Embassy Row Read online

  “Why, I suppose so,” I said as I clambered into the cab, wrestling my portfolio, valise, and crutches under my knees as the vehicle started off for Pall Mall.

  “It being the night of the gala, and all,” Hastings went on, “I suppose Mister Holmes would like it if the matter were settled by the time the carriages arrive this evening.”

  “Yes, I suppose he would,” I said, “for then he could leave early, as he wishes to do.” But that, I thought, was not for the English to decide but the Japanese.

  Mycroft Holmes was waiting two blocks from his flat, in Charles II Street. He was engulfed in a cloak and woollen muffler of vast proportions, and he carried a small trunk with him, for all the world like an itinerate salesman of the sort who often sold kitchen utensils to servants. I realized at once I was seeing Edmund Sutton’s fine hand in this disguise.

  “Cor’, sir,” said Hastings as Holmes settled himself in the cab, “you look a right gubber, and that’s the truth.” He chuckled as he told Jenny to walk on.

  “Well, Guthrie, and how are you faring this morning, dear boy?” He pulled at one of the ends of the muffler without any visible effect. “Is your ankle still giving you difficulty, or is it something more?”

  I shook my head and told him about the cat.

  “Dear me,” said Holmes when I had finished and we were nearing the Swiss embassy, “this is very troubling. Very troubling, indeed.” He stared into the middle distance, which indicated he was caught up in thought. “Red paint, was it?”

  “Yes. It may have been red ink, the kind they use in lithography.” I wished now I had taken a sample of the stuff to show him.

  “Um, bad for the cat,” said Holmes, and relapsed into silence, which he maintained until we pulled up at the side of the Swiss embassy. “Leave your things in the cab,” he instructed abruptly. “Hastings will drive around to the porte cochere and put them in there, in order to give the impression that we are not expected until later. “ He prepared to slip into the side door as soon as Andermatt opened it.

  “Very well,” I said, retrieving my crutches and preparing to join my employer.

  The door opened and Andermatt bowed. “If you please?”

  We were out of the cab and into the embassy with alacrity. As the door closed behind us, I heard Sid Hastings start his horse moving once more.

  “We have footmen at the porte cochere to tend to your things, as we arranged,” said Andermatt. “If you will be good enough to come with me, there is breakfast laid out for you and the Japanese in the Morning Room.” He paused long enough to relieve us of cloaks and wraps. I saw that Holmes’ bruise was developing a yellow-green tinge to its edges; the reason for the muffler was now apparent.

  As we made our way to the eastern side of the embassy, I steadied my nerves and said to Andermatt, “Yesterday, when I was looking for the White Salon, I ended up in the library across the hall.”

  “Yes, sir?” said Andermatt, indicating the open double doors to the Morning Room.

  “I met a young woman there, a Miss Gatspy. I was curious about her reason for being here.” I glanced at Holmes, who seemed wholly disinterested in my question.

  Andermatt achieved a puzzled scowl. “I am sorry, sir, but I am not aware of anyone by that name being admitted to the embassy yesterday. Is it possible you were mistaken?”

  Although I had no doubt about Penelope Gatspy herself, I knew it would be best not to challenge Andermatt. “Perhaps I have the name wrong,” I said, trying not to sound too forceful. “A handsome young woman, about middle height, pale, rosy hair. Wearing a pine-colored morning ensemble.”

  “No,” said Andermatt. “I cannot recall anyone of that description. I am sorry, Mister Guthrie.” With that he bowed and withdrew.

  Ambassador Tochigi and his secretaries had not yet arrived, and so Mycroft Holmes and I had the opportunity to discuss our plans for the day.

  Holmes helped himself to eggs and sausage while I struggled with a cheese-filled breakfast pastry. “Let me help you, dear boy,” he said as he realized how difficult it was to hold a plate and use crutches at the same time.

  “Thank you, sir. Just two pastries and tea and I shall do.” I sat at the table, feeling awkward that Holmes should assist me.”

  ”Yes,” Holmes agreed. “They have been feeding us very well, haven’t they?” He poured himself tea and sat down across from me. “About your Miss Gatspy,” he began.

  For some reason, I answered hotly, “She is not my Miss Gatspy.”

  “Not in that sense, no, certainly not,” Holmes soothed. “But you are the one who is forever running into her, aren’t you?” He knew I could not truthfully deny this, and so he went on, “I have given the matter some thought, and I think it would be wise for you to find out what has actually brought her here.”

  “She has already intimated that the Brotherhood is desirous of causing difficulties in Asia as well as Europe,” I reminded him. “And we have seen enough of the Brotherhood to know they will stop at nothing to achieve their ends.”

  “Just so,” he responded. “But what has the Golden Lodge to do with it, that is what is troubling me. I cannot bring myself to believe that the Golden Lodge is here merely to observe our activities, with no tasks of their own to fulfill.”

  I listened to this with increasing apprehension, for I shared his anxieties. “Sir,” I said as I stared into my tea, “ought we to warn the Japanese?”

  Holmes shrugged his big shoulders. “If we could be certain of what the intentions are of both the Brotherhood and the Golden Lodge, and if we were assured that the loyalty of Ambassador Tochigi was wholly committed to our common interests, then I would say it would be advisable. But as we can speak to neither of these issues, reticence might be our most effective posture for the time being.” He leaned forward again. “That is why I think it is so particularly urgent that you speak with Miss Gatspy, to find out as much as you can from her.”

  “What makes you think she would tell me the truth?” I asked, remembering how skilled she was at dissembling.

  Whatever Mycroft Holmes might have answered was lost as Ambassador Tochigi came into the room, his secretaries flanked behind him. All three paused on the threshold to bow. “Good morning,” said the ambassador. “I am delighted to start so early. There is much to accomplish.”

  Holmes had half-risen to return the bow, then sat once again. “I, too, am looking forward to our progress this morning.”

  Ambassador Tochigi went to select his breakfast, leaving Messers Banadaichi and Minato to stand by the door until he was seated. “At least we have reached accord on Korea and Shanghai, which leaves only the matter of cadets at Dartmouth and the participation of the Japanese navy in the defense of English stations.”

  “Let us tackle the latter first,” Holmes recommended. “It is apt to be the more readily resolved. And though we have not as yet discovered the identity you wish to know, I hope we may find the first answers we seek quickly so that we will have all of the afternoon to work the question of the cadets.” He finished his tea and rose to pour more. “I have taken the liberty of informing the Admiralty we will be able to conclude our dealings this evening. They will send Lord Brackenheath and Charles Stewart Parnell along with Robert Cecil, Lord Salisbury himself to prepare the formal document. The choice of Lord Brackenheath and Parnell is so that all Parliament and the government may be adequately represented. Then there will be the military men as well, King, Wolseley, and Seymour at the least, and possibly Hewett and Wood as well.”

  “I trust you are not being presumptuous,” said Ambassador Tochigi. He sat down and his secretaries went about selecting their food. “We may not have concluded all our negotiations by this evening.”

  “Then let us document those we are agreed upon,” Holmes said affably. “It would make the occasion so much more pleasant for all of us.”

  Ambassador Tochigi considered this. “I cannot promise I will be able to endorse such a document, but I am aware your intentio
ns are of the best, and in accord with the instructions of my Emperor. This is to be a significant occasion, and those attending are of honorable intentions. Further, the agreement is historic. It would be fitting to complete the agreement as a part of the gala.”

  “Thank you, Mister Ambassador,” said Mycroft Holmes. I could hear relief in his voice that was as potent as it was unexpected.

  “Yes. Both our governments would be pleased, and the occasion is a splendid one. It would be, as you say, a welcome addition to the evening to complete our dealings.” He took a long sip of tea, then said with a wily look, “I take it that you will not present the signed agreement yourself.”

  “It would not be wise,” said Holmes quickly and smoothly. “Best leave it to Brackenheath and the rest.”

  “Of course.” Ambassador Tochigi almost sounded amused.

  FROM THE JOURNAL OF PHILIP TYERS

  It has been a busy morning, what with a secretary, a Mister Coldene, from the Admiralty coming to the flat with a report for M H which I am about to hand to Sid Hastings to deliver to the Swiss embassy. It would appear that the information sought by the Japanese is not yet available, though much effort has been expended to provide it. I am informed by Coldene that this is rendered especially difficult by the need for confidentiality in all the dealings regarding the Prince.

  Sutton is finishing up his study of the Sheridan play, and I am heartily glad of it. He says he is now prepared to review the entirety of the play with actors. I wish him well with it. How anyone is to keep a sense of novelty in a work after such constant repetition, I cannot think. He has indicated his next project will be to memorize the role of Duke Ferdinand in Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi. I have told Sutton that this one he will have to learn on his own, for the next two days may well be filled with activity for M H, which activity will impinge on Sutton as much as on any of us.

  I believe I have found another watcher. This one is a man in inconspicuous clothing who has been lingering about in Pall Mall for the last hour. I do not know if I should alert Sutton to the fellow or not. If he is not gone when Sutton goes to M H’s club in the evening, I suppose I must. Until that time I will continue to mark this fellow and take care to be at pains to discover his purpose here.

  “THE ADMIRALTY HAVE taken leave of their senses if it agrees to this!” Lord Brackenheath fumed as he read the rough draught of the agreement reached by Mycroft Holmes and Ambassador Tochigi a scant half hour before.

  “It is a reasonable compromise,” said Holmes quietly, his manner as politely discreet as anyone would wish. “If you and Parnell will but consider the concessions we have earned, all without providing the Japanese with the one thing they truly seek to know—” He broke off, looking about the White Salon at the three Swiss servants who were laying afternoon tea.

  “Yes, yes,” said Lord Brackenheath testily. “We must suppose that their concern is not a ploy to give them leverage with England. That is assuming their initial intelligence is correct and the Prince has truly found himself an Englishwoman so lost to propriety that she has been willing to enter into a liaison so repugnant—” He, too, recalled the servants and held his tongue. “Where is the ambassador?”

  “He and his secretaries have retired to dress for the evening. As they will be wearing Japanese court dress, their process is rather more complicated than ours.” Holmes swung his watchfob, speaking levelly as he did. “I should, perhaps, warn you, Lord Brackenheath, that I am going to advise most strongly that the terms of this agreement be ratified as Ambassador Tochigi and I have agreed to them. I have asked the Admiralty to send over secretaries to make fair copies of the agreement. It would be most . . . impolite to have the terms questioned now.”

  Lord Brackenheath stared hard at Holmes, his dark brows angling down in a furious glower. “It’s men like you who’ll be the ruin of England, mark my word.”

  “That is not for you to decide, my lord,” said Holmes, whose courtesy was beginning to wear thin. “I have done what I was charged to do to the best of my ability, and under most difficult circumstances. I should not like to think that so much cooperation and good will might have been for naught.”

  “Next thing, you’ll be saying there should be wogs in Commons,” grumbled Lord Brackenheath. “But if the others are willing to go along with this chicanery, who am I to stand against their folly?”

  “I am pleased you are willing to cooperate, sir,” Holmes said, doing his best to keep the dryness out of his tone.

  “Hardly willing, but it has to be done, I suppose. If I do not, some less astute fellow might be duped into believing the nonsense you are espousing.” He took a turn about the White Salon. “Pretty place. A trifle too pale for my taste, but well enough.” He coughed. “My valet is arriving in an hour, and my wife an hour after that, so that we will all be ready to receive the guests of the evening. As I understand it, you are to have no part in that. You are here for the agreement, not the gala.”

  “No, I am not, my lord,” said Holmes.

  “Probably just as well,” said Lord Brackenheath. “I would imagine the Admiralty, and the Home Office as well, don’t want it known how much you do for them.”

  “Such is our agreement,” Holmes said, and added in a more conversational tone, “I hope your recent travels abroad were satisfactory?”

  “Oh, they were tolerable. Those Austrians charge outrageous prices for everything and I was made ill by the waters of Prague, but all in all, it was most . . . instructive.”

  “I hope Lady Brackenheath was equally pleased,” said Holmes.

  “She stayed in England” came Lord Brackenheath’s blunt retort.

  Holmes looked mildly surprised. “Your pardon. I understood you had company on your journey, and I thought—”

  “My valet, of course. Good God, man, what kind of jackanapes do you think me, to drag a well-bred girl like Lady Brackenheath all over Europe? Say what you will about modern women wanting to travel, and those foolish females who jaunter off to Africa and Arabia to live among the natives. That’s no way for an Englishwoman to behave.” His face was ruddy with emotion. “Lady Brackenheath does not hold her reputation so lightly that she would compromise it.”

  Holmes inclined his long head. “I am sorry I have offended you, Lord Brackenheath. All I can say is that my mistake was not maliciously intended.”

  “I should hope not.” Lord Brackenheath rocked back on his heels. “Very well, I accept your apology on my wife’s behalf. But see to it that you do not embroil her in any unseemly conversation this evening.”

  “As I doubt I shall do more than shake her hand, you may be assured I will not,” said Holmes, and smiled as Andermatt appeared once more to review what his staff had done.

  “I will see you are escorted to your temporary quarters at the appropriate hour,” he said before he signaled his staff to withdraw.

  Once they were alone, Lord Brackenheath took up the rough draft of the agreement again. “This matter of Japanese ships defending English naval installations. Do you honestly suppose it will work?”

  “I cannot think why not. We have reached accord in all matters regarding ports and warships that will serve England’s purposes as well as Japan’s, and will ensure our continued might in the Pacific without reducing our capability to respond to any threat the Germans or the Russians might spring on us. What more can we expect from the Empire of Japan, given their position?”

  “But what penalties would the Japanese pay if they fail to fulfill their agreement?”

  Holmes sighed once. “They would lose face, my lord.”

  Lord Brackenheath gave Holmes a scornful glance. “As if that were enough!”

  “For the Japanese, it is,” Holmes informed Lord Brackenheath quietly. “And if we were to question their sincerity, we would insult them mortally.”

  “Oh, you needn’t fear me shoving my oar into your nonsense,” Lord Brackenheath said with an air of veiled contempt. “I would have thought you’d ruin it yourself
without my help. All I must do is watch.” He very nearly smiled at the prospects. “And then steadier plans will prevail, and we will see England on a course she may be proud of.”

  Holmes bowed slightly. “As you say, my lord.”

  At that Lord Brackenheath came to confront Mycroft Holmes. “You think I don’t know what you’re doing? You think I cannot see through your machinations? You will not be drawn into a debate with me, will you? So that we may give the illusion that there is agreement among the English in regard to the Japanese. You will not allow any dispute at this occasion, no matter how reasonable the basis may be.”

  “Very perceptive, Lord Brackenheath,” said Holmes.

  “I’m not the noddy you think me, Mister Holmes. I know what o’clock it is.” He turned and made his way to the door. “I will retire to change now, for my valet will be here shortly.”

  As soon as the door was dosed, Holmes expostulated, “That arrogant, ignorant, limited old man is planning some mischief for this evening. I can feel it. Damn him! I would wish him at Coventry for his bloody excuse for patriotism.” He swung around, chagrined at his intemperate language. “Your pardon, Guthrie. I have no intention to offend you.”

  “None taken, sir,” I told him. “I will do what I can to keep track of the man, if you would like.”

  “Would you?” asked Holmes. “For I cannot feel comfortable about him. As I have shepherded this agreement so far, I cannot be entirely sanguine until all signatures and seals are affixed to it. There is so much to lose. To have lost the pressure this occasion gives the Japanese to sign the agreement is an opportunity we would be inexcusably foolish to waste. We have the highest officials coming, and Ambassador Tochigi is aware of how great his success would be to have his accomplishment recognized in so distinguished company. He may even forgo the name of the Prince’s mistress for the sake of gaining prestige for the agreement, and himself. Should we fail to achieve this end now, it could be months or years before the Japanese are willing to extend themselves again on our behalf. And during that time, who can say what offers might be made to them, from Germany or Russia, or another power we have not yet considered?” He stared blankly at the window, seeing things beyond it that were the product of his imagination. “And if Lord Brackenheath has his way, the agreement will not be signed.”