The Children of Silence by Linda Stratmann

very sorry!’ said Frances, embarrassed at the thought that her expression had offended him. One thing she could now be sure of: the man who had met Edwin Antrobus at the hotel in Bristol could not have been Mr Luckhurst or the clerk would have noted his distinctive appearance.
    ‘Think nothing of it,’ he said kindly, ‘a look of interest from a lady is always a pleasure. Please take a seat. How may I assist you?’
    ‘I have been engaged by Mrs Harriett Antrobus to enquire into the disappearance of her husband,’ began Frances, once she was seated. ‘In particular I am examining the evidence that he might have returned to London from Bristol.’
    ‘Ah, yes, the body in the canal,’ said Luckhurst, climbing back on to his chair with an agility that spoke of long custom. ‘Which it seems is not my partner after all.’
    ‘It cannot be shown to be him. That is not quite the same thing.’
    ‘No, of course not.’
    ‘Did you view the remains?’
    ‘I did, very briefly. It is not a memory I wish to dwell upon. I did not think it was my partner, neither could I offer any suggestion as to who it might have been.’
    ‘I am trying to learn as much as I can about Mr Antrobus and any events that might have occurred just before he disappeared, his state of mind and health at the time, his plans for the future, his friends and rivals.’
    ‘Yes, of course,’ he said readily, ‘and I will help you all I can. While I cannot say that I regarded him as a brother, we were close associates for many years, and I miss both his company and acumen.’
    ‘Has the business suffered though his absence?’
    He gave a wheezing sigh. ‘Oh, we put a brave face on it, but the truth is I have been hard-pressed to maintain the trade, and while I have employed another man to undertake the travelling my partner once did, it is not the same.’ Mr Luckhurst looked despondent, but he did not strike Frances as a man who could be despondent for long. ‘You see, it was not just a matter of replacing a man, finding another who could do the same work. When a partner in a business vanishes, suppliers become suspicious. They think the trade will collapse and fear that there are dark secrets about to come to light. They start to demand immediate payment for materials. Customers think we cannot be relied upon and look elsewhere. But we have managed to keep our heads above the water. I am taking a smaller salary and have postponed improvements to conditions in the workshop.’
    ‘Do you know if Mr Antrobus left you anything in his will?’
    He looked surprised by the question. ‘I have no knowledge of that. In any case, he is in law still alive, so it is hardly of any relevance.’ He paused and his eyes flickered with realisation. ‘Ah, yes, I think I see the relevance, now. Well it is your right, indeed your profession to be suspicious. May I assure you that I have neither the desire nor the motive to do away with my friend and partner. If he were to walk through the door now I would welcome him back with joy and relief.’ He smiled roguishly. ‘I suppose many murderers have told you the exact same tale before you unmasked them for the villains they were!’
    ‘I am afraid so,’ said Frances, who was warming to Mr Luckhurst’s company. While not a handsome man, his face could light up with a good humour that was very pleasing. Can you think of anyone who might have wanted to harm Mr Antrobus?’
    ‘No. He was never involved in any underhand trading as far as I am aware, indeed I do not think it was in his nature to do so. Of course there are always petty rivalries in business, but it is more of a friendly competition. The tobacco trade thrives despite what doctors say, and there is room enough for us all. If there was anything wrong in his personal or family life that might have led to his disappearance or death I do not know of it. I last saw him the day before he went to Bristol, and there seemed to be nothing amiss with him in any