She thought for only a moment; then her face shadowed very slightly.
'No. But then a governess is never married. A tutor can be married because he doesn't have to look after his own children. Didn't you say this tutor was married?'
'Yes, but he has no children.'
'Then why do you think he's lonely or dissatisfied? Maybe he likes teaching. Lots of people do. It's better than being a clerk or a shopboy.'
He thought. Why had he supposed Jerome was lonely or dissatisfied? It was an impression, no more-and yet it was deep. He had felt a resentment around him, a hunger to have more, to
'I don't know,' he answered. 'Something about the man; but it's no more than informed suspicion so far.'
She took the kettle off the hob and made the tea, sending steam up in a sweet-smelling cloud.
'You know, most crimes are not very mysterious,' he went on, still a little defensively. 'The most obvious person is usually the one responsible.'
'I know.' She did not look at him. 'I know that, Thomas.'
Two days later, any doubts he had were dismissed when a constable met him with the message that Sir Anstey Waybourne's footman had called, and Pitt was required at the house because a most serious turn of events had taken place; new and extremely disturbing evidence was to hand.
Pitt had no choice but to go immediately. It was raining, and he buttoned up his coat, tied his scarf tighter, and pushed his hat down on his head. It took only moments to find a hansom and clatter over the wet stones to the Waybourne house.
A serene-faced parlormaid let him in. Whatever had happened, it seemed she was unaware of it. She showed him straight into the library, where Wayboume was standing in front of the fire, clasping and unclasping his hands. His head jerked up and he faced Pitt even before the maid had closed the door.
'Good!' he said quickly. 'Now perhaps we can get this 54
whole dreadful business over with and bury the tragedy where it belongs. My God, it's appalling!'
The door closed with a faint snap and they were alone. The maid's footsteps clicked away on the parquet floor outside.
'What is the new evidence, sir?' Pitt asked guardedly. He was still sensitive to Charlotte's implication of convenience, and it would have to be more than suspicion or malice before he regarded it with any credence.
Waybourne did not sit down or offer Pitt a seat.
'I have learned something most shocking, quite-' His face creased with distress, and again Pitt was suddenly caught by a sense of pity that surprised and disconcerted him. 'Quite dreadful!' Waybourne finished. He stared at the Turkish carpet, a rich red and blue. Pitt had once recovered one like it in a robbery case, and so knew its worth.
'Yes, sir,' he said quietly. 'Perhaps you would tell me what it is?'
Waybourne found the words difficult; he searched for them awkwardly.
'My younger son, Godfrey, has come to me with a most distressing confession.' He clenched his knuckles. 'I cannot blame the boy for not having told me before. He was . . . confused. He is only thirteen. Quite naturally, he did not understand the meaning, the implication.' Finally he looked up, though only for a moment. He seemed to desire Pitt's understanding, or at least his comprehension.
Pitt nodded but said nothing. He wanted to hear whatever it was in Waybourne's own words, without prompting.
Wayboume went on slowly. 'Godfrey has told me that Jerome has, on more than one occasion, been overly familiar with him.' He swallowed. 'That he has abused the boy's trust, quite natural trust, and-and fondled him in an unnatural fashion.' He shut his eyes and his face twisted with emotion. 'God! It's revolting! That man-' He breathed in and out, his chest heaving. 'I'm sorry. I find this-extremely distasteful. Of course Godfrey did not understand the nature behind these acts at the time. He was disturbed by them, but it was only when I questioned him that he realized he must tell me. I did not
