If Gertrude found out that I had brought in her letters for examination without her permission, there would be two possible outcomes. I might be promoted to best and most loyal friend, or crossed off the Christmas card list.

A stout constable limped in from the adjoining office. He tried not to smirk as he took the satin embroidered envelope. “Have the contents checked for fingerprints. Right away if it can be fitted in.”

When the PC had left, Dad said, “Macintosh owes me a favour. But what is it you hope to find out?”

“Whoever is sending them knows something about Benjie and what he has been up to.”

“Which is?”

“Not sure. He’s sinking a new pit on the grounds on the other side of the wood from the orphanage, which he has had demolished.”

“A lot of industrialists are feeling the pinch. He’s fortunate to be expanding at a time like this.”

“I want to know what he’s really up to. He has this air of the detached country gentleman. What matters are his collections, stamps, coins, and he’s so amiable.”

“But?”

“He had me followed today. I’m convinced Raynor the butler does Benjie’s dirty work.”

Dad was prepared to agree. “Wealthy men often have loyal retainers, in the habit of doing their master’s bidding. But surely you don’t suspect someone you’ve known so long and who’s a pillar of the community? Didn’t he meet the King last year?”

“He did, but he and Gertrude are short of cash. He won’t be able to ask His Majesty to invest in his schemes.”

“All the same, it sounds like a bold enterprise. This might be the moment to do it, when everyone else is cutting back.”

“The words bold enterprise and Benjie Brockman don’t fit together somehow. And I’m wondering who has a grudge against him, and why. I would like to know who is writing to him.”

“Of course, if there are prints on these missives, they might be a person or persons unknown to us.”

“I realise that, but with so little to go on I need all the help I can get.”

“It seems an oblique way of investigating, but if you think it helps –”

“I’m not sure what will help. It’s a blow that Stephen Walmsley has been charged. You see if I’m right, and the crimes are somehow linked –”

“CID know what they’re doing, love.”

“If CID and Scotland Yard knew what they were doing, I wouldn’t be here.”

He gave one of his chuckles. “Be a feather in your cap if you come out ahead of Scotland Yard.”