The Silver Snuff Box

by Melinda Barron

  “Bath,” Gabby whispered. She turned her gaze on Fergus, who looked shocked. “When Malcolm died, didn’t you tell me he was courting a woman in Bath?”

  “Her name was Evie, if I remember correctly,” Fergus said.

  “Evie Hughes?” Mariella asked.

  “Yes, I believe so.” Fergus said.

  “That is the woman whose maid was murdered.” Mariella sat back in her chair. “There has to be a connection between the young woman’s death, and your cousin’s death.”

  “My cousin’s murder,” Fergus said. “We need to go into town and send a message to your friend tonight, ask him to come here as soon as possible. They are here. And I think they killed my cousin.”

  It was after midnight when the message had been sent and Fergus and Mariella were back home. Gabby had stayed to keep an eye on Bonnie, even though the older woman was asleep. Gabby wondered if the powder the doctor had left for her worked too well, for Bonnie slept a great deal of the time lately.

  Gabby sat up in bed, waiting for Fergus. It wasn’t until they were gone that she’d remembered she wanted to ask him about the hide and seek game, and where he and Malcolm had hidden. It had been nagging at her for days, and when they were together she always seemed to forget about it.

  Now, as she watched him strip off his clothing and climb into bed, naked, she almost thought about letting it wait until morning. But she had a feeling it would be a busy day, so it was best to soldier on.

  “I’ve been thinking,” she started, but stopped when her husband put his hand on her thigh.

  “So, have I.” He squeezed, then turned to her for a kiss. It was utterly delicious, and once again, Gabby had to fight the urge to put off what she had to say until the morning. But when he tried to kiss her again, she turned her head.

  “Has the magic gone away?” Fergus asked, humor in his tone.

  “I don’t want to be distracted,” she said. “Days ago, Bonnie told me she used to play hide and seek with you and Malcolm.”

  He laughed. “You’re forgoing sex to ask me about a game I played as a child? I’m wounded.”

  “Darling, I’m just curious where you hid.”

  He moved away from her, and she felt his loss. “I’m sorry if I ruined the mood. I was just thinking about it while you were gone.”

  Fergus was quiet for quite some time, but then he said, “There’s a hidden room in the upstairs library. I’d forgotten about it.”

  He got up and reached for his pants.

  “I didn’t mean for you to search now.” Gabby patted the spot next to her. “Come back to bed and we’ll look in the morning.”

  “Oh no, you’ve whetted my appetite now,” he said. “Get up, get dressed, and let’s go searching.”

  This was not what she’d expected to happen. “We should look when it’s light outside,” she said.

  “We’ll use a few candles, and it will be like one of those gothic novels you love so much.”

  “Right now, what I’d love is your mouth on my nipples.”

  Gabby got out of bed and reached for her dressing gown. “If I had known this was going to cost me an orgasm, I would have waited to talk about it in the morning.”

  Fergus stopped in the doorway. “Please, you love the chase as much as I do, now let’s go.”

  They each held a candle to light the way, as they walked down the hallway. Fergus stopped at Bonnie’s room to look in and make sure his aunt was sleeping.

  “I find it interesting that the only night I heard noises was our first night here,” he said.

  “She’s been sleeping well since the doctor gave her the power,” Gabby said. “I feel it has calmed her nerves.”

  “I suppose so,” he said. He closed the door and they made their way to the library. Once inside he lit a few more candles, then went to the bookcase.

  “It’s a priest hole,” he said as he pressed on the books. “It’s small, but it kept us hidden from Bonnie. I don’t even know if she knows about it. It was built in the Jacobite era.”

  Gabby watched as he continued to press and pull on the books. When nothing happened, he pounded his fist against the wall, and the bookcase shuddered. Fergus fell to his knees and pulled on a floorboard. The wall opened, the space barely big enough for a man to press through.

  “Oh my,” Gabby said, her heart racing. “That is amazing.”

  “Stay here while I see what’s inside,” Fergus said. He slid through the opening, then poked his head out. “Give me a candle.”

  Once he had the candle and had disappeared again, Gabby followed him in. There was no way she was missing out on this. Inside she found Fergus in the middle of the small space. There was a cot with a broken leg. Against the far wall was a chess set, covered in dust. Near the cot was a tiny table. Sitting on the table was a box.

  “I don’t think I could spend much time in here,” Gabby said.

  “Malcolm and I would spend hours in here, playing chess by candlelight.” He bent and picked up a chess piece. “It kept us from having to do chores, and it got to be somewhat of a joke. Like I said, I doubt Bonnie even knows this place exists.”

  He put the chess piece in his pocket and ran his fingers over the box. “Not much dust,” he said.

  “That means it’s fairly new to the space,” Gabby said.

  “Which means Malcolm put it here.”

  Gabby stepped closer to him, just to let him know she was there. She could feel the pain rolling through his body, feel the anger.

  “Let’s take it up to the library and see what’s inside,” she said. “This place makes my skin crawl.”

  “You never would have made it through hide and seek,” he said.

  Between the two of them, they lifted the box out of the priest hole. Once it was on the table near the chairs, Gabby went around and lit the candles Fergus has left unlit earlier. While she did that, her husband built a fire, and soon the room was bright and warm.

  “Here we go,” Fergus said as he lifted the lid off the box. Inside was an envelope with Fergus’ name. Under the envelope were necklaces, bracelets, rings, several unset stones and… three snuff boxes.

  “Fergus, look.” She held up one of the snuff boxes. “And there’s thousands of pounds worth of jewelry in here. Stolen from Bath?”

  “And other places, I’m sure.” Fergus had the letter in his hand. “Something tells me Malcolm knew he was going to die.”

  “Oh Fergus, I’m so sorry.”

  Fergus nodded, then sat down in front of the fireplace. Gabby took the space next to him and watched as he broke the seal on the envelope. He took out two sheets of foolscap and unfolded them.

  “Hold a candle near me so I can see better.”

  Once she’d done as he asked, Fergus started to read.

  “Dear Fergus, as trite as this sounds, if you see this I’m probably dead. I’ve given the priest the snuff box and asked him to give it to you, to remind you of the box where we used to hide.”

  A cry of anger escaped Fergus’ mouth. “I should have realized Malcolm had something to do with the box.”

  “Why?” She put her free hand on his leg. “The priest didn’t really give it to us. He just left it on the pew. You had no reason to think Malcolm left it for you.” When he didn’t answer, she said, “Continue reading.”

  After a few moments, he sighed and continued. “I was in Bath with my beautiful Evie, when this all started. Jewelry started to disappear from houses, and people started blaming each other. The authorities were questioning people and advising that parties be cancelled. But Evie, my beautiful Evie, she is not the type to let someone tell her what to do. She has a mind of her own, and a curiosity that won’t be satisfied.”

  Fergus glanced at Gabby. “She sounds like you, imp.”

  Gabby laughed. “Keep going.”

  “Evie had an idea that we search out the thieves and turn them in. We started going around questioning people who had been victims, seeing what they had in common. The one
thing that matched on all of them was a spiritualist named Honoria. We searched her out and started to follow her. We found where she lived. When she was out one night, we stole into her place and found the items in this box.”

  Fergus shook his head. “It sounds like something you would do.”

  “I’ve come through all my adventures unscathed,” she said, and then she winced. “Oh Fergus, I’m so sorry. I never should have said that.”

  “But it’s true,” he said. “Let’s see what else Malcolm has to say.”

  The letter continued that they left the items where they were, and tried to decide what to do. “We had no evidence, except the stolen items, that would link the spiritualist to the thefts. So, we sent her a letter telling her we knew she was a thief. We didn’t identify ourselves, but two nights later Evie’s maid was killed in her home.”

  Ferus paused, then continued. “It was obvious the two were connected, but we had no way to prove it. So, once again, we stole into Honoria’s home, but this time we took the jewels. I brought them here to hide, and I am going back to Bath to help Evie prove Honoria is a murderer. How we will do that, I do not know. But I have, as I said, left the snuff box with the priest. If anything happens to me he is to give it to you. I think you will realize the box refers to the hold where we spent so much time. You will be able to find the spiritualist, and see that she is charged with murder.”

  Gabby leaned against Fergus. “He doesn’t mention Freddy.”

  “Something tells me he didn’t know about him,” Fergus said. “I’m going to find him, and rip the man’s throat out.”

  “No.” Fergus had started to stand, but Gabby pulled him back down. “Somehow this couple found out who had their ill-gotten gain and followed Malcolm to Scotland. They poisoned him. We need to put the jewels back and talk with the Scotland Yard detective. We can show him the letter, and see where we go from here.”

  Anger radiated off her husband, and she wanted to hold him, hopefully, to calm him down.

  “Fergus, we cannot underestimate these people.”

  His exhale was audible. “You’re right, of course. We can’t let them know that we know.”

  Moments later, with the stash hidden once again and the priest hole closed, Fergus took her hand.

  “Now, about that orgasm.”

  Chapter 7

  “So why is this,” Bonnie looked over her shoulder, and Gabby thought she was searching for just the right word. Finally, she said, “Intriguing man here?”

  Det. Colin Markham was not what Gabby had expected, and she supposed he was intriguing. She knew Mariella had a great deal of contact with the officer, but Gabby had thought he would be young, and that he and Mariella had more than working relationship. She’d been wrong. Colin Markham was close to sixty, Gabby thought, and she could tell by the way they talked to each other that there was no attraction between him and Mariella.

  But Bonnie was different. The moment he walked into the house two days ago, Bonnie seemed brighter than she had for all of their visit. The way he looked at her, told Gabby he returned her feelings.

  “He’s friends with Mariella,” Gabby said. Once it was clear that a news story was unfurling, she and Mariella had decided the newspaper manager should stay. The eyewitness report would sell many papers.

  Bonnie frowned. “And what is she doing here?” When none of them answered, Bonnie put her hands on her hips. “I have a right to know what is going on in my own house.”

  “You’re right, you do,” Fergus said. “Come and sit with us, and you’ll hear what we’ve discovered since we’ve been here.”

  A maid delivered tea, and when they were alone, Gabby nodded in Fergus’ direction. He related the story, including what they’d found in the priest hole.

  “Priest hole?” Bonnie glanced at Fergus, then Gabby, then back to Fergus, her eyes wide. “What are you talking about?”

  “There’s a priest hole in the upstairs library,” Fergus said. “It’s where Malcolm and I used to use hide when we were children.”

  “I never knew,” Bonnie said. “And Honoria, she’s not really a spiritualist?”

  “Did she ask you about the house, about going through Malcolm’s things?” Fergus asked.

  “All the time,” Bonnie said. “I told her his things were in his rooms. I haven’t touched them. But the rooms are locked. No one has been in there.”

  Everyone was silent for a moment before Gabby said, “I have an idea. I think having Honoria and Freddy here for the party would be incredibly dangerous. But if we go to the pub tonight and let it be known, by talking loudly, that we’ve opened Malcolm’s rooms and found a casket of jewels, well, they will try and come take it back.”

  “A dangerous idea,” Colin said. “But it could work. The barmaid said Freddy came in every night?”

  “Yes,” Fergus said. “We tried for two nights, but didn’t find him, but that doesn’t mean we won’t.”

  Gabby toyed with her teacup. Once again something was gnawing at the edge of her mind.

  “I recognize that look,” Fergus said. “What is on your mind, my love?”

  “How did they poison Malcolm?” Gabby focused on Bonnie. “Did he ever have contact with Honoria?”

  “Not that I know of,” Bonnie said. “And he stayed close to home.” She sniffled. “He always expressed concern for me.”

  “When did Honoria first appear?” Fergus asked.

  “Not until after Malcolm died.” Small tears leaked from Bonnie’s eyes, and Colin took her hands in his and squeezed gently.

  “Who was here, besides the staff?” Colin asked.

  “The doctor,” Bonnie said. “He came to see if things were fine here. Actually, he came quite a few times.” She paused and said, “You don’t think… He wouldn’t, he’s a doctor.”

  “If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that the offer of money makes people do things they wouldn’t normally do,” Colin said. “I would like to talk to this doctor. Summon him, please.”

  Before anyone could move Colin said, “Oh, and bring me the snuff box the priest left for you. I’d like to see if I can put it to use.”

  Hours later, Gabby, Fergus, Bonnie, and Mariella sat outside the library, listening to the murmurs of questions floating out through the door. They’d been standing, but after thirty minutes, Bud and members of the staff had brought chairs for them to sit on while Colin questioned the doctor.

  Gabby had never met the man, and when he’d arrived, he’d seemed small, and frightened. He’d tried to leave when he’d realized he’d been called on false pretenses, that Bonnie was not feeling well. But Colin had produced his credentials, and the doctor had given in to questioning.

  “I think the amount of time they’ve been together is a good thing,” Mariella said. “The doctor is giving up information.”

  “We can only hope,” Gabby said.

  At that precise moment the door opened and Colin stepped out. “Lady Bonnie, Doctor Montgomery has something he wants to say to you.”

  The four of them went into the library were Dr. Montgomery sat, his head bowed his shoulders moving in silent sobs.

  “I’m so sorry,” he finally said. “I had no idea it would kill him. They told me it would put him to sleep so they could come in and search for the casket.”

  That damn box of ill-gotten gains has caused a lot of grief, Gabby thought. She clasped Fergus’ hand in hers, because she felt her husband, whose body was tense, would launch himself at Montgomery.

  “You’re a doctor!” Bonnie stepped toward him. “You should have known! Why did you do it?”

  “Money,” Colin said. “He was paying off his debt from an illegal card game.”

  The doctor continued to sob, his gaze focused on the floor.

  Colin went to Bonnie and once more took her hands in his. “They’ve been in your house, searching.”

  “I think I may be sick,” Bonnie said. She stumbled and Colin put his arms around her. He help
ed her to a chair and asked Gabby to summon a maid. Once they’d ordered tea, the officer brought a chair near Bonnie and sat down beside her.

  “They haven’t been here since the first night you arrived,” Colin said to Fergus. “The party is tomorrow night, correct?”

  “Yes,” Fergus said.

  “Then we lure them in here tonight.”

  “But how?” Gabby asked. “If they haven’t been here since we arrived, how are we supposed to attract them to the house tonight?”

  Colin picked up the snuff box. “With this.”

  “Do you think it will work?” Mariella asked.

  “Oh, most definitely,” Colin said. “I believe Malcolm took all of their stash, and they need it back so they can disappear. The doctor is going to take the snuff box to Freddy, and tell him he came to see Bonnie because she was ill. Tell me again, doctor, what you’re supposed to say.”

  “That I overheard Fergus and Gabby arguing about a snuff box they found in Malcolm’s room, and that it didn’t belong to any of them. They think Malcolm was up to something, and will be questioning the staff to get to the bottom of it.”

  Colin nodded at Mariella. “They will either come tonight, or tomorrow while the house is full for the party. Tonight, you need to be on the watch. If tonight doesn’t work, we’ll have men on guard tomorrow to make sure they don’t get away. We will catch them.”

  Bonnie sniffled, and Colin put down the box and put his arm around her again. “We will get justice for your son. I promise.”

  The house shone brightly with candlelight as the party guests arrived. The delicious smell of roasted goose, vegetables, and of course, Bonnie’s plum pudding filled the air. Gabby wondered if Bonnie had spent her entire year’s budget on food for this one event. But Bonnie didn’t seem to care. She was happy.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many people here at one time,” Fergus said. “And look at Bonnie. She’s smiling, actually smiling.”

  Gabby looked to where Bonnie stood, with Colin at her side. The officer had his hand on the small of her back, an intimate touch that, Gabby thought, had brought the smile to Bonnie’s face. It certainly wasn’t because they’d caught Honoria and Freddy, because they hadn’t. The pair had stayed away last night, which really hadn’t surprised Gabby. If she wanted to search a house she would wait until it was full of people, which would be a distraction.