‘And have you seen her since, in Whitechapel that is?’
‘No — and I must admit that I have not given her any more thought, until today, when I caught sight of her in the study of Sir Arthur Griffiths’ residence. I tell you, Crabb, it came as quite a shock to see her again, after all this time, and in the very house we were visiting.’
‘I wonder why she is now calling herself Mrs Marchmont?’ asked Crabb. ‘After all, you said her real name was Kelly.’
‘I have no idea,’ said Ravenscroft, taking another sip from the tankard.
‘Perhaps she has just changed her name, so that she can put the past behind her. Start a new life, like.’
‘Do you know, Crabb, I think you might be right. And if that is the case, then who are we to deny her that relief, after all she has suffered?’
‘You don’t think she is mixed up in any of this business at the cathedral, sir?’
‘Highly unlikely, I would think. What need would she have of a medieval book?’
‘What do you think she was doing at Sir Arthur Griffiths’ house?’
‘She was probably seeking his advice on some matter. He is, after all, the local Member of Parliament,’ replied Ravenscroft.
‘Begging your pardon, sir, but are you certain that it was this Mrs Kelly that you saw? It could have been someone else. After all, you did say she wore a veil most of the time that you saw her.’
‘That is true, but on our second encounter she did raise her veil and I saw her face quite clearly — and the bitterness engrained there. No, I am sure that she and Mrs Marchmont are the one and the same woman. Anyway, enough of our Mrs Kelly, we must be careful not to be deflected from our investigations. Be so good, Crabb, as to get us a refill for these tankards, and whilst you are over there ask the landlord if he would be so good as to join us.’
After exchanging a few words with the landlord at the bar, Crabb returned to Ravenscroft. ‘He says he will bring them over in a minute. What did you think of our Miss Griffiths then, sir?’
‘I am quite fascinated by her. She was very reserved; nervous even. I think she was very relieved when we left,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘She seemed very protective towards her father, not letting us see him.’
‘I think we must insist on seeing Sir Arthur. He might have seen something that night. We cannot go on her assumption alone.’
‘Here we are, gentlemen. Two more tankards of our finest Worcester ale,’ said the landlord, placing the vessels down on the table before them.
‘And very good ale it is too, landlord,’ said Ravenscroft lifting one of the tankards to his mouth.
‘How can I help you, sir? Your colleague said you wanted to speak with me.’
‘Yes. We are investigating the disappearance of both the librarian, and a valuable book from the cathedral,’ began Ravenscroft.
‘Ah, I thought so. I told my wife as soon as you came in that you were the law.’
‘I had not thought we were so conspicuous, after me changing out of uniform and all,’ said Crabb.
‘On the night the librarian disappeared, we believe he made his way along the river-bank, just outside your premises. We were wondering whether you remember seeing him at all?’
‘I don’t remember seeing anyone out of the ordinary,’ replied the landlord.
‘Did Mr Evelyn ever come into the inn? He was an elderly gentleman, thin, grey hair, had a bit of a stoop, very retiring, kept very much to himself,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘No. Don’t recall seeing such a person. We gets mainly our locals in here. I’m sure I would have noticed anyone out of the ordinary.’
‘Thank you. You have been most helpful. One final question: did you happen to see anything or anyone falling into the river on the night the librarian disappeared — or perhaps heard a loud splash? Probably around twelve o’clock?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘I can’t say, sir. I’ll check with the wife, see if she heard anything. She has a far better memory than I have.’
‘Thank you, we would be most obliged.’
‘Seems as though we have drawn a blank there,’ said Crabb.
‘Evelyn must have met his attacker by the river, after placing the book in the hiding place in the old ruined building. I am more than ever convinced that Evelyn did not meet the person who was blackmailing him until his very end.’
‘Poor man.’
‘Look over there, Crabb. Do you see that rough fellow drinking at the other end of the bar? He seems to be consuming a great deal of liquor tonight,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘He could do with a shave and a good wash, if you ask me. Don’t like the look of that scar down the side of his face. Looks as though he came off the worse in some fight or other,’ said Crabb, taking a pull on his ale.
‘Probably just come off one of the barges. And here I think is our good landlord returning.’
‘Gentlemen, I have had a word with my wife. She swears she heard a loud splash in the river. Just after twelve, she thinks. She remembers taking a look out of the window, but she didn’t see anyone out there on the towpath and thought no more about it. We get lots of noises being near the river. Always something, or someone, falling in the water. We used to get quite alarmed when we came here fifteen years ago, but now we don’t take much notice.’
‘Thank you, landlord,’ said Ravenscroft.
The publican returned to the bar.
‘Where do we go from here, sir?’ asked Crabb.
‘To tell you the truth, I am at a loss, but one thing I am certain about is that there is a lot more for us to unearth about the cathedral and its inhabitants, before we can arrive at a solution to this case.’
‘Come on. Give us another tankard!’ shouted the man at the bar.
‘I think you have had more than enough for tonight, Billy,’ said the landlord, giving a sideways glance in the direction of the two policemen.
‘Who says I’ve had enough? I can pay. I’ve got plenty of money. Pour me one,’ continued the man, in a slurred voice.
‘I’ve told you, Billy, you’ve had your fair share tonight. Why don’t you go home and sleep it off?’
‘Don’t want to go home. Here’s a crown, another one I say!’
‘He’s not short of money,’ whispered Crabb.
‘Sorry, Billy, can’t do it. It’s more than my reputation at stake. Get yourself home, and take your money with you,’ said the landlord, again casting a glance in their direction.
‘Don’t you tell me to go home! Pour one for me, and for everyone here tonight!’ said the man, suddenly lunging forwards and grabbing the landlord’s shirt.
‘I think our landlord could do with some assistance. Time we intervened,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘Leave him to me, sir. I’ll see him off,’ said Crabb, rising from his seat.
‘Give me a drink, or I’ll poke yer eyes out!’ growled the man.
‘Now then, Billy, leave off there,’ said Crabb, walking over to the bar and placing his hand on the other’s shoulder.
‘And who the devil might you be?’ said Billy, turning round and shaking off Crabb’s hand.
‘I’m Constable Crabb from the local constabulary. If you don’t leave off drinking this minute and take yourself home, I’ll have to arrest you and you’ll spend the rest of the night in the cells.’
‘Bugger you! You ain’t no peeler. You ain’t got no uniform on!’ growled Billy.
‘Watch your language, my fellow. Just pick up your money and go,’ instructed Crabb.
The man suddenly threw a punch at Crabb, who dodged quickly to one side, leaving his attacker to crash into one of the tables. ‘Come on. Get yourself home, or it’s the cells for you, my lad,’ said the policeman, in a firm voice.
Billy picked himself up off the floor, steadied himself and brushed the sleeve of his tattered jacket.
‘Best do as the policeman says, Billy. You come back tomorrow night and we’ll have a drink together then,’ said the landlord.
‘Right you are, captain,’ said Billy giving a mock salute. ‘Steady as she goes. I’ll be all right, captain. I’ve got my lady. She’ll see me all right.’