he is guilty, then he is brilliantly subtle in some aspects and uniquely clumsy in others. I don’t understand it at all. The physical evidence seems plain enough. Four people heard her cry out ‘No, no, Reverend.’ ”
“Four?” Cornwallis asked. “You said the maid, the valet, and one of the daughters. Who’s the fourth?”
“Mrs. Parmenter. She avoided saying so directly, but she must have. She didn’t deny it, she was merely evasive about the words, naturally enough.”
“I see. Well, keep me informed—” Before he could add anything further there was a knock on the door, and upon Cornwallis’s word, a constable put his head in and said that Sir Gerald Smithers from the Prime Minister’s office was here and wanted to see Captain Cornwallis urgently. Immediately behind him Smithers appeared, pushing past him and coming into the room with a smile that crossed his face and disappeared without trace. He was a very ordinary working man except for his air of supreme assurance. He was beautifully dressed in a discreet and expensive way.
“Morning, Cornwallis,” he said hastily. He glanced at Pitt. “Mr.… I’m glad you came here. Most convenient.” He closed the door, leaving the constable on the outside. “Miserable business in Brunswick Gardens. Must all work together on it. I’m sure you appreciate that.” He glanced at each of them as if it were a question, but did not wait for an answer. “Anything further?” he addressed himself to Cornwallis.
Cornwallis was tense, his body rigid, almost as if he were balancing himself against the pitch and roll of the quarterdeck.
“Yes. Unity Bellwood was three months with child,” he replied.
“Oh.” Smithers absorbed the shock. “Oh, dear. I suppose something of the sort was to be expected. Very unfortunate. What are you doing to contain the situation?”
“I have only just learned of it,” Cornwallis answered with surprise. “I doubt we can keep it concealed. It may well prove to be the motive for the crime.”
“I trust it will not come to that.” Smithers waved his hand, the sunlight catching small, monogrammed, gold cuff links. “It is our responsibility to see that it does not.” He looked at Pitt at last. “Is there any chance that it was simply an accident?”
“She was heard by four people to call out ‘No, no, Reverend!’ “ Pitt pointed out. “And there was nothing to trip over.”
“What people?” Smithers demanded. “Are they reliable? Are they to be believed? Could they be mistaken on second thoughts?”
Cornwallis was standing as if to attention, his face bleak. Pitt knew him well enough to be aware the formality was a mask for dislike.
“One is Parmenter’s wife,” he said before Pitt could reply.
“Oh! Good.” Smithers was eminently pleased. “She cannot be forced to testify against him.” He rubbed his hands. “The outlook is improving already. What about the others?”
The pattern of sunlight faded on the floor. Outside the noise in the street was steady.
“Two are servants.” Pitt answered this time. He saw the satisfaction increase in Smithers’s eyes. “And the last is his daughter, who is adamant,” he finished.
Smithers’s eyebrows rose. “Young woman? A bit hysterical, is she?” He was smiling. “Lightly balanced? In love, perhaps, feeling parental disapproval and reacting with emotionalism?”
His whole body had relaxed.
“I’m sure she can be persuaded to reconsider. Or at worst be discredited, if it should come to that necessity. But I am trusting that you will see it does not.” He looked at Pitt meaningfully.
“Then we had better hope for proof of some other solution,” Pitt replied, trying to conceal the contempt he felt. “She would make an excellent witness. She is intelligent, articulate and extremely angry. She believes passionately in honesty and justice and is not likely to be persuaded to conceal something she perceives as monstrous. If you are hoping she will perjure herself to defend her father, I think you will be disappointed. She had an extremely high regard for Miss Bellwood.”
“Indeed?” Smithers said coldly, his lip curling. He regarded Pitt with distaste. “Well, that sounds unnatural. What normal young woman would choose the hired help, however well educated, over her own father?” He stared at Cornwallis. “I don’t think anything more need be said about that! It speaks for itself. Most unpleasant. Do try to keep that out of the matter, for decency’s sake and the feelings of the family.”
Cornwallis was now thoroughly angry, but he was also confused. He had no idea what Smithers was referring to. His years at sea had taught him much of men and of