A Cabinet Secret : Chapter 5

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Chapter five of A Cabinet Secret by Guy boothby this
lipribox recording is in the public domain. Reading by Maperartcha five.
You will remember that in the preceding chapter I described
to you the conflicting emotions with which I viewed my
now famous call at Wiltshire House. Beyond remarking that I

(00:25):
was quite at a loss to account for it, and
that the passing of time did not throw any further
light upon the mystery. I need say no more about it.
There is so much to tell of vital importance that
it behosed me to be economical of space. Needless to say,
the Colonial Secretary's disappearance continued to attract its full measure

(00:48):
of public opinion. Despite the endeavors of the police. However,
no clue of any sort could be discovered, either as
to his present whereabouts or as to the manner of
his departure. Enormous rewards were offered, but without success. He
was gone, and that was all that could be said

(01:09):
about it. Meanwhile, the most alarming telegrams were being received
from the front Day after day. The news of reverses
filled the columns of the public press, until it began
to look as if the prestige of England would be
destroyed forever and a day. Parliament had by this time

(01:29):
assembled and questioned. Innumerable were addressed to the Secretary of
State for War as to the reasons for the deplorable
condition of affairs at the front. Public opinion was a
fever heat, and only a small spark was needed to
bring about an explosion. Troops were pouring out of England

(01:50):
by every available boat, while the Home Defense force was
being increased to its utmost limit. Never since the Crimea
had such a state of affairs been known, and never
had the resources of the Empire been so severely taxed.
Then came the news of the loss of another transport

(02:11):
at sea, a catastrophe ascribed to the presence on board
of a clockwork infernal machine. This was followed by the
stranding of the Son of Neptune with the thirty sixth
Lancers on board at Los Palmas, by which the horses
and men so badly needed at the seat of War

(02:33):
were detained on the island inactive until another vessel could
be sent from England to pick them up and convey
them to their destination. By this time, everyone save those
whom the most visible proof would not convince had arrived
at the conclusion that we were fighting not only our

(02:54):
ostensible and declared enemies, the two South African republics, but
also another powerful yet mysterious foe, whose machinations were responsible
for the disappearance of Waller and the Colonial Secretary, for
the blowing up of the Sultan of Sadang, the destruction

(03:16):
of the Sun of Neptune and Sundry, other occurrences so
vividly and painfully impressed upon the public mind. Then for
upwards of a fortnight arrestment was given us, and the
British taxpayer was able to take up his paper without
finding the news of some new misfortune for which he

(03:36):
would eventually be called upon to pay for both in
money and self esteem. Described in his columns, it was
fortunate that we could not foretell the even greater troubles
that were still in store for us. One memorable Friday morning,
exactly a fortnight after my call at Wiltshire House, a

(03:58):
rumor ran through the town to the effect that Woolwich
Arsenal had been destroyed. Knowing the precautions that were taken
at that splendid institution to guard against such a thing.
The report was at first discredited. It was soon found, however,
to be only too true. A terrific explosion had taken place,

(04:21):
a large number of employees had been killed and wounded,
while the works, then so vitally necessary, were placed at
a complete standstill. The lamentable occurrence was reported to the
House by the Home's secretary that afternoon, and as usual,
the authorities declared there was no clue to guide the

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police in their search for the author of the dastardly deed.
It was in Vain that questions were asked in the House.
In Vain, that public orators demanded of the authorities that
they should exercise more care in guarding the use institutions.
In Vain, that the man in the street forwarded his

(05:06):
theories and suggested remedies to the press. England had a
mysterious enemy who could think as well as act, and who,
when he had finished his work, left no trace behind
to lead to his identification. In consequence of the excitement
caused by the last disaster, the guards upon all the

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public buildings were doubled. No precaution was omitted that wisdom
could dictate. And then we waited to see where the
next blow would fall in this fashion. Another four night
went by, during which an incident of no small importance occurred,
quite by chance. An explanation was forthcoming as to how

(05:52):
the news of the series of disasters that had been
our portion in South Africa during the last few weeks
reached our shope. It was discovered that the cable, the
only one then working, had been cleverly tampered with, the
wires milked to use an American expression, and a doctored

(06:13):
version sent home for consumption. This was corroborated by the
mail reports and despatches describing the course of events in
South Africa. Henceforth, the most rigid precautions were taken to
guard against a repetition of this practice. And then once
more we sat down to wait. I had seen nothing

(06:35):
of the Countess for some time. The fright I had
received on the last occasion that I had called upon
her was still sufficiently impressed upon my memory to make
me a little cherry of allowing her to obtain so
much influence over me. As Will doubtless be agreed, this
was a somewhat contradictory decision on my part, for in

(06:58):
arriving at it, I had no excuse to offer, save
that I entertained for her a mixture of admiration, and
I might almost say of innate distrust. The admiration was
easily accounted for. The distrust was somewhat more difficult to explain.
Was she not the bosom friend of many of the

(07:19):
greatest people in the land. She was to be met everywhere,
and was as well known a personage in London society
as Royalty itself. Her father, it appeared, had left England
for the Continent, and it was doubtful when he would return.
Her cousin was still with her and was to be
encountered at every social gathering of importance. Young, handsome, and

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the reported possessor of considerable wealth, it was small wonder
that he found himself in request when so many young
men were absent from England. I have stated that I
did not care for the young Count Riefenberg, and now
I will go even further by saying that the more
I saw him, the less I liked him. At this

(08:07):
point in my story, it is necessary for me to
describe a circumstance which, though at the time it puzzled
me considerably, can now be very easily explained. It occurred
on a night when the house sat scarcely so late
as usual. As a matter of fact, it was but

(08:27):
little after midnight when I set off to walk home.
For a time after the disappearance of the Colonial Secretary,
I had declined to be shadowed by a detective. But
now hearkening to the voice of prudence, I had consented
to be shadowed by a detective whenever I took my
walk abroad, since I am fond of walking, particularly at night.

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I am afraid my own particular shadow had rather a
hard time of it. He never complained, however, but faithful
to his duty, kept me continually in view, obtruding himself
upon my notice as little as possible. The feeling engendered
by the knowledge that a man is continually behind one,

(09:14):
watching all one does is the reverse of pleasant. However,
like everything else in life, one gets used to it,
and after a time I took no notice of it.
On this particular occasion, the night being so beautiful, the
moon was full, I remember, I strolled leisurely home, my

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thoughts settled on the debate that had taken place that night.
There is a solemnity about Trafalgar Square at midnight, particularly
when viewed by the light of the moon, that is
far from being its principal characteristic. By day, as I
passed the spot where I had said good bye to

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poor Costela a few weeks before, I could not suppres
I shuddered, leaving Cocksfurth Street behind me. I passed on
to Piccadilly afterwards, proceeding by way of Berkeley Square to
my abode. By the time I reached my own door,
I was in the full enjoyment of the night. It
seemed a pity to shut oneself up in the house

(10:19):
when it was so lovely outside. I therefore waited until
my faithful follower came up to me, and then informed
him that I intended going on for a further stroll.
There is not the least necessity for you to come.
I said, you may go home to bed as soon
as you like. I think I would prefer to accompany you, sir.

(10:42):
The man replied, I am on duty all night, and
if anything were to happen to you, it would be
my fault. Very well, then I answered, come along, so,
saying we were resumed our walk with a difference that
on this occasion, and I kept the man beside me.

(11:02):
He proved an interesting companion, having seen life under a
variety of aspects, and in so doing had naturally come
in contact with many strange characters. What was more, he
had the faculty of being able to put them before
you in a novel and interesting light. He had been
three times to America in search of criminals, once to India,

(11:27):
and once to Australia. By the time I had heard
his experiences in the last named country, we had reached
Park Lane and were drawing near Wiltshire House. At the corner.
We called a halt while I felt in my pocket
for a match for my cigar. We were standing in
deep shadow, Wiltshire House being on the further side of

(11:49):
the road, and in the full light of the moon.
Having found a match, I was about to strike it
when the figure of a man on the opposite side
of the street tracted my attention. The moonlight was so
bright that I could see him quite distinctly. He was
of the poorest class, evidently a street loafer of the

(12:10):
description to be seen any night, stretched out on the
grass of the park. My astonishment may be imagined therefore,
when I saw him deliberately ascend the three steps leading
to the side door of Wiltrip house. He paused for
a moment, then the door was softly opened to him,
and he passed inside. Scarcely able to believe the evidence

(12:34):
of my eyes, I turned to the man beside me
and inquired if he had noticed it. He admitted that
he had. What does it mean? I asked? Is it
a case of burglary? Do you think it looks like it? Sir?
He replied, whatever it is, he has got a confederate inside.

(12:57):
What do you think had better be done? The Countess
de Vanessa is a personal friend, and I cannot allow
her house to be robbed without making an effort to
prevent it. We had better call the policeman on the beat,
the man replied, after that we can arouse the household.
There shouldn't be much difficulty in securing the fellow. If

(13:18):
you wouldn't mind keeping your eye on that door for
a few minutes, sir, I'll go off and find the constable.
I willingly agreed to watch the door, and the detective
departed on his errand in something less than five minutes
he returned, bringing two policemen with him. The men had
evidently been informed of my identity, for they saluted respectfully,

(13:42):
and one of them inquired what I wished done in
the matter. I think the better plan would be to
call up the house steward and inform him of what
we have seen, I replied. You will then be able
to search the house and affect the capture of the burglar,
leaving us to guard the door through which the old

(14:03):
man had entered. One of the policemen went round to
the front of the house. The other ascended the steps
and rang the bell to his first summons. There was
no response, so he rang again. The bell echoed in
the basement of the great house, this time to some purpose.
For a few minutes later, a shuffling footstep was heard within.

(14:25):
Then the key turned in the lock and the door
was opened on the chain to the extent of a
few inches. Who's that, asked a man's voice. Police answered
the officer. I'm here to warn you that there's a
man has just got into the house. Somebody let him
in it this door man got into the house, was

(14:48):
the alarmed response. You don't mean that, I hope, policeman.
I do, replied the constable. You had better let us
come in and have a look round. We've been watching
the house, and he hasn't come out yet. My mates
round at the front, and there's a detective officer here.

(15:09):
Get a candle and we'll go through the rooms with you.
The thought that he was to be called upon to
assist in the arrest of a burglar was too much
for the old man. He tremblingly invited the officer to
lead the way down the stairs to the basement. While
they were absent, we remained at the door, expecting every

(15:30):
minute to hear the sound of a scuffle from within.
Five minutes or so later they ascended once more, and
the constable shook his head. Where ever else he is, sir,
he said, addressing me, he's not down there. The words
had scarcely left his lips before the door at the
further end of the passage opened, and the Countess herself

(15:54):
stood before us. Much to my astonishment, I saw that
she was in full evening dress. Her appearance was so
entirely unexpected that I could only stare at her in surprise.
What does this mean? She inquired, with a haughtiness that
sat well upon her. Why, surely it is, Sir George Manderville.

(16:16):
What can have happened? This is rather a late hour
for a cause, Sir George, I explained what had occurred.
Told her of the man I had seen entered by
the side door, and whom I was perfectly certain had
not come forth again. Then he must be in the
house now, she cried, in a voice of alarm. Who

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can it be and who could possibly have let him in?
Some dishonest member of your household. I replied, it would
be as well if you were to find out who
that person is. In the meantime, let me beg of
you to permit the officers to search the house. To this,

(16:59):
she willingly scented, at the same time bidding the steward
roused the housekeeper. While the search is proceeding, won't you
come to my boudoir, Sir George, she said. I have
been sitting there reading since I returned from the theater,
and I am quite sure that the wretch, whoever he
may be, is not in that part of the building.

(17:23):
I followed her to the room in question, which was
on the other side of the house, and we were
about to enter it when the sound of a footstep
upon the stairs attracted my attention, and I looked up
to see her cousin, Count Rifenberg, descending towards us, What
is the matter, he asked, why, Sir George Manderville, I

(17:44):
did not expect to find you here. I briefly explained
the situation to him, whereupon he remarked, with that curious
smile upon his face, it seems that you are destined
always to prove our benefactor. But while we are talking here,
the man may make his escape. I think I will

(18:05):
go round with the police and see if I can
be of any assistance to them. He left us, and
for something like ten minutes, the Countess and I waited
for the sound that was to proclaim the capture of
the intruder. But no such good fortune rewarded us. If
the man were in the house, and of this I

(18:25):
had no doubt he had managed to conceal himself so
effectually that the police could not find him. In the meantime,
the housekeeper had put in an appearance and was despatched
to interrogate the female domestics and discover, if possible, who
it was that had opened the door. She returned with

(18:46):
the information that she had found all the maid servants
in bed and asleep, while the steward was equally certain
that none of the men under his charge had anything
to do with the occurrence. At last, after searching the house,
the police were compelled to confess that they were at

(19:06):
a loss to understand what had become of him. But
there can be no doubt about his being here, I declared.
I distinctly saw him enter. He was an old man,
very ragged, with long gray hair, and stooped as he walked.
The detective officer, who was with me at the time,
can also corroborate what I say if necessary. That is

(19:32):
not necessary, for of course, we accept your word, said Ruthenberg,
with elaborate politeness. The question is, if, as you say,
he entered, where is he now? He cannot have vanished
into space, and we have searched every corner without success.
Then he must have an accomplice in the house who

(19:54):
is hiding them, I returned. If both exits have been guarded,
he cannot have got out. By this time, I was
beginning to wish that I had had nothing to do
with the matter. The Countess, however, was profuse in her
thanks to me for what she described as a most
considerate and friendly act, Seeing that I could be of

(20:19):
no further use to her. I apologized for my intrusion
and bade them good night. Should we, by any chance
manage to secure the fellow, I will let you know,
said Raevenberg, as we stood together at the front door.
I fear, however, we shall not be so fortunate. There

(20:42):
was a snare in his voice for which I could
have kicked him. However, I kept my temper and murmuring
something to the effect that I was glad to have
been of service. I took my departure, and the door
closed behind me. That was one of the most extraordinary
affairs I have known, I said to the detective, as

(21:03):
we turned our faces homewards. I am quited a loss
to account for it. The detective stopped suddenly and looked
at me. The lady and gentlemen are particular friends of yours, sir,
I understand, and I don't know in that case whether
I ought to tell you what is in my mind,

(21:23):
But I fancy I could throw a rather unexpected light
upon the affair. Speak out then, by all means, I answered,
what was it? You noticed this, sir? He said, And
as he spoke, he took from his pocket a small
piece of black matter, about half the size of a pea.

(21:44):
He handed it to me and asked if I had
seen it before. I informed him that I was quite
sure I had not. It only bears out, sir, what
I was saying as we came down Park Lane just
before we reached Wiltshire House. If it weren't for little
things that they overlook, we shouldn't be able to lay

(22:04):
our hands on half the criminals we want now, mind you, sir,
I don't mean to infer by that that your friend,
Count Breefenberg is a criminal, not at all. That would
be a very wrong thing to say. He's probably been
playing a practical joke, as gentlemen will. The fact, however,

(22:25):
remains that he gave himself away with that little lump
of black stuff, just as surely as Bill Cooke's of
the Mineries did when he gave his sweetheart the silk
handkerchief that he picked up in old missus Burgess's bedroom.
He didn't think it was of any importance, but she
wore it, quarreled with a girl over it. The police

(22:48):
came to hear of it, and Bill was caught. So
it was just that slip that brought him to the gallows.
I do not understand you, I replied, Still the tiny
bit of black stuff in my hand. What is the
connection between this substance and Count Riefenberg. It's the key

(23:09):
to the whole puzzle, sir, he said, and took it
from me, Turning his face away, he put his hand
to his mouth, and then, wheeling round again, parted his
lips and showed me his teeth. The eye tooth on
the right hand side was missing. He put up his
hand once more, and lo, it was restored to its place.

(23:34):
That's what I mean, sir, he said. Now I noticed
when the gentleman came downstairs that one of his eye
teeth were missing. He wanted to make himself look old,
I suppose, and when he had taken off the other pieces,
had forgotten to remove that one. Then he must have
remembered it, for his hand went up to his mouth,

(23:55):
and next minute it was on the floor, where I
managed to get hold of it. Do you mean to
infer that the old man we saw enter the house
was the Count Rifenburgh, I asked Aghast. That is my belief, sir,
said the man. And I feel certain that if I
were allowed to search his bedroom, I should find my

(24:18):
suspicions corroborated. But what possible reason could he have for
masquerading as a pauper outcast? And who let him in?
As to his reason, Sir, I can hazard no sort
of guess, he continued, But it was the lady herself
who let him in. How on earth do you know

(24:40):
that by a process of simple reasoning? Sir? Did you
happen to notice that when we returned to the hall
after our search of the first section of the house,
the gentleman carried a book in his hand. Now that
you mention the fact, I do remember it, I answered,
But what has the book to do with it? A

(25:03):
great deal? He answered. You may not be aware of
the fact, but there's a small sitting room near that
side door, a tiny place where the housekeeper does her accounts.
The book, when we first searched the room was lying
upon the table. May not the housekeeper have been reading

(25:23):
it before she went to bed. The housekeeper is an englishwoman, sir,
and not very well educated. I should call it remarkable
if she knew Italian, and little short of marvelous, as
she read Dante in the original. Now, sir, when Count
Rifenburg entered the lady's boudoir, he brought that book with

(25:45):
him and placed it on one of the tables. He
wouldn't have done that if it had been the property
of the housekeeper, would he No, Sir, Count Riffenberg was out,
and the young lady, who is his cousin. I think
I understood you to say, Sir, sat up for him
in order to be near the door. That's the way

(26:06):
I read the riddle. And I must confess that you
have a certain amount of probability on your side, I answered,
at the same time, if I were you, I should
say nothing about the discovery. I can serve no good
purpose to prove it abroad. Do you think the two
policemen noticed anything of the kind? The detective gave a

(26:29):
scornful little laugh. I don't think you need have much
fear on that score, sir, he answered, I doubt very
much whether the man who went round with me noticed
the book at all. His theory was that the fellow
we saw enter was one of the servants who had
been out late, and not a burglar at all. By

(26:51):
this time we had reached my own residence, and I
bade the man good night upon the steps. Having let
myself in, I went to my study to deposit some
papers I had brought with me from the house, then
to my bedroom and to bed. The incident at Wiltshire
House annoyed me, if only for the reason that I
could not understand it. What could the young Count Riefenberg

(27:15):
have been doing if it were he, as the detective declared,
wandering about London and that attire. That in itself was
bad enough, but it was made much worse by the
knowledge that his beautiful cousin had been conniving at his escapade.
One thing was quite certain. If I had entertained a

(27:37):
dislike for Rifenberg before, it was doubled now. At last,
Tired by my long day and the events that had
concluded it, I fell asleep and did not wake until
I opened my eyes to find Williams standing beside my bed,
overcome with excitement and horror. What is the matter, man,

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I cried, What makes you look like that? There's terrible news, sir,
he faltered. There's been a lot lately, but this is
the worst of all. What is the matter, man, I
cried for the second time. Don't stand there trembling. Tell
me what has happened. I scarcely know how to tell you, sir.

(28:23):
He answered, his voice almost failing him. Then give me
the paper and let me look for myself, I said,
and took it from him. On the page before me,
in large type, was an announcement that made me feel
sick and giddy. Assassination of the Prime Minister. My horror

(28:46):
was greater even than Williams had been. I read the
heavy black lines over and over again, as if unable
to grasp their meaning. The Prime Minister dead, my old
friend and chief murdered. Could it be possible? When I
had recovered my composure a little, I took up the

(29:08):
paper and tried to read the account there set forth.
There had only been time for the insertion of a
short paragraph, but his importance was such that it would
ring throughout the world. It ran as follows. It is
with a sorrow that cannot be expressed in words, that

(29:28):
we record the fact that the right Honorable the Earl
of Lidford, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Prime
Minister of England, was assassinated soon after midnight. The Prime
Minister was last seen alive by his private secretary in
the study at his residence at Grosvenor Square. He had

(29:49):
left the House of Lords early but with the exception
of a slight headache, appeared to be in the best
of health and spirits. The presumption is that he was
stabbed in the back. But how the wound was inflicted
and by whom are matters which at present cannot be explained.

(30:09):
I could find no words to express my horror and surprise.
It was only a few hours since he had congratulated
me upon my speech in answer to the accusations of
certain members of the Little Englander Party. Now England was
bereft by as foul an act as had ever been
committed in the annals of crime of one of her

(30:33):
greatest statesmen and one of her noblest sons. Craving further particulars,
I dressed with all speed and then drove to his
residence in Gromner Square. Leaving my cab, I walked towards
the well known house before which a large number of
people had collected. Recognizing me, they allowed me to pass,

(30:55):
and so I gained the front door of the house
I had so often entered as the friend and colleague
of the dead man. I was shown into the morning room,
where presently I was joined by the secretary, who, as
the newspapers had reported, had been the last to see
him before the tragedy took place. Tell me about it,

(31:16):
I said, After we had greeted each other. From his narrative,
I gathered that the dead man, on his return from
the house after spending half an hour with his wife,
went to his study. His secretary followed him there to
ascertain if he could be of any further assistance to him.
He found him seated at the table writing, and was

(31:38):
informed by him that he required nothing more, and that
it would not be very long before he himself retired
to rest. Was the window in the study open, I asked, no,
He answered, it was closed and the shutters were barred.
That was at half past eleven. At half past twelve,

(32:01):
wondering why her husband did not come upstairs, Lady Ludford
went in search of him. Her horror may be pictured
when she discovered him seated in his chair quite dead.
He had been stabbed to the heart from behind, and
there were no traces of any one having entered the room,

(32:22):
not one. The police have taken possession of it, but
so far they have been unable to discover any trace
of the assassin's entry or the means by which he
affected his departure, and lady Lydford, how does she bear
up under the blow so bravely that it makes one's

(32:44):
heart ache to see her. Then, at my request, he
conducted me upstairs, and I was permitted to gaze upon
the face of the dead man. It was as peaceful
as in life's serenest moments, calm and dignified, the face
of a man who has done his duty to his
sovereign and his country, and whose life has been given

(33:07):
in her service. Then, with a sorrow in my heart
greater than I had known for many years, I looked
my last upon the face of the dead and I
left the room. When I had sent a message of
deepest sympathy to the widow, I bade the secretary good
bye and left the house. So awestruck was the crowd

(33:28):
by the magnitude of the tragedy that scarcely a sound
came from it, though, as if in proof of sympathy,
here and there a hand was stretched out to me.
He was a good man, and a proper gentleman, said
a burly postremonger. It's a pity we hadn't more liking.

(33:49):
It seemed to me that this homely speech was as
fine an eulogeum of the dead as could have been
spoken by the most cultured tongue. I often wonder now
what I should have done, had I known the part
I had unconsciously played in that terrible drama at that moment,

(34:10):
lying no one knew where, perhaps in the crevice of
some paving stone, or carried into the water table by
a passing shower, was a small piece of black wax, which,
could it have spoken, would have been able to tell
a tale without its equal for treachery and villainy in

(34:30):
all the world. How I became aware of this you
will learn as my story progresses. End of Chapter five