Ne'er Do Well (16 page)

“I think you're right, my darling. He could hardly divulge its contents, even to us; and they, no doubt, commanded all he was doing in London during the next two days.”

“I think,” said Mansel, “that, when the scent grows hot, Falcon is going to dry up. Not that he doesn't trust us, but he no longer needs the relief of opening his heart. Instead, he requires the silence which high concentration must have.”

“A case like this,” said I, “must impose a tremendous strain. Look at the feeling St Amant's death has aroused. High and low are demanding his murderer's head. And Falcon alone can produce it. No one can help him: even Rogers admits that he's out of his depth. So far as we know, he has next to nothing to go on: and the nuns, in whose home the murder was done, are reluctant to talk. And they can't be grilled, because they mean no wrong. Look at Sister Josephine.”

“William,” said Mansel, “I couldn't agree with you more. And just look at the poison
–
Mafra. Talk about narrowing the field. Who's ever heard of Mafra? Even the Press hasn't got it
–
I mean, what Sir William says. Virtually unknown in England. Known to the police in France. Sources of supply, undiscoverable. Poison is never easy, but arsenic gives you a chance. But Mafra
–
no. Of course it made us stare at Madame de Porphyry: and in view of what Selden said, she probably nursed a grudge. But how did she know that St Amant was taking tablets? Anyway Falcon seems to have written her off. Oh, no. As I said last night, it is a hell of a case. Still, Falcon's terribly good. He makes a lot of our exploits. Compared with this, they were very showy stuff. Our art was that of the blacksmith, and I am by no means ashamed of the iron we wrought. But this is work for a goldsmith, requiring infinite patience and very high skill.”

When Falcon returned that evening and said that, by our leave, he would have to go out after dinner and so would not talk that night, we did not know what to think: but, when he came in on Friday, looking most pale and drawn, and asked if we might have some music, when dinner was over and done, I think we all felt that a crisis of sorts was at hand.

Beethoven, Chopin, Bach
–
one after another, famous orchestras rendered their deathless works; and Falcon sat there listening, with his eyes on the slow wood fire.

As the last of the records faded, he got to his feet. Then he turned to Jenny and took her hand in both his.

“You're very sweet, Mrs Chandos, to bear with so trying a guest. And now, if you will forgive me, I'm going directly to bed.”

“Sleep well,” said Jenny gently. “Bell has taken some barley-water up to your room.”

Falcon held her hand tight. Then he released it and turned to Mansel and me.

“Good night,” he said, smiling. “I've much to be thankful for.”

As the door closed behind him
–

“Oh, dear,” said Jenny.

I put my arm about her and held her close.

“Cold blood, my sweet. That's the trouble. Jonathan and I could never have done what we did in cold blood. But a policeman isn't so lucky. And Falcon is like a racehorse
–
a very sensitive man.”

“William is right,” said Mansel. “He nearly always is. And now,” he added quietly, “I think we should go to bed, too.”

 

At half past two the next day I was crossing the hall, when I heard the crunch of gravel which told me a car was at hand. The front door was open, and so I stood where I was.

Falcon.

He spoke to his driver shortly. Then he mounted the steps and entered the house.

The man looked pale and drawn, as he had the night before: but he was very calm.

As the service door was opened
–

“Where's Mrs Chandos?” he said.

In some surprise
–

“She's out with Bell,” I said, “She won't be back before four.”

“Then that's all right.”

“Have you lunched?” said I.

“No, but I haven't time. I've got to leave for London in half an hour.”

“Sandwiches, Carson,” I said. “And brandy and soda at once
–
in the dining-room. And after that, will you pack the Superintendent's things?”

“Certainly, sir.”

“I'd just like to wash,” said Falcon…

Three minutes later he entered the dining-room.

Mansel was sitting at the table, facing Falcon's chair.

As I poured a brandy and soda
–

“All over,” said Falcon. “I shall be back tomorrow and then I'll tell you all. But if you'd like to hear it, I'll give you the last scene now.”

Carson's knock fell upon the door.

“Come in,” I said.

Carson entered the room with sandwiches on a tray.

“Oh, thank you, Carson,” said Falcon, taking his seat. He looked at me. “May he see that my driver has something?”

“Of course.”

Carson withdrew.

“Eat and drink first,” I said. “We're going to talk. We knew, of course, you were coming up to the jump: but though we've both thought a good deal, we haven't said much.”

“Silence is infectious,” said Mansel. “Oh, and by the way, I'll make you a present of this. This time a week ago I was not at all sure that you'd ever make an arrest. No man can make bricks without straw: and you had no straw.”

“I agree,” said I. “Looking the facts in the face, the persons who
could
have done it were very few. And most of them were well above suspicion. But what got me down was the poison. I couldn't see how on earth you could bring that home. How could you prove possession of such a drug?”

“Possession
–
never,” said Mansel. “But the likelihood of possession…sufficiently strong to satisfy a jury… For me, though I never said so, Sir William's letter very near sounded a knell. It reduced us to the Duchess: and though she seemed to stand out, I had a feeling that it wasn't as easy as that.”

“And then,” said I, “exactly a week ago, just before you left for London, we thought you seemed rather quiet. And, since neither of us is a fool, that made us think.”

“The trouble was,” said Mansel, “we didn't know what to think. Unless you had held something back
–
and I didn't think you had done that
–
we could not see what had given you cause to fall silent, just at the last.”

Falcon drained his glass. Then he wiped his lips and laid his napkin down.

When I offered him cigarettes, he shook his head.

Then he glanced at his watch and began to talk.

“At eight o'clock last night, the Mother Superior received a letter from me. This is what it said.

 

Madam,

You will receive me tomorrow precisely at ten o'clock.

 

Your obedient servant,

Richard Falcon.

Superintendent of the CID.”

 

Mansel and I sat as though turned to stone.

Falcon proceeded quietly.

“At two minutes to ten this morning, I entered the doors of the Home. Rogers was at my heels. In the second car, the blinds of which were drawn, were sitting two women police. They had come down from London at my request.

“I knocked on the well-known door and entered at once.

“Seated, as usual, at her table, the Mother Superior surveyed me grimly enough.

“‘Superintendent,' she said, ‘I am not accustomed
–
'

“‘You are under arrest,' I said, ‘for the murder of Lord St Amant. It is my duty to warn you that anything you say will be taken down and may be used in evidence against you.'

“With that, I took out my book…

“The woman never moved, but her eyes were like coals of fire.

“Then she burst out.

“‘That puling fool Sister Josephine gave you your cue. Until that moment I had you in your place. You thought you were sharing my counsel.' She threw back her head and let out a dreadful laugh. ‘Church and State, you boasted, both are subject to the Law. You thought I accepted that statement
–
that arrogant blasphemy. To encourage your fool's belief, I attended your puny court and bowed to your Coroner. Let me disillusion you. The State is subject to the laws of man: the Church to the laws of God. You execute the one: I administer the other. As such an administratrix, I put Lord St Amant to death… The world will not forgive me for what I did: but that is nothing to me, for what I did was right. The man had to die. He had the charm of the serpent that commended the apple to Eve. And, but for your blundering foot, all would have been well.'

“She drew in her breath.

“Then she picked up an envelope.

“‘When they brought me your note last night, I knew what it meant. You'd ferreted out something, behind my back. Perhaps you found the tablet I dropped
–
close to my private door. I had no desire to be questioned
–
like Sister Josephine. And so I wrote down this statement, writing far into the night. I need no justification for what I do. This is a statement of fact, and nothing else. Take it and read it and feel ashamed of your manhood
–
and in future render to God the things that are God's.'

“She threw the envelope to me. My eyes were on hers, and I let it fall to the ground.

“‘You think you have done your duty: but that is because you're a fool.' Her face was working, and she was breathing hard. ‘I'll tell you what you have done. You have destroyed this House
–
this precious institution which I have built. For I am the cornerstone: and with my going, the edifice must collapse. And my sheep will have no shepherd. The ship, without its helmsman, will drift upon the rocks. That's my reward for bruising the serpent's head, for doing my bounden duty…'

“‘That will do,' I said. ‘What else you have to say can be said in another place.' I tapped twice on the door behind me: that was a signal to Rogers to fetch the women police. ‘I must ask you to come with me. If you wish to arrange yourself first
–
'

“She threw back her head again and laughed that terrible laugh. That seemed to set her coughing… As she drew out a handkerchief, I stepped forward and caught her wrist.

“She stared at my hand. Then she lifted her eyes to my face.

“‘The moment I saw you,' she said, ‘I knew you were dangerous. But there's another sergeant, more strict in his arrest.'

“Here a knock fell upon the door.

“As I called to Rogers to enter, she seemed to lift herself up and then fell sideways, almost into my arms.

“With the help of the women police I eased her on to the floor.

“Then I spoke to Rogers, whose eyes were half out of his head.

“‘Dr Paterson, quick! And Sister Geneviève. Run out and call their names.'

“As he ran out of the room, I picked the envelope up and put it away.

“One of the women looked up.

“‘I think she's dead, sir.'

“I nodded.

“‘The doctor will be here in a moment.'

“Sister Geneviève was the first to arrive.

“I must say I admire that woman. She just went down on her knees by the Mother Superior's side, peered at her face and then took hold of her wrist. Then she sat back on her heels and put her face in her hands.

“I addressed the women police.

“‘Wait outside.'

“As they left the room, Paterson arrived at a run.

“‘Good God,' he said.

“Then he went down on his knees, to feel her heart.

“At a gesture from me, Rogers shut the door.

“‘What happened, Superintendent?'

“‘She was under arrest,' I said. ‘For the murder of Lord St Amant. She had two tablets of Mafra within her mouth. When I said she must come to the Station, she laughed and swallowed them.'

“Sister Geneviève stayed still as she was, but Paterson stared at me, as if I was out of my mind.

“When he spoke, his voice was hoarse.

“‘But the thing's incredible.'

“‘I know it is. But it's true. She admitted committing the murder before she died.'

“‘God Almighty,' said Paterson.

“‘I'll tell you later,' I said. ‘I hope you'll do the post-mortem. Rogers, get in touch with the police.'

“When Rogers returned, I told him to stay in the room with one of the women police. Then
–

“‘Sister Geneviève,' I said, ‘it's my duty to search her bedroom. Will you please accompany me?'

“Without a word, she complied. She led the way, and I followed
–
with one of the women police. It was a most dreadful duty, as you will believe. But I found what I wanted
–
but never dared hope that I'd find. Two tablets of Mafra, still in their special case.”

Falcon put his hand in his pocket and took out an envelope. He opened it over the table, and something slid out.

This was a thin, oblong, transparent capsule or case: three quarters of an inch in length, three eighths of an inch in breadth, and, I should say, one thirty-second of an inch thick. Within, we could see two white tablets, lying side by side. That such a case could have laid behind and beside the teeth of the lower jaw, was perfectly clear. I cannot believe that, so bestowed, it would have been noticeable.

“There you are,” said Falcon. “Sir William wouldn't believe that saliva wouldn't dissolve that special case. But I can swear to that. She had them in her mouth when I entered the room. I prayed that she had, you know. A trial would have been too awful. That's why I let her talk. And then, when nothing happened, I said she must come with me. I had to stop her, of course, when she put her hand to her mouth.”

“You're a scrupulous man,” said Mansel.