Page 52 of The Fortunes of Ashmore Castle

‘My club, in London.’

‘And I suppose they’d know your name, if I was to enquire?’

‘I’ve been a member for twenty years. They know me there. Ask for Stennings, the head porter.’

The inspector put the card down and leaned forward, clasping his hands on the desk, coming to business.

‘So, Mr Sebastian Tallant, who lives in a castle and is not quite an earl, what were you doing in Hog Lane? Not your usual stamping ground, I’d say.’

Sebastian hesitated. ‘It was idle curiosity,’ he said. ‘I’d heard about the area, I thought I’d go and have a look for myself.’

‘Heard about it? Interested in slums, are we?’

‘I’d heard that young bucks like to go there and carouse.’

‘Carouse?’ He tasted the word like an unusual potion. ‘At eleven o’clock in the morning?’

Sebastian took the battle to him. ‘Why am I being held here, Inspector?’

The inspector raised his eyebrows. They were very bushy and, what with the Dundrearies and a large moustache, didn’t leave much of his face uncovered, except for his chin, which was like a knob of pumice. And his eyes, which were uncomfortably sharp. ‘A man is dead, Mr Tallant, that’s why. And you’ve got some explaining to do. How do you know Jack Hubert, or Hubbard as he’s sometimes known?’

Sebastian had prepared for this question. ‘I’ve never met him before in my life, and that’s the truth.’

The inspector stared at him for a long time, and Sebastian stared back. His ribs ached. The knife that had been intended to stab him had, thanks to his jump backwards, only skittered across his front, but it was a long slash, and it hurt. It had ruined his shirt, of course, and he hated to sit here in cut and bloodstained linen, but they had not offered him a change. A doctor had been summoned to examine the cut, had put half a dozen stitches in the deeper end, and bound it up, after which Sebastian had had to resume the ruined shirt. And then there had been a long wait in this room until the inspector came in.

‘But you killed him all the same,’ the inspector said at last.

‘I did not, sir. His death was an accident. And there were plenty of witnesses who saw him pull out the knife and try to stab me.’

‘Yes, and that’s the thing that’s bothering me. Why would Jack Hubert, or Hubbard, want to stab Mr Sebastian Tallant, who he’s never met before in his life?’

‘The man was drunk,’ Sebastian said. ‘I could smell it on him. He just came at me like a madman. I had to defend myself.’

‘Hmm,’ the inspector said. As if in acknowledgement of his job title, he went on inspecting Sebastian in silence.

At last Sebastian said, ‘Can I go now? I’m not feeling very well. And I need clean linen.’

The inspector seemed to come to a decision. ‘You will have to remain in the area for the time being. There will be an inquest, and you’ll be called as principal witness. Where are you staying in Brighton?’

‘At the Grand.’

‘Of course you are. Well, one of my constables will take you there and see you safe to your room.’

‘There’s no need.’

‘Not for your sake, but for ours. So we know where you’re stashed. And I do advise you, Mr Sebastian Tallant, to stay put, and not to think you can go wandering off before the inquest, because that would be a very bad idea, and put you in bad odour with – what did you call it? – the forces of law and order. Which at the moment is me. I’m a patient man, my wife tells me, but I don’t take kindly to being messed around.’

‘I have no intention of going anywhere.’

The inspector stood. ‘Very well. Wait here and I’ll send a constable to see you home.’ He got to the door, and then turned quickly, as though wanting to catch Sebastian at something. ‘One of the witnesses said they heard you asking Hubert about his wife, just before the fight started.’

‘They must have been mistaken,’ Sebastian said, keeping his gaze steady.

‘How do you know Hubert’s wife?’

‘I don’t. I didn’t even know her name. I’ve never met her or heard of her before.’

‘Really? Because she’s known as a bit of a gay girl, if you get my drift. Free with her favours – or not exactly free but, say, for half a crown she’ll be as friendly as you like. Are you sure you’ve not heard of her? Maybe you asked Jack Hubert for an introduction, not knowing he doesn’t like her to engage in trade.’