The matter at hand, as Sir Avery went on to describe it, was the disappearance of an important member of the Queen’s Privy Council.
“Sir Anthony Collingwood was last seen two days ago at Sandringham during a gathering of his Royal Highness’s usual circle of gentlemen friends for a weekend of gaming.
“He is a close personal friend of the Prince of Wales as well as First Lord of the Admiralty, a position of grave importance. His disappearance is most unusual.
“There has been no word from him in the time since, and there are concerns for his welfare,” he continued. “It is for that reason that I have summoned both of you to this office.
“You have demonstrated in the past an ability to make inquiries where others cannot, as well as success in previous inquiries, and that expertise is much needed at this time.”
When Brodie would have again objected, Sir Avery simply ignored him and continued on.
“I have received very few details. However, we might be able to learn more when we are joined by his Royal Highness.”
As if on cue in a stage performance, there was another knock at the door.
“He has insisted on meeting here rather than at the Palace or his London residence which might have raised undue attention,” Sir Avery explained, and then stood to greet the Prince of Wales as he entered the office.
“I believe no introductions are necessary,” he commented as Prince Edward Albert, known more familiarly to some as Bertie, took my hand and bowed over it. We had become less formally acquainted in a previous inquiry case that we had resolved for him.
“Lady Forsythe and I are well acquainted,” he now greeted me. “You are quite well, it seems, after your recent travels which can be quite exhausting.”
“Yes, quite well, Your Highness,” I acknowledged with a quick glance over to where Brodie stood apart.
“No formalities, please,” His Highness replied. “I believe we moved past that with our previous association.” He nodded toward Brodie. “You do me a great favor now, sir, by making yourself available.”
Brodie nodded in response. That ‘previous association’had been an assassination plot that Brodie and I had exposed and then thwarted. Afterward, we were thanked privately by him with the promise that if there was ever another need...
It seemed that there now was one.
“Lady Montgomery is well, I hope,” he commented with the usual exchange of pleasantries.
I assured him that she was.
“Now that we are all present,” Sir Avery interjected. “Please be seated. There is much to be discussed.”
Three
Sir Anthony Collingwoodwas from a well-placed family, highly educated, with a career in the military. He was now retired, as well as holding the very important position of First Lord of the Admiralty. And he was also a close personal friend of the Prince of Wales.
They had first met at Oxford. Afterward, Sir Anthony achieved a military career that the Prince would have preferred to possess himself; however it was rumored to have been vetoed by the Queen in the best interests of the Crown.
The friendship continued through the years. He was asked to join the Queen’s private council upon his retirement from the British Navy, due to his exemplary achievements in the military that had included foreign service postings across the Empire.
Sir Anthony had recently accompanied His Highness on an extended tour of European and Asian countries, including India and Hong Kong, to acquaint him with the different cultures of the Empire, and he met regularly with the Queen’s private council, advising on certain matters that pertained to the security of the Crown.
“I requested your presence at his behest,” Sir Avery then explained, “for the reason that you both have experience in situations that have involved the Crown, and there is now a new and most serious situation that requires the utmost discretion and secrecy.”
Particular discretion was necessary as we began our inquiries as the men present that weekend at Sandringham were well-placed, with more than one on the Queen’s Council. In addition to hunting game, there had been other games with certain aspects that might be frowned upon were they made known.
As I listened to Sir Avery’s account of the evening preceding Sir Anthony’s disappearance, I conjured up all sorts of thoughts of what a gentleman’s weekend would have included in addition to the usual round of hunting, gaming, and the other things men indulged in that might be frowned upon if it were made public.
“His Highness will be providing a list of those who were present.”
“Quite so,” the Prince of Wales replied and reached into the front of his long coat.
He handed the list to Sir Avery. “Some of the games were of a very...private nature, you understand,” he explained with a look at me. “The sort of thing that men might indulge in along with the usual card games and some trivial gambling.”
Sir Avery handed the list to Brodie. He glanced at it then handed it to me.
