‘How many other men are involved?’ wondered Madeleine.
‘That has yet to be determined, Miss Andrews, but we intend to hunt down each and every one. Apart from the robbery, there are two murders and an explosion at Kilsby Tunnel to be laid at their door.’
‘And an attempted outrage at the Crystal Palace.’
‘Blowing up those wonderful locomotives?’ said Andrews, still appalled at the idea. ‘That’s worse than a crime — it’s downright evil.’
‘They were all saved for the visitors to enjoy them,’ said Colbeck. ‘And what amazing machines they are! After spending three nights lying beneath Liverpool, I got to know her extremely well. Mr Crampton is a brilliant man.’
‘A genius, Inspector.’
‘I only wish that I could persuade Sergeant Leeming of that. He hates trains, I fear, and being forced to sleep under a locomotive did not endear him to the notion of rail travel.’
‘Who is Sergeant Leeming?’ said Andrews.
‘Your daughter will explain — she’s met him. Well,’ said Colbeck, ‘now that I’ve passed on the glad tidings, I’ll be on my way.’ He smiled at the invalid. ‘I’m pleased to see that you’re looking somewhat better, Mr Andrews.’
‘I can’t say the same about you, Inspector.’
‘That’s not very tactful, Father,’ said Madeleine.
‘It’s an honest comment, Maddy.’
‘It is,’ agreed Colbeck. ‘When I saw myself in the shaving mirror this morning, I had quite a shock. It looks far worse than it feels.’
After trading farewells, he went downstairs and made for the front door. Madeleine was at his heels, determined to have a word with him alone. When he let himself out, she stood on the doorstep. Colbeck kept his top hat in his hand while he talked.
‘I hope that the news will act as a tonic for your father,’ he said.
‘It will, Inspector. It has certainly cheered me.’
‘I have the feeling that he can be a difficult patient.’
‘Quite impossible at times.’
‘Fretful and demanding?’
‘Only on good days, Inspector.’
They shared a laugh and he watched her cheeks dimple again. She had a way of putting her head slightly to one side that intrigued him. For her part, she noticed the sparkle of interest in his eyes. It implanted a distant hope in her breast.
‘Where are you going now?’ she asked.
‘To call on Frank Pike,’ he replied. ‘After that, I have to go straight back to Scotland Yard.’
‘Do you never rest, Inspector?’
‘Not when I am in the middle of an investigation.’
‘Your family must miss you terribly.’
‘I live alone, Miss Andrews,’ he said, glad of the opportunity to reveal his circumstances. ‘My parents died some years ago and I have never felt it entirely fair to invite anyone to share the life of a detective.’ He pointed to his face. ‘What wife wishes to see her husband coming home like this, especially after he has been absent from the marital couch for three nights?’
‘Some wives have to put up with a lot more than that, Inspector.’
‘By choice?’
‘Of course,’ she said, earnestly. ‘If a woman really loves her husband, then she will happily endure all the disadvantages that his job might bring. I know that that was my mother’s attitude. Being the wife of a railwayman has many drawbacks, believe me.’
‘Is that why you spurned the opportunity yourself?’
‘Not at all.’
‘But I understood you to say that you had rejected your suitor.’
‘Only because he was not the right man for me,’ she explained. ‘It was nothing to do with his occupation. If Gideon had been the husband of my choice, it would not have mattered whether he were a railwayman or a road sweeper.’
‘I see that you are a romantic, Miss Andrews.’
‘I have always thought of myself as a practical woman.’
‘Even a practical woman can have romantic inclinations,’ he said, holding her gaze for a long time. ‘However,’ he added, putting his hat on, ‘I must not keep you talking out here in the street. You have things to do and I have somewhere to go. Goodbye, Miss Andrews.’
‘Goodbye, Inspector.’
She offered her hand in the expectation that he would shake it but Colbeck instead brought it to his lips and planted a gentle kiss on it. Madeleine was thrilled and he was pleased with her reaction. The tender moment between them did not go unobserved. Seated in a cab a little way down the street was a man who had followed Colbeck all the way from Scotland Yard. Watching the two of them in conversation, he felt that he would have something of great interest to report.
Superintendent Tallis could not believe his eyes. As he stepped into the corridor, he saw Brendan Mulryne walking jauntily towards him, a broad smile covering his battered face. The Irishman offered his hand.
‘Good day to you, Superintendent,’ he said, cordially.
‘What, in the name of Christ, are you doing here?’ demanded Tallis, declining the handshake. ‘You should be locked up.’
‘I’ve been released on bail.’
‘On whose authority?’
‘Mr Mayne himself,’ said the Irishman. ‘I’ve just spoken to him. He wanted to congratulate me on the help that I gave at the Crystal Palace. I’m moving up in the world,’ he went on, chuckling. ‘I never thought that I’d get to meet a Police Commissioner face to face.’
‘You should not have been at the Crystal Palace in the first place.’
‘Inspector Colbeck wanted me there.’
‘He was exceeding his authority.’
‘What does it matter, sir?’