The Butchered Man

by Harriet Smart

  Peel left them, and Carswell was left sitting in his blood-stained sleeves, looking stupefied.

  Giles sat down opposite, exhausted suddenly. He rubbed his face.

  “But why? Why did she do that?” said Carswell breaking the silence.

  “Desperation, I suppose. She must have seen that she could not escape the consequences of her actions. She must have been afraid of the humiliation of the courtroom and afraid of the noose.” He sighed deeply and leant back in his chair. “She chose while she still could, while she was still in control of the situation. She’s won. There is nothing any of us can do to her now. She has put herself beyond our reach.”

  Carswell touched his wounded cheek very gently and winced. “This won’t vanish, whatever that old man says. She has marked me for life.”

  Giles hauled himself up from his chair and went over to the door.

  “Some women find such scars attractive,” Giles said. “In the German universities I believe it’s quite the fashion. You can say you got it honourably, completing your education. You’ve nothing to be of ashamed of, Carswell. After all, she did not fool you for one minute. I shall miss your insights when I’ve gone.”

  “Gone, where?”

  “Wherever I choose to go after I have handed in my resignation.”

  “Your resignation?” said Carswell. “Surely there is no need for that?”

  “There is every need. I have made too many bad judgements in this. I am not fit for command,” said Giles. “The facts speak for themselves. Now, you get some rest. I have to go and talk to Mrs Fulwood.”

  ***

  “I have bad news for you, Mrs Fulwood,” he said. “About your mistress. She told us what happened with Mr Rhodes. She told us everything – how she fed him the cake with the seeds in it, the cake she asked you to make.”

  “Then she was lying, sir. She did nothing wrong. She didn’t know that cake was poisoned. She did nothing wrong. It was nothing to do with her. None of it! I did it, sir, I told you that. I wanted rid of him, like the rats in the cellar I told you!”

  “But that isn’t all the truth, it is?” he said. “Your mistress has told us otherwise. She has told us everything. And now you must tell me everything. You must think of yourself, Mrs Fulwood. Your part in this is a lesser one and the court must learn of that. You must save yourself.”

  “No,” she said. “I will not tell you anything more. I cannot! Miss Marian has not told you anything. I don’t believe you!”

  “I have her written confession,” Giles said.

  “Don’t you believe that. She’s only saying things to save me,” she said. “You mustn’t believe her, sir.”

  “And you are not saying things merely to save her?” said Giles.

  “No,” she said, with a wail of distress. “No, no, of course I’m not.”

  “Because if you are, it is pointless,” said Giles, “given your mistress is beyond being saved now.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She is dead, Mrs Fulwood,” said Giles. “She told us what had happened and then she killed herself.” Mrs Fulwood gazed across at him with total incredulity. Giles elaborated. “She broke a window and slashed her wrists with a piece of glass. We tried to save her, but it was too late. She died very quickly.” Mrs Fulwood looked more puzzled yet.

  “She killed herself?” she said after a moment. Giles nodded. “But… No, I don’t believe you, sir. I can’t!” she said. “You’re just saying these things to make me... Oh God, no, it isn’t true. It can’t be. You’re lying! Miss Marian would never, never do such a thing.”

  “I’m sorry, but it’s the truth.”

  “She wouldn’t leave me,” she said, shaking her head. “She said she would never leave me. She promised me!”

  “Perhaps you should see for yourself,” said Giles.

  It seemed cruel, but he could not think how else to convince her. He took her upstairs, to the room next to his office.

  Miss Hilliard’s body had been taken from the chair and laid out on the table, covered with a sheet. There was sawdust sprinkled on the floor to soak up the blood.

  He drew back the sheet and let Mrs Fulwood see her.

  And now he, too, was forced to look at her in death. He had left the room promptly to see to Carswell.

  He watched as Mrs Fulwood bent over the body, how she touched her gently with puzzled fingers, feeling for the warmth of life and then finding nothing, took her hand and shook it, as if trying to wake her. But as the moments passed and there was no response, she began to moan with the pain of realisation.

  “What did you say to her to make her do this?” Mrs Fulwood said turning to him in fury. “You must have said something, done something. Miss Marian would never do this, never!” She grabbed one of Miss Hilliard’s blood-drenched hands and began to sob, pressing Marian’s hand to her cheek. “Oh, my poor love, my lambkin, what did they do to you?”

  “And what did you do to him, Mrs Fulwood?” Giles asked. “Can you tell me that now? What did you do to poor Mr Rhodes?”

  She whipped round to face him.

  “I cut him,” she said. “I took my best Sheffield knife and I cut him and I cut him until there was not a scrap of his pretty little face left. And I would do it again, if I could. He stole her from me. And now… now…I have nothing.”

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Dozing in the chair with a blanket tucked around him, Felix was woken by Snow whimpering and licking his hand.

  “Where’s your master gone?” he said, looking about.

  He staggered to his feet and out into the passageway

  “Where’s the Major, Mr Barker?” he said going into the chief clerk’s office.

  “Gone to the City Chambers, sir.”

  “Oh Lord, no. I must go there at once.”

  “You can’t mean to go out like that, sir,” said Barker.

  Felix glanced down. He was still in his bloody shirt and coat.

  “Yes,” said Felix. “This is far more important.”

  Of one thing he was certain, he knew he had to put the opposition case to the Watch Committee. He was not quite sure what that case might be, but he felt sure it would come to him in time.

  ***

  A very distinctive carriage was making its way down Minster Street, as Felix walked up. Seeing it, his first instinct was to attempt to dodge up one of the side streets, to avoid being seen. But he was not quick enough.

  The carriage drew up suddenly and even before the footman could come round to open the door, Lord Rothborough had jumped down and was running towards him.

  “What on earth!” exclaimed Rothborough, gesturing at the bandage that still decorated Felix’s head. “Your face! What happened?”

  “A little scratch, that’s all.”

  “That does not look like a little scratch. There’s blood everywhere.” Felix reached up and touched the poultice. The wound was bleeding again. In his haste he must have dislodged one of newly-formed scabs.

  “Damn it,” he murmured, and reached for his handkerchief.

  “Get in,” said Rothborough, taking hold of his arm, “for goodness’ sake, boy.”

  He did as he was told, for he suddenly felt a trifle dizzy. He sank down onto the comfortable seat, while Lord Rothborough reached into what appeared to be a luncheon basket and brought out a folded napkin. It was crisp and glossy with starch, with a vast monogram embroidered on it, too elegant a thing to staunch a wound.

  “What are you about?” said Rothborough, coming and sitting beside him. He began to dab at Felix’s cheek with the napkin.

  “I was going to the City Chambers,” Felix said. “You could take me there.”

  “You are not fit to go anywhere but your bed.”

  “I have to go. Major Vernon is resigning. I have to stop him. No, sir, let me do that,” he said taking the napkin from him and applying it with some pressure over the wound.

  “Resigning? Why?”

  “He is being principled. But
it is ridiculous. He can’t be allowed to do it.”

  “No, indeed,” said Rothborough. “It would be a serious loss.”

  “Then take me there.”

  “In your condition – I think not.”

  “I will be fine presently. This looks far worse than it is. See,” he said, pulling the napkin away from his cheek, “the bleeding has almost stopped.” Rothborough looked doubtful. “Please, sir, take me there. That is much more important than this silly cut. I assure you I am in no immediate danger. These things always appear more alarming than they are. A man can lose a good few pints of blood and suffer no ill consequences.”

  “I suppose you know what you are talking about,” Rothborough said after a moment. “But after you have done your business, you are coming out to Holbroke with me.”

  “Sir, I do not think –”

  “Those are my terms, Felix. Do you want to go to the City Chambers or not?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you must submit to my better judgement – and my care.”

  “Very well,” said Felix and Lord Rothborough climbed out to give directions to his coachman.

  “Your looks will be thoroughly spoilt,” Rothborough said when they set off.

  “You sound like a mother,” Felix said.

  “You must permit me to indulge in sentiment occasionally,” said Rothborough. “After all, it costs you nothing. And you may find some advantage in it and what it brings you. I dare say I could help you with Major Vernon, if you will allow it. So, what has been going on?”

  “It’s rather complicated,” said Felix. “There is a woman with whom –”

  “A woman? Ha, so the man is not immune to temptation after all. I like him the better for hearing that. What’s the scrape?”

  “He will not thank you to hear it referred to as a scrape.”

  “Of course not,” said Rothborough with a laugh. “The man is a monument to finely-honed scruples. And I quite see he must not be allowed to surrender his post. Where else are we to find a man so well suited to the job in hand?” He smiled at Felix. “Don’t worry, my boy, we will pull this back from the brink. It will be a pleasure. Now tell me exactly what has been going on.”

  ***

  Giles had just finished giving his account when the door was flung noisily open and Felix Carswell, his head still swathed in a blood-stained bandage, marched in and stood in front of the committee table.

  “I beg leave to interrupt this meeting,” Carswell said. “I have something to say.”

  “Mr Carswell, what is the meaning of this?” exclaimed Mr Eames. “Major Vernon, what is this man doing here?”

  Giles was about to answer, but Carswell gave him no chance.

  “I am here to defend the Major’s interests,” said Carswell. “Because he will not do it for himself. But it is in your interest too, that you disregard everything he says. He has had a blow to the head – keeping the public peace, let me point out – but it has addled his wits. Temporarily of course, but at present –”

  “Mr Carswell, please,” Giles murmured but Carswell ignored him.

  “You must not accept this man’s resignation,” he continued. “Whatever he says he has done that is improper is a vast exaggeration. He is only being scrupulous. You must not let him resign. He has done too much good here for you to let him go. You would be fools if you did and you will search long and hard to find his equal anywhere!”

  There was a frosty, astonished silence and then a languid, puzzled voice drifted over from the back of the room.

  “Why are there no chairs in here?”

  Giles turned and saw Lord Rothborough, who inclined his head to acknowledge him.

  “My Lord, this is an honour,” said Mr Eames pulling himself to his feet.

  “Always a pleasure to be here, gentlemen,” Rothborough said. He turned and snapped his fingers at the clerk who had come in their wake. “Hey, you there, bring some chairs, will you?”

  The chairs were brought in and Lord Rothborough settled himself at the table, opposite the chairman. He gestured to Giles and Carswell that they were to sit. Giles hesitated but Rothborough seemed to be waiting for him to do so.

  “There, now we are all comfortable,” Rothborough said, reaching into his overcoat and producing a small notebook. He began to flick through it, as if he was looking for something in particular.

  “So, my Lord, to what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?” asked Mr Twelvetrees.

  Without looking up from his notebook, Rothborough said, “You know my interests, sir. Reform. Reform, toujours reform! Ah ha!” He found what he was looking for and marking the place with his finger, he closed the book and gave the committee his full attention. “Which is, of course, the program of our great party, sir, the party of which you and your illustrious colleagues on this committee are such useful and valued members.” He smiled broadly. “It is heartening to me, as a local man, to see this,” he said, waving his hand to indicate the committee room. “This place is a wonderful confluence of ancient process and progressive zeal. So many cities have found it hard to grasp the mettle of reform, but here in Northminster, well, it is a model for the rest of the nation! You can be very proud, gentlemen, very proud. In fact I was recently speaking to the Prince on this very topic. He takes a great interest in these matters and I was able to point to Northminster as a shining example of local government.”

  “My Lord, you are more than gracious, but I do not quite see how –” said Eames.

  “I think it rather likely that there will a visit from the Prince, and his new wife, in the not too distant future.”

  “The Queen intends to visit Northminster?” said Eames.

  “Well, she will go, if he does. She is devoted to him and he expressed a desire to see the town. He was particularly interested in the new constabulary,” Rothborough turned and smiled at Giles. “And its excellent commander.”

  Giles, very irritated by this, got up from the table.

  “Lord Rothborough, with the greatest respect, you cannot expect me to massage the truth for the sake of appearances. A well-conducted institution cannot be led by someone with unreliable judgement. I have by my actions forfeited my right to lead. Gentleman, you will excuse me.”

  He nodded to the committee and walked out of the room.

  He stood on the hallway taking stock for a moment. What would he do now, he wondered? He owned a small farm near his brother’s estate. It was let at the moment, but he might take that into his own hands. There would be plenty to keep him busy and distracted there.

  He was about to set off down the stairs when Carswell came out of the room.

  “Major Vernon, please!” he called out.

  Giles stopped and turned back to him.

  “I cannot think why this matters to you,” he said.

  “It will not be so congenial,” Carswell said after a moment.

  “I have hardly been that,” said Giles starting down the stairs. “I have been a thorn in your side.”

  “There is a lot to be said for that, when you are a fool like me.”

  “You were not a fool,” said Giles, coming back up the stairs. “At least you were not until this morning. You must see how improper it is for me to continue here. You cannot let Lord Rothborough’s pragmatism influence you. It is seductive, I know, but –”

  “Then let yourself be seduced.”

  “Mr Carswell, really –”

  “For the greater good.”

  “And what is that?” Giles said. “That a man does his duty as he should.”

  “Yes. And it is your duty to remain in harness here! That is clear enough. Ask any of your men. Who else will look to them as you do? Who else will show them what is right? We will be all at sea without you, sir, and that is the truth of it!” He broke off and walked away. “If you could but deal fairly with yourself,” he said, turning back after a moment, “as you dealt with me.”

  The door to the committee room opened and Lord Rothborough came
out. He closed the door behind him carefully.

  “What a pack of mushrooms they all are!” he said. “I find it offensive how they treat a man of your rank with such disrespect, Major Vernon. It does not bode well for the future of this country that such men are losing all sense of deference. Still, we will manage as best we can. I have cleared the path for you, sir; the decision whether you remain or not is entirely yours.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Carswell said.

  “If I were you, I would stay, Major Vernon,” Lord Rothborough said. “What else are you going to do with yourself? Plant cabbages? I have always thought that a man, whatever his station in life, ought to have a useful occupation. Work is the saviour of us all. And your work, your achievement here is not something that should be thrown away on a whim. To throw all this up because of an indiscretion with a woman! What is that for a man of the world? Nothing!”

  “I told you I was not a man of the world,” Giles said.

  “You cannot be otherwise. You may think to hide behind the armour of your principles, Vernon, but you have your feet in the mud like the rest of us. And it would be wanton folly to throw away what you have achieved here because of a mere scruple. Yes, you must acknowledge you have made a mistake. That is part of life, to make mistakes and learn from them, but to throw this away. No, that will not do, and I believe you know it in your heart.” He turned to Carswell. “Now, Felix, will you come back with me to Holbroke as you promised? And will you, sir, give him leave of absence until his head is mended? You are still his employer, remember.”

  “Yes, of course he may go,” Giles said.

  “But you, sir,” said Carswell. “What will you do?”

  Giles looked at the closed door to the committee room and considered for a long moment.

  “I think I must go back in and retract my resignation,” he said quietly.

  “There’s no need to humble yourself to that degree,” said Lord Rothborough. “Make them beg to take you back, Major, make them beg!”