Yet it was all to no avail. Most of them refused to believe that an Irishmen could be responsible for the outrages, and none of them could give the name of someone with expertise in using gunpowder. At the end of a long evening, he abandoned his questioning and started to walk back towards the camp with a group of navvies. He braced himself to spend another night in the shack with Kilfoyle and the others, hoping that he would soon be released from that particular torture. The notion of coupling with Bridget, a big, buxom, shameless woman in her thirties, made his stomach heave.
So preoccupied was he in fearful thoughts of what lay ahead that he did not notice he was being followed. When they reached the railway, the men struck. Grabbing him by the shoulders, they pushed Leeming behind a wagon then one of them hit him on the back of the head with something hard and unforgiving. He had no chance to put up any resistance. He fell to the ground like a stone. Sinking into oblivion, he did not even feel the repeated kicks that thudded into his body. In a matter of seconds, it was all over.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Superintendent Edward Tallis was almost hidden by a swirling fug of cigar smoke. He did not like what he saw and he was unhappy about what he heard. While the cigar helped him to relieve his tension, it had another important function. It largely obscured Victor Leeming from his gaze. Seated in front of the desk, Leeming was a sorry sight. His head was heavily bandaged, his face covered in ugly bruises and lacerations, his lower lip twice it normal size. One eye was almost closed, the other looked to the superintendent for a sympathy that was not forthcoming. When he shifted slightly in his chair, Leeming let out an involuntary groan and put a hand to his cracked ribs.
Robert Colbeck was sitting beside the sergeant.
‘I think that Victor should be commended for his daring, sir,’ he suggested. ‘By working alongside the navvies, he was able to foil an attack on the French camp.’
‘Yes,’ said Tallis, rancorously. ‘He was also in a position to get himself all but kicked to death. That’s not daring, Inspector, that’s tantamount to suicide.’
‘I’d do the same again, Superintendent,’ said Leeming, bravely, wincing at the pain of speaking.
‘You’ll do nothing at all until you’ve recovered, man. I’m giving you extended leave until you start to resemble a human being again.’ He leaned forward to peer through the smoke. ‘Has your wife seen the state you’re in?’
‘No, sir,’ said Colbeck, trying to spare the sergeant the effort of talking. ‘We felt that we should report to you first so that you understood the situation. For obvious reasons, we travelled back to England slowly. Victor could not be hurried in his condition. I thought it best if I speak to Estelle – to Mrs Leeming – before she actually sees her husband.’
‘That’s up to you, Inspector.’
‘I’ll tell her how courageous he was.’
‘Tell her the truth – he could have been killed.’
‘No, Superintendent,’ rejoined Colbeck. ‘The men who set on him drew back from murder. That would have brought the French police swarming to the site and they did not want that. The beating was by way of a warning.’
‘It was my own fault,’ admitted Leeming, his swollen lip distorting the words. ‘I asked too many questions.’
‘I accept my share of the blame, Victor.’
‘No, sir. It was the correct decision.’
‘I beg to differ,’ said Tallis, mordantly. ‘Correct decisions do not result in a vicious attack on one of my men that will put him out of action for weeks.’
‘You approved of our visit to France,’ Colbeck reminded him.
‘I’ve regretted it ever since.’
After giving him a day and night to make a partial recovery from the assault, Colbeck had brought Leeming back to England by means of rail and boat, two forms of transport that only served to intensify the sergeant’s discomfort. Scotland Yard had been their first destination. Colbeck wanted the superintendent to see the injuries that Leeming had picked up in the course of doing of his duty. Neither compassion nor congratulation had come from across the desk.
‘And what was all that about a Catholic priest?’ said Tallis.
‘It was Father Slattery who found Victor,’ Colbeck told him. ‘In fact, he seems to have disturbed the attackers before they could inflict even more damage.’
‘Even more? What else could they do to him?’
‘I didn’t have the opportunity to ask them, sir,’ said Leeming, rashly attempting a smile that made his whole face twitch in pain.
‘Father Slattery is a good man,’ said Colbeck. ‘He acts as a calming influence on the Irish.’
Tallis indicated Leeming. ‘If this is what they do when they’re calm,’ he said with scorn, ‘then I’d hate to see them when they’re fully aroused. Navvies are navvies. All over the country, police and local magistrates have trouble with them.’
‘Mr Brassey’s men are relatively well-behaved, sir.’
‘Comment would be superfluous, Inspector.’
Tallis glowered at him before expelling another cloud of cigar smoke. He was trying to rein in his anger. In allowing the two men to go to France, he had had to raid his dwindling budget and account to the commissioner for the expenditure. All that he had got in return, it seemed, was the loss of a fine officer and a succession of tales about the problems encountered by a railway contractor in France.
‘None of this has any bearing on the murder,’ he announced.
‘But it does, sir,’ insisted Colbeck. ‘If you look at the events carefully, you’ll see how the death of Gaston Chabal fits into the overall picture. There’s a logical development.’
‘Then why I am not able to perceive it?’
‘Perhaps you have the smoke of prejudice in your eyes.’
Tallis stubbed out his cigar then waved an arm to dispel some of the smoke that enveloped him. Before he could take Colbeck to task for his comment, the inspector went on.
‘Everything we learned in France confirmed my initial feeling.’
‘And what was that?’
‘The answer to this riddle lies across the Channel.’
‘It’s true,’ said Leeming. ‘We could feel it.’
‘Feeling it is not enough, Sergeant,’ said Tallis, coldly. ‘I want firm evidence and you have signally failed to provide it. Mr Brassey may be experiencing difficulties on his railway – in spite of the calming influence of this Catholic priest – but it’s no concern whatsoever of ours. The Froggies must solve any crimes that take place on French soil. Mr Brassey should call in the local police.’
‘I’ve explained why he’s reluctant to do that,’ said Colbeck.
‘Not to my satisfaction.’
‘There’s an international dimension to this murder.’
‘It took place in this country. That’s all that matters to me.’
‘We’ll only apprehend the killer if we help to solve the crimes that are bedevilling the new railway in France. I must go back.’
Tallis was peremptory. ‘Out of the question.’
‘Then the murderer of Gaston Chabal will go unpunished.’
‘No, Inspector, he must be caught.’
‘In that case, sir,’ said Colbeck with gentle sarcasm, ‘I’ll be interested to hear your advice on how we are supposed to catch him. You are clearly in possession of important details that have so far eluded Victor and me.’
‘What I am in possession of are these,’ said Tallis, lifting a pile of correspondence from his desk. ‘They are letters from the railway company, demanding action, and they come on a daily basis. This morning, one of their directors was here in person to ambush me. Mr Marklew did not mince his words.’
‘Would that be Mr Alexander Marklew?’
‘Yes. Do you know him?’
‘Not personally,’ said Colbeck, ‘but I gather that he’s also invested in the Mantes to Caen line. When he hears about the setbacks in France, he may realise that this is a much wider investigation that he imagined.�
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‘Marklew is only one of my problems,’ moaned Tallis. ‘I’ve had the commissioner on my tail as well and an Inspector Sidney Heyford keeps writing from Liverpool, asking me why the great Robert Colbeck has failed to make any discernible progress. That’s a theme taken up elsewhere,’ he went on, bending down to retrieve a newspaper from his wastepaper basket. ‘There’s biting criticism of the way that we’ve handled this investigation and you are now referred to as the Railway Defective.’ He thrust the newspaper at Colbeck. ‘Take it.’
‘I’m not interested in what newspaper reporters think,’ said the other. ‘They don’t understand the complexity of the case. If you’ll excuse me, sir, I’ll take Victor back home then make arrangements to return to France.’
‘No,’ said Tallis, pounding the desk. ‘You stay in London.’
‘I must insist, Superintendent.’
‘You are overruled. Nothing on earth would induce me to send you gallivanting off on another pointless French adventure. You belong to the Metropolitan Police not to the Surêté.’
‘It looks as if I belong to neither, sir,’ said Colbeck, rising to his feet with dignity. ‘Since you refuse me permission to go as a member of the Detective Department, then I’ll do so as a private individual.’
‘Don’t talk nonsense, man!’
‘I’m quite serious, Superintendent. I feel very strongly that this case can only be solved in France and I mean to go back there on my own account, if necessary. Give me a few minutes,’ he said, as he walked to the door, ‘and you shall have my resignation in writing.’
‘You can have mine, too,’ added Leeming, getting out of his chair with difficulty. ‘Inspector Colbeck is right. If you do not have faith in our judgement, then I’ll leave the Department at once.’
‘Wait!’ yelled Tallis.
He could see the futility of blustering. The two of them were in earnest. The loss of Victor Leeming would be a blow but he could be replaced by promoting someone from below. Robert Colbeck, however, was quite irreplaceable. He not only had an unrivalled record of success as a detective, he had a comprehensive knowledge of railways that was founded on a deep love of steam transport. Whenever serious crimes occurred on a railway, the company involved always asked for Colbeck to investigate. If he were to leave Scotland Yard, a huge vacuum would be created. Superintendent Tallis would have to explain to the commissioner why he had forced his best officer to resign, and he could imagine the withering reprimand that he would get in return. It was time to give ground.
‘How long would you need in France?’ he growled.
‘As long as it takes,’ replied Colbeck, going back to the desk to pick up the cigar box. ‘Perhaps I can offer you one of these, sir?’ he said, holding it out. ‘It might stimulate your thought processes while I compose my letter of resignation.’
Madeleine Andrews was preparing a meal in the kitchen and musing on the changes that had come into her life since she had met Robert Colbeck. He had not merely urged her to develop her artistic talent to the point where she had actually managed to earn money from it, he had enlarged her world in every way. Until she had met him, Madeleine was happy enough looking after her father and educating herself by means of books, magazines and lectures. It had never crossed her mind that she would one day assist a detective inspector in a murder investigation and become – albeit unofficially – the first woman to have a role at Scotland Yard. Colbeck had brought love, interest and excitement into the house in Camden. Entertaining fond thoughts of him made the most menial chores seem pleasant. When she worked on, there was a smile on her face.
Madeleine had just finished peeling the potatoes when she heard the rasp of wheels pulling up outside the house. Only one person would call on her in a hansom cab. Tearing off her apron, she wiped her hands dry in it then cast it aside. As she rushed to the front door, she adjusted her hair. She flung the door open. When she let Colbeck in, she was enfolded in a warm embrace.
‘I was just thinking about you, Robert,’ she confessed.
‘Good.’
‘I had no idea that you were back in England.’
‘Only briefly,’ he told her. ‘I’ll be sailing across the Channel again this evening.’
‘Why? What’s happened? Do you know who the killer is?’
‘Stop firing questions at me and I’ll tell you what we’ve managed to find out so far.’ He kissed her then led her to the sofa. ‘Sit down.’
Holding her hand, he gave her a concise account of the visit to France and made her gasp when he revealed that Gaston Chabal was married. Madeleine recalled her interview at the hotel.
‘Mrs Marklew was certain that he was single,’ she said.
‘I suspect that that’s what she wanted to believe.’
‘He deceived her cruelly.’
‘In two ways,’ said Colbeck, sadly. ‘He not only enjoyed her favours by posing as a bachelor. Chabal seems to have entered into the liaison for the prime purpose of getting her to persuade her husband to invest in the railway. The French government provided much of the capital required, but private investors were desperately needed. Given the volatile political situation in France, very few people from this country were prepared to risk their money.’
‘How callous of him!’
‘He’d probably have seen it as a piece of clever engineering.’
Colbeck finished by telling her about the savage beating sustained by Victor Leeming when posing as a navvy. The information made her sit up in alarm.
‘Do be careful, Robert!’ she exclaimed.
‘I always am.’
‘I feel so sorry for Sergeant Leeming.’
‘His time as a navvy was not wasted, Madeleine. He unearthed a lot of useful intelligence. It’s a pity that it had to end this way.’
‘I hope that you are not thinking of taking his place.’
‘If only I could,’ said Colbeck, wryly, ‘but it’s impossible. With a face like mine, I could never pass as a navvy. Victor could. He looked the part – though he could never have lived that sort of life.’
‘Was the work too hard?’
‘I think it was the sleeping arrangements that upset him.’
‘His wife must have been shocked by what happened.’
‘That’s why I went into the house first,’ said Colbeck. ‘I felt that it would be considerate to prepare Estelle beforehand. In fact, she took it very well. She went straight to the cab and helped Victor out. She’s been a policeman’s wife for years now. It’s toughened her.’
‘Will the sergeant be replaced?’ asked Madeleine
‘Not from the Detective Department.’
‘Who else would you take to France?’
‘Someone who will fit more easily into the scene than Victor,’ he told her. ‘The last I heard of him, he was working as a dock labourer so I fancy that a trip to France might appeal to him.’
‘Who is he, Robert?’
‘The genuine article.’
Nature seemed to have destined Aubrey Filton to be the bearer of bad news. He had a face that could transform itself instantly into a mask of horror and a voice that rose by two octaves when he was really disturbed. His arms semaphored wildly.
‘It’s happened again, Mr Brassey!’ he cried.
‘Calm down, Aubrey.’
‘We must have lost thousands of bricks.’
‘How?’
‘Somebody carried them to one of the ventilation shafts and dropped them down into the tunnel,’ said Filton. ‘The bricks were smashed beyond repair and the line has been blocked.’
‘When did this happen?’ asked Thomas Brassey.
‘In the night, sir. They chose a shaft that was furthest away from the camp so that nobody heard the noise. When they’d unloaded the wagon that carried the bricks, they smashed it to pieces. There’s no sign of the horse that pulled it.’
Brassey did his best to remain calm, but exasperation showed in his eyes. He was in his office with Filton. On its walls were the
maps and charts drawn as a result of various surveys. Had work proceeded at the stipulated pace, they would have been ahead of schedule and Brassey could have marked their progress on one of the charts. Instead, they were hamstrung by the sequence of interruptions. The latest of them was particularly irksome.
‘We needed those bricks for today,’ said Brassey.
‘I’ve sent word to the brickyard to increase production.’
‘It’s security that we need to increase, Aubrey. How was anybody able to steal so many bricks without being seen?’
‘I wish I knew, sir,’ answered Filton, trembling all over. ‘How were they able to light that fire, or damage the track in the tunnel, or steal that gunpowder or blow up the wagons? We’re dealing with phantoms here, Mr Brassey.’
‘No,’ affirmed the other. ‘Inspector Colbeck correctly identified our enemy. We’re dealing with navvies. Nobody else would have had the strength to drop all those bricks down a ventilation shaft. It would take me all night to do such a thing.’
‘It would take me a week.’
‘What they probably did was to unload a fair number by hand then undo the harness on the horse so that they could tip the whole cart over.’
‘I suppose that the horrible truth is that we’ll never know.’
‘Not until the inspector returns, anyway.’
‘Do you really think that he can catch these men?’ said Filton, sceptically. ‘He hasn’t managed to do so thus far and we both saw what happened to Sergeant Leeming.’
‘That incident will only make Inspector Colbeck redouble his efforts. Introducing a man into the Irish camp did have advantages. He was able to warn us about that planned attack on the French.’
‘What if there’s another?’
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