Faro nodded. Thanks for your help. I am grateful.' As she gave him a look of surprise, he leaned forward and took her wrist as if to shake her by the hand. A quick look confirmed that the bracelet with its snake's head was no longer there.
That bonny bangle you were wearing,' he said lightly, 'have you lost it?'
The fleeting panic in her eyes was swiftly replaced by mockery. 'Oh, is this what you mean?' And from her apron pocket she took a large brass curtain ring, the kind gypsies in the Lawnmarket sold for ten a penny.
Faro shook his head. 'No. The one with a snake's head.'
Avoiding his eyes, she said calmly. This is the only bangle I've ever had. The only kind the likes of me could afford.'
So she knew the value of the other one, Faro thought, as she continued: 'Your eyes must be going bad, mister, with staring into other folk's business.'
'Is this man bothering you, Meg?' The Hogan brothers came over. 'Get going, Inspector, there's nothing for you here. Leave the poor soul to mourn her lad.'
Faro left with the dubious satisfaction of knowing that Mrs Dunnock had lied. She had recognised the cloak and had been told to get rid of the bracelet.
The Hogans were certainly involved. They would have helped with the sale of the bracelet and the proceeds would have bought the abundant food and drink littering the table. Whoever was behind that sale, Faro thought grimly, was responsible for both deaths - of the woman in the West Bow and the drowned man in St Anthony's Chapel.
There seemed little point in making a special journey with the cloak for Miss Fortescue's further identification. That could wait, he decided as he returned to the Central Office.
McQuinn was walking up the front steps.
Trains all back to normal, sir. Delivered the young lady right to the Castle door. She suggested I leave her at the Aberlethie halt to make her own way across the grounds, but I insisted on escorting her.'
His glance was enigmatic, then he grinned. 'Much against her will, I fear. That's a strong and independent lady - benighted in Edinburgh - all on her own too,' he added, shaking his head.
'Don't I know it. I had to give her a night's lodging.' Faro hoped he made it sound casual and unconcerned enough to convince his sergeant. 'How did Sir Terence and his lady react to her reappearance?'
McQuinn shrugged. 'They're very good at concealing their feelings, that class of people. Give nothing away, but Lady Lethie seemed uncommon relieved to see her. Quite pink she went. However, his lordship had more pressing problems than Miss Fortescue's return.'
'What kind of problems?'
'Well, as I was walking the young lady towards the house, one of the servants came rushing out followed by Mrs Hall, the housekeeper. She was very excited and agitated. She'd seen us coming down the drive from the kitchen window, "You got here fast, officer," says she. She'd recognised the uniform and thought I was there about the burglary.'
'Burglary? What burglary?' Faro demanded.
'Seems that one of the family treasures had been stolen.' He took out his notebook and read. 'The Luck o' Lethie, they call it. Very old and very valuable. According to Mrs Hall, it was in its usual place a couple of nights ago when she checked that the windows were secure before going to bed. But the next morning, when she went in to see if the fires had been laid for the Laird's return, the cabinet containing the Luck was empty.
'Naturally she gave the alarm and told the local constable -I've talked to him, sir, he confirms all this. Mrs Hall was in a proper panic, wondering what his lordship would say when he got back this morning. Wringing her hands, she was, usual story. They'd hold her responsible for what happened in their absence. Like as not lose her situation, be packed off without a reference.'
Faro's thoughtful expression indicated that he was well ahead, reconstructing the scene with quite a different explanation.
It was so simple, he should have known immediately. 'How did Miss Fortescue take all this? Was she scared?' he asked.
'Not a bit of it. Didn't seem to find it particularly interesting. Just dashed into the house and left us.'
'Ah,' sighed Faro happily, as McQuinn continued:
'I took the usual statements from the staff, sir. This had to be an inside job, there was no sign of forced entrance, doors and windows securely locked. I was assuring Mrs Hall that no one could blame her in such circumstances when his lordship appeared in a great hurry. Said it was all a mistake, that the Luck hadn't been stolen at all.'
'Indeed!'
'Rum business, sir, if you ask me. His lordship then went on to say it was back in its usual place, would I care to look? Right enough, it was there in the cabinet. His lordship then explained that he had had it removed for cleaning, and had completely forgotten to tell Mrs Hall. He was most apologetic for wasting our time.'
McQuinn stopped, frowned. 'You know, sir, I didn't believe a word of it.' He paused. 'He was protecting someone - I just got that feeling. Do I proceed with this one, sir?'
'No need. We'll take his lordship's word for it.'
Faro didn't need to go to Lethie Castle to find the answer to the Luck o' Lethie's miraculous reappearance. He knew where it had been and who had taken it. All he needed to know was why.
A lot of light was suddenly being shed on the mystery. The only complication was that one particular facet which now concerned him personally was becoming darker and more sinister than ever.
As he was making some notes in his office, the door opened to admit Superintendent McIntosh.
'Where do you think you've been, Faro? I've been waiting for you for hours.' He flourished a paper, effectively cutting short any of Faro's explanations.
'Never mind about that. You have a special assignment here. Faro.
