Page 133
“Information which anyone familiar with their movements might have possessed?”
“Quite possibly.”
“Did he never question why he was being asked to observe private conversations?”
“He believed that certain gentlemen were suspected of assisting the radicals.”
Judith looked at Baines. “Then whoever employed him understood precisely how to appeal to his sense of duty.”
“Has Mallory been asked to carry messages concealed in jewellery?”
Baines shook his head. “He denies any knowledge of the clasps or the repairs.”
“Do you believe him?”
“Yes.”
The certainty of his answer surprised her.
“Why?”
“Because he was genuinely astonished when I mentioned them. Mallory has been instructed to observe and report, but I do not believe he has been entrusted with the means by which the more dangerous information leaves Blackthorn.”
“Then someone else is responsible for the jewellery.”
“Almost certainly.”
Judith felt a familiar frustration.
Every discovery seemed to expose another layer of the conspiracy without bringing them appreciably closer to its author.
“Have you searched his belongings?”
“Stuart is doing so now.”
“What will happen to Mallory?”
Renforth answered. “For the present, he will remain under our supervision. I intend to allow him to make his next scheduled delivery.”
“Might he not warn his employer?”
“He will have little opportunity to do so without our knowledge. If we hold him indefinitely, whoever directs him may simply employ another intermediary.”
Judith could not dispute the logic. “Then we are back to the starting point, are we not, with trying to find the actual traitor? When was he to receive the next delivery?”
“Tomorrow.”
“If the person behind this is in the house, they will know he has been captured.” She looked at Baines as she spoke.
“Yes.”
Renforth moved towards the window. “He has named several people whose conversations he was instructed to follow. Cranford, Pembroke, Sir Lionel, and you.”
Judith went still. “Me?”
“I am afraid so.”
“What interest could his employer possibly have in me?”
