The Iron Horse

was trouble at Mr Fido’s stables, he sent for us at once.’

‘I think that’s rich,’ said Dowd, laughing derisively. ‘A black-hearted crook like Hamilton Fido, calling on the police – now I’ve heard everything!’

‘We’ve just been looking for him but Mr Fido has disappeared for some reason. His assistants are taking bets in his stead. That being the case, we thought we’d talk to you first.’

‘Always nice to see the friendly face of the law.’

‘There aren’t many who think that,’ said Leeming.

‘Other people don’t have clear consciences, Sergeant.’

‘Do you, sir?’

‘My mind is entirely free of guilt.’

‘Really, sir?’ said Colbeck. ‘Didn’t you feel even the tiniest twinge of guilt when you lied to me about John Feeny?’

Dowd stiffened. ‘I did nothing of the kind, Inspector.’

‘You told me that you’d parted on good terms.’

‘That’s true. I held no grudges.’

‘Then why didn’t you give him his full wages? According to you, before he left Dublin, you handed him some extra money to help him on his way.’ Colbeck watched him closely. ‘Do you remember telling me that, Mr Dowd, or do you think I’m misrepresenting you?’

‘That’s what I said and that’s what I stand by.’

‘Feeny left your stables after a violent row with you.’

‘A few hot words were exchanged, maybe, but that was all.’

‘You held back all of the money you owed him.’

‘Who’s been telling you all this baloney?’ said Dowd truculently, ‘That’s what it is, Inspector. I was there with the lad so I know what happened. Nobody can gainsay it.’

‘One person can,’ rejoined Colbeck, ‘and that’s Feeny himself. He found himself a sweetheart when he was here and told her his story. It was she who wrote those letters to Jerry Doyle. I’ve spoken to the girl and her version of events is very different to yours.’

‘Who is this creature?’

‘She’s a barmaid at an inn that Feeny frequented.’

‘A barmaid!’ Dowd was contemptuous. ‘You’d take the word of a barmaid against that of someone like me? Thank you very much!’ Arms akimbo, he spoke with feeling. ‘John Feeny left my stables under a cloud because he made the mistake of answering back to me. I don’t allow that in my yard, Inspector. When I told him that he didn’t have the talent to become a jockey, he lost his temper and swore at me. I threw him out there and then but had second thoughts later on. I liked the lad and didn’t want us to part like that. I made my peace with him and gave him some cash.’

‘If he had money in his pocket,’ said Colbeck, ‘why did he have to stow away on a boat?’

‘Because he probably spent what I gave him on drink,’ retorted Dowd. ‘That’s what he’d always done in the past. He had a streak of wildness in him, did John Feeny, or maybe the barmaid forgot to mention that? Good day, gentlemen,’ he said pointedly. ‘Instead of making false allegations against me, why don’t you spend your time hunting for the man who sent me Feeny’s head in a hatbox? Then you might actually be doing something useful. Excuse me,’ he added, turning on his heel to walk away. ‘I have work to do.’

‘I think you upset him, sir,’ said Leeming.

‘I must have caught him on a raw spot.’

‘I didn’t see any sign of guilt in him.’

‘No,’ said Colbeck. ‘You wouldn’t, I’m afraid. Whatever he’s done, I don’t think that Brian Dowd would have one iota of guilt.’

‘Is it something to do with being Irish, sir?’

‘No, Victor, it’s something to do with being involved in the world of horseracing. It’s a hard, cold, strange, unforgiving, venal world that operates by its own peculiar rules. Let’s see if we can find another of its denizens,’ he suggested. ‘The elusive Mr Hamilton Fido.’

Hamilton Fido maintained his surface bonhomie but he was seething inside. After being told about the way that Kitty Lavender had been treated, he was determined to strike back at Lord Hendry. He was glad that Marcus Johnson had informed him about an incident that his half-sister would have tried to conceal out of embarrassment. Fido not only felt an urge to leap to her defence, he realised how fond he had become of her during their short time together.

When they had first met, he had no illusions about the sort of woman that Kitty was and he accepted her on those terms. Their relationship was only the latest in a long series of amours that he had enjoyed over the years and none of them had lasted very long. Kitty Lavender was somehow different to the other women. She had a vivacity and intelligence that set her apart. The news that someone had hit her with his cane had awakened feelings in him that he had not believed were there. He experienced a new intensity. Hamilton Fido was hurt, proprietorial, bent on revenge.

The bookmaker knew where to find Lord Hendry but he did not want to accost him in public. Causing a scene would be foolish and unnecessary. Instead, he bided his time. Lord Hendry was surrounded by acquaintances in the grand salon, discussing the prospects of Odysseus and making predictions about other races during the week. It was over an hour before he broke away and headed for the door. As the older man came through it, Fido was waiting for him in the narrow passageway, blocking his path.

‘Out of my way, man!’ snapped Lord Hendry.

‘I want a word with you first.’

‘I’ve nothing to say to people of your ilk.’

‘Oh, I think you do,’ said Fido, squaring up to him. ‘It concerns a young lady named Kitty Lavender. I believe you paid her a visit recently.’

‘Stand aside,’ ordered Lord Hendry, ‘or I’ll report you to the Jockey Club for menacing conduct.’

‘It was you who resorted to menacing conduct with Kitty. Is it true that you struck her across the face?’

‘That’s my affair.’

‘And mine,’ said Fido, holding his ground. ‘I’ve come to exact retribution on her behalf.’

Lord Hendry sniggered. ‘Retribution – for a whore?’

‘Show more respect or you’ll regret it.’

‘It’s you who needs to show respect. Do you know who I am?’

‘Only too well,’ said Fido, looking him up and down. ‘I know who you are and what you are, Hendry – a coward, a bully and a damn rogue. You’re not fit to be called a gentleman. You’re a disgrace to the title you bear and it’s high time somebody told you.’

‘What happened to Kitty was long overdue.’

‘Do you have no remorse at all?’

‘None whatsoever,’ said the other, roused by the verbal attack on him. ‘I’d do exactly the same again. I’d never apologise to her or to you, for that matter. You’re two of a pair – loathsome, uneducated creatures who’ve dragged yourselves up from the gutter and learnt a few airs and graces. You’ll never be accepted in society. The stink of inferiority remains on both of you and always will.’

Fido had heard enough. Snatching the older man’s cane from him, he used it to knock off his top hat then he prodded him hard in the chest. Lord Hendry was frothing with outrage.

‘I’ll have the law on you for that!’ he cried.

‘If we’re talking about litigation,’ said Fido, tossing the cane aside, ‘then Kitty could bring an action against you for assault and battery. But this is a matter that can be settled out of court.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘I demand satisfaction,’ he went on, waving a fist. ‘Meet me at a time of your convenience and have the choice of weapons.’

Lord Hendry gasped. ‘You’re challenging me to a duel?’

‘I want to see if you have the courage to turn up.’

‘I’d never lower myself to fight with you.’

‘You’ll have to – I insist upon it.’