The Highgate Ghost by M.M. Gaidar

Author:M.M. Gaidar
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gothic, supernatural, dark, victorian, ghost, london, 1900
Publisher: M.M. Gaidar

CHAPTER 11

Unholy Doings

The first thing Cassandra noted stepping into Valentine Duvar’s studio was that it was rather conventional, with the usual paraphernalia one would expect to see in an ageing bookkeeper’s office, but not in the studio of a ghost-chasing photographer. The expensive stationery proudly sat on the reception desk, with a filing cabinet of dark wood next to it. The three rows of dull and unimaginative portrait photographs on the opposite wall were the only feature that betrayed the fact that it was nothing else but a photo studio. The only thing missing was the clerk who would welcome the client, so the detective rang the bell.

Having nothing else to do, Cassandra paced the room, studying its contents and guessing what it all might say about the owner of the place.

The studio was prim and bore no traces of the bohemian lifestyle Valentine had proudly adopted. Perhaps Lord Salisbury, Valentine’s father, had a hand in its décor. He wouldn’t have let his son disgrace their family by keeping a studio where no decent man would set foot. Of course, that was just a minor battle Lord Salisbury had won in this war between a conservative father and liberal son. The fact that his offspring chose to become a photographer was already disgraceful enough; however, proper appearances were maintained. One of the examples of this was the wall in the parlour, populated with the portraits and crowned with a photograph of the Salisburys, as if it was meant to ward off evil spirits.

Cassandra surmised a potted fern decorating the corner of the room must have been Valentine’s mother’s doing, as must have been a standing lamp that looked as if borrowed from a lady’s boudoir and relegated to the corner to shamefully hang its head in acceptance of its current situation.

After waiting for a while, amused by the observations she had made, Cassandra heard voices and giggling in the back room. She proceeded past a Chinese folding screen of carved dark wood and painted white birds, an exquisite piece a member of the Salisbury dynasty must have brought back from their travels to China.

As she entered, Cassandra was dazzled by a flash. When her sight returned to her, she saw a beautiful woman on a chair, sitting motionless in a pose of bowing and plucking a cello. The setting was adorned in the Empire style and imitated a Georgian hall with portraits and drapings.

'Marvelous!' Valentine said, peeking out at his model from behind the camera.

The woman with the cello woke from her stiff mannequin state and smiled.

'I hope I didn’t spoil it,' she said, giggling coquettishly.

'Of course not! How could you?' Passion for his art resonated in Valentine’s voice. 'Now, wait a minute. I will adjust the aperture and we will try the other composition.'

'With the candles?'

'Yes, with the candles. Could you, please, put them into the candlestick holders?'

The model’s gaze shifted, giving away the presence of somebody behind Valentine’s back. He turned around and beamed when he saw Cassandra. He then winced, realising his own forgetfulness, and looked at his watch.

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