“Lily could have been mistaken.”
He shook his head. “I trust Lily’s word on it. But I did find something on the floor of the hall where the encounter took place.”
He reached across the desk for the pipe that he smoked on occasion. He lit it, then sent a stream of fragrant smoke into the air towards the chalkboard.
“I found traces of blood on the balustrade. It seems that the young man might have been injured before he was sent over the rail.”
I frowned. “There was no mention of a wound from His Highness’s physician who was there that night. It could have been from some previous situation.”
“It did seem as if the fall itself was the cause of the young man’s death.”
“Aye.”
“What are you thinking?”
“It could be important to see the young man’s body. I made the request to His Highness’s personal secretary. What of yer visit to the newspaper archives?”
I frowned. “There was no mention of the incident at Cambridge, nor that unusual title of the group of young men while students. There was a great deal of gossip about the fact that His Highness left the university just prior to Prince Albert’s illness and death.
“One might almost think that any mention of incidents involving the group might have been removed from the copies filmed for the archive. And no original issues of the newspaper from those dates exists.”
“Ye believe they may have been deliberately removed.”
“It would not be the first time.”
“And not mere gossip?” he added.
“I trust Aunt Antonia’s memory of things. It can be almost frightening at times. Either that or she is clairvoyant.” Which was a possibility.
I reminded him that his request to view young Huntingdon’s body might very well be denied by the family or others.
“Her ladyship might have some influence in the matter,” he pointed out.
I was not eager to involve my great aunt. It would only encourage her interest in our inquiry cases. Yet, he was right.
It was still early in the evening, and I placed a telephone call to Sussex Square.
“Of course, dear,” Aunt Antonia replied when I explained the situation. “So unfortunate about the young man. Most certainly Sir Knollys can be somewhat difficult. He is the official gatekeeper for the Prince of Wales. I will speak with Sir Knollys over my concerns of rumors that are circulating about the situation, or something of that nature. I’ll come up with something to move him along, as they say, with your request.”
I did have the distinct impression as I ended the call that I might very well have opened Pandora’s box in the matter.
Brodie had heard my part of the conversation. I caught a faint smile.
“We may very well regret it. You know how strong-minded she can be when she wants something.”
“I’ve had some experience with that.”
Ten
We had stayedover at the flat that adjoined the office for the night, after taking supper at the Public House across The Strand.
I had then spent the time after adding new questions to the blackboard.
It was late when Brodie had put more coal in the stove, and we had retired for the night.
Now, the telephone in the outer office woke us with that sharp jangling sound. Brodie cursed, then sprang from the bed, clad only in his underdrawers.
As I squinted through the light when he turned on the electric lamp, I was reminded that he was quite a stirring sight, most particularly in his underdrawers.
