“Bloody hell,” Cornelius growled. “And just what the devil is the price?”
Benedict glanced at the note in his hand. “It does not say. It only states that you will be contacted in the near future, at which time details will be provided.”
In spite of all he had been through that night, Cornelius appeared suddenly cheerful.
“Well, now,” he said sounding quite pleased. “That makes things so much simpler, doesn’t it?”
“Does it?” Amity asked.
“There is no way the spy can conduct a transaction without coming at least partway out of the shadows,” Cornelius said. “And when he does, we will be ready.”
Thirteen
What will happen next?” Amity asked.
“You heard my uncle. He will assign his regular agents to handle the investigation from now on, although I’m sure Cornelius will still want to question you,” Benedict said. “But for now I think he is entirely focused on setting a trap to catch our mystery thief. There is nothing more that either of us can do to assist him. That, in turn, leaves us free to concentrate on helping Logan catch the Bridegroom.”
The carriage clattered to a halt in front of the little town house in Exton Street. Amity looked out the window and saw that the lights were still on inside.
“Penny is waiting up for me,” she said. “She is no doubt curious to hear about my interview with your uncle.”
“There is no need to keep secrets from her,” Benedict said. “She already knows as much about this espionage affair as we do.” He looked out the carriage window in the opposite direction and appeared satisfied. “There’s the constable that Logan promised. Good. I’ll see you inside and then we must both get some sleep.”
He opened the carriage door and got out. Amity gathered the folds of her cloak and skirts and stepped down from the cab. The door of the house opened just as she and Benedict started up the steps. Mrs. Houston appeared. Amity was surprised to see that she was not in her nightgown and robe. Mrs. Houston beamed, looking quite pleased.
“I heard the carriage and thought it must be you coming home, Miss Amity,” she said.
“It was kind of you to wait up for me, Mrs. Houston,” Amity said. “But, really, there was no need.”
“Nonsense. It’s not as if I could go to bed, what with a stranger in the house and all.”
“What?” Startled, Amity peered through the doorway into the hall. “Who on earth would come calling at this hour of the night?”
“I wouldn’t call it a social call.” Mrs. Houston chuckled. She stepped back, holding the door wide. “It’s that nice Inspector Logan. He’s in the study with Mrs. Marsden.”
“Logan is still here?” Benedict asked, moving into the hall. “How convenient. I’ll have a word with him.”
“How odd,” Amity said, but she was speaking to herself.
She gave her cloak and gloves to Mrs. Houston. Benedict did not bother to take off his coat.
“I won’t be staying long,” he said to Mrs. Houston.
Amity hurried along the hall toward the study, aware that Benedict was hard on her heels. When she walked into the room, she saw Penny seated behind the desk. Logan was sprawled in a decidedly comfortable, relaxed manner in a chair. His tie was loosened around his neck. He had a glass of brandy in his hand. He set aside the glass and rose politely when he saw Amity.
“I’m glad to see you, Miss Doncaster,” he said. He nodded at Benedict. “Mr. Stanbridge. We have been wondering what kept you.”
“Amity,” Penny said. “I was starting to get worried. You were gone so long.”
“Things did not go as anticipated,” Benedict said. He glanced at the sheet of paper in front of Penny. “Any luck with the Channing ball guest list?”
“Inspector Logan and I came up with the names of a few gentlemen who might warrant further investigation because, in a rough way, they match the description that Amity provided,” Penny said. “But I must admit there were no obvious madmen on the list.”
Logan looked grim. “As I told Mrs. Marsden, the kind of man we are hunting does not stand out in a crowd. He possesses the ability to blend in with his surroundings.”
“A wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Benedict said.
Logan nodded. “That is precisely what makes him so dangerous.”
