Part 17 (2/2)
Harry sat down. ”The photograph was of Sir Peter in a compromising position with a beautiful youth wearing a mask.”
”You can't mean ... Gentlemen don't ...”
”I am afraid they do. Berrow and Banks paid the young man to entrap Sir Peter.”
”Have you been to Kerridge? You must tell the police.”
”I cannot tell the police. Kerridge would be honour-bound to arrest Sir Peter. He would be charged with acts of gross indecency and sentenced to hard labour.”
Rose's face was bright red. ”I never imagined ... I never thought ... Where is Peter?”
”Well on his way to the south of France, I hope.”
Rose stared at him for a long moment. ”Do you see what this means? If Berrow and Banks hired this youth to compromise Sir Peter, then they are probably the ones who hired the a.s.sa.s.sin to try to kill me.”
”That is possible. Although I fear one of them wanted Petrey out of the way so that he could try his luck with you. But I definitely cannot tell Kerridge. I am going out this evening to silence Berrow and Banks.”
”You will kill them?”
”No, my dear. There are other ways.”
”I cannot understand why my father did not cancel my engagement.”
”He will. But I did not, for the moment, want Berrow or Banks to have that satisfaction. Now I need to go out again. May Becket take you home?”
”Yes, please.”
Harry rang the bell. ”Becket, take Miss Levine out to the motor. I need a word with Lady Rose in private.”
When they had left, Harry looked seriously at Rose. ”I am going to ask your father's permission to pay my addresses to you. What do you think of that?”
”He will never agree. And why?”
He wanted to say, Because you enchant and infuriate me. Instead he said, ”Because I would not leave you unprotected. London is full of adventurers. You may make another mistake.”
”But you will leave me alone like you did before!”
”I will try to behave like a faithful swain. Come, Rose, we are both misfits and we could deal well together.”
Rose looked up at him from beneath her long lashes. ”An arrangement like before?”
”If you wish.”
At last she gave a little sigh. ”Very well, then.”
”I must deal with Berrow and Banks first. Then I will call.”
”I am only agreeing because at the moment I am not allowed out of the house.”
Harry smiled. ”Let me escort you out to the motor.”
Harry waited until Becket had returned. ”Do not take off your coat, Becket. We are going to Scotland Yard. How is Phil progressing with the camera work?”
”He is excellent and knows how to develop and print negatives.”
”Good. Tell him to get that new Kodak I bought him, film, and magnesium for the flash. I'll need him tonight. I will also need to furnish you with a pistol, Becket. You do not mind threatening anyone with a pistol, do you?”
”Certainly not, sir.”
”So here's what we will do ...”
Harry hoped his guess was correct-that Berrow and Banks would wait outside that brothel in the hope of getting hold of Jonathan. But to make sure, he, Becket, and Phil followed the pair from The Club, then hid at the end of Verney Street and watched. Berrow and Banks looked around furtively and went into the brothel. They came out a few minutes later and stood waiting.
”Jonathan must have been due on duty about now,” whispered Harry. ”Becket and Phil, go now. You have your instructions.”
Becket walked forward to where Berrow and Cyril were standing. Harry had altered his manservant's appearance. Becket now sported a heavy moustache and mutton-chop whiskers.
He held the gun on the pair. Then he raised it and fired a shot neatly through the top of Berrow's silk hat and then levelled the pistol on them again.
The brothel door slammed shut and the lights went out. A shot in Verney Street meant trouble, and trouble meant the police. No one wanted to be around when the police arrived. Harry at the end of the street saw a possible customer turn and run off.
”What do you want?” squeaked Cyril. ”Our money?”
”I want you to kiss your friend on the mouth.”
”b.u.g.g.e.r you,” hissed Berrow.
Becket clicked back the hammer on the pistol. ”Oh, do what the maniac says,” howled Cyril, ”or he'll kill us.”
He grasped Berrow by the shoulders and pressed his mouth to his. Becket melted into the shadows as the magnesium flare went off.
Neither man saw the flash, both having their eyes tight shut. When Cyril released Berrow, he looked wildly around. There was no sign of anyone. Both men took out their silk handkerchiefs and wiped their mouths.
”Disgusting!” raged Berrow. ”Let's get out of here. Scotland Yard shall hear of this.” He set off down the street.
”Hold on,” said Cyril. ”We can't tell the police.”
”Why not? We were forced to kiss each other by some maniac with a pistol.”
”The police will ask where it took place. If we say Verney Street, they'll think we're a pair of you-know-whats. And I told you that someone opened my safe and stole that negative and photograph.”
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