I replied that I wasn’t sure; the precision was extraordinary.
‘And you begin to sound like Sherlock Holmes,’ I added.
‘I’m surprising even myself,’ he laughed. ‘But I know that Alice is very good at needlepoint, and would therefore have the skill to do something like this, and in a hurry as well.’
‘It’s a pity we cannot decipher the message. I think the best thing to do is summon Holmes as quickly as possible. So I shall ride to town this afternoon and dispatch a wire to that effect. All indications point to events coming to a head imminently.’
He nodded his head slowly.
At this point, we were interrupted by a gentle knock from Brundage, who informed us that Betsy, the upstairs maid, wanted a word with us.
‘Can’t it wait, Brundage?’
‘She is quite distressed, sir. It is partly at my recommendation that she has come, Your Lordship.’
‘Very well, show her in.’
Betsy appeared, visibly trembling. Her eyes were tear-stained and her face was contorted, evidently from a recent and lengthy bout of crying. Upon seeing her condition, Lord Allistair rushed to her side, put his arm round her, and led her gently to his chair and sat her down, all the while speaking in soothing tones. I was much struck with his fatherly concern for her, and was once again reminded of his compassion and concern for his fellow men, no matter what their station. After a few moments of this kindness, the girl grew more composed.
‘My Lord!’ she entreated, breaking out into fresh sobs. ‘God have mercy on me. I shall hang for what I’ve done!’
‘What’s this? There, girl, it cannot be that bad. Now tell me and the good doctor what it is you’ve done, or haven’t done, that’s got you so upset. There, there.’
But she grew uncontrollable once again, and it was only after several more moments and two sips of brandy that she was again able to continue.
‘Is your distress in any way related to the finding of the letter on the balustrade this morning?’ I asked.
She hesitated for an instant, then nodded quickly, her eyes brimming over with tears.
‘Did you see who placed it there?’
‘It was I who placed it there!’
Shocked at this admission, we both plied her with questions in rapid succession. Was she one of them? Where were they? Was Alice unharmed? But to all of these she was unable to answer, so distraught was her state. Finally, following Holmes’ example in instances of this sort, I convinced her that whatever secrets she held from us, it was better to reveal them.
‘Betsy, both His Lordship and I realize that you have come to us of your own volition. Whatever difficulty you are in – no matter how serious – it will not be made better by your silence. We are on your side and wish only to help. Now please, tell us everything about how you came to be involved in this.’
‘Oh please, sir – you must believe me! I was never involved with them directly, I swear it! It was Charles –’
‘Who is Charles?’ asked Lord Allistair.
There was a pause, and the girl fell silent, looking shamefully at her hands, which were twitching in her lap.
‘We were to be married,’ she said quietly.
‘Is this the young man you have been seeing in town?’
‘Yes, My Lord. I’m in love with him, My Lord.’
‘And he with you?’
‘I was so sure of it until recently. Oh he’s so winning in his manner, and generous. I only hope nothing ill’s befallen him!’
‘You must begin at the beginning, Betsy. When did you meet this man, and what connection has he to the abduction of my daughter?’
‘I met Charles Compson three months ago at the Shrewsbury Fair. We were attracted to each other almost immediately, and it wasn’t long before we were seeing a lot of each other. He works as a tanner in the village, and always dreams of being rich enough to buy his own tannery in Australia. He’s always talked of somehow raising the capital, and the two of us would marry and set off to make our own way. Well, happy as I’ve been here, My Lord, the dream has had a certain appeal, if you can understand –’
Lord Allistair nodded.
‘Things have been marvellous up until a few weeks ago. At that time, a change occurred in Charles that has perplexed and bothered me ever since.’
‘What sort of change?’
‘He seemed secretive, as if he were holding back. Three nights ago, he asked me to meet him in the village. We met at the public house there, and he confided that he’d got the opportunity to raise the money needed to fulfil our dream. Of course I was overjoyed, never dreaming for a moment it would end like this.’
She bit her lip and fought back a recurrence of her sobbing.
‘He said that I must first promise not to tell anyone what it was that he would confide in me. I promised, and he revealed that he had been in contact with two gentlemen who knew the whereabouts of your daughter. He made it clear that they weren’t the ones who had taken her but merely knew her whereabouts...’
Lord Allistair and I exchanged a momentary glance, half disgust and half pity, that a poor innocent country girl should be so cruelly deceived.
‘Charles told me that all I had to do for my part was to keep a sharp eye out round the house to see who came and went. I was also to watch for any strangers or friends,’ she continued, looking up in my direction.
‘Charles said that when the time came for the release of Lady Allistair, these observations would make things go more smoothly. For his part in helping with the release, Charles was to be paid handsomely; enough money for passage to Australia and several tanneries.
‘Early this morning, before the break of dawn, I met him at the foot of the village road to report your arrival, Doctor. He handed me the letter, saying I was to place it on the stone balustrade and call attention to it. “It won’t be long now, Betsy darling,” he told me. “The young lady is safe and sound and, thanks to us, will be delivered up to her parents quick as a wink.” So I did as I was told, and now...’
‘And now what?’
‘I fear harm may have come to him.’
‘To Charles?’
‘Yes, he was supposed to meet me at two, and he was not there. It’s not like him to miss appointments, My Lord.’
‘Where was this meeting to take place?’
‘Where we usually meet: at the foot of the town road.’
‘Now Betsy, we are going to try and help you. But first there are a number of important questions we are going to put to you. You must answer them completely and truthfully if you expect any mercy on our part concerning your involvement in this foul scheme – whether deliberate or accidental.’
She indicated that she would comply totally.
‘First,’ said Lord Allistair, ‘to your knowledge, is my daughter unharmed?’
‘From what I hear, she is.’
We both breathed a sign of relief.
‘Have you any knowledge of the contents of the envelope handed to you this morning?’
‘Yes, My Lord. It was a handwritten note from the young lady.’
‘And anything else?’
‘No, My Lord.’
Lord Allistair and I exchanged a quick glance. In all probability, neither Betsy, Charles, nor the kidnappers themselves knew anything about the second message done in pinpricks.
‘Have you ever seen the “gentlemen”, if such they can be called, that your friend Charles referred to?’
‘No, My Lord, never.’
‘Did he tell you anything about them – what they look like, where they are staying?’
‘No – nothing. Except that they cannot be far away, since I know Charles goes often to speak with them, and returns to his lodgings in the town.’
‘Is there anything else you can remember that may be of use to us? Anything you can do to help us is to your advantage as well as ours.’
‘I am sorry,’ she said at last, ‘but I cannot think of anything. You both must believe me, gen
tlemen, I never thought I was engaging in anything that would in any way endanger Lady Alice. I am sure Charles feels the same way –’
‘Does he?’ asked Lord Allistair sternly.
‘Oh, I am sure of it! And that is why we must find him. I’m so afraid...’
‘You are convinced in your own mind that he is in trouble? How do you know he hasn’t fled with the others?’
The poor girl lowered her eyes again, as if ashamed to admit that the possibility might in fact be true. Her face trembled slightly, and after some time she spoke.
‘Because he loves me,’ she said in a barely audible voice.
Lord Allistair placed his hand gently on her shoulder.
‘I must tell you that you have behaved foolishly, Betsy. And there’s a possibility you have been cruelly used as well. However, you have been a good servant to us both. We know you didn’t enter into this pact with bad intentions. You must leave us while we decide upon the best course of action. Kindly wait in the kitchen. We will send for you shortly.’
The poor girl departed, and left the two of us to determine her fate. ‘I’m afraid she has been taken advantage of,’ he said. ‘And her young man, this Compson, seems a bumpkin as well. No good can come of it.’
But Lord Allistair called her back a moment later, and she reappeared, still shaken.
‘Betsy, so that we can find this friend of yours – eh, what’s his name again?’
‘Charles, My Lord. Charles Compson.’
‘Yes. Can you give us a brief description of him?’
‘Of course, My Lord. He’s medium height, sandy hair, a big moustache.’
Lord Allistair paused.
‘That description may fit many people hereabouts. Is there anything particular only to him?’
‘No, My Lord, unless it’s Clancy.’
‘Who is Clancy?’
‘His Kerry Blue terrier, My Lord. They’re inseparable, are he and Clance. Go just about everywhere together – and have for years. Yes, My Lord: where you’ll find Clancy, you’ll find Charles not far off.’
She was again dismissed, and Lord Allistair and I were left to ponder this revelation.
‘I can’t help wondering,’ I said slowly, ‘to what extent her revelation of me will jeopardize the exchange.’
‘Hardly, if at all. She doesn’t know your real purpose here. I’ll give Betsy’s description of this Charles Compson to Farthway, the gamekeeper. He’ll then keep a sharp lookout for him throughout these parts. If you’re going to send a wire, Doctor, you’d best get started. Do you want a horse or carriage?’
I selected a horse and, placing my Webley in my coat pocket, started off on the nine-mile trip. Ian Farthway was to start an impromptu search for Betsy’s man, and I was to keep my eyes peeled as well along the road. Lord Allistair and I had agreed that should Betsy find Charles of her own accord, she was to tell him that I had departed for London. In this way, it was thought, the kidnappers would feel less threatened and the exchange could be handled more smoothly.
Seldom have I been in gloomier spirits than when I wheeled at the outer stone fence and swung away towards town. The sun was gone behind a gathering cloud bank, and what had appeared bright and cheerful earlier now seemed gloomy and still. I made my way at a medium trot down the first long slope and entered the woods. There was no sound save the clip clop of the hooves upon the road, and in the stillness it seemed ear splitting. I recalled the gypsy who had followed us earlier, and the strange events of the morning. The letter from Alice Allistair was an optimistic sign, to be sure. And yet, of all the events of the past two days, it was the only cheering note. The smoke in Henry’s Hollow, the watchman on the Keep, the puzzling message within a message, and the league between the maid and the abductors, all pointed to the utter encircling of Strathcombe by unseen forces, and their deep penetration into our defences. And the gypsy: was he simply a lout, or was he, too, in the employ of the criminals? So overwhelmed was I at the sudden and foreboding turn of things that I was convinced it was time to summon Holmes. For if any man could devise a productive strategy against these ruffians, it was clearly he.
The forest closed around me, and it seemed to grow darker by the minute. I spurred the horse onward, keeping my eyes about me. The visibility was poor, and the great trees of the forest loomed out as if to devour me. I was thankful I’d brought the Webley, and hurried on towards Rutlidge, four and a half miles away.
I arrived there in less than forty-five minutes, dashed straight to the telegraph office, and sent the following wire:
EVENTS MOVING SWIFTLY – REQUEST YOU COME AT ONCE. SPIES IN THE HOUSE AND THE ENEMY EVERYWHERE. WILL WAIT FOR ANSWER. WATSON.
I had thought it best to wait for a reply so as to have some news to tell the Allistairs upon my return to Strathcombe. I was obliged to wait for well over an hour for his answer – much longer than I anticipated. This struck me as curious, since Holmes had promised to remain within a few minutes’ walk of the nearest telegraph office. Finally it arrived and read as follows:
SHALL ARRIVE ON TOMORROW’S TRAIN 1:30 P.M. SEND CARRIAGE. HOLMES.
Thank God, Holmes was on his way! But what else could transpire within the intervening time? I shuddered to think. As I opened the door to leave the office, a thought struck me.
‘I say,’ I asked the key operator, ‘have you seen a gypsy hereabouts in the past day or so?’
‘I certainly have. There was a vagabond in this very office late last night, enquiring about a wire.’
‘What did he look like?’
‘Tall lean chap with a hook nose and a scarf tied round his head.’
That didn’t sound like the gypsy I’d seen, but I did not rule out the possibility that the two could be in league. In fact, this was most probably the case.
‘What sort of wire was he enquiring about?’
‘He wished to know if there had been any messages to Strathcombe, the Allistair estate.’
A tremor passed over me at his words.
‘And what did you reply?’
‘That it was none of his affair, and to leave the premises.’
‘That’s a good man!’ I said, tossing him a half-crown. ‘Goodnight!’
Needless to say the appearance of the second gypsy made a dismal situation seem yet darker, more ominous. There was obviously a band of them, and they appeared to be well organized. The thought crossed my mind that careful planning and close communication weren’t marks of these wandering, lazy, hot-blooded folk. Yet this group appeared to be an exception. I swung into the saddle resolved to keep silent about this development – at least until Holmes’ arrival.
It was past nightfall when I struck the forest road. It looked still more dismal and ominous, and I passed through it at a brisk trot. My horse, for some reason, displayed a nervousness that was unnatural for a seasoned hunter. I sympathized with her, because some sixth sense inside me said all was not well, and I had best reach Strathcombe soon. Accordingly, I took her to a canter, and then to a gallop.
It was with a deep sense of relief that I topped the final rise and saw the few twinkling lights of Strathcombe ahead. I looked behind me. There was no sign of anyone. I hadn’t been followed and help was on the way. Evidently, Alice Allistair was safe and unharmed. Surely, then, things weren’t all that bad. Hopefully, within two days the trial would be over, and Holmes and I would be free to take two days of fishing at Strathcombe and then return to London, perhaps to continue our hunt for the giant rat of Sumatra. In lighter heart, I proceeded past the outer stone fence.
I was abreast of the lime kiln when I heard the howling of the dog.
Nine
CONFLUENCE
A chill shot through me at the sound. In the deep recesses of my mind I could feel a dark blanket of dread drawing ever closer.
My horse shied and whinnied at the eerie sound, and raced eagerly to the stables. It seemed to have suddenly grown much colder, and I longed for the parlour fire.
‘Who goes?�
�� cried a shrill voice as I approached the stables.
‘It is I, Doctor Watson.’
‘My apologies, Doctor,’ said Wiscomb, as he made his way feebly from the stable door. ‘I am unused to riders arriving at this hour.’
He appeared slightly the worse for drink, and his hands trembled as he took the reins. ‘It’s got right chilly, eh Doctor? And there’s something else, too, about tonight. I’ve the feeling something’s up. Can’t put my finger square on it, but there’s something in the air, someth –’
‘There, you hear it!’ said I. ‘It sounds closer now.’
‘Ah, the dog. He’s been at it all night. Chase ’im off four times already I have –’
‘What does he look like?’
‘Oh, smallish, wire-haired. There! He’s comin’ back. I’ll give ’im what for –’
‘Hold on!’ I cried. ‘I’ll go outside and see to him on my way to the house – no need to bother.’
He relented, put down the crop he’d picked up (I assumed to teach the dog a lesson) and ambled off to finish dressing down the horse.
It had indeed grown chilly outside; as I left the stable building I could see my breath, and the wind had quickened as well. I was halfway to the house when the howling commenced once more. Looking to the head of the drive, I observed a small dog hurrying to me. Forty feet away, it paused, whining. I knelt down and stretched out my hand.
‘Clancy!’ I called, and instantly the dog sprang forward with a joyous yelp. Upon reaching me, however, and sniffing my person, he again backed off, looked slightly confused, and resumed whining. He then paced to and fro, occasionally proceeding in the direction of the drive then hesitating, with a backward glance in my direction, and returning. It was plain the animal had lost his master. Considering Betsy’s earlier concern, I didn’t like the look of things.
The Giant Rat of Sumatra Page 13