The Policeman of Secrets

Chapter 6 Part 1

Chapter Six

From the window, Solomon saw the bow of an airship nosing towards Parliament, the iron gondola catching the late afternoon light. Balthazar pointed to it. “They have eyes and ears everywhere,” he said. “But so do we. I have spread the word. My—our—friends are gathering, we have information about our enemies, and we are in good health and in our right minds. Let us see where the night leads us. Then we have an appointment tomorrow that should answer a lot of questions. It—”

He stopped as the two men felt the carriage slowing. A peek outside revealed a solitary great house surrounded by an extensive garden with trees and orderly flower beds fighting a losing battle against the snow. The house was the largest Solomon had seen in London, but the windows on all three stories were relatively small and dark. It was a solid and bleak building, clearly home to somebody who favored privacy over a warm welcome.

There was a polite cough from the driver, and Balthazar whispered, “Take care, Solomon, and mind your tongue. I fear events might take a stranger turn.”

Once again careful to hide his face and maintain his assumed identity, Solomon carried the seemingly lifeless count from the carriage and towards the main doors as the woman drove away. There was no sign of life outside besides the tracks of numerous carriages through the snow, their drivers presumably ordered to return at some pre-appointed time.

He stood before the doors, mindful that somebody could be watching through a window. There was no handle on the black woodwork and no bell, but just below eye level in the right door was a small and thin vertical slot. Taking a guess, he lifted the metal card from Balthazar’s coat and pushed it into the hole. It sank in, he felt something press against it, and there was a brief series of clicks and whirs before it was pushed back into his hand.

He pocketed the card as the doors swung silently open to reveal a long hallway beautifully decorated in marble and silk wall hangings. It led to a number of rooms from which the sounds of laughter, conversation, and music could be heard. Liveried servants moved between them, carrying drinks and sweetmeats on silver salvers. Ahead was a wide staircase leading up to another level, this one quieter but still crowded. Another flight led downstairs to an area packed with men, judging by the sound of raucous laughter and conversation.

As Solomon took his bearings, Balthazar deemed the situation safe and roused himself, taking wine for each of them from the nearest tray. “A private club, that’s my guess,” the count said, his voice so quiet Solomon strained to hear him over the chatter around them. “I cannot believe everybody here belongs to the Arcanum, so I wonder if Stone and the rest simply use part of it for their own purposes.”

He smiled as a beautiful woman in the latest fashions walked past. She gave him an appreciative glance then moved into a room full of men and women gathered around a gaming table. Nearby, a string quartet played a delicate melody. Balthazar was about to continue when a female voice behind them cried, “Gentlemen, welcome to Spyglass Hall.”

They turned to see a middle-aged lady pushing herself through the crowd. Her dress was a vivid scarlet, edged in the most expensive white silks, and the colors were matched in the makeup caking her face in a bid to hide her advancing years. Her accent was moneyed and her confident manner implied she was the hostess of the evening’s revelry.

Solomon took her proffered hand in its white glove and kissed it, thinking quickly. “Captain Handsome at your service, ma’am,” he said. “Jack Handsome. And this is my aide, Daniels.” Balthazar did his best to look like a menial, bowing low.

“Charmed, I’m sure,” the woman replied. “I am Lady Protheroe and this is my club. Please enjoy yourselves. Friends of Lord Stone are friends of mine.” Ah, thought Solomon, so somebody saw the carriage. “I am sure you have not been here before—I never forget faces—so let me assure you there are all kinds of entertainment here for the discerning gentleman. Allkinds.” She gave the pair a hard look, then moved on into the throng.