‘Then I gratefully accept it, sir,’ said Ackford, taking the money. ‘Though one question – I have to confess – does remain.’
‘What is it?’
‘Why not leave a servant at the house? It would be a much cheaper solution. A servant would know the property well, whereas my men do not.’
‘I tried that once before,’ said Hobday with a sigh, ‘and it ended in disaster. The servant whom I left alone to guard the house was surprised by the burglars and given the beating of his life. I could never subject an employee of mine to that fate again. This is a task for experienced men like yours. Since they were trained by you, they will be proficient in the use of arms.’
‘They are proficient in everything, I do assure you.’
‘That is the very reason which brought me here.’
‘How long will you be away, sir?’
‘Four or five days – I’ll send word of my return. Needless to say,’ he added, ‘if my home is broken into again, and if the rogues in question have a price on their heads, your detectives will be able to claim every penny of the reward.’
‘You speak as if you expect a burglary.’
‘Houses are watched carefully in Mayfair. Properties that are left empty and unprotected are fair game for thieves. What I am really paying for, you see, is peace of mind. I wish to be able to leave London without any tremors.’
‘Then you shall, sir,’ promised Ackford. ‘All that we need is an address and a key to the property. As soon as you quit the house, my men will act as sentries.’
Hobday thanked him profusely. After handing over a latchkey and giving him the relevant details, he left the gallery with a smile of satisfaction.
Ackford immediately summoned Jem Huckvale.
‘Follow the gentleman who just left,’ he ordered.
‘Where is he going?’
‘He claims to have a house in Upper Brook Street.’
‘Do you have doubts about that, Mr Ackford?’
‘It’s always wise to make certain that a client is telling the truth.’
‘What’s his name?’
‘He says that it’s Everett Hobday – find out if it really is.’
‘I will.’
Turning on his heel, Jem Huckvale ran swiftly out into the street.
Viscount Sidmouth found the news so disturbing that he leapt up from his chair.
‘Horner has disappeared?’
‘Yes,’ confirmed Grocott. ‘The alarm was raised by her sister, a Mrs Esther Ricks. It seems that they were due to meet yesterday evening but Horner did not turn up. Her sister went straight to her house and was told by the landlady that she had not come back the previous night.’
‘Well,’ said Sidmouth, resuming his seat, ‘that explains another day of rooms that were not cleaned and wastepaper baskets that were not emptied. It’s all very mysterious. I cannot believe that Horner would desert her post without giving us prior warning. She’s renowned for her dependability.’
‘Might she have been taken ill, do you suppose?’
‘That’s idle speculation. The salient fact is that she is simply not here.’ He scratched his chin. ‘Well, it’s taught us one thing.’
‘What’s that, my lord?’
‘One never realises how necessary a necessary woman is until she vanishes.’
‘I agree. I’m starting to feel bereft already.’
Sidmouth became businesslike. ‘In the short term,’ he said, ‘Horner must be replaced. I will put that task in your capable hands.’
‘Leave it with me.’
‘There are eighteen of us employed in this building. Apart from ourselves and the permanent undersecretary, there’s your fellow undersecretary, a chief clerk, four senior clerks and eight junior clerks. We all have our separate functions but I venture to suggest that our female colleague, Horner, is just as important as any of us.’
‘I’d endorse that.’
‘In having her to look after us, we’ve been thoroughly spoilt.’
‘Where might she have gone?’
‘It’s a puzzle that must be solved without hesitation. I’ll send word to the one man who will be able to track her down’
‘And who might that be, my lord?’
‘His name is Peter Skillen and I made great use of him as a spy behind enemy lines in France. Fortunately, he was fluent in the language, unlike some of the men I foolishly engaged. They paid with their lives. Now that the war is finally over – and Napoleon has been exiled – Skillen is working as a detective with his brother.’
‘He sounds like the ideal man.’
‘Your job is to find me the ideal woman, Grocott. I like the smell of polish when I come in here first thing in the morning. It’s been sadly lacking.’