Charlotte House Affair 01 - My Particular Friend

vanity is important. Already my eyes are weak and my prospects bleak as a younger son who has not chosen the clergy, the military or God forbid some trade. But the fact of the matter is that you see me as destitute to-day as I was before this whole sorry business. I have not benefited one jot. Indeed I am even further fallen in Miss Streetham’s estimation, something I would not have thought possible. Now have I answered your questions?’
    ‘Yes. Thank you, sir. I believe you to have been as forthright as it is in your power to be.’
    He smiled at her last remark, bowed and left us.
    ‘He is certainly honest about his villainy,’ Mrs Fitzhugh said. ‘I suppose that must count for something.’
    ‘That cannot excuse him,’ I said, ‘and he must certainly be the person who took the map. Don’t you agree, Charlotte?’
    ‘I think we must immediately leave for the offices of Haversham and Clarke and look inside that strongbox.’
    Mrs Fitzhugh, Charlotte and I left immediately for the office by foot, the weather remaining pleasant. Miss Streetham remained behind simply because we left without her, Charlotte explaining that she felt that lady had been too upset over her meeting with Mr Edward.
    I took the opportunity to ask the question that had puzzled me the day before.
    ‘What is the significance of the Bramah lock?’ I asked Charlotte.
    ‘Oh, it is advertised as impervious to a pick lock. Unless a copy of the key were made, it should be impossible to enter the office without visibly damaging the lock or door. I am afraid that is another factor making it unlikely that Mr. Edward could have returned later that day to steal the map, although as we have no proof what day the map was taken, it is possible Mr Haversham had left it unlocked some subsequent day.’
    ‘Is it very far?’ Mrs Fitzhugh interjected as we walked down St. Margaret’s Street.
    ‘No,’ Charlotte said, ‘simply too far to appear at our best upon our arrival. You know how flushed Jane can appear after exertion.’
    I wished to object at this but it was true that I easily flushed and instead said, ‘Would it not be better were Miss Streetham to accompany us? Mr Clarke might not be as amenable without her presence.’
    ‘Let us hope that our innate … reasonableness will prevail, for I do not wish her presence.’
    ‘But why not?’ I asked.
    ‘Her anger at the brother is distracting. Let us leave it at that.’
    She walked slightly ahead of us, ending our conversation, and we soon arrived at the office. Kenneth the office boy greeted us to the sounds of men arguing. To our surprise, we found Mr Dundas in a heated argument with Mr Clarke.
    ‘You will show me the map, sir, immediately.’
    ‘As I have told you, and that woman yesterday, I do not have a key to the strongbox and I object to your accusations. When Mr Haversham is recovered …’
    ‘Excuse me, gentleman, I think I can solve your difficulties,’ Charlotte said, stepping forward and presenting the key.
    Both men turned to look at her, unaware until her announcement of our arrival.
    ‘Charlotte, what is that?’ asked Mr Dundas.
    ‘It is, thanks to some light-fingered work by Margaret, the key to the strongbox. I suggest we open it and determine once and for all whether the map is contained therein.’
    ‘I … uh … well this is … without Mr Haversham’s knowledge …’ Mr Clarke said, sputtering his words very guiltily to my mind.
    ‘Excellent work, my dear Margaret,’ Mr Dundas said, taking the key from Charlotte. ‘Who knows how long George will be afflicted? Don’t you want to clear the accusations against you?’
    Great emotion worked upon the face of Mr Clarke but finally he settled for a look of resignation. ‘Yes,’ he finally agreed. ‘Let it be done.’
    We hurried into Mr Haversham’s inner office, although I remained just outside the glass doors, for it was very crowded. I had to stand on tiptoe to look over Mrs Fitzhugh shoulder while Mr Dundas crouched down to operate the lock.
    ‘Hmph!’ he said with the exertion as he kneeled in front of the box. He inserted the key and with some difficulty opened the padlock and slipped it from the hasp. He opened the heavy lid with the aid of Mr Clarke. The strongbox was about half full, the bottom filled with bundled letters, deeds and other business matters but on top of it all were several large sheets folded in octavo.
    Mr Dundas stood, again with the aid of Mr Clarke, and they took the maps