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When Matthew and Glover arrived, they met Mr. Sawyer, Matthew’s steward, waiting for them in front of the storage building.
“What happened?” Matthew asked as soon as he dismounted.
“There appears to have been a theft, Your Grace,” Sawyer said, his demeanor glum.
“How?” Matthew could not believe it because something like this had never happened in the decades that his family had been storing imported goods in the warehouse.
“I cannot say, Your Grace.” Sawyer shook his head. “I came to inspect the place as I do once a week. There was nothing for me to inspect when I arrived. Everything was stolen.”
“Everything? Were the doors left open?” Matthew moved closer to the large wooden doors to look for any signs of force. At the base of the door was the chain used to secure the door handles, and it had been broken. There was no need for Sawyer to answer his question.
“I left that as I found it so you could see it,” Sawyer said.
Matthew walked into the warehouse and found it empty. “There are supposed to be at least a hundred crates here. They could not have been moved all at once.”
“I agree, Your Grace,” said Sawyer. “They must have been transported during the days I did not come to inspect the place.”
“Did you question the inhabitants if they had seen anything out of the usual?” Matthew asked, his hands clenching into fists. This part of his business was already suffering, and this theft had no doubt dealt it a great blow. Crawford might just withdraw his entire investment when he learned of this.
“No one knows anything, which leads me to believe the theft was carried out at night, and anyone who knows something has been paid for their silence.” Sawyer went to pick up a crowbar from the floor on one side of the room. “This might not provide us with any clue, but it does not belong here.”
Matthew nodded and went around the empty warehouse, thinking deeply but unable to imagine anyone stealing from him, but then he considered that it was likely someone he least expected. He would have to be willing to suspect everyone of this. Everyone except Albert and Glover because he could bet his life they would never betray him.
“Investigate this as much as you can, Sawyer,” Matthew said at length. “Involve the magistrate’s office if you must. I need to know who did this and why.”
“I shall get to that at once, Your Grace.” Sawyer removed a very small book from his coat pocket and began to write in it with a pencil.
Matthew gestured for Glover to follow him out. “Watch him,” he instructed when they were out of Sawyer’s earshot, and Glover responded with a single nod. They mounted their horses and began the journey back to Ashford.
Chapter 13
Around midnight as Matthew was pondering the events of the evening, he heard a knock on the doorframe of the salon he had retreated to upon his return from Ramsgate.
“Yes?” he answered without turning to see who it was. He suspected it was either Glover or Albert because only they would seek him out at this time.
“Should you not be asleep under your downy covers?” Albert asked, and a tiny smile tugged at the corner of Matthew’s lips.
“Should you not be struggling with the stairs and calling for my help?” Matthew replied.
“How clever.” Albert laughed and came to sit in the other chair by the hearth, leaning his cane against the arm before lowering himself into it with some effort.
“How was the remainder of the evening?”
“I ensured the ladies are home and safe if that is your question,” Albert replied with a comically cocked brow, and Matthew allowed a little laugh. “What happened in Ramsgate? I met Glover but he would not tell me anything without your permission.”
“The merchandise in the warehouse was stolen.”
“How? Do you know who?”
“I have been asking myself the same question since I learned about the incident. Perhaps you can help me.”
“Of course, I will. I can ride to Ramsgate in the morning and investigate. If someone has been paid to keep quiet, I will pay them more to reveal what they know.”
Matthew raised his teacup in silent invitation, and when Albert nodded, he picked up the teapot and poured some mint tea into another cup, then handed it to Albert.
“Please do,” Matthew said. “I want to at least know something before I tell Crawford, and I know you will be more thorough than Sawyer.”
“I will see to it. Do not worry, Matthew.”
