Bertie was always very discreet. Having the husband meet with a particularly nasty accident while his Royal person was on the premises, to say nothing of the publicity such a story might invoke, was clearly most embarrassing.
'What happened exactly?' Vince asked curiously.
'At the moment all I have are some vague theories,' said Faro with a sigh. 'Doubtless I'll have more to tell you when I get back.'
'Wish I could come with you.'
'So do I.'
'Wait a minute. Elrigg's quite near Wooler, isn't it?'
When Faro nodded agreement, Vince said triumphantly, 'I might just be able to look in, see how you're getting on...'
The prospect of Vince's presence on any investigation was immensely cheering. Appearances were deceptive, none more than in his stepson's case. Bright curls and a boyishly handsome countenance innocent of guile disguised a keen brain, austere and analytical. Slighter in build than Faro, he was also capable of swift and often deadly movement when danger threatened.
'The Gilchrists have a great aunt who lives near Flodden,' Vince continued. 'She's celebrating her birthday on Saturday and Livvy has hinted once or twice,' he added shyly, 'that Great-Aunt would like to meet me and of course, I would love to see the countryside.'
Faro smiled. He had great hopes of Olivia Gilchrist, for this relationship had lasted the best part of a year, much longer than his stepson's usual run of disastrously short-lived courtships. Indeed, he had even developed a sentimental tendency to picture her fondly as Vince's future wife.
The two young people were eminently well suited. Olivia had brains as well as good looks and infinite patience, all excellent qualities for a doctor's wife. There was only one problem that concerned him deeply. Since leaving school she had been tied to her mother's invalid cousin, who had brought up Olivia and her twin brother Owen from the age of ten after their missionary parents had died of cholera in India.
When the hitherto strong and active Cousin Edith had been suddenly struck down in late middle age with a mysterious paralysis, Olivia immediately assumed the mantle of dutiful surrogate daughter, self-appointed nurse and companion. Vince assured Faro she did not find this arduous in the least since the two were devoted to each other, with a common love of books and music.
However admirable, such devotion was also the one impediment to his stepson's possible matrimonial intentions. And Faro was forced to accept Vince's claim that this was merely a very dear friendship. Owen and he had been at medical college together and the trio enjoyed a pleasant friendship with no desire for change.
'What precisely are you supposed to be doing at Elrigg?'
'Investigating the disappearance of two paintings the Queen wishes to acquire for her collection...'
At the end of his description of the paintings, Faro added helpfully: 'I might take along a magnifying glass, check over their vast collection. Who knows what I might come up with?' he ended cheerfully.
Vince wasn't convinced. 'A bit thin as excuses go, don't you think?'
'I couldn't have agreed more.' Faro sighed.
'And hardly enough reason for an extended visit.'
'I can take my time about it. I can use your imminent visit as a good reason for lingering in the area, taking a few extra days' holiday. Why not?'
Vince frowned. 'That's all very well but it doesn't guarantee you unlimited access to Elrigg Castle. Besides, you don't know the first thing about art, Stepfather,' he added sternly.
‘I know that. Have you any better suggestions?'
Vince was silent. 'Couldn't they have dreamed up something a bit more convincing for your visit, some more plausible excuse?'
'Perhaps Her Majesty isn't rich on imagination - I expect Mr Gladstone had a hand in this one and as far as he is concerned a Royal Command refuses to recognise the impossible. It's all part of the divine right of kings.'
Vince looked at him. 'Of course, the main reason is this so—called accident to Elrigg, I can see that. But why is the Queen so concerned - apart from the anxiety of having the future King of England branded as coward?' he added cheerfully. 'I dare say he'd outlive that one. Royal subjects have short memories, especially for a prince who is also a leader of society.'
'True. But there is a complication. A difference of opinion between Bertie and his equerry - overheard - angry words in front of the whole castle before they rode out together alone. And only one came back,' he added grimly.
'Bertie?'
'Precisely. He said Elrigg had taken a bad fall from his horse. Help had been summoned on his way back to the castle, the local constable alerted. But when they arrived on the scene, Sir Archie was dead. Not from the fall. Someone had carelessly left a gate open and he had been gored by a bull.'
'Well, that sounds feasible.'
'Except that this was not the first time. On his previous visit to Elrigg, there was a similar incident with a fellow guest -'
'Wait a minute. You aren't saying that he was there when Philip Gray died?'
'I am.'
Vince whistled. 'What a very unfortunate coincidence.'
And at Faro's expression, he said slowly, 'You don't surely think he had a hand in it?'
'There was a quarrel certainly - both times.' And Faro frowned again, seeing the damning words of the Prince's letter to his mother.
'In Gray's case, he and Bertie had been playing at cards - for high stakes. Bertie doesn't like to lose and tempers ran high, there were hints at - certain irregularities-'
'Cheating, you mean.'
'Precisely.'
'Gray had a reputation as a gambler,' Vince put in. 'It was well known, I heard about it when he was in Edinburgh...'
Ignoring the interruption, Faro continued, 'The two went out alone next morning - Elrigg asked to be excused, indisposed with a bout of toothache. Bertie returned alone. Gray's horse meanwhile had bolted into
