Now all that remained to be done was to speak to the servants.
We needed to ascertain if anyone saw or heard anything relevant to
the atrocity which had been committed. Astonishingly, no one heard
or saw anything. The cook claimed that she had a premonition of a
"grave misfortune", but we could find nothing solid, besides the fact
that there were four servants:Lydia Haversham, the cook, Marie,
Stuart, the maid, Albert Langham, the stableboy, and Peter
O'Malley. He was the butler.
As we were done here, we headed for New Berkshire to speak to
the Robinsons and the Anderworths. As the growler started to move,
Mr. Hightower thrust the urn into Holmes' lap. He caught hold of it
just in time to prevent a nasty spill.
We got to the Robinson estate first. These people seemed to be
very snobbish. There were seven maids, five housekeepers, eight
butlers, three cooks, two footmen, four stableboys, a personal
servant for each Robinson, and a nanny. {I never knew it took
thirty-two people to look after two adults and an infant. Really,
some people have more money than the sense God gave them.}
The staff was waiting in the library for our arrival, and again, no
one noticed anything out of the ordinary.
Peters, one of the butlers had picked up the post as usual. One of
the letters was the ransom note. It bore no stamp, and did not differ
from the one received by the Hightowers. The only difference was
the name of the dear departed. In this case, the deceased was Miss
Minerva Robinson. Aged thirty-six, she succumbed to pneumonia.
"Can you tell me what happened the day you received the letter?"
Mr. Robinson sniffed, as if to show how put upon he was by the
question. "I don't know why I should repeat this very trying affair
for a curious amateur."
{All right, he asked for it. And I was in the mood to give it to
him. But I used a great deal of restraint. }
"This "amateur" has a very good record both independently and
in tandem with the official force. He is working with me now as a
personal favour ; however, if you do not wish this "trying affair" to
be investigated, then so be it. This would cast you in a quite
questionable light, either foolish or criminal, depending upon how
you look at it. Would you reconsider answering the question ?"
Holmes glanced over at me. I think he was slightly surprised, but
he recovered himself quickly and said nothing.
"In that case, I'll go through this all again." came Mr. Robinson's
nasal whine.
{I stifled a smile.}
"Well, I got the money together. After all, she WAS my sister. I
left it on the sundial at midnight, just as the note said. There was a
note on the instrument. It told me where we could find Minerva's
body. It was in the Rossburn mausoleum. It looked like we had
walked into a funeral. There were flowers and candles. There was
even a sympathy card in Minerva's hand. We quietly had her
re-interred the next day. I believe that is all. Did I leave anything
out, dear?"
"No, darling, not at all," Mrs. Robinson answered with a much
put upon sniff just like her husbands.
{Must be a family thing. I felt Holmes' light touch on the back of
my neck. I guess he came to the same conclusion. }
"Well, we need not take up any more of your time," said Holmes,
looking pointedly at Mr. Robinson. " Thank you for your
cooperation. " The butler showed them out. When they were back
in the growler, they breathed a sigh of relief. It was good not to feel
looked down upon. "I was wondering if we were going to be shown
the tradesman's door." ventured Lestrade. There was a chuckle in
response.
Lestrade gave an address to the driver, and we were off to see
what the Anderworths had to say.