The Midnight Peacock Page 22
‘But then that started to unravel,’ realised Sophie. ‘He lost the East End, he lost his Beaucastle identity, he lost his footing with the Brotherhood, and now . . .’ Her words fell away and she found herself staring at the photograph again. It was so hard to believe that the Baron was really gone. She thought again of that extraordinary moment in the empty office, when Mr Sinclair had pulled the trigger.
‘We’re continuing to look into his history, of course,’ said Mr Sinclair. ‘There’s a great deal that we still don’t know.’
Billy spoke up. ‘Well, what I’d like to know is who “we” are,’ he said rather shyly. ‘Because we all know that you aren’t really a department store owner.’
Mr Sinclair gave a shout of laughter. ‘Of course I’m really a department store owner. My word – Sinclair’s would be a very elaborate cover indeed!’ But he spoke more seriously as he went on: ‘However, I suppose it is true to say that I am not only a department store owner.’
He paused for a moment, and eyed Detective Worth. The other man gave him a short nod. ‘You should tell them the truth, Sinclair. They’ve earned that.’
‘You’re right,’ agreed Mr Sinclair. ‘Very well. The truth is that I have worked over a number of years as a secret agent for both the American Intelligence Service and with Pickering’s, America’s famous detective agency. When I decided to come to London to open up the store, I was charged with a job to do.
‘I had already had a rather interesting encounter with the Baron in New York, and the US government were becoming curious about him – and also anxious about the Fraternitas Draconum. There was evidence of a power base in London – and I was sent here to find it, and to discover the truth about the Baron. As merely an affable American businessman, I had the opportunity to mix with all kinds of people – and to make connections in all kinds of places. I employed Mr McDermott as my private investigator and took him into my confidence – though I must admit that at first we concealed our intentions from our friends here at Scotland Yard.’
Worth grinned amiably. ‘And who could blame you?’ he said handsomely. ‘There has been a little tension between Scotland Yard and our American counterparts in the past. We haven’t a history of working well together. Although I rather think all that is going to change now.’
Sinclair gave him a bow of acknowledgement, and continued his story. ‘Of course, the Baron knew exactly who I was – and he wasn’t at all happy to see me in London. To draw him out, I tempted him with the exhibition of the clockwork sparrow, which I knew he would find irresistible. But I must say I didn’t expect that he’d make such a bold move as attempting to blow up my store! Of course, I have you to thank for preventing that.
‘After that affair was concluded, I continued my investigations with McDermott’s help. Whilst he travelled to Paris on the trail of one of the Baron’s associates, I remained in London, making efforts to insinuate myself into Lord Beaucastle’s circles. I even attended a ball at his mansion, hoping to use the opportunity to find out more about him. But once again, you were one step ahead of me – and before I even returned home from the ball, I discovered that you had confronted the Baron and his carefully constructed Lord Beaucastle identity was now in tatters.’ He laughed. ‘I have to admit I was pretty darned impressed with that!
‘Now the Baron had lost those assets – and his grip on the East End. His accomplices had been arrested and he was wanted by the police – but he had escaped. Try as we might, we couldn’t track him down. So McDermott and I turned our investigations to focus on the Fraternitas Draconum itself. Some intelligence work led us to discover that the society had once owned a sequence of valuable paintings by the Italian artist Benedetto Casselli. There was a strange rumour that the paintings concealed a kind of secret code that pointed to the location of a great treasure, hidden by previous generations, to benefit future members of the society. When one of the only known paintings was stolen from a Bond Street gallery, we deduced that the society was trying to regain them. In an effort to lay our hands on the Baron at last, I proposed the idea of an exhibition of paintings at Sinclair’s, including the only other known painting. What was more, I also pretended to leave London in order to leave the field clear, and tempt the Baron to strike.’
Detective Worth continued the story: ‘Of course, as you know, the Baron used Raymond Lyle to do his dirty work. Lyle retrieved the painting, but also forced McDermott out of the investigation – and did his very best to pull the wool over Scotland Yard’s eyes,’ he concluded, a note of bitterness sounding in his voice.
‘Yet once again, you young detectives went straight to the heart of the problem – and did something that neither I nor Scotland Yard could have done,’ said Mr Sinclair. ‘You broke into Lyle’s apartment – and you rescued both paintings. Well after that, I decided I ought to set you up with your own agency. It was really the least that I could do!’
‘After the affair of the paintings, Mr Sinclair and Mr McDermott took us into their confidence,’ explained Detective Worth. ‘We’ve been working closely with them – and the New York team – ever since to continue the investigation together.’
Sophie looked from one to the other in surprise. She remembered how Mr McDermott had warned her against spending any more time thinking about the Baron. ‘But – why didn’t you tell us that?’ she burst out. ‘You knew you could trust us – we’d helped you!’
Mr Sinclair looked back at her seriously. ‘I suppose we ought to have done,’ he said. ‘Partly it was habit – I was used to keeping my identity as an agent a strict secret. But partly I must acknowledge that my motive was a selfish one. You had showed me very clearly, Miss Taylor, that you and Miss Rose and your friends could see things and do things that I or Detective Worth here could not. You had made many valuable discoveries already – and I could not help observing that whilst the Baron was intensely cautious and secretive, around you he displayed an unusual carelessness. I admit that I wanted to retain that advantage. I kept you in the dark and at arm’s length precisely because I did not want to put the Baron too much on his guard.’
Sophie looked thoughtful, puzzling this out, but Lil bounded ahead as usual: ‘What about the assassination plot?’ she asked excitedly.
‘After the affair of the paintings went wrong, we knew that the Baron had gone to earth,’ explained Detective Worth. ‘He knew we would be on his trail, and he left false information for us. One trail appeared to lead to Vienna, where Mr McDermott headed. Another led to the wilds of Scotland, which I determined to follow. Meanwhile, we also discovered the Baron’s connection to Lady Tremayne – and Mr Sinclair decided to attend the Winter Hall house party in order to find out more about her.’
‘Like yourselves, it did not take me very long to discover that the Baron was actually hidden in the house itself,’ said Mr Sinclair. ‘Hiding in the East Wing, I managed to overhear some of his conversation with Lady Tremayne – including the assassination plot. I returned immediately to London to inform Scotland Yard of the Baron’s plan. Worth and McDermott were recalled to London – but whilst they travelled back, Detective Sergeant Thomas and his men went into action to help me.’
‘Golly – Sergeant Thomas must have been astonished when we came in straight after you and reported exactly the same thing!’ said Lil to Mr Sinclair with a laugh. ‘Especially given that we suspected you of being the Baron’s accomplice.’
Detective Worth grinned. ‘Oh, I imagine that was the least of his worries. This was a matter of international security – and after considerable discussion with the government, the decision was taken to proceed with the ball, in the hope of finally being able to lay hands on the Baron himself. His Majesty insisted that his appearance should also go ahead as planned, although of course the Commissioner sent many men to the ball undercover to ensure he would remain safe.’
‘Our mistake was to assume that the assassin – potentially the Baron himself – would be amongst the guests,’ said Mr Sinclair, with a sigh. ‘It
was not until the very last moment that I glimpsed you, Miss Rose, dashing out into the street in the direction of the building opposite. At that moment it became clear. I followed you at once to the scene – where I found you putting up rather an impressive fight.’
‘I told you that the Sewing Society was a good idea,’ murmured Mrs Lim to Mr Lim, across the room.
‘I think he was surprised to discover we weren’t quite as feeble and helpless as he thought,’ said Lil with pride. ‘All the same, it was jolly good timing when you turned up. I really thought he was about to shoot Sophie with that awful rifle.’
‘But instead he met his end,’ said Mr Sinclair softly. ‘It had been agreed by both the British and American governments that we should do whatever it took to stop the Baron. And that is what I did.’
Billy had been writing copious notes in his notebook. Now he glanced up from the pages to look owlishly at Mr Sinclair. ‘I knew you couldn’t have been working with the Baron,’ he said. ‘I told Lil that you weren’t.’
Sinclair laughed. ‘Well I don’t in the least blame Miss Rose – nor any of the rest of you – for suspecting me,’ he said cheerfully. ‘After all, you’d found all kinds of unexpected people mixed up with the Baron before. Which reminds me – I hope you don’t mind but I’ve invited an extra guest. I think she should be here by now.’
To everyone’s surprise, he got up, opened the office door, and beckoned someone inside. They all turned to look and then, to her enormous astonishment, Sophie saw the little old lady wearing the velvet hat trimmed with violets coming through the door.
‘Good afternoon, everyone,’ she said, smiling around at them all. She sounded quite different, her voice now a warm American drawl.
‘May I introduce Miss Ada Pickering, of Pickering’s Detective Agency,’ explained Mr Sinclair, offering the old lady his seat.
‘Pickering’s – detective!’ exclaimed Billy, his eyes as round as saucers.
‘But . . . but I thought you were just a harmless little old lady!’ gasped Lil.
‘Well you of all people, dear, should know that people are not always what they seem,’ said the old lady contentedly. ‘Just because I might not look like a representative of Pickering’s, it doesn’t mean I’m not Pickering through and through.’
‘Ada here is one of Pickering’s best!’ said Mr Sinclair. ‘She’s been a great inspiration to me over the years – and a dear friend. She’s been here working with me for the past month. She also travelled out to Alwick on the trail of Lady Tremayne and the Baron – and I asked her to keep a particular look out for you, Miss Taylor. I knew the Baron had a certain interest in you, and I wanted to be sure you’d be safe.’
‘No one ever suspects an old lady,’ said Miss Pickering, with a knowing smile.
‘No one except Sophie!’ said Lil, with an astonished laugh.
But Sophie herself was staring at Miss Pickering, a delighted smile on her face. She was thinking how wonderful it would be to know a real lady detective.
Mr Sinclair was still talking. ‘Of course, what neither Ada nor I, nor Detective Worth and his men, had discovered was the Baron’s plan to blow up Piccadilly Circus,’ he was saying, as Lil poured Miss Pickering a cup of tea, and Joe found her a chair. ‘That is why we have a great deal to thank all of you young people for. But perhaps especially Joe and Billy here – two young gentlemen that I could not be more pleased to have on my staff – as well as the intrepid Miss Lim and Miss Black.’
It was very peculiar having everyone turning to look at her all at once, but Tilly managed to speak. ‘It was Mei who did the hard part,’ she owned. ‘I’ve never seen anyone climb like that before!’
‘No – your part was much more difficult!’ exclaimed Mei at once. ‘Tilly stopped the bombs from going off – and she saved everyone!’
Mr Sinclair looked at Tilly speculatively. ‘You’re certainly a very smart young lady, Miss Black. Very smart indeed. Tell me – have you any interest in studying mechanics – or engineering perhaps? I do wonder if . . .’
‘Now, now, Sinclair,’ Detective Worth interrupted him. ‘I know there’s no one like you for spotting talent – but you can discuss Miss Black’s future with her later. We’ve got a story to finish.’
Joe spoke up now, a little shy at talking in front of so many people, but keen to ask his question just the same. ‘Excuse me, gents – but what I’d like to know about is this Loyal Order of Lions we’ve heard about. How exactly do they fit in to all this?’
It was Sophie who answered first. ‘Actually the Baron told me a little about that himself before – before – well, before Mr Sinclair turned up. He said they were a group that opposed the Fraternitas Draconum. My parents were members – and Grandfather Lim too.’
‘I’m rather interested in this Loyal Order of Lions,’ said Mr Sinclair. ‘I know they don’t exist any more as such, but I’d very much like to know a little more about them.’
Song spoke up next. ‘Well – we may be able to help you there. Mei and I – we’ve been doing some hunting through Granddad’s old papers – and we found something . . .’
He took a document out of his pocket, and made space between the cake and tea on the table so he could spread it before everyone:
‘Well bless my soul,’ said Mr Sinclair.
‘Ad usque fidelis,’ murmured Jack. ‘Faithful until the end.’
‘And they were,’ said Sophie. She felt tears rising in her eyes at the sight of her parents’ names amongst all those others – Grandfather Lim and Colonel Fairley, and those that they would never know.
But Lil was saying: ‘I say, Sophie. Don’t you think we should tell everyone what else the Baron said about this Loyal Order of Lions? It was rather peculiar – he said that we were the final members. But I don’t know what he meant by that because I’d never even heard of this Order until we saw Sophie’s father’s letter.’
Sophie looked around at them all. ‘I think what he meant is that we were continuing their work – almost without knowing it,’ she said slowly. ‘Following the same principles, just like they did.’
There was quiet for a moment, and then Mr Sinclair looked around at them all. ‘Well perhaps that’s no bad thing. The Baron – John Hardcastle – he may be gone, but the Fraternitas Draconum are still out there. We know the Baron wasn’t the top man – and we have no idea what other schemes they may be plotting. Maybe we need a new Loyal Order of Lions.’
There was a little murmur of approval around the room. Joe found himself catching Jack’s eye. On the hearthrug, Tilly and Mei exchanged quick smiles, and Billy looked up from his casenotes to nod at Lil, even as she said: ‘There’s still so much to find out, isn’t there? I mean, what about the rest of those dragon paintings – and the secret code they contain? I wonder where it leads – and what the treasure is that the Baron wanted so badly.’
‘Then there’s the Fraternitas Draconum,’ said Billy. ‘It’s obvious we need to find out more about them.’
Detective Worth nodded. ‘There will be an official investigation. It’s being led by some colleagues of mine – a new team, all rather hush-hush for now – but I am sure the Bureau will be very keen to talk to you about what you know.’
‘I’d like to find out more about all these people who belonged to the Loyal Order of Lions,’ said Song, tracing the list of names. ‘Perhaps we could find them – I know the Baron said they were all gone, but we don’t know that for sure.’
‘And we could try to track down your father’s will,’ suggested Jack, turning to Sophie. ‘Perhaps he left you some money – it might not be too late to get it back?’
But Sophie shook her head. ‘I’m sure that would be long gone by now,’ she said. ‘But what I would love to know is what Papa meant in his letter to Grandfather Lim about the treasure I’ve had all along. I barely have anything that belonged to my parents – only a photograph or two, and this necklace, that used to be my mother’s,’ she said, touching the green beads.
She took them off and handed them to him. He turned them over in his fingers, examining them closely, and then passed them to Ada, who did the same.
‘Well . . . this is no ordinary necklace, young lady,’ spoke up the Pickering’s detective. ‘I know a little about gemstones, and if I’m not mistaken these beads are a combination of jade, malachite and emerald – and they appear to be very old indeed.’
Sophie stared at her in amazement. ‘But surely they can’t be!’ she exclaimed. ‘I always thought they were just any commonplace beads. They were only so precious to me because they had once belonged to my mama!’
‘Well it’s a good job you’ve taken such good care of them, my dear. All those stones are very valuable.’ Ada coiled the beads in her palm, and then passed them to Lil to hand back to Sophie.
‘The treasure you had all along!’ exclaimed Lil, her eyes shining with excitement, as she dropped them back into Sophie’s open hands.
‘But that’s not the only treasure,’ announced Mei suddenly. ‘We’ve got something else for you too. A present!’
‘I’m not sure if it’s quite as good as the present you gave me,’ said Song, with a grin. In spite of having disappeared from the kitchens for an hour at a very crucial point on New Year’s Eve, with Mr Sinclair’s backing, he had been given a permanent job in the Marble Court Restaurant as an apprentice working under Monsieur Bernard – and he now felt that 1910 held all kinds of exciting possibilities. ‘But it’s pretty good, just the same. That document wasn’t the only thing Mei and I found when we searched Grandfather Lim’s room.’
He held out a tin box. It looked battered and old.
‘It was Mei who found it,’ explained Mr Lim, smiling. ‘She was the one who worked out where it was hidden.’