believed that for an instant. He was too discreet to say so, but I saw the look on his face. Archie said he'd sue, but he'd been cheating, and he knew we knew it, so naturally he didn't. But neither of them were invited again." She smiled up at him and shrugged her smooth shoulders. "So I daresay Nanette had a great deal to think about. After all, a temper of that sort gives one cause for consideration, however charming a man may be otherwise, don't you agree?"
"I do indeed, Mrs. Waldemar," Monk said with sincerity. Suddenly she looked extremely different. She was not stupid; on the contrary, she was very perceptive. She did not prattle on; she recounted valuable and maybe extremely relevant information. He looked back at her with profound appreciation. "Thank you. Your excellent memory is most admirable and explains a great deal to me that had previously been beyond my understanding. No doubt Miss Cuthbertson was doing exactly as you say. Thank you so much for your time and courtesy." He rose to his feet, backing away from her.
"Not at all." She rose also, her skirts billowing around her with a soft sound of taffeta. "If I can be of any further assistance, please feel able to call upon me."
"Indeed I shall." And with such speed as grace allowed, he took his departure out into the darkening streets, the lamplighter passing on his way, one light glowing into life after another along the length of the pavement.
So Geoffrey had a violent temper, even murderous. His step lightened. It was a small thing so far, but definitely a break in the gloom around Sir Herbert Stanhope.
It did not explain Prudence's dreams or their reality, and that still burdened him, but it was a beginning.
And it would be an acute satisfaction to him to take it to Rathbone. It was something he had not found for himself, and Monk could imagine the look of surprise-and obligation-in Rathbone's clever, self-possessed face when he told him.
Chapter 10
As it happened, Rathbone was too relieved to hear Monk's news of Geoffrey Taunton for his irritation to be more than momentary. There was a flash of anger at the smoothly complacent look on Monk's face, the tone of arrogant satisfaction in his voice, and then Rathbone's brain concentrated on what he would do with the knowledge, how best to use it.
When he went to see Sir Herbert briefly before the day's session began, he found him pensive, an underlying tension apparent in the nervous movement of his hands and the occasional gesture to adjust his collar or straighten his waistcoat. But he had sufficient control of himself not to ask how Rathbone thought the trial was progressing.
"I have a little news," Rathbone said immediately the jailer left them alone.
Sir Herbert's eyes widened and for a moment he held his breath. "Yes?" His voice was husky.
Rathbone felt guilty; what he thought was not enough for real hope. It would need all his skill to make it count.
"Monk has learned of a very unfortunate incident in Geoffrey Taunton's recent past," he said calmly. "A matter of catching an acquaintance cheating at billiards and becoming seriously violent. Apparently he attacked the man and had to be hauled off him before he injured him, perhaps mortally." He was overstating the case a little, but Sir Herbert needed all the encouragement he could offer.
"He was in the hospital at the time she was killed," Sir Herbert said with a quick lift in his voice, his eyes alight. "And Heaven knows, he had motive enough. She must have confronted him-the stupid woman." He looked at Rathbone intently. "This is excellent! Why are you not better pleased? He is at least as good a suspect as I!"
"I am pleased," Rathbone said quietly. "But Geoffrey Taunton is not in the dock-not yet. I have a great deal to do yet before I can put him there. I just wished you to know: there is every hope, so keep your courage high."
Sir Herbert smiled. "Thank you-that is very honest of you. I appreciate you cannot say more. I have been in the same position with patients. I do understand."
As it chanced, Lovat-Smith unwittingly played into Rathbone's hands. His first witness of the day was Nanette Cuthbertson. She crossed the floor of the courtroom and mounted the steps to the witness stand gracefully, maneuvering her skirts up the narrow way with a single flick of her wrist. She turned at the top