Sibylla Bostoniensis

Dickie Smith was a little chagrined that his talents in surreptitious following had not been called upon in this most interesting case of Mr Taskerville. That had been conducting a liaison with Lady Whibsall, and she, most imprudent, had sent him letters, and he, even more imprudent, had kept 'em, and they had fallen somehow into the hands of one that was demanding recompense for silence in the matter. For Mr Taskerville had expectations from an exceedingly pious great-aunt, that was also wont to make him generous gifts, while there was a considerable fear that Sir Francis Whibsall had a notion towards bringing a crim.con. action did he have evidence on hand.

And here was Taskerville, already not entirely rolled up but in less than flourishing circumstance due to his ill fortune at race-courses – Dickie snorted to himself, for he apprehended that the gentleman had no great understanding in that business! Dickie had passed some months as a groom in Terence Offerton’s stables, pursuing a case on behalf of the Johnson agency, and had learnt a good deal about such matters to supplement what one that had been about the Jupp stables since childhood and was acquainted with The Lady – Mrs Penkarding – already knew concerning horseflesh.

Had transpired that the business 'twixt Taskerville and the extortionist was not conducted in person, but by means of notes left in certain places. At which Matt had frowned, and sighed, and said that argued one that somehow had the entrée to the houses and clubs that Foolish Phineas frequented – but could be a footman, or able to present as one – though makes one wonder whether 'tis one that he would recognize did he see him –

So Matt went about to persuade Taskerville to bring him the next note he received – lord, I had to assure him that just because it says Burn this! he is not obliged to do so.

But at the moment Dickie was engaged on the useful if not very exciting task of cutting out pieces from the newspapers that mentioned the work of the agency or touched on cases or individuals in whom they took an interest. And when he had done so, Miss Frinton, that would not entrust it to anyone else, would paste 'em up in the agency scrapbooks, and mark 'em down in her indexes so that they might be found when needed.

La, said a voice from the doorway, look at those dirty hands! All printers’ ink! Here – Leda Hacker tossed him a damp cloth – Matt has got the latest note Foolish Phineas received and we are convoking over it in his office. Come along.

Dickie jumped up. This was something like!

In Matt’s office, that was furnished in such a way as to communicate confidence to those that came seeking the agency’s services – no fly-by-night enterprize! – Miss Frinton was examining the letter and holding it up to the light to scrutinize the watermark.

She snorted. 'Tis good enough writing-paper, but 'tis nothing very rare – a common enough make – widely sold about Town – one might find it in a deal of escritoires –

Hacker twitched it out of Frinton’s hand. Precisely, she said, and does it not look like a lady’s fist? She laid it down on Matt’s desk.

Matt nodded. Has that style, he agreed. Though whether that means our villain is a villainess, or whether 'tis one with a fine skill at counterfeiting hands – Hacker blushed a little, and Dickie wondered whether her childhood apprenticeship to the ken-cracker Laffen had included forgery among the skills she had learnt – or whether there is a female confederate in the business.

Whoever it is, said Hacker, is not very subtle and not playing for high stakes.

They all looked at her.

She shrugged. 'Tis not the like of Rathe, is it? That was playing a deep game with a long view and picking his victims with care, that either were in government offices or already had some kind of power and influence, or would be like to have in future. This one is choosing idle wastrels for small gains.

Matt looked at her with approval, and nodded his head. You sum it up very just. Mayhap 'tis an idle wastrel himself, finds himself pockets to let, goes poke about to see what he might find – one wonders has anybody missed small items of value of late, trinkets &C –

Hacker winked and said, would go ask in the usual quarter about that! For one understood that she had connexions in the world of fences, as well as pawnbrokers that did not make any searching enquiries concerning the goods they were offered.

– comes across compromising letters – or mayhap notes concerning gaming debts or such – and fathoms that he may turn these to profit. You might enquire of Dumaine, next time you go there as Babsie, whether he knows of any that might be in that condition.

Hacker wrinkled her nose, saying, would not be going to Dumaine’s very immediate, had this commission concerning Sir Hobday Perram’s precious Persian things –

Matt grunted. Was going to suggest, that you take young Dickie with you, as excellent instructive for him –

Dickie was unable to repress a delighted yelp.

– so I will go dine with Dumaine myself and sound him out.

So, there was his mother and father, looking upon him very serious and saying, trusted that he would do the family credit going out in the capacity of Miss Hacker’s 'prentice. For Timothy and Nell Smith might be the keepers of the Buffle Arms tavern, adjacent to her brother Sam’s livery stables, but these days 'twas a fine respectable place. And had they not expanded to open the Beaufoyle Arms Song and Supper Room, where Clo Marshall had made her name?

Did not Pa become quite the businessman these days, convoking with their relative Maurice Allard over whether one might go it even further and open one of these halls for music and entertainment that was springing up hither and yon over Town? For Maurice might have made his reputation as a modiste with the finest eye for ladies’ fashion, but was renowned throughout their connexion for his acuity in all matters to do with business.

So, here Dickie was, dressed exceeding proper, in a railway carriage with Hacker, that grinned at him and said that she hoped he had something more comfortable in his dunnage, for fancied there would be a deal of clambering about and mayhap crawling into attics &C.

Dickie grinned back and said that Ma had been very wishful that he should make a good first impression.

There was Hacker herself, got up as if she was applying for a post as a governess! Most exceeding meek and proper.

He was somewhat astonished at the condition of Sir Hobday’s mansion – brought up in a household under the hand of one that had been trained in good practices was almost shocked – but Hacker murmured under her breath, la, 'tis a sad bachelor establishment, and he supposed that must explain it.

Though indeed, once they came to convoke with the master of the house, came to apprehend that there had also been some matter of lack of funds – but here was Lord Sallington, what a fine young man was that, had remarked that certain old paintings acquired by Sir Hobday’s ancestors would be exceeding vendable by art dealers, and now he might mend the roof and spruce up the old place.

Matt had took Dickie aside and told him to study upon Hacker’s manner with clients.

There she was, most sympathetic – listening – asking the occasional question – lightly mentioning the certain collections they had already been about protecting – Mr Grigson, the wealthy China merchant’s wonderful things from the Celestial Empire –

La, perchance 'twas a strange occupation for a female, but had been taught by her foster-father –

No, they were not putting up at the Crown, though they heard it was a very comfortable inn, they were staying at Attervale –

Here Hacker looked at her most exceeding prim governessy and disclosed that upon occasion she undertook secretarial work for Dowager Lady Bexbury, that had very kindly put 'em in the way of Lady Emily Merrett’s hospitality – was an antient friend of that family –

Dickie, that had seen Hacker in her guises as Babsie Bolton and Larry Hooper, was hard put not to laugh at how genteel she showed!

She showed a deal more relaxed in the company of the Ladies of Attervale, Lady Emily Merrett and her companion Miss Fenster, that treated her entirely informal and on the level of a friend, asking after dear Lady Bexbury &C – supposed Mr Smith would find himself more comfortable in the kitchen –

Indeed he did, where there was a fine table set, and a deal of eager enquiry about certain recent cases of the Johnson agency that had been reported in the press –

Thatching, that was the groom, was in particular interested in that matter of underhand behaviour about racecourses, that Dickie had been so closely involved in investigating – as they pushed back their chairs at the end of the meal, and Thatching lit his pipe, said he dared say that Smith would care to take a look at their own cattle here?

Would I! said Dickie. Sure Lady Emily is quite renowned – The Lady, that is, Mrs Penkarding, that is a neighbour of ours, will ever speak highly of her –

All looked very gratified and nodded their heads.

So – at this time o’year 'twas still light – when all finally got up from table Thatching took Dickie over to the stables and sure that was a very fine sight!

Mentioned that his uncle – Sam Jupp – Jupp’s Livery Stables and Carriage Hire – kept his own cattle in fine condition – treated 'em well – sent 'em out to recruit at his farm in Berkshire, did not believe in working 'em to death – but they was working nags, not the like of this.

Then came in Lady Emily herself, that saw Dickie’s admiration and appreciation of her cattle and grinned. Fancy you would know what’s what! she said. Now, Miss Hacker gives you the name of a sensible young man that can move quiet and discreet – should you like to come look at my hawks?

Dickie was unable to find words to express how much he should. Oh, he would have so much to boast of to his brothers and Lizzie!