Kyriloffs behest.
I thought it better to leave a dead end at Miss Wortley-Swan’s. They might trace me there, as you did, but I hoped that they would not trace me further.‘
‘Nor will they,’ said Holmes, ‘provided that you are careful. Major Kyriloff wants the Metropolitan Police to hunt for you, but I have explained to Scotland Yard what really happened in Hyde Park, so they will not be in any great hurry. Even were you to be so unlucky as to be arrested for that matter, I can point you to two witnesses who know that you were only just emerging from Miss Wortley-Swan’s gate in Sussex at about the time of the so-called attempt on Count Stepan.’
‘Witnesses!’ exclaimed Gregorieff and his sister, simultaneously.
‘As you left your lodgings yesterday morning, were you not stopped by a small and importunate boy with a tale of hardship?’
‘That’s right,’ said the Russian. ‘He was a poor ragged child and he asked for money. I gave him some pennies, but I also told him that it was below the dignity of a working man to beg for subsistence. But how did you know this, Mr Holmes?’
‘Because,’ said Holmes, ‘the lad was sent by me. After we met, it seemed to me that I must pursue some enquiries about you, and it occurred to me that a photograph would be useful.’
The Russian looked upset. ‘Why should you wish to pursue enquiries about me, Mr Holmes? I have done nothing wrong.’
‘So far as I know, you have not,’ agreed Holmes. ‘But you have done certain things that strike me as singular, and I formed the impression when we met at Miss Wortley-Swan’s that your answers may have been strictly true, but they were not entirely helpful. I have come here today in the hope that you may feel able to give me more informative answers and also to tell you what really happened in Hyde Park yesterday.’
The interpreter was wary. ‘What did occur in Hyde Park yesterday?’ he asked. ‘The newspapers say that a shot was fired at Count Skovinsky-Rimkoff, which did not injure him. They say the intending assassin got away. You know differently?’
‘I know that no shot was fired in Hyde Park, Professor. A farthing firework was detonated in the shrubbery alongside Rotten Row as Count Stepan and Major Kyriloff rode there. Major Kyriloff insists that it was a pistol shot, fired by a bearded man in a striped blazer and bowler hat. As you know, it was not. The firework was detonated by one of Kyriloff’s own minions.’
‘How come you know so much about this matter?’ askeo the Russian.
‘Because Scotland Yard consulted me and, as is my practice, I examined the evidence and spoke to the only reliable, observant, witness. That led me to the conclusions which I have outlined to you. It also led me to certain other conclusions which I have not passed on to Scotland Yard.’
‘Which are?’ queried our host.
‘Firstly, that the entire episode was staged as an excuse to ask Scotland Yard to hunt for you; secondly, that Kyriloff does not know who you really are, or he would have sought you out himself; and thirdly, that something about you is gravely threatening to Count Stepan.’
The Russian sat silent.
‘You do not,’ said Holmes, ‘demur from my conclusions, so I take it that they are accurate. That being the case, you might expect to be in danger from Scotland Yard as well as Kyriloff. At present you are not. Scotland Yard now knows that yesterday’s incident was a device of Kyriloff’s and Kyriloff does not know who you really are. If that should change, you will be in grave danger. You do not need my opinion that Kyriloff is ruthless.’
The Russian nodded again. ‘Mr Holmes,’ he said, ‘please do not think that I am not grateful that you have made Scotland Yard aware of Kyriloff’s trick and that you have not revealed my identity to them.
Nevertheless, there are reasons why I may not be able to answer your questions.’
‘If you will permit me,’ said Holmes, ‘I shall ask them. I have no means of compelling you to answer them, nor even to answer them truthfully, but I believe that you will not be deliberately dishonest.’
He gazed questioningly at Gregorieff, who said, ‘I will answer what I can, Mr Holmes.’
‘Splendid!’ exclaimed my friend. ‘Perhaps you could begin by explaining your connection to Mrs Diana Fordeland.’
Glances were exchanged between the brother and sister, then Gegorieff said, ‘I worked for her as an interpreter many years ago, when she visited Russia for a magazine.’
‘And you have not met since?’ asked Holmes.
The Russian shook his head.
‘You have not remained in communication with the lady?’
Again the Russian shook his head.
‘When did you first become aware that she was in London, Professor?’
‘Only days ago. I had heard that she had left England long ago. I was astounded to see her in London.’
‘But you made no attempt to contact her?’
‘Certainly not, Mr Holmes. It would have been a breach of my word, a failure of honour!’
‘And why might that be?’ asked Holmes, quietly.
Again Gregorieff glanced at his sister. ‘The last time that Mrs Fordeland and I spoke it was in Vladivostok, before she sailed for Japan, at the end of her tour across Russia. On that occasion we both agreed that it would be better if we never contacted each other. I have never sought to do so and she has never contacted me. It was the merest unhappy chance that I discovered that she was in London. I still do not know why.’
Holmes looked at the interpreter with a thoughtful expression. ‘Mrs Fordeland,’ he said at last, ‘is in London on her way to the continent with her granddaughter. She has also been invited to meet King Chula of Mongkuria, whose governess she was many years ago. His Highness is a guest of Queen
Victoria at the Jubilee celebrations. So far as I know, there is no other reason, no ulterior motive, for the lady’s presence in London, unless, of course, you can enlighten me.’
Gregorieff shook his head vigorously. ‘No, no,’ he said. ‘I am sure you are right.’
‘Then,’ said Sherlock Holmes, ‘if, as you say, there is a pact between you and Mrs Fordeland by which you have agreed not to contact each other, may I ask what is your purpose in following the lady about England, dressed in such a manner that your presence was bound to be remarked?’
‘I was in disguise.’
‘Ha!’ snorted Holmes. ‘You were disguised as one might seek to disguise an elephant by painting stripes upon it! I grant you that Mrs Fordeland did not recognize you behind the false beard and padding, but she was bound to become aware that she was followed.’
‘The disguise was so that Mrs Fordeland should not recognize me, but so that Major Kyriloff and his man could not fail to observe that they were followed.’
Holmes widened both eyes. ‘So you were not, in fact, pursuing Mrs Fordeland, but Kyriloff and his henchman? Extraordinary! May I ask why?’
Gregorieff shifted uncomfortably in his seat. ‘Because,’ he said, ‘when I became aware that the lady was in London, I was already aware that Count Skovinski-Rimkoff was here. I was afraid that he would discover Mrs Fordeland’s presence - as indeed he did - and that his discovery might place her in danger.’
He closed his mouth at the end of that answer with a finality which suggested that he would vouchsafe no more information. Nevertheless, after considering the answer for a moment, Sherlock Holmes pressed on.
‘What led you to believe,’ he asked, ‘that the presence of both Count Skovinski-Rimkoff and Mrs Fordeland in London at the same time placed the lady in danger?’
Gregorieff cast about him as though seeking a way of escape. When, at last, he answered, it was in a tone which was almost an entreaty.
‘I cannot tell you more, Mr Holmes. It is a matter of honour. It is a question of an oath given to Mrs Fordeland - given for her protection. I know that you are acting in her interest and at her request, Mr Holmes, but it is she and not I who must reveal these matters to you. She will not do so unless you assure her that she has my agreement to her telling you. Then, perhaps, you will understand this affair and the danger which the count poses.’
Once again Holmes regarded the professor thoughtfully. Then he rose and picked up his stick.
