The room revealed no more secrets and I made my way back onto the ledge, carefully closing the window behind me. I started to crawl back. I had just reached the window of number 315 when I heard voices in the room. I froze. To my horror I heard someone say, “Isn’t it stuffy in here?” and there came the sound of the window being opened. I scrambled to my feet and stood to one side of the window, pressing myself against the drainpipe, holding on for dear life. A young sandy-haired man looked out. I heard him say, “There, are you satisfied now?” and he moved away again. Now I had to risk crossing an open window or going back into 317 and risk being seen coming out.

I decided on the latter. As I tried to kneel down again the drainpipe moved with me. It started to come away from the wall. I clawed at the stonework on the building and grabbed on to it. I suppose I must have screamed because a voice behind me asked, “What the devil are you doing?” and it was the young man with the sandy hair peering out of the window.

“Sorry, sir. I dropped my feather duster out onto the ledge when I was shaking it,” I said. “And when I climbed out to get it, I couldn’t get back in again.”

“My dear girl. A feather duster isn’t worth risking your life for,” he said. “Here. Give me your hand and come inside here.” He helped me step down into his room.

“Thank you, sir. You’re most kind,” I said in what I hoped was an Irish accent.

He reached into his waistcoat pocket and drew out a sovereign. “Here, that should buy you a new feather duster so that you don’t get into trouble.”

“Oh, no, sir. I couldn’t.”

“Take it. I’ve had rather a successful week, as it happens.” He forced it into my hand.

“Thank you, sir. Very generous of you.”

I nodded to the young woman who appeared from the bathroom and made a hurried exit. There was no sign of the Irish maid.

I hummed to myself as I put on my mack and made my way down the stairs. A sovereign for my pains. Maybe I should think of working in a hotel!

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Rannoch House (minus body)
Monday, May 2, 1932