“The letter was a necessary deception, I think — and if you will cast your mind back, Captain Smollett, you will recall that I did not once tell you that the letter had actually come from Barbour.”
“So you didn’t,” said Captain Smollett. “So you didn’t.”
“Well, my lords, Your Grace, gentlemen,” the Marquis de London said, “this has been a rather strenuous night. I suggest we can make the best use of what is left of it by getting some sleep.”
The eight guests left the Palace du Marquis in a body. With the exception of Captain Smollett, they were all headed for Carlyle House.
There had been still another guest present, Lord Darcy knew, a guest who would remain behind until the others had left.
Behind the Vandenbosch reproduction in My Lord Marquis’ office was a sliding panel, and beyond that a small alcove. When the panel was open, anyone sitting in that darkened alcove could see through the cloth of the painting and observe and hear everything that took place.
Only the Marquis, Lord Bontriomphe, and Lord Darcy had known that someone had been in that alcove during the official inquiry which had resulted in the arrest of a killer, but it was not until some two months later, in Rouen, that Lord Darcy heard anything further from that hidden observer.
A package was delivered to Lord Darcy’s residence by a King’s Messenger. It was not a large package, but it was fairly heavy. There was a note with it which read:
My Lord Darcy:
Again we are indebted to you for your brilliant work in the protection of Our Realm. We understand that you were so unfortunate as to lose the valuable .40 caliber MacGregor which you so obligingly used for the demonstration at Westminster.
Since we deem it fitting that any weapon of this kind worn in Our presence should be Our gift, We are sending you this package.
We would have you understand however, that it is not a purely ceremonial weapon, but is to be used in the course of your duties. If We hear that it is hanging on the wall of your trophy room in a golden frame, or other such foolishness, We will personally come over there and take it away from you.
JIVR
Inside the box lay what was probably MacGregor’s finest creation: a handcrafted, man-stopping, .40 caliber handgun. The gold and enamel work on it made it as beautiful as it was deadly. On both sides of the butt, in hard enamel, were Lord Darcy’s personal arms: Ermine, on a fess gules, a lion passant gardant or. In the golden tracery work surrounding the shield were the lions of England and the lilies of France.