Mrs Phibbs nodded. ‘Very astute, my lady.’
Thea stared at her. ‘You have been spying?’
The housekeeper shrugged. ‘Frankie pegged each of the staff that might have an opportunity to leak to Mr Knatchbull and told them all that one of her methods was successful. A different one, for each of them.’ Things began to resolve in Thea’s mind.
‘So that when we came here, you could look and see which one Mr Knatchbull was using?’
‘Yes,’ said Mrs Phibbs.
‘And then we would know who was leaking the secrets.’
‘Yes,’ said Mrs Phibbs, again.
Thea and Martha both looked to her. ‘So, who was told about the eyeball?’
Mrs Phibbs’ face fell at this question. ‘I am afraid to say, Your Grace, that the person told about the eyeball… was Mr Fletcher.’
Neither Thea nor Martha could believe what they had heard.
‘You are saying that Mr Fletcher, our butler, is leaking our growing secrets to Neville Knatchbull?’
Mrs Phibbs shrugged, looking as confused as both Thea and Martha. ‘It seems that way, Frankie assured me that, while most people saw most of the treatments being used, she only told one person about the success of each.’
‘So, it couldn’t have been anyone else?’ asked Thea.
‘Not unless something has gone awry,’ said Mrs Phibbs.
‘I suppose he could have told George,’ said Martha, ‘and George could have told Knatchbull?’
‘I’m not sure that would be any better,’ said Thea, ‘he would know that would happen.’
‘So why would he do it?’ asked Martha, hands on hips and staring out into the fields.
Thea heard footsteps behind them and turned. Doctor Speckle weaved down the path through the topiary, not watching his feet and scribbling frantically in a notebook as he walked. He kept going, slowing his pace as the ground levelled but continuing to travel as he scribed. He was so engrossed he hadn’t even seen them when he was within five paces.
‘Good morning, Doctor Speckle,’ said Thea, amused. This man was never without a new idea.
The doctor startled, stopped and looked up, apparently seeing his surroundings and the ladies for the first time. ‘Oh, good morning,’ he said cheerfully. ‘And isn’t it a wonderful one?’
‘It is indeed,’ said Thea. ‘The three of us were out taking some air.’ To Doctor Speckle’s credit he didn’t seem fazed that the housekeeper was out taking air with a duchess and a countess. ‘What brings you to this sunny part of the garden?’
‘Knatchbull said he had a newHelianthusfor me, so I went to the frame yard to collect it, but it turns out it was a tomato. Labelling accident, I think, but never mind,’ said Speckle, with a gentle smile. He was a kind soul, thought Thea. ‘Then I was walking back and had a thought about tumours and ended up here.’
‘Well, we are delighted to see you,’ said Thea, ‘You were quite monopolised by the men yesterday.’
‘And today, I fear,’ said Speckle. ‘I must go and watch them shoot, I am told. It is not a sport for me, but I am grateful to be invited to these things.’
‘In the case of anyone needing free medical advice?’ asked Martha. Speckle raised an eyebrow.
‘Ah,’ said Thea. ‘And did they?’
‘Plenty,’ said Speckle. ‘But at least I had a nice meal last night and the excellent company of some of my favourite people.’ Bless him for not mentioning my small outburst, Thea thought.
‘I wonder if you had any thoughts on Mr Knatchbull’sProtea?’ asked Thea, keen to gain any insight to the puzzle they had just uncovered. ‘I assume he showed the seedlings to you yesterday.’
‘Absolutely, yes,’ said Speckle, puffing out his cheeks. ‘I should have come to you yesterday as I understand you would be vexed when he boasted of his success at dinner. But I really must tell you, the seedlings are radishes, notProtea.’
Thea grinned. ‘Lady Foxmore also deduced that this morning.’
