Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

moans of the poor man wafting from the upper floors, until sleep found him and brought a measure of peace to the household. #
    ‘George, Mr Haversham’—and here her eyes flicked upwards as she thought of the tortured man—‘he has always had a reputation of being most punctilious. Edward has … described him in more colourful terms. George took on responsibility early upon the death of his father and I think looks on his brother almost as a son.’
    ‘It does him great credit, I am sure,’ Mrs Fitzhugh said. ‘But I think from your comment that perhaps he chafes at such rectitude.’
    She smiled and said, ‘I know as much from what he has said. I told him once that I … cared deeply for him because he was serious and dependable. And he replied that he wished just once he would do the wrong thing just to surprise me.’
    ‘And has he?’ Charlotte asked.
    ‘What?’
    ‘Done the wrong thing? Just to surprise you.’
    ‘No, never,’ she said, and we could see by her smile she considered his steadfastness a virtue, and not perhaps a tiresome predictability.
    ‘Clearly you are made for each other,’ Charlotte said.
    At this, Mrs Streetham said. ‘George Haversham is the ideal son in law. And my Beryl is his perfect helpmeet.’
    We three did not demur to this assessment, although we did exchange a knowing glance. I knew that my friends were thinking that Mr Haversham might no longer be the ideal son-in-law. Obviously his financial prospects were sufficiently bleak as to unseat his reason. And yet Mrs Streetham had maintained her delusion that all would be well.
    Until now, that is. After her pronouncement, she said nothing further and for the rest of the meal sat pensively. Her daughter too seemed subdued and it was in dull spirits that those two ladies retired early.
    Without their company, Charlotte, Mrs Fitzhugh and I had freedom to discuss our opinions on the matter.
    ‘I fear that Mr Haversham may be too devastated by his financial setback to …’ Mrs Fitzhugh said in hushed tones, voicing the thought we already shared.
    ‘Yes,’ I agreed, ‘I fear this too.’
    ‘But it is immaterial to the matter of the theft of the map and the identification of the culprit. Jane, what is your assessment of the matter?’
    ‘Well, as much as the character of the brother makes it seem likely he is the culprit, we don’t really have any evidence of his guilt. We don’t even know whether the map is missing from the strongbox.’
    ‘How is it that you have not determined that?’ Mrs Fitzhugh asked. ‘You visited the office.’
    Charlotte sighed and said, ‘There is only one key to the strongbox and it is, or was, upon Mr Haversham’s person. And as Miss Streetham will not allow us to speak with him or even see him …’
    ‘Oh, but I have seen him,’ our friend said.
    ‘What?’ Charlotte asked. ‘Have you spoken to him?’
    ‘No, and if you had seen him, you would understand why. He moans and mutters to himself, oblivious to those around him. He is quite pitiable and it is no wonder that Miss Streetham would keep him from you.’
    ‘But how then did you come to see him?’
    Our friend looked slightly away from Charlotte before answering, ‘Perhaps it is my manner and my offer to help in his care, rather than speak of questioning him.’
    ‘Oh, very well done, Margaret. Did you come to see any keys?’
    She looked directly at Charlotte at this and said, ‘Yes, there are keys on a ring by his bedside.’
    ‘And do you think Mr Haversham shall require any ministering to-night?’
    ‘If not, I could propose the need for such and could again offer my help.’
    ‘Excellent. Then we might visit the office again to-morrow and ascertain whether the map is in fact missing.’

The Younger Brother
    Despite the success of Mrs Fitzhugh’s mission, we were unable to leave immediately for the office the next morning as we were paid an early visit by Mr Edward Haversham.
    Because of our planned excursion, Charlotte, Mrs Fitzhugh and I were able to receive him without delay. There was understandably some awkwardness in our meeting as Mrs Streetham and her daughter made introductions.
    ‘I am sorry for my early arrival, but the letter I received did request “my most prompt attendance,” and so you see me here now,’ he said, with a slight smile indicating his amusement at the commanding tone of Charlotte’s letter.
    ‘Your prompt attendance is appreciated sir,’ Charlotte said after a moment’s