The Lead Miner's Daughter

by Margaret Manchester

  ‘Did anyone see you together?’

  ‘I should think a lot of people did,’ said Tom. ‘We walked through the village and stopped at the shop. She’d just got paid and she wanted to get a few things for her mother.’

  ‘Did you see her again after that?’

  ‘No, it wasn’t long before she got arrested and I never saw her again.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Did you visit her at the gaol, or write to her while she was there?’

  ‘No, I didn’t.’

  ‘Now, are you certain about that? You didn’t go to the prison and leave something at the desk for her? A gift, perhaps?’

  ‘I’ve never been to Durham gaol, and I’ve never given Kate a gift.’

  ‘Thank you, Tom. I’ll let you get home.’

  Robert walked down the hill and back to his home in Westgate totally unaware of everything he passed on the way. His mind was trying to process all the information he had received that day and work out what had happened to Kate Featherstone.

  ***

  By the time Tom got home, curiosity had got the better of Mary and she met him at the door.

  ‘Hello, Tom. What did Robert want?’

  ‘Hello, Mary,’ he said as he took off his work boots and placed them just inside the doorway. ‘He wanted to ask me about Kate Featherstone. He’d heard that we used to be friends.’

  ‘You knew our Kate?’

  ‘Yes, when she worked at the Hall. I didn’t know her well, but I walked her home once. That’s all there was to it. Someone must have told Robert that they’d seen us together.’

  He went to wash his face and hands, as they were covered in pale dust from the mine.

  Mary was surprised that she felt jealous thinking about Tom and her cousin together. ‘So you were courting her?’

  ‘No, I just walked her home that one day and I never saw her again after that.’

  ‘But the body…’

  ‘I had no idea that the body we found was her. Maybe I should have recognised her, I don’t know, but I didn’t. You saw the state of it.’

  Mary checked the oven to see if their meal was ready, but her mind was working overtime. Tom had just told her that he had been interested in Kate. Kate had been killed and her body had been hidden and left to rot in the old mine. He was the one who had found Kate’s body in the mine. He had said he hadn’t been in that mine before. Was that the truth? She began to wonder just how well she knew the man she had married.

  Chapter 29

  Durham City

  December 1873

  A few days later, Robert found himself on the train heading for Durham again. As the train neared the station, he looked out of the window to admire the castle and cathedral that proudly watched over the medieval city like parents, having protected and guided it for centuries.

  He disembarked at the station and walked to his destination. On the way, he noticed an old man roasting chestnuts on a street corner, and he was doing a good trade. The streets and the market were crowded with people milling about, carrying boxes and bags. A choir sung Christmas carols and shoppers stopped to listen; some put a coin or two in the collection tin. The butcher’s shop in the market place had geese and chickens hanging outside its window, ready to be chosen for Christmas dinners. There was a joyful, festive feeling in the air.

  Robert’s first stop was at the pawnbrokers on Elvet Bridge where he was greeted by a rotund man in his forties who looked like he enjoyed his ale.

  ‘Good morning, I wonder if you could help me? I believe you may have sold this locket. Do you recognise it?’ asked Robert. The man took the locket from Robert’s hand and examined it carefully.

  ‘Sorry sir, it’s not one that’s been through my shop. I’d recognise it if it had been.’

  ‘Are you sure? I’m carrying out a police investigation into a serious crime.’

  ‘Yes, I’m absolutely certain.’

  Robert took the locket back and placed it in his pocket. He thanked the man for his time and left the shop.

  He stopped at another pawnshop on the narrow street leading to the gaol. A scruffy couple were arguing behind the counter and seemed oblivious to his presence.

  ‘Excuse me!’ boomed Robert. ‘I’m Constable Emerson and I’m here on police business. Could I have a moment of your time?’

  The man and woman hung their heads like scolded children. ‘Yes sir, but we ain’t done nothin’ wrong,’ said the man, with a strong London accent.

  ‘Could you have a look at this locket and tell me if you’ve seen it before?’

  He held it out for them to see.

  ‘I don’t think so. What d’you think, Betty? Have you seen it before?’

  ‘No, I ain’t never seen it.’

  ‘So you’re telling me that you haven’t sold this locket in your shop?’ asked Robert for clarification.

  ‘No, we’ve never seen it, never mind sold it.’

  ‘And you’re both sure of that?’

  ‘Yes,’ they answered in unison.

  Robert thought the couple were up to no good but that they were telling the truth about the locket. Where else could Henry have taken it? Robert didn’t know of any more pawnbrokers in the city.

  He continued walking up the road until he reached Durham gaol. Jim Stoker was in the office and he stood up as Robert entered. ‘Good to see you again,’ he said. ‘How’s the investigation going?’

  ‘So, so,’ he said shaking his head. ‘The evidence points towards a man, but I’m not convinced he’s the killer, so I’ve come to ask for your help. Would you be able to identify the man you saw at the prison, the one who brought the parcel for Kate?’

  ‘I’m fairly certain I could. I’m good at remembering faces. It’s a useful talent in this job.’

  ‘If I arrange a line-up, an identity parade, with a few men, would you be willing to come up to Stanhope and pick the man out? It’ll settle things in my mind, you know, whether it’s him or not.’

  ‘Aye, I’ll do that. I’ve seen innocent men go down too often. I’d be pleased to help you catch the man that killed the poor lass.’

  ‘Thank you. I’ll write to you with the details once I’ve got it set up.’

  ‘No problem. Season’s greetings to you and yours!’

  ‘To you too,’ Robert left the office, closing the door behind him.

  On his way back to the railway station, he stopped at a jewellery shop in the market place. The sales assistant was a young gentleman who looked slightly offended when Robert asked if they bought and sold jewellery. The assistant assured him that they only dealt in new goods. When Robert explained his mission, the gentleman confirmed that Robert had indeed visited the only two pawnshops in Durham. He had reached a dead end.

  ***

  It was the Sunday morning before Christmas. Mary was in her kitchen making mince pies when she heard a knock at the door. Robert Emerson stood there and she thought that he looked very serious.

  ‘Hello, Mary,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry to bother you but I need to see Tom. Is he in?’

  ‘He’s just out the back. Would you like to come through?’

  He followed her through the parlour and the kitchen to the back yard where Tom was chopping firewood.

  ‘Tom, Mr Emerson is here.’

  Tom looked up and wiped the sweat from his brow. He said, ‘Hello, Robert. I’ll come inside, it’s a bit nippy out here today.’

  He guided the policeman to the kitchen table and invited him to sit down. Mary continued to work around them.

  ‘This is a bit delicate and I’m sorry it’s come to this. Would you prefer to talk in private?’

  ‘No, that’s not necessary. Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of Mary.’

  ‘Alright then, if you’re sure. It’s about Kate Featherstone.’ He looked at Tom to make sure he wanted him to continue. Tom nodded.

  ‘We know that a man went to the gaol and left a note for Kate. He arranged to meet her when she got o
ut. We were looking for that man and our enquiries led us to you. You are the only man that was seen with Kate before she was convicted, and we haven’t been able to find anyone else that she was involved with.’

  Tom and Mary looked at one another, both realising at the same time that Tom was a suspect in the murder case.

  Looking Robert in the eye, Tom said, ‘It wasn’t me. I told you the other day that I never went to the gaol. You’ve known me since I was a bairn, Robert. You must know I didn’t do it.’

  ‘I don’t think you did, lad, but I have to follow the evidence — that’s my job. Anyway, the reason I’ve come today is to ask you to come down to Stanhope police station tomorrow morning. I’ve organised a line-up. It’s just so we can eliminate you from our enquiries, you understand?’

  ‘Aye, I understand. My word’s not good enough,’ Tom said, as he stood up.

  ‘I’m sorry, lad. I’ll pick you up at about nine.’

  After Robert left, Mary took the seat he had occupied and rested her head in her hands.

  ‘They think you killed her,’ she said.

  ‘I know they do — but I didn’t. You believe me, don’t you?’

  Mary was silent.

  He went over and knelt on the stone floor next to her. Taking her hands in his, he begged, ‘Please, Mary, you have to believe me.’ He looked up at her pleadingly.

  Mary had been thinking about nothing but Tom’s involvement in Kate’s death since Robert had questioned him a few days earlier. There were several things that just didn’t make sense to her.

  ‘I’m not sure what to think, Tom. The police obviously think you had something to do with it or they wouldn’t have arranged this line-up.’

  ‘But I…’.

  ‘Please let me finish,’ she said. ‘If you had killed her, you would have known her body was in that mine. I don’t think you would have taken me in there if you had known. Whoever left her there didn’t want anyone to find her, ever.’

  ‘Aye, that’s true.’

  ‘I was there with you when you found her. You were as shocked as I was when we realised there was a body down there.’

  ‘Aye, that’s true an’ all.’

  ‘I’ve known you for nearly two years, Tom, and I’ve never known you to tell a lie. So yes, I believe you.’ He put his head in her lap in relief and held her tightly.

  ‘Thank you, Mary.’

  Chapter 30

  Stanhope, Weardale

  December 1873

  The next morning, Robert went to collect Tom from Moorside Cottage to take him down to the police house at Stanhope. Tom came out to the cart and he was followed closely by Mary.

  ‘Good morning. Are you ready?’ Robert asked.

  ‘Aye, I’m ready. Mary wants to come as well.’

  ‘I’m afraid she can’t, Tom. There are strict rules we have to follow — procedures, like.’

  ‘I don’t need to come into the building, I can wait outside,’ said Mary. ‘I can’t stay here not knowing what’s going on.’

  ‘I suppose if you stay outside the police house, then there’s no reason why you can’t have a ride down to Stanhope with us.’

  ***

  Mary was relieved that Robert had agreed to let her travel with them. She had risen very early to take Josie over to High House Farm to stay with Tom’s mother for the day. Jane enjoyed looking after children and she had a lovely way with them. Mary had promised that they would collect her and let Jane know what had happened as soon as they got home. Mary didn’t want to wait at Westgate for Tom, or Robert, to return with news. She would hear the outcome much sooner if she went with them to Stanhope.

  It was a blustery day and the ride wouldn’t be pleasant, but she wanted to be there to support her husband. She took his hand and, for the first time that day, he smiled at her. Mary knew that he was worried; he had tossed and turned all night. Even though she trusted her husband and was certain of his innocence, she worried that he could be wrongly identified and end up being tried for murder. Tom was silent for the entire journey and held her hand tightly.

  When they pulled up outside the police house, Mary thought the building looked bigger and more austere than she remembered. She was afraid of what might happen to Tom if the witness identified him as the man he had seen at the prison, or if the police didn’t believe him when he said he wasn’t the killer. However, she couldn’t let him see that she was afraid. She would stand by him and support him because she believed he was innocent. She kissed him and said quietly, ‘Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.’

  Mary watched as Robert led Tom inside and then she waited.

  ***

  Robert took Tom into a room at the back of the building, where five men were waiting to take place in the line-up. There were always plenty of volunteers to take part because the pay was a shilling and all they had to do was stand still for a few minutes and keep their faces straight. They would be home in less than an hour.

  Robert explained to the men what they had to do. They could sit and relax until the witness arrived, but they couldn’t talk amongst themselves. When they heard a knock at the door, they had to stand in a line and look directly in front of them. They were not to look at the witness or speak to him and they were not to smile or frown.

  The prison officer arrived at exactly 10.30am and shook Robert’s hand warmly.

  ‘Good morning, Constable. It’s good to see you again.’

  ‘Good morning, Mr Stoker. Thank you for coming all this way.’

  ‘Think nothing of it. I only hope I can help. Have you got the men ready for me?’

  ‘Yes, they’re in the back room.’

  Robert knocked loudly at the door and then waited a full minute before he opened it. He was pleased to see the six men standing as he had asked, and he waved Mr Stoker in.

  The prison officer walked into the room and glanced down the line. Almost immediately he shook his head and said, ‘He’s not here.’

  Tom let out the breath he had been holding.

  ‘Don’t you want to have a better look at them?’

  ‘I don’t need to. He’s not here. I saw the man who was at the gaol riding up the street, about an hour ago. I thought it was strange that he was going the wrong way, but I assumed he would be back in time for the line-up.’

  Robert was so pleased that Mr Stoker hadn’t picked out Tom. There was no real evidence against him and he was only a suspect because he was the only man that Kate had ever been seen with. She must have been seeing someone else though, but who?

  Robert took the prison officer into the front room where they could talk privately, and said, ‘Let me get this straight. You said in there that you’ve seen the man who brought the parcel to the prison, here at Stanhope this morning?’

  ‘Aye, I did.’

  ‘Can you give me a description of him?’

  ‘Yes, he was tall, lean, very dark hair, almost black, and cut short, clean shaven, mid to late twenties, I’d say. He was riding a black horse, a smart-looking beast.’

  ‘I see.’

  Robert thought for a while — black horse, tall, dark, thin, in his twenties. Good God! Henry Forster.

  Henry hadn’t pawned the locket as he said he had and that’s why the people at the pawnshops hadn’t recognised it. Instead, he had taken it to the prison and left it for Kate — but why? Was he the man she was involved with? It seemed very unlikely, with him being gentry and her being a servant, but they had been living under the same roof. If Henry had been taking advantage of the girl, Robert wouldn’t have been surprised in the least. It went on in big houses all the time and everyone turned a blind eye to it. But giving the lass a gold necklace as a token of his love, that didn’t seem like something Henry Forster would do.

  Robert said, ‘Thank you very much for coming today. The description you’ve given me is very interesting.’ He handed the man a bottle of whisky. ‘Please, take that for your trouble.’

  ‘It was no trouble at all, but thank you. I hope y
ou get your man.’ Jim Stoker left to catch the train back to Durham.

  ***

  Mary saw the man she thought was the witness leave the police station carrying a bottle under his arm. She played with the scarf around her neck as she watched him walk down the road towards the railway station. She was getting more and more anxious as time passed. Then she saw a group of men walk out of the door and she looked for Tom. He was there amongst them. When he caught her eye, he grinned. Thank God, she thought as she crossed the road to meet him.

  ‘Well, what happened?’

  ‘He didn’t pick anyone out. He said the man that he’d seen at the prison wasn’t in the room but that he had seen him earlier today — here in Stanhope.’

  ‘Tom, that’s great news. You’re not a suspect anymore.’

  Even though they were in the middle of the town, she reached up and kissed him and he pulled her towards him and gave her a big hug. When he released her, she said, ‘That means it’s someone local though that they’re looking for, doesn’t it?’