Kerry Tombs - The Worcester Whisperers

The two men stood in silence, looking down at the ancient work, admiring the ornate cartouche on its outer page.

Ravenscroft smiled, and breathed a sigh of relief. His quest was at an end — the Whisperie had been recovered!

‘Well, Inspector, words fail me.’

The three men were standing in the library of Worcester Cathedral, some days after the arrest of Henderson and the recovery of the lost manuscripts.

Ravenscroft smiled, knowing that Touchmore would continue.

‘To see the Antiphoner and the Whisperie returned to their rightful places here in the library, is joy indeed. I must admit there were times when I thought we would never see them again. Lost on the bottom of the River Severn, or spirited away to some foreign country, but no, here they are, safe and sound, for future generations to gaze down upon and rejoice. Our prayers have been answered!’

‘I am pleased that we were able to recover them,’ replied Ravenscroft gazing down at the works displayed in the glass cabinet.

‘Rest assured, Inspector, that we shall take far greater care of them than we have done in the past.’

‘I am pleased to hear that, Dean.’

‘A new librarian has already been appointed. But I hear that you are leaving us today?’

‘Yes, my work is completed. I have given evidence at the trials of Henderson and Miss Griffiths. Both have, of course, been found guilty of their crimes.’

‘What a terrible business this has all been. What will happen to both of them Inspector?’

‘Hang, sir,’ interjected Crabb.

‘Oh dear me,’ said Touchmore, shaking his head,

‘In Henderson’s case, he will be brought to the gallows next week. Miss Griffiths has been granted clemency in view of her failing health. She will remain in prison. I fear she is not long for this world,’ replied Ravenscroft.

‘The poor woman. I will pray for her. Such a shame. And what of Dr Renfrew?’ asked the Dean.

‘It is my one regret that in this case that I was not able to bring that man to book. Almost certainly he paid Henderson a great deal of money to acquire the two works for his collection. However he also acquired the services of a top London barrister, who claimed that his client had purchased the manuscripts in good faith, and that he was merely acting as their custodian, with the full intention of eventually returning them to the cathedral. Unfortunately, the jury believed him rather than me in this matter, and so he has walked free. The man is as slippery as an eel. There is nothing more I can do to bring him to justice,’ replied Ravenscroft, with more than a hint of regret in his voice.

‘Well, at least we have recovered the manuscripts,’ said Touchmore, smiling.

‘Indeed we have, sir.’

‘Apparently Renfrew has vacated the house. One of our men saw him and his manservant leaving the day after the trial,’ said Crabb.

‘Gone to London, no doubt. Perhaps he will eventually return to America,’ suggested Ravenscroft.

‘If he returns to Worcester, he will certainly be denied access to the library,’ said Touchmore.

‘I doubt he will do that,’ said Ravenscroft. ‘He may have escaped justice, but his reputation will have been harmed. Well, sir, it is time I bade you good day.’

‘I cannot thank you enough, Inspector Ravenscroft. You cannot hope to imagine the gratitude that the Dean and Chapter feel towards you. The Bishop also sends his kind regards and words of thanks,’ said Touchmore shaking Ravenscroft’s hand with vigour.

‘I thank you, sir. Perhaps our paths might cross again one day.’

‘I do hope so. There will always be a warm welcome for you here at the cathedral.’

As the two policemen made their way down the stairs and into the nave of the cathedral, they could hear the sound of boys’ voices. They paused to listen to the choir, and to look upwards towards the stained-glass windows.

Matthew Taylor was conducting the boys with his usual casual flourish, and waved in their direction. Ravenscroft signalled back and smiled, before making his way out.

‘Mr Ravenscroft, I would be glad of the opportunity of a few words with you, before your departure,’ said Sir Arthur Griffiths who had clearly been waiting for them to leave the building.

‘Certainly, sir. May I say how sorry I am for your daughter’s imprisonment,’ offered Ravenscroft.

‘Thank you. We are trying to persuade the authorities to allow her to spend her final days at home.’

‘I am sure they will give your request a sympathetic consideration.’

‘You may be interested to learn that I have decided to relinquish my seat in the House of Commons. It is not prudent that I should continue with my parliamentary career given the present circumstances.’

‘That is a pity. I am sure you will be a loss to both the country and your party. What will you do now?’

‘I have a large number of business interests within the county which will occupy my time. I do not intend to be idle. I realize that I have been a very foolish man. If I had accepted the boy as my own all those years ago, none of this would ever have happened, and my daughter would not now be languishing in a prison cell. I seek now to make recompense, and to regain that which I had thought lost. I may have lost a daughter: it is not my intention to lose a son. I understand the boy is being cared for by you and your wife, Constable Crabb?’

‘He is indeed, Sir Arthur,’ replied the constable.

‘If you would return him to my house, you will have my assurance that the boy will be well cared for and acknowledged as my true son and heir. He will want for nothing.’

‘I will bring him over this evening, sir.’

‘Thank you, Constable Crabb. If I can in anyway recompense you for all your trouble, I would be happy to do so.’

‘It is no trouble, Sir Arthur. My wife Jennie, has taken quite a liking to the lad, and will be sorry to see him go.’

‘Then you must tell your wife that I am eternally in her debt, and should she care to visit us at any time to see the boy, she would be more than welcome.’

‘Thank you, Sir Arthur.’

‘Now, I wish you good day, gentlemen. It is my regret that we could not have met under different circumstances,’ said the Member for Worcester extending his hand.

‘I wish you well, sir,’ replied Ravenscroft, shaking the politician’s hand.

The two detectives watched as Sir Arthur strode towards his house.

‘So Ruth Weston’s words have come true at last,’ said Ravenscroft.

‘And what were those, sir?’

‘On that morning when I met her here with her son, she said that one day her son would live in a fine house. It is a pity that she was not here to see it,’ said Ravenscroft sadly.

‘At least the boy will grow up a gentleman,’ said Crabb.

‘Yes, that is indeed so.’

‘I think that someone else is trying to attract your attention, sir,’ said Crabb.

‘Good morning to you, Inspector,’ said the eldest Miss Tovey walking towards the two men, a greeting that was echoed by her two younger sisters.

‘Good morning to you ladies. I trust I find you well?’ replied Ravenscroft.

‘Very well Inspector, thank you. But we hear you may be leaving us?’ said Mary Ann, looking wistfully into Ravenscroft’s eyes.

‘We are going to miss you so much,’ said Alice Maria sadly.

‘That is very kind of you to say, but my work is completed here, and my superiors will be expecting my return to London at any moment.’

‘It is so good to hear that the books have been returned-’ began the eldest sister.

‘-to their rightful place in the library-’ continued the middle sister.