‘Did you enjoy your time in court?’ he asked.
‘I always do, sir. I loved working as a barrister until I reached a point where I decided it was more important to catch criminals than simply prosecute them. I’d never trade my life at Scotland Yard for a return to the bar.’
‘I’m relieved to hear it, Colbeck.’
‘Will that be all, sir? The sergeant and I have suspects to interview.’
‘Then off you go,’ said Tallis, waving a hand. ‘No, wait,’ he added. ‘I meant to thank you for taking Anstey on.’
‘It’s only for a few days,’ Colbeck pointed out.
‘It makes no difference. It’s paid employment and it will boost his spirits. Do you know what his last job was?’
‘No, Superintendent, I don’t.’
‘He was earning nine pence a day breaking up stones with a sledgehammer. Anstey had to work alongside convicts. It was demeaning. That’s why he left.’
‘I hope that he won’t find gardening beneath him.’
‘He’ll be very appreciative of the kindness you and Mrs Colbeck have shown him. He won’t have to rub shoulders with desperate criminals and he’ll be able to work in pleasant surroundings. After sleeping rough and being hustled from pillar to post, Anstey will find your house a haven of peace.’
Madeleine had difficulty calming down the two men. Anstey was plainly upset at being called an interloper while Draycott was throbbing with fury at the thought that he’d be supplanted. He was also livid that Sam had relieved himself in one of the flower beds. Madeleine explained that Anstey was there to do the kind of menial jobs that would actually help the gardener but Draycott was in no mood for appeasement. He was a short, squat man in his late fifties with a wrinkled face and an expression of permanent disapproval. Because he was so dependable, Colbeck and his wife tolerated his many idiosyncrasies and learnt not to interfere. As long as he was in charge, Draycott lapsed into a kind of contented cantankerousness. There was no whiff of contentment now.
‘If I must put up with this …’ he said, pointedly.
Madeleine was firm. ‘You must, Mr Draycott.’
‘Then I insist on telling him what to do.’
‘That seems fair enough to me. Don’t you think so, Mr Anstey?’
‘Yes, I do,’ said Anstey, guardedly.
‘You’re not to touch anything in the shed unless I say so,’ cautioned the gardener, ‘and that dog of yours is to be kept off the lawns and the flower beds.’
‘Yes, Mr Draycott.’
Anstey spoke through gritted teeth but he nodded politely when he was given a list of tasks. Since it was clear that the two men had hated each other on sight, Madeleine was having second thoughts about taking Anstey on but she did not wish to upset her husband or, indirectly, Edward Tallis. She stayed with them until a form of truce had been established. Draycott then announced that he had other gardens to visit and stalked off. Though Madeleine was glad to see him go, Anstey stared after him with muted hostility. During the fierce argument, his pride had been wounded. She sought to soothe his hurt feelings.
‘Don’t be put off by Draycott’s manner,’ she said, airily. ‘He’s always rather prickly, even with us at times. It’s just his way.’
‘I see, Mrs Colbeck.’
Anstey attempted a smile but there was no warmth in it. He was still simmering. In the irascible gardener, he’d clearly made an enemy.
For the rest of the day, Madeleine heard no more from him. Whenever she glanced through the window, she saw him working away at the various chores he’d been given by Draycott. She sent out refreshments on a tray and didn’t forget the promise of a bone and some water for Sam. Colbeck had suggested that he was paid at the end of each day so that he had money in his pocket. Madeleine could see the pleasure Anstey felt as the coins were pressed into his hand. He and the dog went off happily.
When he got back that evening, Colbeck asked his wife what had happened. On hearing about the clash between Anstey and Draycott, he was disturbed.
‘It’s just as well that you were here to hold them apart,’ he said worriedly. ‘I know that Draycott has given us good service but I’m not having him threatening anyone with a sickle. When I next see him, I’ll have a word with him.’
‘I fancy that he won’t be around for a while, Robert. He loathed Anstey and may well wait until he’s gone.’
‘The superintendent is bound to ask after Anstey. What will I tell him?’
‘Say that he’s been an asset to us. He worked really hard.’
‘What about his brush with Draycott?’ asked Colbeck.
‘Oh, I shouldn’t mention that to him. It’s all in the past now. We won’t get any more unpleasantness like that.’
Joel Anstey arrived early the following morning so Colbeck had the opportunity of making his own estimation of the man. Though he wore the same clothes, Anstey had paid to have his hair cut and beard trimmed. He’d also bought a pair of second-hand boots. He removed his hat when he met Colbeck and thanked him time and again for taking him on. He promised that the dog would keep well away from the lawns and the flower beds. For his part, Colbeck was impressed by the man’s manner and by his willingness to work at a tedious job. Unlike many who lived on the streets, Anstey could read, write and had served an apprenticeship in a reputable trade. Army life had equipped him with other skills.
‘You deserve better than we can offer, I fear,’ said Colbeck.
‘I’ll take what I can get, sir.’
‘Then I’ll leave you to get on with it.’
It was a glorious day with the sun beating down on the garden. Sweating profusely, Anstey worked steadily on. Madeleine made sure that he had plenty of water to drink and gave orders for food to be sent out to him. She was able to immerse herself in her own work and forget all about her assistant gardener. Draycott’s absence allowed peace to reign in the garden. It was late afternoon when a servant came up to her studio. The gardener was asking to speak to her. Madeleine went downstairs at once. Expecting to meet Anstey, she was put out when she was confronted by the bristling Nathaniel Draycott.
‘Call the police, Mrs Colbeck,’ he advised.
‘Why ever should I do that?’
‘You’ve got a thief on the premises.’
‘I don’t believe that, Mr Draycott.’
‘You heard me,’ he said, impatiently. ‘I warned Anstey not to poke about in my shed. I let him borrow some of my tools but he was not to touch anything else. He disobeyed my orders.’
‘I can’t believe that,’ she said.
‘It’s true, Mrs Colbeck. He’s the only other person who’s been in that shed.’
‘I know. I watched him put all the tools carefully back in there before I locked it. I opened the shed again this morning and he took out the same things. Whenever I’ve glanced into the garden, he’s been nowhere near the shed.’
‘He’s a sly devil,’ said Draycott. ‘He sneaked in there when you weren’t looking, I daresay. I wouldn’t trust him an inch.’
‘Did you challenge him about the missing items?’
‘No, I didn’t because I’d only have lost my temper. I need you present, Mrs Colbeck.’ His lip curled. ‘I hate thieves. They’re the lowest of the low.’
If there was going to be another explosive meeting between the two men, Madeleine wanted to be there. While she retained her trust in Anstey, she didn’t think that Draycott would make empty accusations. She went with him into the garden and summoned the other man. As he walked towards them, Anstey looked defensive.
‘What have you done with my pipe and tobacco?’ demanded Draycott.
‘Let me handle this,’ said Madeleine, exerting control. She turned to Anstey. ‘It seems that certain things are missing from the shed. Do you know anything about them?’