As for Faro, events were rapidly building up to an ominous certainty in his mind that the bodyguard's death and George's kidnapping were connected. And in view of what he had been told of secret plans to annexe Luxoria to Imperial Germany, he had little doubt that these two sinister events in Perthshire's elite public school were linked with the attempt on Amelie's life at the Kaiser's hunting-lodge.
'He was very upset about Tomas and wanted to tell Mr Faro,' Anton interrupted his thoughts. 'A policeman might have helped.'
Faro stared at him, unable to say a word. He groaned inwardly at this information of another who had believed in him and he had failed, adding to his remorse for the man who had needed his help and had been rejected.
Worse was the terrible feeling that had he listened, he might have averted this disaster. Tomas must have been aware of a plot to kidnap George, and he had been murdered for that knowledge.
'Inspector, a word, if you please.' The Headmaster drew him aside. 'I expect you have heard the grave news from Germany concerning the boy's mother, the Grand Duchess.'
'I have. But did the boy know?'
'Not from us. We were told to keep it from him, not to distress him without cause unless - unless the worst happened and then, of course, he would have had to be told and sent back home immediately. This kidnapping puts a very different, a very serious, complexion on the matter,' he added darkly. 'I'm afraid the information has leaked out and this is a deliberate attempt to prevent George returning to Luxoria. Be as discreet as you can with your enquiries, sir,' he said, leading the way back to the little group. 'Please continue, Anton. Tell the Inspector all you know. Everything, every detail no matter how unimportant it may seem to you.'
Anton nodded, and thought for a moment. 'The note suggesting a meeting was on his mother's personal stationery. He misses her very much.'
Another pang smote Faro as Anton went on. 'I wanted to go with George. I pleaded and promised not to tell Dieter,' he nodded to the bodyguard, 'but George would not listen. So I decided I'd follow and see what was going on.'
'That was very foolish, but very brave of you, Anton,' said the Headmaster proudly.
Anton shrugged. 'Thank you, sir. At first I thought nothing was going to happen. Then a rough-looking man, like a gypsy, came from behind one of the statues.'
'Gypsies, eh?' the Headmaster nodded. 'There are a lot of them about the district.'
This man came out and was talking to George. He obviously wanted George to go with him, but George was shaking his head. I couldn't tell what he was saying. Then another man came and they grabbed him and carried him away.'
'Carried him?' Faro put in quickly. 'Was there no carriage?'
'Not that I could see, sir.'
Faro thought rapidly. No carriage was very unusual, and considering the scale of the grounds, suggested that George might have been hidden locally. But before he could elaborate on the theory, the Headmaster's frown in his direction indicated that this was an unnecessary interruption.
'Surely George was putting up a struggle. Surely he would not give in readily to such treatment,' he said sharply as if regulations regarding such behaviour ‘in extremis’ were sternly laid down in the college curriculum.
Anton shook his head. 'I think they had tied his hands and feet. I could not be sure, though, I wasn't close enough to see exactly what was happening.'
'Of course, of course. You are not in any way to be blamed for your actions, quite courageous in such horrifying circumstances,' was the smooth reply. 'Pray continue.'
'I did not know what to do, sir. I thought about following them and then I thought - I thought it would be better if I raced back and raised the alarm and told Dieter. He would know what to do.'
'Quite correct, Anton, you behaved admirably,' said the Headmaster. And to Faro, 'The police were informed immediately. They alerted Captain Reece here. He had arrived in Perth with the royal train to take George to Balmoral Castle, as a guest of Her Majesty.'
‘I have already told Mr Faro,' said Reece impatiently. 'All was in readiness. He had been invited to spend a weekend there before the family disperse and return to London.'
'What are the police doing?' Faro demanded.
'They are searching for the gypsies, according to Anton's description,' said the Headmaster, 'since he was the only witness of the kidnapping.'
Faro said: 'I would suggest they start their search nearer home. In the grounds, for instance.’
'Indeed? And what brings you to that conclusion, Inspector?' demanded the headmaster.
'Anton did not see a carriage. Presumably the kidnappers could not risk a strange carriage being brought into the grounds, possibly stopped and questioned.'
Banes nodded and put in quickly. 'Correct, Inspector. That is our rule. The lodge-keeper at the gate deals with such matters. With our reputation for having foreign royalty as pupils, we get our share of the curious, you know,' he added, not unpleased at such notoriety.
'And since the drive is a mile long, Headmaster,' said Faro, 'it seems unlikely that a struggling boy, bound hand and foot, would not have caught the attention of someone, the lodge-keeper or a gardener. They could hardly risk that. So I would earnestly suggest that a thorough search is made of the estate and any outhouses. Presumably they will be awaiting the right moment for transporting him elsewhere.'
There were noises outside, the door opened and George, dishevelled and scared-looking, rushed in.
Faro had to restrain himself from rushing over and seizing the boy in his arms. Afterwards he realised he had lived through what were some of the worst moments of his life, wondering if the boy was in danger, or even dead.
At George's heels was Inspector Crane, looking very self-satisfied indeed. Faro extended his silent thanks and gratitude to him.
George looked around bewildered,
