Page 14 of A Whisper in the Shadows
“I, Nigel Beck, swear to uphold the benevolent purposes of the Amicable Society of the Coleman Street Ward. I will strive for hard work, good health, and a happy home. I will support my brethren and encourage our expansion, and if God should take me from this earth, I shall be glad to know that I was an amicable brother and served the society well.”
Then it was Maxwell’s turn. Finally, they were finished, but Nevill bade them remain in place.
Phelps let out a crowing sound that Hadrian supposed was meant to mimic a cock’s call at dawn. Again, he had to keep himself from revealing his amusement.
“The cock is the emblem of the Coleman Street Ward,” Phelps announced. “So, of course, it is ours too. We also revere the snake, which signifies health and wellness. As members of the Amicable Society, you will rise each morning with the joy and fervor of the cock and proceed through your day with the ease and confidence of the snake. Do you agree?”
“I do,” they all replied, mostly in unison.
“Let me now teach you the handshake,” Phelps said.
Hadrian slid a glance toward Maxwell, whose face was blank. Hadrian could hardly wait to tell Tilda about everything.
“The handshake and the oath are secret,” Phelps said sternly. “You must not share them with anyone outside of the society. It is how we identify one another. Those who are not amicable members must not be brought into our sacred knowledge.”
Starting with the first gentleman standing before the table, Phelps taught him the handshake. Hadrian was assured of shaking at least Phelps’s hand. He hoped he would learn something about the man and perhaps the society.
But how would he convey what he learned to the inspector without revealing the manner in which he’d obtained that knowledge? He couldn’t very well explain his ability to see others’ memories, nor did he want to. That was his own secret, and there were only three people in the world who knew it: Tilda and two gentlemen—a father and son—who shared the same power.
The handshake was rather simple. The two men clasped hands, then Phelps showed them how to fan the fingers and hold them away from the other’s hand. Phelps then moved his fingers. “Like they’re feathers fluttering, you see?” he asked. The man copied Phelps.
“Very good,” Phelps said. “Shake once, then glide back and forth and side to side a bit, as if our hands and forearms are a snake slithering.” He demonstrated the movement, and the man smiled. “Now you try.”
The man repeated the handshake. Satisfied, Phelps congratulated him and moved to the next gentleman. As he proceeded down the line, he no longer needed to demonstrate first. The new members had watched and performed the shake without prompting.
When it was Hadrian’s turn, he clasped Phelps’s hand. The edges of his vision blurred as one of the man’s memories came into focus. Hadrian did not close his eyes, for when he did, that ended the vision.
He saw Phelps transfer coins from a purse to a metal box that already contained money. Before Hadrian could try to determine where this was taking place or how Phelps might have been feeling, the handshake was over, and the memory disappeared. Pain shot through Hadrian’s head, which he expected. Hopefully, the headache would be short-lived.
After Maxwell shook Phelps’s hand, the new members returned to their seats. The rest of the meeting was ratherboring, as they discussed plans for a parade in July. Someone suggested the ladies could organize a picnic. Maxwell endorsed this idea, and Hadrian knew why. It would involve Tilda in the matters of the society, assuming the planning happened soon, and that would be helpful.
Indeed, knowing that Tilda could not join the society, Hadrian wondered what her role in the investigation would be. He supposed she could learn things from the wives. He wondered if any of them in the common room were married to the administrators. They seemed to be the men on which to focus their investigation. If the society was, in fact, corrupt, they would be the likely culprits, along with the canvasser, Eaton.
Just before the meeting concluded, a man raised his hand. Phelps called his name, and the man stood to ask what was happening with the possible corruption committed by the former canvasser. This was met with murmurs and Phelps holding up his hands. He said they were still looking into the matter and asked everyone to be patient. Then he adjourned the meeting.
As the gentlemen began to make their way from the room, Maxwell turned to Hadrian. “That was interesting. And helpful—it gives us the perfect opportunity to ask about Eaton and potential corruption.”
“Agreed,” Hadrian said eagerly. “I’d also like to ask a few questions about membership admissions.”
Nodding, Maxwell accompanied Hadrian to the front of the room, where the administrators were placing the items on the table into a crate. “We wanted to thank you for welcoming us into the Amicable Society,” Maxwell said with a smile.
“We’re delighted to have you,” Nevill replied with enthusiasm.
Hadrian stepped up to the table as Furnier pulled the purple cloth away and began to fold it. “You mentioned there are newmembers who aren’t here this evening. I’m curious how they’re assessed and admitted to the society? I had the impression it was important to be present.” He glanced at Furnier, who narrowed his eyes briefly.
“It is, but we understand it isn’t always possible with work and family,” Phelps said, sounding rather smooth.
“Is there another day and time when people may apply for membership?” Hadrian pressed.
“Not specifically,” Phelps replied. “If a member wants to recommend someone and that person can’t attend the meeting, they arrange to meet with one of us, and we conduct the membership interview and collect the entrance fee.” He cocked his head and studied Hadrian a moment. “Why are you so interested?”
Hadrian summoned a brief smile. “Merely curious.”
“I’d heard there was a canvasser until recently,” Maxwell said. “What happened with him?”
Phelps’s jaw tightened. “His practices have come into question, and he is no longer with the society.”
“How unfortunate.” Maxwell’s brow creased. “Were some of those questionable practices to do with not having members sponsor the men he recruited and not conducting medical assessments?”