“To tell the truth, I haven’t. For all practical purposes I might as well not have taken on the job.”
The anxious look grew more intense. Mr. Simmons had small faith in his fellow-men. Perhaps the detective might try to get out of his bargain, if not altogether, to a very considerable extent.
He spoke in an ingratiating tone. “Not my fault, is it? I’ve done all you wanted, haven’t I?”
“Oh, certainly, there is no blame attached to you.” Lane understood what he was driving at and extracted from a letter-case several five-pound notes, the balance of the sum which he had undertaken to pay, and handed them to the valet, who received them with profuse expressions of gratitude and a look of relief.
“Many, many thanks. Is there any other question you’d like to ask? Only too happy to oblige.”
“Well, yes, Mr. Simmons, since you’re so kind, we may as well have a little further chat while I’m here; we shan’t be disturbed. It’s about this nephew, young Archie Brookes, who seems so fully in his uncle’s confidence. What can you tell me about him?”
Mr. Simmons with that nice sum of money nestling snugly in his pocket was in a most obliging mood, and hastened to unfold all he knew.
“Well, Mr. Lane, as you know, I haven’t been in Sir George’s service very long, and what I know is chiefly gathered from his former valet, who is now with the Duke of Droitwich, a man named Dundas, and other servants who have been about in the same sort of set.”
“What I want to know particularly is when he first appeared upon the scene. I understand the story given out is that he’s the son of a younger brother of Sir George’s, that the father died in Australia, and that his uncle sent for the young fellow and introduced him to London society.”
“Quite right, Mr. Lane. This happened about five years ago. Sir George gave out the story as you have heard it, the young man came over, and ever since his arrival the two have been inseparable. When Sir George is in town, and that’s the best part of the year, there’s hardly a day passes that young Archie doesn’t come here, sometimes staying for only a few minutes. Sir George put him up for a couple of decent clubs that he belongs to himself, but not for the two very exclusive ones of which he is a member. I suppose the young chap is not quite big enough for them.”