The Masqueraders

There was an alert look in Mr Brent’s face. ‘Indeed, sir, and do you know where this likeness is to be found?’

‘I hope so, Mr Brent. But do not let us be rash. If the likeness is still where I hid it, then I can find it.’

Mr Fontenoy lost some of his primness. Everyone was staring eagerly at my lord. ‘Where you hid it, sir?’

‘Where I hid it,’ repeated my lord. ‘Now I have overheard you to say, Mr Fontenoy, that young Robert Tremaine was a romantic youth. It is very true! Years have not dulled the edge of my romantic fervour.’ He laid down his snuff-box on the table before him, and his strangely compelling eyes swept the room. ‘They have only sharpened a brain that was always acute, gentlemen. You cannot fail to have observed a forethought in me that excites the admiration. I had it even as a boy.’ He smiled benignantly. ‘Such a contingency as the present one I dimly expected, even in those far-off days. I saw that the day might come when I might desire to prove my identity. The romantic boy, Mr Fontenoy, hid a picture of himself in this very room, to serve as a proof if ever he should need one.’

‘In this room!’ ejaculated my Lord Clevedale, looking round.

‘Certainly,’ said my lord. ‘That is why I chose this room to-day.’ He rose. ‘Tell me, cousin, are you a great reader?’

‘No, I am not,’ said Rensley curtly.

‘Nor was my brother,’ said his lordship. ‘I thought of that at the time. My father was much addicted to the works of Shakespeare but I believe he had no Latin.’

‘What’s all this to do with it?’ Rensley demanded uneasily.

My lord’s glance travelled to the top shelf of the books that lined the room. ‘Do you ever chance to take down the works of the poet Horace, cousin?’

‘No, I do not, and I don’t see –’

‘Nor did my brother, I am convinced,’ said my lord. ‘I thought it was safe – wonderfully safe, and wonderfully neat. I admire my own astuteness.’ He met the puzzled eyes of my Lord Clevedale. ‘A great pity to have no knowledge of the humanities,’ he said. ‘It is an estimable advantage. Had you been familiar with the Odes of Horace, cousin – but you are not. But take them down now: it is never too late to begin. Over in that corner, on the top shelf you will find the first volume, elegantly bound in tooled leather, the covers clasped by wrought hasps.’

‘Pray, sir, what’s your meaning?’ Mr Brent asked.

‘Why, is it not plain?’ said my lord. ‘I ask my cousin to pull the steps to that corner, and to take down the Odes of Horace. Let him open the clasps, and turn to the Fifth Ode.’

‘You speak in riddles, sir.’

‘But the riddle will very soon be answered, sir, if my cousin will do as I say. The fir

st volume and the Fifth Ode. It will be most enlightening.’

Rensley went impatiently to the shelves. ‘Mountebank! What am I to find there?’

‘The missing sketch, my dear Rensley, of course.’

‘What!’ Mr Clapperly looked up. ‘You put it there, sir?’

‘I don’t believe it!’ Rensley said, and went quickly up the ladder. He found the book, and pulled it out. A moment he fumbled with the clasps. The leaves parted naturally at the Fifth Ode. Mr Rensley stood staring down at the book.

Every head was turned his way. ‘Is it there?’ demanded Mr Clapperly.

‘You were told of this!’ Rensley burst out, and flung the book violently to the ground. A drawing fluttered across the room, and was pounced on by Mr Fontenoy.

Instantly everyone save my lord went to peep over Mr Fontenoy’s shoulder. ‘It is certainly Robert Tremaine,’ Mr Fontenoy said. He looked from it to my lord. ‘And there is – a likeness.’

‘Why, damme, sir, the eyes and nose are exact!’ cried Clevedale.

Mrs Staines ventured to speak. ‘’Deed, sir, but you have a look of Master Robert.’

‘My good Maggie, you ought to know that I am Master Robert,’ said his lordship. ‘I perfectly remember you.’

She stared. ‘You do know my name, sir. But your lordship will pardon me – it is so long ago, and you’ve changed, my lord.’

‘So it would appear,’ said his lordship. ‘I said I should satisfy you, gentlemen.’

‘Pardon, sir,’ Mr Brent interposed. ‘It seems a proof certainly. But we must not forget that you might have been told of this.’