The Amorous Nightingale

physician told me. I was as stunned as you when I first saw the unfortunate creature. It was an appalling sight.'

    'She was such a lovely girl,' said Jonathan.

    'Maidservant to Mrs Gow,' explained his companion to Chiffinch. 'We had some indication that she might have been abducted yesterday from her house but we never anticipated this.'

    Jonathan shook his head. 'How could anyone do such a thing?'

    'It's one more crime to add to their account.'

    'A harmless child like that.'

    'Did you know her well?' asked Chiffinch.

    Christopher took over again. 'The Hibbert family used to live in Constable Bale's ward. They were neighbours of his. He'd seen Mary and her brother, Peter, grow up. They were friends. I met the boy myself. He was proud of his sister. She'd done extremely well for herself to secure a position with Mrs Gow.'

    'Too well,' said Jonathan, bitterly. 'Look where it got her.'

    'It's a tragedy,' agreed Christopher.

    'Peter will have to be told.'

    'That's out of the question,' said Chiffinch.

    'You can't keep this from them, sir. Not from her relatives. They've a right to know what happened to Mary.'

    'In time, perhaps.'

    'No, at the earliest opportunity.'

    'Discretion must be our watchword, Mr Bale. If we voice this abroad, we only endanger the whole investigation. The ransom note insisted on total secrecy. This regrettable event stresses that point.'

    'Regrettable event!' said Jonathan, rounding on him. 'Mary Hibbert has been brutally murdered, sir. That fact may not trouble your mind overmuch but her brother will be shattered.

    So will her uncle and aunt. They'll see it as more than a cause for regret, I can tell you.'

    'Calm down, Mr Bale, I pray you.'

    'Then show some more respect for the dead.'

    'We must temper respect with expediency.'

    'I agree with Mr Bale,' said Christopher. 'The girl's family deserve to know the worst. It's a cruelty to keep it from them.'

    'A necessary one.'

    'No, Mr Chiffinch. The body should be released.'

    'It must be,' affirmed Jonathan. 'I see your objection, sir, but it can be answered. The true facts must not be leaked out. Nor need they be. Peter can be told that his sister met with an unlucky accident. I'll pass on the same tidings to Mary's uncle and aunt. It will spare them some of the anguish but it will also enable the girl to have a decent burial.'

    'I support Mr Bale to the hilt,' said Christopher.

    'We won't be denied.'

    Chiffinch was nonplussed for once. He had not expected to meet such united opposition. Skilled in the issue of orders, he was used to obedience. He was less adept at coping with blank refusal. He eyed Jonathan with an amalgam of irritation and interest.

    'Could you really persuade them that the girl died by accident?' he said. 'Can you soften the truth so effectively?'

    'Yes, sir,' replied Jonathan. 'My work has often required me to break bad news to relatives. I'll find the right words.'

    'Trust him, Mr Chiffinch,' urged Christopher.

    'It looks as if I may have to,' said the other with slight asperity. He reached a decision. 'Very well, Mr Bale. Take charge of the arrangements. Tell me where the body is to be sent and it will be released.'

    'Thank you, sir.'

    Chiffinch saw an advantage. 'It will at least solve the problem of what we should do with it,' he said with relief. 'We could hardly keep it here indefinitely. Exercise prudence, that's all I ask, Mr Bale. Be politic in what you say.'

    A brief nod. 'May I spend a little time with Mary, sir?'

    'You want to go in there again?' asked a shocked Chiffinch.

    'Please, sir. Alone.'

    'That is more than I would care to do.'

    'Mary Hibbert was a friend, Mr Chiffinch. I'd like to pay my respects. I'd also like to take a closer look at her injuries. You may be repelled by death but I've looked upon it many times in my walk of life. There may be signs I can pick up, little clues that could have eluded your physician.' He moved towards the door. 'May I have your permission?'

    But he did not wait for it to be granted. Letting himself into the morgue, he closed the door silently behind him. Chiffinch gave a slight grimace and looked across at Christopher.

    'Mr Bale is a strange man,' he remarked.

    'You won't find a more honest or reliable fellow.'

    'A touch of deference might improve his character.'

    'Try telling him that,' suggested Christopher with a smile.

    'He seems to think he's a law unto himself.'

    'Oh, he is. Without question.'

    'Be that as it may,' said Chiffinch sternly, 'I am glad of a moment alone with you. Unlike the constable, you appreciate His Majesty's deep personal interest in this matter. He's displeased, Mr Redmayne. Progress in such a short time was too much to expect, but he did want a report from you. Yet we heard not a word.'

    'I was too preoccupied with the search.'

    'A maidservant abducted, a brother attacked. These are not minor matters. We should have been informed of them. What else have you been keeping from us?'

    'Nothing of note.'

    'Where has your investigation led you?'

    Christopher gave him a brief account of progress so far, omitting any reference to Jonathan's earlier refusal to help and instead praising the constable for his readiness. He listed the names that Henry had collected during his researches at the theatre and mentioned the curious fact Jonathan had unearthed in the Red Lion. William Chiffinch was intrigued.

    'Bartholomew Gow?' 'Apparently he lives somewhere in the lane.'

    'Why should his wife be going to see him?' asked the other. 'The two of them have parted. It's against nature. Ladies like Harriet Gow do not have assignations with discarded husbands.'

    'We have no proof that she did on this occasion.'

    'But it's a worrying coincidence.'

    'That's why we mean to look into it.'

    'Her coach is ambushed close to Mr Gow's house? That can surely be no accident, Mr Redmayne. Find the man.'

    'We mean to, sir.'

    'And send a report to me when you do.'

    Christopher nodded. Jonathan Bale came out of the room, face ashen and head lowered. Whatever he had learned during his vigil, he was keeping to himself. Chiffinch did not press him. Escorting the two men out, he handed them over to the waiting servants whose torches lit their way back to the coach. It was only when the vehicle was well clear of the Palace that Jonathan broke his silence.

    'I'm ashamed of myself, Mr Redmayne,' he admitted.

    'Ashamed?'

    'Of those suspicions I had. Mrs Gow is a true victim, I concede that now. An unscrupulous woman might try to trick money out of the men in her life but she would never go to these lengths.' A deep sigh escaped him. 'Mary Hibbert loved working for Mrs Gow. It shone out of her. And it was obvious that her mistress treated her well.