It appeared that Thacker’s charm wasreserved for titled gentlemen. Jack considered it an advantage forit allowed him the same latitude. When shown into the majordomo’ssmall office, he took the chair offered and put his first questionto him in a faintly accusatory manner which might cause the man tobe more forthcoming. “I have reason to believe his lordship’sluggage was permitted to be searched before it left this house, Mr.Thacker.”
“Permitted by whom?”Thacker sat back in his chair and stroked a hand over his hair.“His lordship’s baggage is always attended to by his valet. No oneelse.”
“His valet has examinedLord Butterstone’s luggage at Ivywood Hall. He is quite certain ithas been searched after he packed it. Who else had access to it ifnot you?”
“Me?” Thacker moved on hisseat, looking faintly alarmed. “I hope you don’t think thatI…”
“It’s not a matter of whatI think, Mr. Thacker. It’s the fact that his lordship’s baggage wassearched. You must know who has access to his rooms apart from thehousekeeper and the upstairs maids.”
“Only the footmen whobrought the luggage down. His lordship’s secretary left the housebefore his lordship did.”
“What happens to theluggage after it leaves the suite?”
“It’s left at the frontdoor before it is placed in the carriage.”
“The two footmen worktogether?”
“As always, yes. There wereseveral pieces as well as her ladyship’s trunk.”
“Have the footmen been longin the Butterstone’s employ?”
“Charles since he wassixteen, and Ham came from the country eighteen monthsago.”
“When might an opportunityhave arisen to search the luggage before it left for IvywoodHall?”
Thacker stiffened. “I don’t believe itpossible without being observed. What is this about, Captain Ryder?Does it have something to do with his lordship’s tragicdeath?”
“I’ve yet to discover if ithas, Mr. Thacker. You’re confident that everything is as it shouldbe in the running of the house?”
Thacker stood his face reddening. “Ican assure you…”
There would not be much that happenedwhich Thacker was unaware of. Jack nodded but remained seated. “Ishould like to speak to the housekeeper. And if you could makeinquiries of the rest of the staff? I shall call again.”
“I don’t seewhy…”
“I am here on behalf of herladyship, Thacker. With Lord Butterstone gone, it’s possible thatyou will be seeking a new position. No doubt you’ll require a goodreference.”
“Well, yes. If you willwait, Captain.” Thacker rose up on his toes. “If you’ll just wait amoment, I’ll send in Mrs. Muffat. And I’ll find out all I can, ofcourse. Happy to.”
Thacker was ambitious. Ambitious mencould be bought. Guilty or not, he looked like a hound caughtsneaking the leg of mutton from under Cook’s nose.
Mrs. Muffat, a small well-roundedwoman with a capable air, stared at him curiously. “The twoupstairs maids thoroughly cleaned and aired his lordship’s roomsafter his departure. His linens were then sent to thelaundry.”
Standing, Jack smiled to put her ather ease. “Would the luggage have remained in the room while theycleaned?”
“On that occasion, yes. Itwas delayed. The staff traveling to Ivywood Hall were ready toenter the carriage, but one of the footmen was busyelsewhere.”
“Do you recall theincident?”
“He’d been sent to delivera note.”
“By whom?”
“I assume it was thebutler.”
“Do you know what the notewas about or to whom it was delivered?”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid Idon’t. I had other matters to attend to.”
