do it tomorrow, as soon as this atrocity reaches the newspapers.'' He pushed the heel of his hand over his brow, brushing back the sweep of hair. 'I dread to think what the panic will be, and you cannot blame people. My poor sister feels bound by a sense of honor or duty to remain here until the matter is closed. I beg you, gentlemen, to do everything you can. I would take it as a favor if you would keep me informed, so that I may know if there is anything I can do. I once worked for the Home Office; I am aware of police procedures, of what you can do and what is impossible. Believe me, I have the greatest sympathy. I do not expect miracles of you.'
Drummond stared beyond him to the far end of the bridge, where a crowd was gathering, frightened, increasingly hostile, huddling together and 'staring at the little knot of police and the silent mortuary coach awaiting its terrible charge.
193
'Thank you, sir. Yes, a reward might help. Men have betrayed every cause they have known for money at one time or another, from Judas on down. I appreciate it.'
'It will be in your hands by tomorrow evening,' Royce promised. 'Now I will leave you to your duty. Poor Sheridan, God help him! Oh'-he turned just as he was about to leave-'would you like me to inform his wife?'
Pitt would have liked it dearly, but it was his task, not Royce's.
'Thank you, sir, but it is necessary that I should. There are questions to ask.'
Royce nodded. 'Understood.' He replaced his hat, and walked briskly to the south side of the bridge and up the hill on the east side of the street, towards Bethlehem Road.
Drummond stood silently for a moment or two, staring into the darkness where Royce had departed.
'He seems to have an exceptional grasp of the situation,' he said thoughtfully. 'And to be deeply concerned. ...' He left the sentence hanging in the air.
The same thread of an idea was stirring in Pitt's mind, but it had no form, and he could find none for it.
' 'What do you know about him?'' Drummond asked, facing Pitt again curiously.
'Member of Parliament for over twenty years,' Pitt answered, remembering everything he had heard, directly or indirectly. 'Efficient, even gifted. As he said, he has held high office under the Home Secretary in the past. His reputation seems to be spotless, both personally and professionally. His wife died some time ago; he has remained a widower. He was Hamilton's brother-in-law-but of course you know that.'
Drummond inclined his head. 'I suppose you looked into their relationship?' he asked wryly.
Pitt smiled. 'Yes. It was civil, but not close. And there was no financial involvement that we could find, except that he seems to be taking care of his sister's affairs now she is
194
widowed. But he is the elder brother, and that seems natural.'
'Professional rivalry with Hamilton?'
'No. They served in different areas. Allies, if anything.'
'Personal?' Drummond persisted.
'No. Nor political-not that you would cut a man's throat because he espouses a different cause from your own. From everything I learned of Royce he is a strongly traditional family man with a deep conviction in the responsibility of the strong to care for the weak and the able to govern the masses-in their own interest.'
Drummond sighed. 'Sounds like practically every other Member in the House-in fact, like most well-to-do middle-aged gentlemen in England!'
Pitt let out his breath in a little grunt, then took his leave, heading in the same direction Royce had gone, only at the end of the bridge he turned towards Baron's Place and the home of the late Cuthbert Sheridan, M.P.
It was the same as before, standing on the steps in the dark, banging again and again to waken sleeping servants, and then the wait while they relit the gas and pulled jackets on hastily to find out who could be calling at such an hour.
