‘That’s my view as well,’ said Stenton.
‘On the other hand,
‘What do you mean, Inspector?’
‘A couple of letters were sent to Jerry Doyle, a lad at Mr Dowd’s stables. Since Feeny couldn’t write, he must have got a friend to pen the letters for him.’
‘Someone from here,’ said Fido vengefully. ‘Ned Kyle, perhaps.’
‘He’d never do such a thing,’ argued Stenton.
‘Maybe we have
‘I’d like a word with Kyle, if I may,’ said Colbeck.
‘I’ll see if I can find him for you, Inspector,’ said Stenton, moving off. ‘But I’ll tell you right now – Ned is as clean as a whistle.’
The trainer walked away and left the two men alone.
‘It looks as if someone let you down, Mr Fido,’ began Colbeck. ‘When I arrived here, you were patently surprised to see me. Nobody warned you of my visit this time.’
‘After this morning’s meeting,’ said Fido, ‘I didn’t think that we had anything more to say to each other.’
‘There have been developments, sir.’
‘Oh?’
‘Your informant at Scotland Yard is obviously unaware of them so I felt it my duty to pass on the information myself. Lord Hendry reported an incident related to the Derby.’
‘In what way?’
‘Someone did his best to cause Odysseus serious injury.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ said Fido blandly.
‘Luckily, the attempt was thwarted.’
‘Why are you telling me, Inspector? You surely can’t believe that I’m in any way culpable.’
‘I make no assumptions, sir.’
‘Lord Hendry pointed the finger at me – is that it?’
‘Your name was mentioned to the superintendent.’
‘I’m astounded that he didn’t have posters printed with a picture of me as the wanted man,’ said Fido with a laugh. ‘Every time there’s a crime or a misdemeanour on a racecourse, Lord Hendry accuses me.’
‘Brian Dowd was also named as a suspect.’
‘Then he’s nearer the mark there.’
‘There doesn’t appear to be any mutual respect in the world of horseracing,’ said Colbeck with disapproval. ‘Does the concept of friendly rivalry mean nothing to you?’
Fido was amused. ‘Not if you want to be a winner,’ he said flatly. ‘All’s fair in love and racing, Inspector. What about
‘I take your point, sir.’
‘There’s no virtue in being a gallant loser.’
‘Let me change the subject,’ said Colbeck, glancing around the yard where several people were busy at work. ‘Though you might wish to continue this discussion where we can have a little more privacy.’
‘Why?’
‘I have to touch on a more personal matter.’
‘Touch away,’ said Fido, spreading his arms invitingly. ‘I’ve nothing to hide.’
‘Then perhaps you’d be good enough to confirm that you stayed at the Wyvern Hotel in London recently.’
Fido bristled. ‘What sort of question is that, Inspector?’
‘A pertinent one, sir.’
‘I often stay at hotels in the city.’
‘The one that interests me is the Wyvern – just off the Strand.’
‘I can’t say that I remember staying there,’ said Fido.
‘You’re a very distinctive figure,’ Colbeck pointed out. ‘Had you visited the hotel, the staff would doubtless recognise you again. And, of course,’ he went on, ‘your name would be in the hotel register. In fact, I have it on good authority that that is so.’
‘In that case, I suppose I must have spent a night there.’
‘You and your companion, sir.’
Fido smiled. ‘I’ve always been a sociable fellow.’
‘You were not very sociable on this occasion, it seems. When a hatbox was stolen from your room, you upbraided the hotel staff and demanded restitution.’ The bookmaker’s smile froze. ‘The hatbox later turned up at Crewe with John Feeny’s head in it, so you’ll understand why we have such an interest in your hotel accommodation on that particular night.’
‘What are you after, Inspector?’
‘The name of the lady with whom you were staying, sir.’
‘It has no relevance whatsoever to your investigation.’
‘Let me be the judge of that, Mr Fido.’
‘The lady was the victim of a crime.’
‘Then it should have been reported to the police.’
‘There was no need,’ said Fido. ‘The manager had the sense to accept responsibility and offer compensation. As far as we were concerned, the matter was closed.’
Colbeck was tenacious. ‘It falls to me to reopen it,’ he said. ‘I believe that there may have been a specific reason why that particular hatbox was stolen. It’s therefore important that I know the name of the person who owned it.’
Fido lowered his voice. ‘Are you married, Inspector?’
‘No, sir, I’m a bachelor.’
‘So am I,’ confided the other. ‘We are two of a kind – single gentlemen who take their pleasures where they find them and who protect the identity of any lady involved. Such conduct will inevitably attract condemnation from those of more puritanical disposition but, I’m glad to say, it’s not an offence that’s found its way into the statute book. If it had, some of our most distinguished politicians – the late Duke of Wellington among them – would have been liable to arrest.’
‘I’m not here to discuss the duke’s indiscretions.’
‘Mine are equally outside your purview, Inspector.’
‘I require the name of that young lady.’
‘And I decline to give it to you.’
‘That’s tantamount to obstructing the police,’ warned Colbeck.
‘I prefer to see it as the act of a gentleman.’
‘Your definition of gentlemanly behaviour does not accord with mine, Mr Fido. I thought you were keen for this crime to be solved.’
‘I am,’ asserted the other. ‘I want the killer brought to justice.’
‘Then why refuse to cooperate? John Feeny lost his life in the most grisly way. My job,’ said Colbeck, ‘is to gather every conceivable scrap of evidence. Consequently, I would like to speak to the young lady with whom you stayed at the Wyvern Hotel.’
‘I can relay your questions to her, Inspector.’
‘That will not suffice.’
‘Then you are going to be disappointed.’
‘Are you ashamed of the lady for some reason?’
‘No,’ rejoined Fido, ‘and I resent your insinuation. I do not need to buy a lady’s favours, Inspector Colbeck. Strange as it may seem, I happen to believe in romance. Do you know what that means?’
‘Of course, sir,’ said Colbeck, thinking fondly of Madeleine Andrews. ‘Being a member of the Metropolitan Police Force does not make us oblivious to emotion.’
‘Then see it from my point of view. If a young lady had put the ultimate trust in you, would you break that trust by revealing her identity?’
‘Probably not.’
