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the extent of our own investigation into the matter, but the conversation never took that particular turn.
Where is Emma? She must have a more distinct impression of Konstantin Antonovich than any of the
rest of us. In fact, where is everyone?”
“The boys have gone in search of the chemist who developed the photograph you found last
night, all on the theory that it might be possible to expand the image and give us a better view of the
knife in the dead girl’s hand,” said Trevor. “And Emma is presumably bidding adieu to the
murderous Mr. Antonovich as we speak. She was quite insistent that she keep her scheduled lesson
and I may have erred in indulging her.”
“I don’t see any harm in the notion,” Rayley said. “The use of Antonovich’s costume is too
clumsy to be taken seriously and, let us be frank, the motive put forth by Orlov for the slaughter of the
ballet dancers is likewise nothing short of ridiculous.”
A rap at the door and Emma entered, her dance shoes in hand. “Don’t rise,” she said, pulling
up a chair and glancing without enthusiasm at the tea set on the far table. “I’m sorry that I’m late, but
it appears I am not the latest. What have I missed?”
“Just this,” said Trevor. “The Grand Duchess Ella has informed me that the gypsy king costume
worn by Mrs. Kirby at her time of death belonged to one Konstantin Antonovich and is indeed
missing a knife. A member of the palace guard named Filip Orlov has furthermore suggested to
Rayley that Antonovich is their primary suspect.”
“Well, that’s convenient,” Emma said drily, sinking to her seat.
“You know more of him than anyone else,” Rayley said. “Do you think there’s a possibility he
could be involved in some way, even if he is not the murderer? After all, he does seem to have
access to everyone and everything involved in these two crimes, as well as intimacy with Ella, one of
the people we are sworn to protect.”
“Yes, yes, of course he teaches Ella and the tsar’s aunt and his daughter as well,” Emma said.
“Social intercourse with the imperial family is part of his job. But as much as it pains me to say it, I
believe Mrs. Kirby was right in suggesting that it is another of his students who is at the root of this
issue, someone with no royal blood at all. He dances with Tatiana Orlov, the wife of the very same
Filip Orlov who has served him up on a platter as he perfect suspect.”
Trevor raised an eyebrow.
“And if you substitute another verb for ‘dance’ and I think the matter should become even