any portion – wagering on the likelihood that he was not a fellow that was going to linger about Cork or even stay in Ireland to pursue the case – and there was Jule already selling her little verses and tales, very remunerative –

But now we had rather bring the matter to a comfortable compromise and is she a widow we are a deal less troubled! – why, she might take the veil – would provide her a handsome dowry – or here is Connor O’Reilly, ever had a notion to her, has been a widower some three or more years – has waxed quite tearful over her straits –

Matt nodded and said, did Mr Sullivan indite his direction in Town on his card, would send there as soon as he had the intelligence.

Mr Sullivan departed with effusive gratitude.

Matt supposed that Lady W would be required to give testimony when this matter of O’Neill’s bigamy came to court – they were still awaiting the evidence from Chicago – but sure it would be a happy resolution did she disappear to her natal shores.

That e’en he went dine with Dumaine, that had become quite the regular custom with 'em, for a most useful exchange of intelligence and gossip. There was a deal of mutual benefit – Dumaine still found the services of Leda Hacker in her guise as Babsie Bolton of immeasurable value in the detection of false play at the tables, by the patrons of the establishment, and alas, occasionally by the house dealers. But had also been able to put business in the agency’s way, and to provide information of considerable use to its investigations.

So after they had dined, and were enjoying a glass of very fine brandy and cigars – have quite lately come upon a new supplier, does very well – Dumaine grinned and remarked that he was exceeding glad that Saythingport had decided to drag his heir about the races.

Matt lifted his eyebrows.

I was in some concern that I would have to drop some words that it might come about to having to bar him from my doors – there have been quarrels which did not quite turn into brawls, and I was not hopeful that peace would be preserved – but I fancy His Lordship observed the matter himself and decided to cool his head in fresher airs. So they are not lately about and thus neither is the Delgado bitch.

Dumaine stood, and said, would just take a peep out at the observation port to see that all was well down below – hoped would not have to attend personally until later –

He went to draw aside the panel that concealed a window onto the public premises of the club.

Good lord, there is Iffling, with Marabelle on his arm, brings his brother-in-law, that is a complete contrast to Talshaw, and his friends from Oxford, to see somewhat of high life, well, they will have somewhat to boast of in their college!

Matt went over to peer over Dumaine’s shoulder. And there is Blatchett –

Blatchett and Mortimer Chellow that clings to his side like a shadow! Well, I see no-one has actually gone give him the cut by getting up from the table he has sat down at, but they do not show welcoming. Though he was ever a poor hand at cards – at least one need not fear cogging, does not have the intellect for it –

What about Chellow, though? said Matt, knowing somewhat of the tales about the Hackwold Incident.

Dumaine snorted. O, he has brains enough, but he is fly enough not to try any sharp play here, where he knows there is scrutiny – would be another story at private parties, with the other players well in their cups.