Rescue Operations (25)

Required very careful timing

The mews was exceeding bustling the morn: a deal of coming and going at Jupp’s stables; sellers with baskets and carts purveying their wares and bargaining taking place at kitchen doors; a knife-grinder offering his services. One might hear, passing by the Beaufoyle Arms Song and Supper Rooms, that their great attraction, Clo Marshall, was about rehearsing some new songs – Do you mind, sir, do you mind? – That was when her hat blew off –

Solly Abrahams was here in the character quite as the deputy for Matt Johnson. For the agency was certainly flourishing! A deal of business coming their way and more agents took on. And one must consider that Matt, though still exceeding hale, was not getting any younger –

He picked his way past the market-gardener’s cart that was clearing up the midden from the stables, and made his way through the well-kept yard to the backdoor of Lady Bexbury’s establishment, where he had an appointment with her major-domo, the famed Hector Wilson.

The latter’s wife, the quite equally famed Euphemia, was on the step having words with one that was endeavouring to sell her a brace of rabbits – she broke her critical comments about these to nod at Solly and tell him to go on in, he was expected.

He walked through the entry passage and into the very well-kept below-stairs quarters of the house, to find Hector Wilson standing just outside the butler’s pantry, motioning him in. One of the maids bustled in with coffee and biscuits.

Wilson remarked that they were made with butter and Mr Abrahams need have no hesitation in indulging.

Solly said that were times, when was about a case, had been obliged to be not too inquisitive into the makings of what he was eating, or go hungry. He appreciated the thought here.

The coffee and the biscuits were both excellent, and then they got to business.

Solly expatiated a little on the expansion of their business. And sometimes, he went on, we are asked to place one of our agents within a household, and it is increasingly coming about that some of these are quite aristocratic households –

Wilson gave a low whistle and said, was not entirely a surprize to him – one heard things –

– and we take the thought that it would be advantageous could our operatives present entirely plausibly as being in the ways of good service – Wilson nodded – and we apprehend that there is as 'twere quite a college that is run in connexion with the Potter-Welch registry, to polish up those that may be returning to service after having been out of it, or to train up those going into it –

Wilson quite beamed and said, had been the notion of his son William, and it was coming along most exceedingly. And he took the supposition that what the Johnson agency purposed was to send their operatives to train there?

Entirely so – so is a fellow sent to be a footman, he is able to undertake the duties of the position, wait upon table, &C, without arousing suspicion, that would more like come from his fellows than his employers.

Why, would be entirely answerable! Will speak to young William but confide he will be delighted – is ever endeavouring to get Miss Hacker to speak of her cases.

Solly blinked. But of course, Hacker was wont to go each summer with Lady B as secretary-companion when she went about on visits, and doubtless became somewhat of an intimate in the household. He fancied that it was her insights that suggested this current course of action – for one might see a deal in that betwixt and between station, but there was even more that one might come about to uncover in servant’s place. Oh, she was a sharp one!

They parted on the greatest of good terms, and on his way out Solly took care to compliment Euphemia on the biscuits.

Going back out into the mews, he thought he might call upon Sam Jupp, that he came about to be on excellent terms with. Why, that prosperous businessman had done very well in promoting the interest of the agency, for did business with a great deal of other enterprizes – besides the market-gardeners and plant-nurseries that he had a very useful arrangement with over stable-sweepings, there were the feed-merchants and the harness and saddle-makers and the carriage-builders with whom he had direct dealings, and exceeding respected in the local business community besides. So, did any of 'em have some little bother, or wish to ensure their premises were secure, &C, why, Sam would give the most fervent testimonials to the Johnson Agency. Sure, 'twas coming up time for a midday mug of ale!

Sam was not in the stables himself – was doubtless above-stairs in his office – so Solly went through and set foot upon the steps, but had barely climbed a quarter of the way –

If you’re seeking Pa, he’s taking a midday mug in the Buffle Arms.

Solly looked up to see a vision at the top of the stairs. Sam had once shown him a daguerreotype of his wife and daughters, and they were a set of little African princesses. This must be one of 'em, grown to quite ravishing womanhood.

Beg your pardon, Miss Jupp, said Solly, lifting his hat, was indeed looking for your father – will go seek him in the tavern.

'Tis Miss Gertrude, she said with a toss of her head, my sister Thomasina is Miss Jupp, and who do I have the pleasure of addressing?

Mr Abrahams – Solomon Abrahams –

O, from the Johnson Agency! – is it some matter of business?

No, just a sociable call upon Mr Jupp.

She nodded. I thought he would have told me was aught amiss. She turned away.

Solly went back out into the mews in a daze. What a stunner was Miss Gertrude Jupp – dared say she had a deal of suitors – very like already walking out with one or another –

Well, mayhap he might subtly interrogate Sam upon the matter –

He found Sam in the Beaufoyle Arms, that motioned to him to come sit with him, and gestured to Timothy to bring ale for the both of 'em.

Sam enquired what brought Solly to these parts, and he said somewhat of that, and then added had looked for Sam at the stables and encountered his daughter Miss Gertrude –

Sam looked exceeding doating and said, takes a fine interest in the business! Real head for it – and a remarkable little horsewoman as well.

He spent some while expatiating upon her merits without, however, coming at what most interested Solly before the time came when the latter had to be about his own business.

For he had an important engagement that required very careful timing.

He made his way to the thoroughfare where he was expected – bustling crowds about the shops – Hacker lurking in an alleyway, looking an entire urchin in her trousers and cap – Halloran standing peering into a shop-window – a bobby on the beat, that was very material to their plan –

He slid into the alley and handed his wallet to Hacker, that grinned and said, 'tis a deal more difficult this way about! mark my exceeding skills! – look, there goes Tess’s signal – I will go plant this – you go be ready for your part –

There was Lotting, entire the genteel shopkeeper that had just deposited a very favourable week’s takings in the bank, looking very complacent though with flashes of irritation as he was jostled in the crowd, in particular by Hacker.

Immediate after, Solly bumped into him himself, stepped past, clapped a hand to his jacket, grabbed Lotting’s arm and yelled, Stop thief! Constable, constable! over here! as Lotting squirmed and protested.

The bobby trotted over very officious going 'ere 'ere, and what’s this, and Solly declared that his wallet was gone, and this fellow must have took it when jostling him just now –

Lotting was going poo-poo-poo, and turning out his pockets, to reveal –

That, said Solly, is undoubtedly my wallet.

Lotting’s protestations of entire innocence could not help but sound spurious, and the constable said that they had both better come along to the station to sort this out.

Hacker had surely by now legged it to put on hand the next portion of the plan.