Candle lamps had been deposited around the chamber thatBauer had apparently been using for storage. Blood still stained the stone floor—an eerie, uncomfortable reminder of what had occurred just hours earlier. Nothing had been disturbed. The other two boxes were still where they had been positioned, and the trunk, which Gabriel presumed belonged to Bauer, remained.
Gabriel explained everything he knew about the man calling himself Thomas Bauer to the magistrate—including his client’s interest in Bauer, the belief that Bauer intended to make money while at the symposium, the purchase of personal information to use in demonstrations, the discrepancy of his eye color, and, finally, the obituary.
The room fell painfully silent.
Hawthorne was the first to add his thoughts. “If you were aware that Bauer was a threat, you should have informed us immediately.”
“As a licensed solicitor I have a duty to my clients to maintain confidentiality. I was concerned that he might be targeting the Society, but initially I had no proof. Miss Wilde and I spoke briefly of our concerns in London, which led to my attendance here. I did attempt to speak with you on this matter in the breakfast room, but, if you recall, you refused to receive it.”
“And you.” Hawthorne turned the brunt of his frustration to Ella. “Shame on you. Phoebe is your friend. How could you not speak up?”
Ella jerked. “I’ve been very vocal about this to anyone who would listen!”
“She’s right,” Gabriel added. “This is hardly Miss Wilde’s fault. No one is at fault here except for Bauer. Or whatever his name is.”
“And the other two people who were mentioned?” inquired the magistrate. “A Mr. Gutt and a Miss Sutton?”
Gabriel nodded. “It appears they are likely accomplices. I knowfor a fact that Gutt has made purchases on Mr. Bauer’s behalf in the past. Manipulations of this degree are rarely done alone.”
The magistrate motioned toward Gabriel and Ella. “You two witnessed Bauer causing physical harm to Miss Hawthorne, which is enough to warrant an arrest, but what are the other crimes?”
“Bauer stole a substantial amount from our members, and he lied about his identity! What more is needed?” Hawthorne cried.
Gabriel folded his arms over his chest and nodded to the boxes. “Miss Hawthorne might be able to share more information when she wakes, but I assume that whatever is in those crates might tell us more.”
When no one protested, Gabriel knelt and opened the first box. As he did the light fell on a mixed jumble of silver items, from cookery to utensils to an array of pieces.
“Those are from Keatley Hall!” Ella cried. “Did he intend to steal them?”
Gabriel let the lid fall once again and moved the entire box aside to uncover the one beneath it. No one spoke as the second box was opened to reveal several small, rare paintings and leather-bound books that had been stolen from the library.
Gabriel turned to the trunk and popped it open. This was the trunk with Bauer’s clothing, a few personal items, and a handful of letters.
“The money. Where is the money? Look again!” demanded Hawthorne.
Gabriel pressed his lips together and exchanged glances with the magistrate. “There’s nothing else here, Mr. Hawthorne,” Gabriel said in a stronger tone. “I’m sure the magistrate will agree with me when I urge you to remain calm. We can track down the addresseson these letters and see what Miss Hawthorne can add, but we need to turn our attention to locating him.”
The magistrate looked at the constable and then motioned to the door. “It’s late, and we’ll search more tomorrow to see if we can find tracks or find out if anyone in the village saw anything. If three people left, someone likely saw something. Notify me when Miss Hawthorne wakes and can talk. We’ll be back then.”
“That’s it?” cried Hawthorne. “That’s all you’re going to do? This man just deceived every single person in this house! We told them he was a legitimate man of knowledge and education. He took their money! We’ll be laughingstocks!”
Mr. Wilde stepped toward Hawthorne and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Rowe and Moore are not the enemies here, Hawthorne. We’ve been deceived, but not by them. Come, let’s get some air.”
They all exited the basement chamber, and after the door was secured and locked, the rest of the men dispersed, leaving Gabriel alone with Ella.
Chapter 36
WHEN THE RETREATINGfootsteps were finally silent and they were alone in the basement corridor, Gabriel took Ella’s trembling hand in his. How small it felt, and yet what a tremendous role she’d played in putting the puzzle pieces together. He leaned close and whispered in her ear, “Come with me.”
He lifted one of the candle lamps as he led her toward the stairs. The only sound as they climbed the same narrow staircase they’d descended a few hours earlier was the crisp rustling of the fabric of her gown. Once they were finally in the still solace of the conservatory, he could finally release the tension he’d been carrying. He exhaled and turned to face her.
She was mere inches from him. The candle lamp’s light highlighted the wisps of her honey-hued hair and the gentle slope of her nose in its amber glow.
After the harrowing hours they’d just endured, he paused to take in just how beautiful she was to him.
How beautiful and brave.
He wordlessly smoothed her hair from her face, allowing hisfingers to linger on the side of her cheek. Perhaps it was his exhaustion, or maybe it was the emotions from the day. Normally he’d be more concerned about her reputation were she to be discovered in such a situation. But what did that matter now? All the rules had been broken. No one knew what the next day would bring.
