Mr. Norton descended from the stage, and Mr. Bauer’s booming voice echoed once again.
“It’s important to note that the assessment of a woman is different than a man’s. Men, by nature, have larger heads, and the general shape and dimensions also differ. Women generally tend to have larger organs in areas of domestic importance. But I digress. If possible, is there a lady present who would like to join me so I may demonstrate this difference?”
Phoebe’s hand flew into the air.
Alarmed, Ella grabbed her other hand.
Phoebe shook it off.
Mr. Bauer smiled. “Ah, Miss Hawthorne! A charming subject. Please, please, join me.”
He turned to the guests. “I do have the honor of being acquainted with the Hawthorne family, and I have had the pleasure of spending time in Miss Hawthorne’s company. I mentioned that I prefer performing assessments on subjects I’m not familiar with, but I think in this case I’ll happily make an exception.”
Beaming, Phoebe sat in the chair, and when asked to do so, she removed the pins from her hair. Her light brown hair fell over her shoulders, and he began.
Mr. Bauer’s assessment process was similar to that with Mr. Norton. He measured her head, and then he placed his hands atop her head. He whispered to Mr. Gutt. When he was done, he addressed Phoebe directly.
“Aw, Miss Hawthorne, a delight. When I see an assessment like this, I have hope in the future and the good in the world. As with many women, your philoprogenitiveness organ is prominent. You are fond of children and animals, almost to the point of indulgence. Your conscientiousness organ is also one to note. You are honest and faithful, nearly to a fault. Yet I also do try to share some of the areas that I note are lacking. When studying your head, I found a deficiency in your locality organ. Do not be alarmed, it is a common deficiency among the fairer sex, but it tells me you have very little navigational sense. That your ability to remember directions and locations is not great.”
A chill traversed Ella’s spine. She was watching a deception play out right in front of her. Her friend was being played for a fool. Anger burned in her chest. She determined to appear calm, but in her heart fresh determination flared: She would expose the truth about phrenology no matter the cost.
Chapter 20
GABRIEL HAD TOact fast.
At this very moment Mr. Bauer was beginning his phrenological assessment of Mr. Norton, and Mr. Gutt was assisting him. Every guest was engaged, so the bedchambers should be quiet and still. The perfect time to investigate.
After ensuring that no servants lingered in the shadowed corridors, Gabriel made his way to the Blue Room where he’d learned Bauer was staying. After glancing to his right and then to his left, he retrieved a pin from his pocket and quickly popped the door’s iron lock. He pushed the door open, stepped in, and closed it behind him.
The thick damask curtains on the west wall were pulled tight against the night, leaving just the orange glow of the simmering fire to work by. He blinked to adjust his vision and took inventory of his surroundings. A canopy bed. A corner wardrobe. A chest at the foot of the bed. A small writing desk to the right of the chimneypiece.
He approached the desk first and riffled through a handful of books and letters. After finding nothing of significance, he pivotedto the chest, knelt next to it, and pushed up the lid. Nothing but linens. Methodically he made his way around the chamber, searching in drawers, under the bed, and in cupboards. Everything was just as it should be.
Eager to take advantage of the time he had, Gabriel left the Blue Room as he had found it and made his way to the west staircase. He wanted to check Mr. Gutt’s chamber, which was in the servants’ quarters on the basement level. So far Mr. Gutt had been a quiet, unassuming man, but Gabriel suspected that Mr. Bauer was not working alone.
As Gabriel descended the west staircase, Mr. Bauer’s distant voice reverberated from the plaster walls, signaling that he still had time. Once in the basement, Gabriel lifted a candle lamp that hung from a hook on the wall and made his way to the male quarters and found Mr. Gutt’s room.
It was unlocked. Gabriel hurried in and closed the door. His candle lamp illuminated a room far less opulent than Mr. Bauer’s. The oblong, windowless chamber was barely large enough for the narrow bed, an old wardrobe chest, and a washbasin, and Gabriel nearly tripped on the uneven stones that comprised the floor.
Determined to make quick work of his search, he placed his candle lamp atop the washbasin and opened the wardrobe. Several items of clothing hung inside, and a few books were stacked at the bottom. He lifted one of the books, and as he did, several pieces of paper slid out.
He gathered them and angled them toward the light.
Mr. Chelten: Aloof, lives alone and has never married. An avid horseman and enjoys outdoor pursuits. Mr. Chamberlain: Is proud of the time he spent in the military and speaks of itoften. He believes in order and rules. He is punctual and is outspoken.
Gabriel flipped through the names—all of whom were attendees. This was it. This was how Mr. Bauer knew so much about the guests. And it matched what Clancy had told him about Gutt approaching the footman to buy information about Mrs. Whetham.
Even though this was not an official crime, it was further evidence that these two men were frauds. But how did Mr. Gutt get this information? Were they his own observations? Did someone provide them?
Gabriel could contemplate the details later. He tucked three of the papers in his waistcoat and returned the rest to the book where he found them. He finished looking around the small space, and after finding nothing new, he exited and made his way back upstairs.
He never felt right about searching someone’s private space, but in this case the end just might justify the means. He only hoped that all this work was not in vain.
Excited chatter ensued, but despite the festive atmosphere, Ella felt sick.
A fresh round of applause circled the group as Mr. Bauer completed Mr. Shiveley’s phrenological assessment.
The stifling air in the great hall made it difficult to catch a full breath.
