The Bull Slayers: Inspector Faro No 9 (21 page)

As he waited for a reply, he scanned Faro's face carefully. 'You think she might be involved in something?'

This was a new aspect of the case which had never occurred
to Faro. Could Yarrow be right? There had been no mention of
Fenian activities. Surely the Prime Minister would have known and the Edinburgh City Police would have been alerted in the
interests of national security even though it was outside their
province.

He shook his head. 'It doesn't sound like a Fenian plot to
me.'

Yarrow looked disappointed. 'That actor fellow. The one
who was gored by one of the wild cattle. He was Irish too, been
on the boards in Dublin. Food for thought, eh, sir?' he said.

'It is indeed.'

'I'm about to look in and see how Miss Halliday is. I don't
suppose...'

'Yes, of course, I'll come with you.'

As they walked towards the Manse, in the light of Yarrow's
information regarding Imogen Crowe, Faro decided to err on
the side of caution and keep his observations - and his notes -
to himself for the time being.

Mrs Cairncross's relieved expression as she greeted them at the
Manse said that their worst fears had not been realised.

'Yes, she's awake, the poor dear. Dr Brand's with her now.'

At that moment the doctor descended the stairs, smiling and shaking his head when he saw Yarrow. 'You won't be needed
after all, Sergeant. No need to put cuffs on anyone this time. Simple explanation. Rattling window woke her up, she came
down and tripped on the stairs in the dark. Tried to save herself,
grabbed at the mantelpiece and hit her head a mighty crack on
the hearth as she fell. Good job she's got a thick skull -'

'There was no burglar?' Yarrow sounded shocked.

'That's what she says,' said the doctor cheerfully, fastening
his bag and turning to Mrs Cairncross. 'Told me to say, yes,
please, ma'am, she would like her breakfast now.'

'Can we see her?' demanded Yarrow.

'Later. We must keep her quiet for a while.' And to the
minister's wife, 'Keep her in bed for a day or two, if you can
manage.'

'I'll do my best, Doctor, but she's a very determined lady.'

Dr Brand frowned, looking at the two men. 'I think I'd best
be honest with you. I don't think our dear Miss Halliday is
speaking the truth.'

'I knew it,' said Yarrow triumphantly. 'She's protecting
someone, that's for sure.'

The doctor smiled. 'Only herself, Sergeant.'

'I don't understand.'

'You might if you were her age. She should have retired long
ago but she's determined to keep on teaching until she drops -
which, candidly, she will do quite soon if she doesn't give up.
You see, the fall she took I believe was due to a mild heart
attack.'

'A heart attack, oh, the poor dear,' said Mrs Cairncross. 'How on earth will she continue at the school?'

'I suspect the very same thought is troubling her, so she
makes light of it, says it was only a bad fall. I've examined her
and found no damage, no paralysis of arms and legs or facial
muscles, so we can deduce that this was just a warning. A
warning that she must take seriously. Like some of my other patients,' he added, darting a significant look at Yarrow. 'You
haven't been to see me lately.'

‘I’m much too busy to fuss about aches and pains. They've been with me for a long time,' said Yarrow brusquely, leaving
Faro to wonder if the greyness of his complexion was natural
or due to some more serious cause, as Imogen Crowe had
hinted.

'What about the school, Doctor?' asked Mrs Cairncross,
remembering her brood of children and their future.

'She must get help, a younger woman, to take some of the
burden -'

He was interrupted by Miss Halliday, calling from upstairs:
'Hell - o - Mrs Cairncross, are you there?'

Mrs Cairncross picked up the tray. 'She's out of bed. I knew
it. Once my back is turned. Coming, my dear.'

‘I’ll be back when she's had her breakfast,' said Yarrow.

Dr Brand nodded. 'You come with me, Sergeant.'

When Yarrow protested with a helpless look at Faro, the
doctor seized his arm firmly. 'I've got some of my splendid pills
waiting for you.'

Faro lingered, waiting for Mrs Cairncross to return. 'Do you
think I might have a few words with Miss Halliday? I'm to
leave Elrigg shortly. This might be my last chance.'

Mrs Cairncross looked doubtful. 'If you think it will be all
right, sir. You won't tire her, will you?'

Miss Halliday was sitting up in bed, her face badly bruised, but otherwise she was remarkably cheerful. When Faro exclaimed sympathetically, she smiled painfully. 'I'm perfectly all right, no bones broken. A silly accident, but I'll be back with my children
on Monday. It's good of you to come and say goodbye -'

'There is something else, Miss Halliday. I realise this is an
inappropriate time - Sir Walter's letter. I was absolutely
fascinated -'

'And you would like a copy. I don't have it, I'm afraid.'

She laughed at his solemn expression. 'Ask Miss Crowe. She looked in after you yesterday and I lent it to her for that very
reason.'

And Faro had the grace to feel ashamed.

Miss Molly Gilchrist's visit to Elrigg Castle was to be memorable
for its surprises, none of which could have been anticipated by
the guests.

The sunny warm weather held and the gardens, with their
budding trees laden with birdsong, made a pretty and nostalgic
background for the old lady, whose face was a map of her life,
of its joys and sorrows. Her eyes, still bright, constantly
searched for her beloved pupil, Mark.

'Where is he?' she whispered, as she perambulated the
gardens on Faro's arm. 'Dear, dear, I did expect he would be
here to greet his guests,' she added anxiously. 'And he did
promise me a nice surprise. We share the same birthday, you
know. He is twenty-five today,' she added proudly.

'A double celebration,' said Owen. 'No doubt that is what is
keeping him.'

And Faro remembered that this day was the day Mark came
of age, when all of Elrigg would be his.

'These gardens must be full of memories for you,' said
Olivia. 'Is it exciting to come back?'

'It is indeed.' And Miss Gilchrist proceeded to regale them
with stories of Mark's childhood. As is so often the case of rich
children whose parents had little time for them, motherless
Mark had been treated by her more as son than pupil. He had returned her devotion and had kept in touch with her over the
years, by letter and by frequent visits.

Suddenly two figures emerged from the topiary surrounding
the rose garden. Lady Elrigg walked swiftly towards them, apologising for Mark's absence. This was greeted by an audible
sigh of relief from Miss Gilchrist and, as introductions were
made, Faro observed that Lady Elrigg's companion Miss Kent
stepped back, as if eager for the shadows of the great cypress
hedge. She curtsied to the group and then, in an almost
imperceptible gesture, touched her mistress's arm.

Still smiling, Lady Elrigg turned to her immediately and
together they moved a little distance away. Apparently the talk
was brief but urgent, for with a quick glance towards the
assembled guests, Miss Kent hurried of in the direction of the
Castle.

'Some urgent domestic niceties I seem to have overlooked for
this evening,' they were informed. 'Fortunately Miss Kent
remembered.'

But Faro wasn't all sure she was speaking the truth. Her colour had heightened slightly and he felt certain her sharp,
uncertain glance had concerned the guests and something more important than was warranted by a housekeeping consultation.

'I trust your rooms are quite comfortable?' At the murmurs of 'Very' and 'Delightful', Lady Elrigg smiled. 'And now, if you
will excuse me. We will meet again in the drawing-room at five
o'clock.'

'Will Mark be there?' Miss Gilchrist asked in a bewildered
voice.

Lady Elrigg took her hands. 'Of course, my dear, of course,
he will. Now do enjoy the last of the sunshine while you can.'

When they returned to the house, Mark rushed out to greet
them. Exchanging hugs and kisses with a relieved and tearful
Miss Gilchrist, he said: 'I so wanted you to be here, I have a
very special surprise for you.'

It was a surprise for everyone. In the drawing-room Poppy Elrigg now wore a gown of violet lace and the Elrigg diamonds.
Even in humbler attire she would have overshadowed every
other female present.

Hector Elrigg arrived with Dr Brand and both greeted the
Elriggs with a geniality that raised Faro's eyebrows a little
considering how vehemently they had both railed against Sir
Archie. Presumably their angry feelings did not extend to his
pretty widow and his stepson.

Faro made a mental note that Hector in particular had taken
great pains with his appearance. His suit, although a little out
of fashion, was considerably smarter than the rough
countryman's attire he normally appeared in. Dr Brand too was
wearing what Faro suspected was his Sunday best.

The latecomer was Imogen Crowe.

This was indeed a surprise and not a particularly pleasant
one for Faro. He suspected he would be seated next to her at
dinner. But much was to happen before that.

'Right,' said Mark. 'Now that everyone is here, will you
please follow me.' He gave his ex-governess his arm and the
group made their way back down the staircase out and across
the courtyard to the private chapel which had served the Elriggs
of several past generations.

With his hand on the open door, Mark put his arm about
Miss Gilchrist. This dear lady, as you all know, has been my
mother in every way but the accident of birth. She is the dearest
in all the world to me - except for one person,' he smiled, 'and
it is appropriate that she should stand by me on my wedding
day.'

'Your wedding day!'

There was a very audible gasp from the group at this
unexpected announcement. He said: 'Yes, dear friends, I am to be married.' And throwing open the door, he said, There is my
bride.'

Standing before Reverend Cairncross at the altar were his wife and, now radiant in her bridal gown, their once-weeping
daughter Harriet, whom Faro had met briefly in the churchyard.

Turning to Molly Gilchrist, Mark said: 'I shall want your
blessing.'

That you have always had, my dearest boy. I am so happy
for you.'

And so they were wed. Poppy Elrigg was obviously delighted
and had relished helping Mark plan the event with such great
secrecy. As for Faro, he was glad to have been in grave error
regarding the affection of two young people drawn together in
a trying household.

Reverend Cairncross and his wife were doubtless gratified by
this conclusion to their own problem for, without wishing to be indelicate, or stare too heavily, it was obvious that Harriet was
pregnant.

The wedding party returned jubilantly indoors to dine in the
elegant room with its eighteenth-century damask wall-
hangings, faded but still intact. The faces of ghostly bygone
Elriggs stared down from the walls at the diners in a setting that
was everything an old family servant like Miss Gilchrist could
have wished for.

It was also an occasion to provide Faro with some interesting
observations and conclusions.