by Deryn Lake
She raised her glass. ‘Please do.’
‘To our son or daughter. May they know prosperity and good fortune.’
‘May they do so indeed.’
They retired to bed early, having walked a little after dinner. But John’s night was fraught with unpleasant dreams. In his imagination he stood once more on the cliff tops and, though he struggled to move found that he was immobilized and thus watched helplessly as an unknown figure fell down and down to the beach below. Then he was once more in the coach journeying to Devon, sitting opposite the Black Pyramid who had grown to the stature of a veritable giant, while a skeleton sat in the corner, a skeleton with a fishy eye that turned its head and grinned at him. The Apothecary woke, drenched in sweat, terrified that he had shouted and woken Elizabeth. But she slumbered beside him, peaceful as a baby.
John got up and crossed to the small window, looking out at the sight of Padstow by moonlight. Nothing stirred except for an occasional marauding cat. Yet he knew that not far away in the mortuary lay the body of a woman who, on a simple visit to the town, had met a cruel and untimely end.
Twenty
The coroner had released the body and pronounced that Augusta Schmitt had died an accidental death. Matilda had immediately arranged for the coffin to be transported back to Sidford on a cart so that her sister might be buried close by in the parish church. Elizabeth had offered the unfortunate woman a ride back to Devon but had been politely refused. Mrs Mitchell and the sensible Miss Davenport were enduring the rigours of travelling with the departed to make sure that the coffin arrived safely. John had most sincerely wished them a safe journey and had stepped into Elizabeth’s carriage feeling what it must be like to be a member of the privileged classes and always travel in comfort.
He had arrived back at the Marchesa’s house in a positive spasm of impatience to see Joe Jago again.
‘He’ll only have a few days left before he must return to London,’ he said by way of explanation as he immediately went to the stables to find himself a reasonably placid mount.
Elizabeth waved a hand. ‘Oh be off with you! Go and find your red-headed alter ego and give him a kiss from me.’
So, despite it being late afternoon, John set forth and found Joe Jago in the taproom of The Blackamore’s Head in company with the Exeter Constable, no less.
‘Hah,’ he said, arriving at their table in a whirl, ‘the two men I most wanted to see.’
They both looked up in surprise and Joe sprang to his feet. ‘Mr Rawlings, I hope I find you well. How was your visit to Padstow, Sir? Did you get the information you wanted?’
‘No, I did not. But thereby hangs a tale.’ And sitting down beside them John proceeded to tell them everything that had taken place since he had last been in Exeter. They listened in astounded silence until Joe finally said, ‘So you believe Miss Schmitt was pushed?’
‘There is no way of knowing. I spoke to the fishermen who picked her up from the beach but they saw no-one.’
The Constable spoke. ‘Forgive me if I sound a little slow, Sir. But why should anyone want to shove the lady off the cliff?’
‘Because of a possible link with something in the past,’ John answered. ‘She mentioned a Helen and a Richard to me. Those were the names of the people who lived at one time in Vinehurst Place in Sussex. The place we agreed I should visit.’
Toby Miller sat silently for a moment or two, considering what he had just been told, then he said, ‘But there is no firm connection between William Gorringe and the house you visited, Mr Rawlings, as we both hoped?’
‘None at all.’
‘I see.’
Joe Jago pulled thoughtfully at his ear lobe. ‘I have explained to Mr Miller that I am clerk to Sir John Fielding and that I am here to assist you, Mr Rawlings. But as far as I can see the case must now be closed. We have reached an impasse, as it were. The chances that Helen and Richard were connected in any way is extremely remote. Furthermore I must return to London in two days’ time. I am sorry that I have been unable to help you further.’
John smiled ruefully. ‘You’ve done your best, Joe. I know you tried hard. By the way, how did you get on with Paulina Gower?’
A dull glow appeared in the clerk’s rugged cheeks. ‘A very pleasant lady,’ he said non-committally.
John, who had found her sharp and unhelpful, looked at him in some surprise. ‘Oh,’ he said, but decided to leave his most searching questions until later.
Toby stood up. ‘I am sorry, gentlemen, but duty calls.’ He turned to the Apothecary. ‘I am afraid that I agree with Mr Jago, Sir. There is nothing further I can do in the case of the murder of William Gorringe. Should any further evidence come to light I will naturally pursue it. But, alas, I think that is now highly unlikely.’
John was forced to agree. It seemed as if every door had slammed shut in his face. He bowed to the Constable.
‘It’s been a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir. Were you in London I would recommend you as a court runner to Sir John.’
‘Hear, hear,’ said Joe.
They watched the man go out and Joe, looking at his departing back, said, ‘An excellent worker, that one.’
‘Yes, indeed.’ John’s eyes glinted. ‘Tell me about Paulina? I take it you got on rather well.’
The colour returned to the clerk’s craggy face. ‘I found her very charming actually, Sir.’
‘Do I detect a hint of romance?’
‘No, good heavens, nothing like that,’ Joe protested loudly. ‘I pretended to be an admirer of her theatrical work and as a result we became quite friendly.’
John collapsed into a fit of wild giggling. ‘Oh, Joe, I do wish you could see the expression on your face. You resemble a naughty boy who has been caught at the jam pot.’
The clerk assumed a dignified air which drove John to further excesses. He chortled loudly and clutched his sides, tears pouring down his cheeks.
‘I am glad that I give you cause for amusement, Mr Rawlings.’
John calmed down, thinking that he might have wounded his old friend’s feelings. But he still had the strongest suspicion that all was not quite above board as far as Mrs Gower was concerned. He wiped his eyes.
‘Tell me, did she explain how she came to be sharing lodgings with the Black Pyramid?’
‘She said that she struck up an acquaintanceship with him on that original journey and that they have remained cordial ever since.’
‘I see. Did you believe her?’
But it was a superfluous question. Joe Jago had clearly done so, more than a little swayed by the power of Paulina Gower’s middle-aged charms. John clamped his lips shut and said no more.
‘Well, Sir, where do we go tomorrow?’ asked the clerk, pointedly changing the subject.
‘I would be most obliged if you would attend the funeral of Miss Schmitt with me and Elizabeth. I think it will be a very small affair and I know that Mrs Mitchell would be grateful for all the support she can get.’
‘I shall certainly do that, Sir.’
‘Good. Then perhaps you would ride out to the big house at eleven o’clock. We can take a coach from there. On second thoughts why don’t you come and dine with us tonight and spend the night. I know Elizabeth would be pleased.’
The clerk drained his ale without answering and John guessed with unerring accuracy what he was going to say next.
‘I’m sorry, Sir, I have a previous engagement.’
The giggles — not far away — threatened to come back. ‘I see. Anywhere interesting?’ John asked innocently.
‘I am going,’ replied Joe Jago with enormous dignity, ‘to the theatre.’
Sidford had one parish church and it was to this that Elizabeth’s carriage made its way at twelve noon on the day following. John had prearranged that Joe should escort the Marchesa inside while he would follow some ten minutes later and take a seat at the back where he could observe. Much to his surprise when he did eventually enter the church’s shadowy interi
or he saw that the place was full. It seemed that the entire village had turned out in support of Matilda Mitchell and John was hard put to find a pew at the far end. Sitting down, he saw something even more astonishing. Also present — and sitting near the front at that — were the Black Pyramid, Nathaniel Broome and Paulina Gower, all dressed in solemn shades. Remembering how the black fighter had physically put Miss Schmitt out of the coach when they had travelled down with the murdered man — a journey that John felt he could never forget — the Apothecary felt frankly astonished.
The coffin entered, carried by six stout men, followed by Mrs Mitchell, heavily leaning on the gallant Miss Davenport. A couple of elderly people walked with them who John presumed must be friends of the family. Another surprise. The Black Pyramid solemnly rose to his feet and stood with bowed head as the casket passed by him. Nathaniel Broome and Mrs Gower did likewise and the Apothecary felt more puzzled than ever. It was just as if they were paying their final respects to an old friend.
The vicar started the words of the funeral service in a dreary voice most suitable for the occasion. As always John took this as his moment to look round. There was nobody else there from the original coach party but as he had already noted the church was packed with depressed-looking villagers. He concluded that Matilda Mitchell must be a doer of good works and popular with one and all.
He looked again at the extraordinary trio and saw that the Black Pyramid was leaning forward, his clasped hands between his knees. John could have sworn that a tear glistened on the negro’s cheek. The other two, however, sat impassively enough, their faces betraying nothing.
Eventually the procession to the grave began and the Apothecary lingered behind as was his usual way. Joe Jago appeared beside him, temporarily leaving Elizabeth to talk to other members of the congregation.
‘Well, my friend, what did you observe?’
‘I was somewhat surprised to see the Black Pyramid here,’ Joe answered.
‘I presume that Mrs Gower told you she would be present?’
‘Yes, she did. The reason she gave was that she had grown friendly with the German lady during the trip to Devon.’
‘I see.’ John hesitated about saying anything further, aware that Joe and the actress had struck up some kind of rapprochement. But he knew perfectly well that that statement was a lie, that Paulina had had little time for the late Fraulein Schmitt. However he decided to keep this information to himself for the time being. Instead he said, ‘I thought I saw the black man weeping.’
‘Unfortunately I was sitting in front of him, Sir, so I did not really get a good look behind me.’
‘But why should he do that, Joe? That is the question worrying me. Surely it couldn’t have been an attack of guilty conscience?’
The clerk’s face took on its famous foxy expression. ‘I shouldn’t have thought he would go that far however badly he felt about his treatment of Miss Schmitt.’
‘There’s something odd here,’ said the Apothecary thoughtfully.
But their conversation ceased abruptly as the black fighter himself strode down the path towards the grave. He paused on seeing them.
‘Gentlemen,’ he said in tones of great astonishment.
‘We came to pay our respects,’ John answered hurriedly. ‘Tell me, are you fully recovered? The last time I saw you you were in a bad way.’
‘I am much restored, thank you. Nat and I will be returning to London in a day or two. I feel I am now ready to undertake the journey.’
Mrs Gower appeared, walking sedately, a pace or two in front of Nathaniel Broome. She dropped a demure curtsy and John thought that her friendship with Joe had improved her manners enormously.
‘Why, Mr Rawlings, what are you doing here?’
‘I might ask the same of you, Madam.’
‘I have come to pay my respects to the departed.’
‘Likewise,’ said John, and bowed.
Joe Jago stepped forward. ‘May I offer you my arm, Mrs Gower?’
‘I will accept it gladly,’ she responded, dropped the merest hint of a bob, and went trotting off with him down the path towards the grave.
John fell into step with the Black Pyramid, Nat walking a pace behind.
‘I didn’t realize that you were so friendly with Miss Schmitt,’ he said conversationally.
The black man turned on him an uninterpretable look. ‘Neither did I realize about you, Mr Rawlings.’
It suddenly seemed to the Apothecary that the conversation could proceed no further. That every remark he made would be met with the same steely resistance. Yet he knew that there was something deeper in all this mystery. That the whole thing was an enormous puzzle. He also knew that he would not stop until he had solved it completely and totally.
Suddenly, on his way home from the funeral, the Apothecary’s mind was full of his daughter. Every day he had thought of her and missed her but now he felt a vital urge to take her in his arms and cuddle her. So much so that he felt determined to accompany Joe Jago back to London, provided that this did not upset Elizabeth. Thinking over his situation the Apothecary realized with a kind of helplessness that he was in a very difficult position. When the baby was born next February he would have one child living in Nassau Street, another just outside Exeter. Clearly something would have to be done about it though at the moment he could think of no practical solution.
He and the Marchesa dined together quite informally, having a table set in one of the smaller dining-rooms, and when the meal was done they withdrew to a drawing-room, rather than the grand salon. They sat in front of the fire and Elizabeth picked up a letter she had received.
‘John,’ she said without preamble, ‘I have received a communication from an elderly cousin of mine in Shropshire. He is not very well and I fear he may not be long for this world. I have therefore decided to go and see him.’
‘Are you up to the journey?’ the Apothecary enquired professionally.
She gave him a slightly cynical look. ‘Of course I am. I shall travel in comfort all the way, so you need not worry on that score. But you, my dear, ought you not to return to London soon?’
Guiltily feeling that she must have been reading his mind, John replied nonchalantly, ‘Now that you suggest it I feel I should. Rose must be missing me and, truth told, I am longing to see her again. As for Sir Gabriel, he is now a great age and I honestly ought to spend more time with him.’
‘Then you must do so,’ she replied. She leant towards him. ‘Do you not think you spend too much of yourself on solving mysteries?’
‘I have been telling myself that since I started working for Sir John Fielding,’ he replied wretchedly. ‘I felt it took me away from my wife, my father, my child. And yet I am obsessed with the whole idea. If a villain gets away undetected I feel that I have been personally beaten.’
She smiled, just a fraction sadly. ‘I can understand that. I once felt similarly about the Society of Angels who brought about the ruin of my son. I could not rest until the last little verminous beast had been put down. But once they were gone all the anger went out of me and I have become a sober citizen.’
John laughed aloud. ‘If you are a sober citizen then I am a Greek god.’
‘Well?’ she answered.
And they laughed together, in total harmony once more.
Later that night John went by coach to Exeter and booked in at The Half Moon. The stagecoach was departing so early in the morning that he preferred to get a good night’s sleep to leaving Elizabeth at the crack of dawn. Yet as he said farewell to her and turned to watch her wave him goodbye he had the strangest feeling that it would be some time before he saw her again.
Twenty-One
It was when he reached Brentford that the Apothecary was struck by the feeling that all was not well at home. Into his mind came a picture of Rose, thin and pale and coughing, and he passed the rest of the journey in a fever of impatience to get back. Paying off the hackney which had transported him from the Gloucester
Coffee House to Nassau Street, John ran up the steps and was just about to ring the bell when the front door opened to reveal the figure of what could only be a physician.
‘Oh,’ said the man, clearly astonished to find someone standing in the doorway. ‘Forgive me, Sir, I was just making my way out.’
‘You’ve been to call on a member of the household?’ John asked, though he knew the answer even before the man spoke.
‘Sir Gabriel’s granddaughter, I’m afraid.’
The Apothecary gave him a stricken glance, said ‘Excuse me,’ and fled past the physician into the hall and up the stairs. Without pausing for a second he flung open the door of Rose’s bedroom, then stopped as he took in the scene before him.
Sir Gabriel Kent, arrayed in negligent style, sporting an elegant cap upon his head, his shirt unbuttoned, the collar loosely turned down to reveal a ribbon band fastening, a great long gown over the whole ensemble, was sitting quietly on Rose’s bed, gently stroking her hand. The child herself lay amongst the white bedclothes, her face an almost identical shade, racked by a most unpleasant cough that had a deep sound within it as if the child were fighting for breath. John’s adopted father turned his head at the noise of the intrusion.
‘My boy, I was on the point of writing to you to beg your return. Rose is stricken down as you see.’
‘How long has she been ill?’
‘Three days. Dr Wilde says it is a chin cough.’
‘He’s probably right. What has he prescribed?’
‘I don’t know. He’s gone round to the apothecary now.’
‘Then I’ll save him the trouble. Rose must have Sundew. It is the finest form of treatment for such an illness.’
Sir Gabriel sat up straight and looked at John with such a deep expression that his son caught his breath.
‘I am pleased you have taken control of the situation.’
‘It is not all that common a herb but I have some in my shop. Father, let us send a footman round there posthaste. I’ll write a personal note to Mr de Prycke to ask him to compound.’