With a Little Bit of Blood
Page 29
“Let’s go, Eliza,” Higgins instructed, but she fumbled with the clutch.
Sir Anthony gripped the sides of the motorcar. “Whoever possesses the cross holds the key to victory. But it is of no use in the hands of an ordinary citizen. It must be held by someone in power. A general, a king, a government minister. Don’t you understand?”
“I understand fanaticism when I see it. And folly.” Higgins gave a wave as Eliza stepped on the accelerator.
For a horrified moment, Eliza feared Sir Anthony planned to either jump on the running board and ride along, or pull Higgins from his seat. Luckily, the older man did nothing but shake a fist at them as they drove away.
Eliza steered the roadster, which handled quite nicely. “Since Sir Anthony mentioned it, what will you do with the cross?”
“I’m giving it to Dwight Pentwater’s widow.”
Startled, she almost drove into a privet hedge. “What?”
“It seemed the right thing to do,” Higgins said. “After all, when I bought Pentwater’s roadster, I had no idea it also contained the cross. What use is it to me? I sent her a letter a few days ago, explaining how I acquired the cross and the legend that surrounds it. If she wants it, I shall mail it to her, But only after I make certain it will not be needed at Miss Marlowe’s trial.”
Eliza thought about this as she made a left turn onto the road. “If she believes in legends, she might end up giving it to someone in the American government.”
“Perhaps. Colin did further research on the Pentwaters. Mrs. Pentwater’s brother served in the administration of President Taft. And she’s third cousin to the former president, Theodore Roosevelt. If any of them are looking for a magical road to victory. . .” He laughed.
Eliza wasn’t as doubtful of legends as Higgins. “If she takes the cross, you may have handed over a big advantage to the United States. They could become the next great power.”
“Hah! Before Americans become a world power, they first need to learn how to speak English properly. That won’t be for another century at least. I think the cross of Charlemagne is safe in their hands.” Higgins sat forward, watching how she handled the clutch. “And I think I’m safe in your hands as well. You seem most confident behind the wheel.”
“I am. Especially since I’m no longer worried the car may explode like that motorcar did at the wedding. ” Eliza put thoughts of that disaster behind her and smiled at the long empty road ahead. “I wonder if we can catch up to the Scotland Yard touring cars. They can’t possibly go too fast with all our luggage piled inside.”
He and Eliza exchanged excited looks. “Shall we try?” he asked.
She pressed down on the accelerator in response. “Colin won’t be pleased.”
“Only because he won’t be able to catch us.” Higgins clapped his hands at the prospect.
“Well, you’d best sit back. I’m going to see just how fast we can go.”
“Not too reckless, Eliza,” he cautioned. “I don’t want to break my other arm.”
“Oh, I’ll get us safely back to London.” Eliza felt as confident behind the wheel as she did on her mare during the fox hunt. “I just need as little traffic as possible.”
“Don’t forget the most important thing,” Higgins added.
“Which is?”
He chuckled. “A little bit of luck.”
Author’s Note
For centuries, certain objects have been endowed not only with special significance, but with mystical powers. One notable example is the Holy Grail, sought by everyone from the Knights of the Round Table to Monty Python. The Spear of Destiny or Holy Lance is another, with versions (whether authentic or not) kept in Rome under St. Peter’s Basilica and in Vienna at the Hofburg. At the heart of Raiders of the Lost Ark is the ancient Hebrews’ Ark of the Covenant. And the famous ring in J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy was based on the story of the Ring of Gyges, first told by Plato.
* * *
In With a Little Bit of Blood, we wanted to include a legendary object in the mystery. We almost chose the Spear, which is mentioned in our book. However, we ultimately decided to create our own legendary treasure known as the Cross of Charlemagne. No doubt the great Frankish king owned several crosses. One of them may even have possessed mythical powers. Who can say? After all, myths have to start somewhere. Often they begin in the far reaches of history. But sometimes, two novelists simply dream up the whole thing.
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