“I think it is safe to say that we know who he is,” Benedict said.
Declan frowned. “Don’t keep us in suspense. Who is Inspector Logan going to arrest?”
Benedict’s smile lacked any hint of warmth. “The one person involved in this affair besides Amity who possesses the ideal cover for a spy, a façade that allows him to travel anywhere in the world without raising questions.”
Forty-three
Humphrey Nash was waiting in his study. He rose and smiled politely when Amity was shown into the room but he made no secret of his impatience.
“My housekeeper said that you wanted to see me immediately and that the matter was quite urgent,” he said. “Please sit down.”
“Thank you for seeing me.” Amity perched on a chair. She gripped the satchel on her lap and looked around the room. “What lovely photographs. You really do possess great skill with a camera.”
“Thank you.” He sat down at his desk.
Amity glanced at the leather-bound volumes of theInventors Quarterlythat were neatly lined up on a nearby shelf.
“I see you have an interest in scientific and engineering matters,” she said. “I don’t recall that you mentioned that six years ago.”
“I have always had an interest in mechanical devices.”
“I do remember that you were always obsessed with the very latest in photography equipment.”
Humphrey clasped his hands on top of his desk. “I saw your name in the morning papers. I congratulate you on your second narrow escape from the clutches of the Bridegroom. According to the accounts in theFlying Intelligencer,the police arrived just in the nick of time.”
“Thank heavens.” Amity shuddered. “If not for them my sister and I would both be dead by now.”
“I am relieved to know that you are safe, of course.” Humphrey cleared his throat. “Dare I hope that you are here today because you have changed your mind about collaborating on a travel guide?”
“Not exactly,” Amity said.
Humphrey dropped his smile. “What is it, then? As it happens, I am in the midst of packing for a trip to the Far East to do another series on the monuments and temples.”
“Yes, I saw the trunks in the front hall.” She smiled. “I assume that in addition to the odd monument or temple, you will also photograph various harbors and fortifications while you are abroad?”
Humphrey went quite still. But in the next instant he managed to appear utterly bewildered. “I beg your pardon?”
“Come now, there is no reason to be coy, sir. I am aware that you are in the pay of the Russians.”
Humphrey stared at her. “My dear, Amity, I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“I am also aware that you are in possession of a certain notebook. It’s missing a few vital pages, by the way.”
“Amity, are you by any chance prone to bouts of female hysteria?”
“No. I am, however, in need of a healthy dose of revenge. I believe you can be of some assistance to me in that regard, sir.”
“You are making less and less sense,” Humphrey said.
“Perhaps you have not heard the most recent gossip about me.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
She clenched her fingers around the satchel. “There is no point keeping it a secret. The word will be all over town by nightfall. Mr. Stanbridge has ended our engagement.”
Humphrey looked bewildered.
“I see,” he said.
