The Repentant Rake

    Sir Marcus Kemp was in a quandary. He did not know whether to pay the money demanded from him or not. It would cost him a thousand guineas to prevent some highly damaging material about him from being published. Rich enough to afford such an amount, he did not, however, have unlimited wealth. If he had to pay indefinite blackmail demands, he would be driven to financial ruin. The alternative course of action was not appealing. He could defy the blackmailer and try to limit the damage by making a full confession to his wife about his indiscretions after a visit to the playhouse. The notion was immediately dismissed. There was no way that he could bring himself to tell a God-fearing woman who had borne him three children that two naked actresses had entertained Henry Redmayne and him in the most beguiling manner one evening, or that his supposed late nights with parliamentary colleagues were invariably spent in the arms of an expensive whore. The two worlds of Sir Marcus Kemp were set to collide. By keeping them apart, he could inhabit each with unrestrained pleasure. Once they met in opposition, a huge explosion would ensue.

    Lost in thought, he prowled around the room. A tap on the door startled him.

    'Yes?' he snarled.

    'You have a visitor, Sir Marcus,' said the servant from the hall.

    'Send him on his way. I refuse to see anyone.'

    'Mr Redmayne says that it's a matter of urgency.'

    'Redmayne?' said his master, unlocking the door. 'Why didn't you tell me that it was Henry who had called? He's the one man in London I will see.' He flung open the door to see Christopher standing before him. 'You are not Henry!' he protested.

    'There is a family likeness, Sir Marcus. Good day to you.'

    'What are you doing here?'

    'Representing my brother,' said Christopher. 'I may be able to help you with this unfortunate business in which you have become entangled.'

    'Keep your voice down, man!' said Kemp, pulling him into the room and closing the door before locking it again. 'What has Henry been telling you?'

    'Something of your problems.'

    'He swore to keep those secret.'

    'Not from me, Sir Marcus. I am on your side.'

    Before his host could object, Christopher explained how he had become involved in the murder investigation and how he had learned about the theft of Gabriel Cheever's diary. Sir Marcus listened with horrified curiosity. He had met Christopher before and been struck by how much he differed from his brother in appearance and inclinations. His visitor was far too wholesome for his taste. It was unnerving.

    'That is why Henry confided in me,' said Christopher. 'So that I could have all the facts at my disposal. If I can find the killer, Sir Marcus, I can put a stop to these blackmail demands.'

    'I wish that somebody would.'

    'May I see the latest communication?'

    'No!' howled Kemp. 'I could not show you that, Mr Redmayne.

    I only let Henry peruse it because he, too, is mentioned in the piece.'

    'I believe that it is called A Knight at the Theatre.'

    'Its true title is The Death of Sir Marcus Kemp?

    'You exaggerate. Help me to catch the villain and your worries will disappear.'

    'How can I do that?'

    'By lending me this mischievous page from Gabriel's diary.'

    Kemp's face reddened in anger. 'Lending it to you?'

    'It is a piece of evidence, Sir Marcus.'

    'Yes, Mr Redmayne. Evidence of my folly, evidence of my personal proclivities.'

    'I know,' argued Christopher, 'but it's been printed according to Henry. That means the man who sent it engaged a printer. Give the page to me and I'll visit every printer in London until I find the one who accepted the commission.'

    'That's tantamount to publishing it far and wide!'

    'No, Sir Marcus. They will not need to read the contents. A glance will suffice to tell them if it is their handiwork. Once we know who paid to have it printed, we can arrest the villain and you can breathe freely once more.'

    'That document is not leaving this house.'

    'May I at least have a sight of it?'

    'Certainly not.'

    'But it's in your best interests.' Kemp turned away. Christopher went after him. 'I understand that it was accompanied by a letter. Could I please look at that, Sir Marcus? I merely wish to establish if it was written by the same hand that penned Henry's death threat. That will not compromise you, surely?'

    'I'll show you nothing.'

    'Then you must resign yourself to your fate.'

    'No,' said Kemp, swinging round to confront him. 'I'm going to buy my way out of this mess. If I had had the sense to do that at the start, I could have saved myself five hundred guineas. I'll pay up and have done with it.'

    'It will not get the blackmailer off your back.'

    'So you say, but I'm ready to take that chance.'

    'What happens if you fail?' An idea suddenly popped into Christopher's mind. 'When the first letter came, Sir Marcus, did it explain how the money was to be paid?'

    'Yes.'

    'Presumably, it is to be dropped somewhere?'

    'At a spot in Covent Garden.'

    'By you or by someone else?'

    'That was not specified.'

    'Do you intend to place the money there in person?'

    'Heavens, no! I'd not have the stomach for it.'

    'Then let me make a bargain with you, Sir Marcus,' said Christopher. 'There's an element of danger here. The blackmailer is also capable of murder. Remember that. Whoever delivers the money is taking a risk.'

    'I can see that.'

    'What if I were to act on your behalf and go to the designated spot?'

    Kemp was grateful. 'Would you?' he asked, grasping Christopher's arm.

    'On one condition.'

    'Condition?'

    'Yes. If your tormentor is bought off with a thousand guineas, all well and good. But if, as I suspect, he takes the money then sends you a further demand, you let me see everything that he has sent you. Is that fair?'

    'No, Mr Redmayne. It would be too embarrassing.'

    'What is a little embarrassment if it leads to the capture of a vicious criminal? Come, Sir Marcus,' he urged. 'I am not going to be shocked by anything I read. With a brother like Henry, I have been well educated in the ways of the world.'

    Kemp chewed his lip and looked shrewdly at his visitor. Christopher was discreet and sincere. If he could not be trusted his brother would not have confided in him. Kemp was not attracted to the proposition but it did have one advantage. Someone else would be taking any risks involved in delivering the payment.

    'Well, Sir Marcus?' pressed Christopher. 'Do you accept my offer?'

    'Yes,' said Kemp, overcoming his reluctance. 'The bargain is sealed.'