by S G Read
‘I hope you get off just to see the look on her face!’ He added before he closed the door.
Lady Dymonds walked down to the nearest inn, where she knew the thief taker would be eating and barged straight in. She found him sitting talking to Clarence.
‘Why are those chains off that little witch?’ She cried her eyes flashing.
‘She gave her word not to escape and that was good enough for me.’ The thief taker answered.
‘If she does escape, it will be on your head!’
‘No! It will be on mine.’ Clarence answered calmly and softly.
‘And just who are you?’
‘I am Clarence McDay of the London McDays and I think you must be Lady Dymonds. Did you buy the title, you are certainly no lady!’
‘So you are her lawyer. Why are you here?’
‘Because she needs my help against the trumped up charges against her, the sooner I get her out of gaol, the better the chances that we can catch the right person for the crime.’
‘All your fancy talk does not impress my. I am the lady of the manor because I married Lord Dymonds; I have produced two heirs for him before he died.’
‘His death was probably for the best, I have heard about your sons.’
‘Only from the witch in the cell who is going to hang!’ Lady Dymonds spluttered. ‘I should take what she says with a pinch of salt; it was her who could not teach and not my sons who were to blame.’
‘You will have your chance to speak in court.’ Clarence answered and carried on eating.
She waited for one of them to speak or do something but they both ignored her, choosing to eat their food.
‘You might go back to London but you thief taker you will still be here and so will I!’ She turned and stormed out.
‘I hope you get the lass off Clarence it would be a shame to stretch such a pretty little neck.’
Andrew threw himself into the work at the orphanage and soon there were two more half vats sitting there ready for connection. One long tub was gone and they were ready to replace it.
The washing took longer now and with the increase in amount of washing which was arriving the pile started to grow but it could not be helped.
Bill and Hugh were talking about the vats and how to connect them but nothing was happening at the moment causing Andrew to stop and speak to them.
‘Is there a problem?’ He asked.
‘No problem but we do not wish to rush in and have to do it all again, you would not like that looking at the way the washing is piling up.’ Bill answered.
‘That is true.’ Andrew answered.
‘We think the ones already fitted should move up towards the mill wall and these go in line with them. It makes the workings a lot easier and the plumbing.’ Bill added.
Andrew looked at the room either side of the existing vats.
‘So you could install one at the end before you move the other two?’
‘We were just discussing that and the fact that the other tub was not in the way if we do it that way.’ Hugh answered.
‘It is a little late to worry about that now as it is outside already.’ Andrew replied.
‘Much as I do not wish to interrupt your work I think moving the first tub then the second and so on is the best way forward.’ Hugh declared. ‘We could have you up to two tubs working again by Wednesday and four tubs by Friday.’
‘If we can move for the washing piled up round us.’ Andrew answered. ‘You are the experts and I will abide by your decisions but I hope it takes less time than you imagine.’
That night when the washing stopped with a pile still to be washed, the two existing tubs were drained fully and the men started to dismantle the workings ready to move them. Andrew did little to help, as all he could think of was Beth locked up in the gaol. Word had filtered through that she was no longer chained and free to walk round her cell but it was not the news he wanted.
When the men finally went home late that night both tubs had been moved but still had to be plumbed and the workings reconnected. Tomorrow would see the washing start again but not early so the children had something they were rarely given, a lay in.
The men working woke them and they slowly emerged from the place they slept in, for a late breakfast. The men stopped and had breakfast with the children before carrying on with their work. The children moved the washing from the pile and into the remaining long tub so that they could take in the new washing as it arrived and make things look fairly normal.
At six pm the two tubs were turning and the men went home leaving the children to start washing. They had been practising what Beth had given them to do all day and were ready to work.
They washed clothes, rinsed them and moved them into the drying room until the drying room was full. By then it was gone midnight and the long tub was empty again. They flopped on their beds and slept but the work they had done was their idea not anyone else’s!
They were up early in the morning, yawning but working to move the pile from the doorway into the empty long tub. As soon as that was done they stopped to eat. The food was now variable; they ate whatever Andrew could get hold of at the right price. He was getting used to haggling now to get the price down and he was getting good at it. This morning it was porridge, not gruel but real porridge and he also had jam to put in it as sugar was out of the question. The system of the extras being given first to the one next to the one who was last up for them last time worked well. They all knew which person’s turn it was to start the next meal and waited patiently, hoping that the food would last until it was their turn again.
Washing started to arrive before Bill and Hugh but it was still being unloaded when they arrived and started on the third and forth half vat. The boys could not wash yet and it allowed Ruth make them do what Beth had told them to do. Slowly they all learned the letters of the alphabet and wrote them on their slate.
Unsure of what to do next Ruth then started writing words and while they were doing it six put his hand up.
‘Yes six?’ Ruth asked quietly and everyone looked at him.
‘Could we write a banner for when Miss Conibear comes back?’ He asked.
She smiled. ‘Now that is a lovely idea but everyone must do something for it or it will mean less to her.’
‘How do we do it Mrs Fearon?’
‘I will ask Mr McDay what we can write it on and tell you tomorrow.’
Clarence walked into the gaol and was let into Beth’s cell.
‘We go to court to see what we are going to do about you in two days Miss Conibear. It will not involve you it is merely us lawyers having a battle of long words, half the time we do not really know what they mean.’
‘Then what Mr McDay?’
‘Well knowing Lady Dymonds you will stand trial fairly soon afterwards. You will either be hanged before Christmas or back at the orphanage in time for Christmas eve.’
‘I would prefer the latter.’ Beth declared lightly.
‘I am sure you would Miss Conibear but juries are fickle things. Some will undoubtedly work for Lady Dymonds in one way or the other, the rest probably hate her and they will be easy to persuade to vote to set you free. I will see you after the little get together in the court. Have you everything you want?’
‘Yes thank you, there are some things I can not have while I am in here.’
‘Yes there are but that will soon be at an end, I hope.’
He left her reading one of the books he had sent in for her and the Gaoler came in so that she read it aloud to him some more.
Bill and Hugh worked hard and by the time night came the third vat was working. As soon as they moved away the children could start and with three vats working and only dry clothes to carry to them the pile in the long tub soon started to decrease. Some children had little to do so they busied them selves by moving the washing along in the long tub and bringing fresh washing from the pile by the door to replace it. By the time Andrew called a halt, as they did not look l
ike stopping their selves, the pile by the door was gone and the long tub was no longer full. Andrew worked out the hours and thought they would wash all the washing in a morning as soon as all four were working and then the afternoon would be for learning and any emergency orders which might come in. Lady Lamerton was good at that, she had a dinner party and needed something washed in a hurry. She still had not made any move to give them money despite Andrew writing her a polite letter about it but he had plans for her and her washing was washed and ready when she sent her man to collect it.
The following day the fourth vat was working before midday and the washing started soon after. With the children in full swing Andrew talked to Bill about the Christmas meal he had planned, he also wanted a party when Beth was released and came back to them. For that, they needed somewhere to sit them all to celebrate together.
Bill pointed to the long tub which still stood in the middle of the washroom. ‘I could cover it with a wooden top with enough over hang to make one big table or get the tables from the kitchen and somehow fit them all together but we could not sit down together in the kitchen it is too small.’
Andrew nodded in agreement. ‘The top on that tub sounds the best idea. I have no idea what is happening with Beth but I would like it done as soon as you could just in case she comes back very soon.’
‘I will start by using the wood from the other tub and then add new wood as I need it.’
Clarence walked into the courtroom and took up his place passing pleasantries with the prosecutor. The magistrate came out and sat allowing the rest to sit.
‘We are here to determine if Elizabeth Conibear of Dunkswell is compelled to stand trial for highway robbery.’ The usher declared. ‘Who speaks for the accused?’
‘I do.’ Clarence answered without stressing who he was and without following it up with explanation, he had done this so many times. His mind went back to his first time when he had started his defence statement at this point and was told to sit down by the magistrate.
‘Who speaks for the victim?’
‘I do.’ The prosecutor declared in the same manner.
‘I will hear arguments now.’ The magistrate announced.
Clarence and the prosecutor looked at each other.
‘One of you has to start!’ The magistrate said tiredly.
The prosecutor stood up.
‘We have a witness who will swear that the prisoner was the person who robbed her at pistol point.’
‘The highwayman had a mask on I do believe.’ Clarence said standing up to speak. ‘How can your witness be sure it was the prisoner?’
‘She will swear it under oath and she is a lady of the manor.’ The prosecutor answered.
‘Even Ladies of the manor cannot see under a mask.’ Clarence pointed out.
‘Lady Dymonds has said that she is sure and that is what she will testify to.’ The prosecutor continued.
‘With so little evidence I ask the learned judge to throw the case out of court.’ Clarence replied.
The magistrate waved them into their seats.
‘I am interested how her ladyship can tell who is whom under a mask, so we will start proceedings on the twenty third of December.’ He said and stood to leave, forcing all in there to rise as well.
‘A long shot there Clarence?’ The prosecutor asked after the magistrate had gone.
‘Worth a try though Gordon, will you have a bite with me?’
‘It will be a pleasure Clarence.’
Clarence treated it as any other case, keeping close guard on any feelings he might have, it was the only way forward.
‘Did you really think he would do anything but go with Lady Dymonds? She is the one who gave him the position.’ Gordon asked when they were eating in the inn.
‘I know Gordon and if things go badly for me, as they might, it gives me another chance at freeing my client.’
‘I can see that but I was not going to have him removed for the very reason he sided with her ladyship: She has powerful friends.’
‘So have I Gordon, so have I but we will see what the twelve jurists think before I go above anyone’s head.’
‘I hope you do, she is not a very nice woman to tolerate.’
‘And only there by marriage I understand, without her late husband she would be condemned as a mad woman. I wonder if we should look into his death.’
‘I did look long and hard at it but the doctor was adamant that it was natural causes.’
‘Still worth bringing up though, if I have to.’
‘If you intend to cross examine her ladyship I want to make sure I am there to see it.’ Gordon replied, with the glimmer of a smile.
‘Oh be there Gordon because it will happen: Her testimony will make or break the case.’
Chapter 5
Andrew came down from checking on Ruth, who was trying to help the younger children who were not working. The babies were asleep up there and despite her not having a good education, she was trying her best and probably learning from it. Not being there with Beth was wearing Andrew down and he had to stop himself from riding into Exeter to see her.
The washing was all finished and the wet clothes were in the drying room when he arrived at the bottom of the stairs. At least now that they were earning more money, he would be able to make sure the garden was replanted in the spring. Some of the plants he had put in had done very little and needed pulling up and throwing away but some were ready to eat. They would have some of their home grown food over Christmas and into the New Year.
The door opened and Tom escorted a man into the washroom. This man was hard to describe he was average with no distinguishing features.
Andrew walked over to him.
‘I have a letter from your father.’ The man said and gave him the letter.
‘Thank you.’ He took the letter and the man turned to go.
‘Will you have refreshment?’ Andrew asked.
‘No thank you sir, I have things to do.’
Andrew watched him go. He had heard his father talk about Peterkin and the things he had done for him, surely this was Peterkin. He opened his mouth to speak but decided against it, he should remain anonymous.
He opened the letter.
Son
The first salvos have been fired and we go to court tomorrow. I have several motions to file should I fail in court but I have great hopes that it will be over tomorrow or the day after. Be assured she will not hang until Easter even if I do fail tomorrow. If that does happen I will write to you in France.’
With great respect
Your father.
Ps. I will need you there tomorrow as a witness, to explain to the court what went on when you shot and killed the highwayman who had Lady Dymonds jewels.
Andrew smiled. He knew just what he was thinking and it bode well for the trial, the man was as sharp as the cactus thorns in his house in London.
‘Good new sir?’ Six asked standing next to him.
‘One day you will be able to read it for yourself six. The trial is starting tomorrow and the lawyer for the defence who I retained is confident she will be freed.’
‘How could anyone think of her as a highwayman?’ Six declared. ‘It is silly to think she could rob someone.’
‘Let us hope the jury think like that.’
‘Who are they?’
‘They are the people who have to decide whether to hang her or not six.’
‘I thought that was the magistrate.’
‘The lawyer for the defence has asked for a trial by jury.’
‘Why?’ Six asked.
This was a new era for Six; he could ask questions without getting whipped and as long as the work was done his new beadle was happy.
‘The magistrate was appointed by Lady Dymonds after her husband died.’
‘So he would hang her anyway then?’
‘He might but once appointed, I do not think she can remove him without a good reason.’ Andrew added. ‘Is all the work
finished?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘Then go up and work on what Beth – Miss Conibear- told you to do or she will be angry when she comes back and finds you all still unable to read and write.’
‘We will try sir but Mrs Fearon finds it hard as well.’
‘Come we will all try to read together, for tomorrow I must be in Exeter to testify.’
He walked back upstairs with the other children following and conducted his first class with the children. Some were getting quite good already; number forty one could already write all the letters of the alphabet and knew which ones they were.
Early in the morning Andrew saddled Hopscotch and rode out towards Exeter. Tom appeared as he was walking Hopscotch out of the gates and closed them behind him. No one spoke, tension was high but they still worked and learnt. Washing had not arrived yet, so they started learning after they had eaten breakfast, to be able to start washing when some arrived.
Andrew made sure his pistol was free to take out in an instant as he rode, he did not want any interruptions on this trip. He took breakfast in the same inn as his father but they did not socialise or speak. He took his seat in the court to await his turn to testify. When Clarence called him up he walked up purposely and took his seat in the witness box.
‘You are Andrew McDay of the orphanage workhouse in Lamerton?’ Clarence asked.
‘I am.’
‘Can you relate to me the events leading up to the death of the highwayman who robbed Lady Dymonds?’
‘Objection – that is what we are here to prove.’ Gordon boomed.
‘Sorry – could you relate the events leading up to the highwayman who probably robbed Lady Dymonds?’ Clarence added before the magistrate could speak.
‘Be careful Mr McDay.’ The magistrate warned, to try to sound as though he was in charge.
‘I was riding to Exeter to engage a nurse for the orphanage, I had been told of a good woman living in Exeter. I came across felled branches which slowed my journey to a walk and as soon as I slowed the highwayman advanced out of the trees to rob me. I explained that it was orphanage money which I was not prepared to part with but as he was adamant that he was going to take it, I drew my pistol and fired.’ Andrew narrated.