‘Quote?’ James queried.
‘”Once more unto the breach”,’ Archer explained. ‘From Shakespeare. A famous speech, and for me, a call to do battle again with the man who would take me down. However, that’s only to draw my attention to the play. The numerals that follow point to a different speech in act four, the night before the battle of Agincourt which took place on St Crispin’s Day.’
‘And is the rest of the message from the same play?’ James asked; a sensible question.
‘Not at all,’ Archer said. ‘I spent yesterday reading and rereading the whole thing, and nothing came to mind. I think the reference is simply to set the date.’
‘Perhaps,’ Thomas said. ‘His misspellings are intentional.’
‘He’s a madman,’ Silas huffed. ‘Sounds too logical.’
‘Which is why we have to work harder,’ Archer said. ‘St Crispin’s Day is three days off, and whether he again intends to lure me to my death, or whether he intends to set my brother free to wreak his revenge in his stead, he must be stopped. We need to think hard, think fast and, I fancy, be prepared to travel.’
‘Where to?’ Silas sat up.
‘Quill likes to lure me by use of locations,’ Archer reasoned. ‘This time he has contacted me from the Yorkshire Moors. The ruined building is important, else, as James says, why not send a letter? I suggest we work out where this is,’ he tapped the picture postcard, ‘and pay it a visit.’
‘Play right into his hands again?’ Silas was sceptical. ‘We could just ignore him and not give him the satisfaction.’
‘We could,’ Archer agreed. ‘But I am prepared to take the fight to him. We know his motive, and we know the date, but we must know his battlefield. If there is to be trouble, I would rather it happened amid the anonymity of the North York moors than here on my own doorstep.’
‘But why lure you to that specific ruin?’
‘That, Thomas, is what I intend to discover.’
Eighteen
By the time the lamplighter had lit the world beyond the windows, Archer had formulated his plan. His men worked hard during the afternoon, each assigned a role which they accepted willingly. Silas was dispatched with Fecker to arrange train tickets while Thomas and James put their minds to the image on the postcard and its possible location. He wanted the two of them to work together in the hope that Thomas’ stony looks and sharp words would soften. They didn’t. Despite James’ best efforts, Thomas remained uncommunicative apart from when discussing their task, or ordering him to attend to footmen’s duties. The light in his eyes had been extinguished the moment James admitted his story about Tripp. It was sad to see, but not Archer’s main concern.
Quill’s message might be cryptic, but its meaning was clear. He was, through his twisted use of the postcard, inviting Archer to a confrontation, and on a particular evening; the night before his brother’s birthday. Perhaps he intended to take the news of Archer’s death as his gift.
‘Oh hell,’ he said as a thought occurred.
Thomas looked up from his book. ‘What?’
‘Just an idea.’ Archer compared the telegram to the postcard. ‘Not a pleasant one and no evidence, but I have a suspicion Quill might be planning… No, it’s ridiculous.’
‘Go on,’ Thomas encouraged. His jacket was off, and his sleeves rolled in his customary fashion.
‘I wonder if Quill is planning to leave the country after all. His birthday gift suggested in the telegram is the restoration of the title to my older brother. Quill would have to be with him to pronounce him sane. What better gift than to arrive at Crispin’s side on his birthday with news that I no longer stand in his way?’
‘Because he’s killed you?’
‘Which he will try to do on the eve of St Crispin’s Day.’
Thomas pouted as he thought, his full bottom lip turned down giving him a comic appearance. ‘We’re stretching to reach other conclusions,’ he said. ‘Might as well stretch that one too, but how would it help?’
‘Ships,’ James suggested.
‘Ships?’ Archer looked at him. Like Thomas, he had removed his jacket and undone his waistcoat. With his closely trimmed short hair, rounded face and open neck shirt, he looked like a casual young clerk.
‘I’ve been studying the map,’ he said. ‘Inglestone is not far from the coast. I mean, it’s a few miles, but there’s the port of Littleborough to the north.’
‘Oh yes!’ Archer exclaimed, rising from his chair to look over James’ shoulder. ‘That makes sense. Lure me to a place not far from where he plans his escape. Kill me and sail to Crispin’s side.’
‘Hm,’ Thomas pondered. ‘Two questions. One, why? And two, are there any boats due to sail to the Netherlands on that day from that port?’
‘Thomas is always logical. That’s why we like him.’ Archer gripped James’ robust shoulders. He gave them a squeeze of encouragement. ‘That and the way he easily forgives,’ he added, trying to convey to James that Thomas would come around, and to Thomas that he should. ‘As for why… He wants his revenge. I don’t know the workings of an insane mind, but I doubt reason has much to do with anything. And as for the possibility of a ship’s sailing…’
‘I’ll look for timetables,’ James offered.
He turned, and Archer wondered if it was because he was uncomfortable being touched. Other people would think it extremely forward, but not the viscount.
‘I can look in the Times,’ James said. He gazed eagerly into Archer’s eyes, seemingly unbothered that his master was holding him. ‘Or do you have a current Lloyds list?’
‘No,’ Archer said. ‘But today’s newspaper is in my room. Start there.’
‘Shall I fetch it, Sir?’
‘If you would, James. If it’s no good, I’ll go to Lloyds.’ He tapped him on the shoulders and let him go. ‘Good man.’
As soon as they were alone, Archer drew a chair close to Thomas.
‘What’s going on?’ He kept his voice low.
‘How do you mean?’
‘I believe him, don’t you?’
‘Who?’
‘Come on, Tom. James? I saw it in your eyes even before I met the man. Now I have, I can see he’s perfect for you and you for him, he has the same hopeful look. Or had, until he made his confession. Now you have a face like a weekend in harbour, and he’s as sad as a lost puppy.’
‘Tripp told him to seduce me,’ Thomas complained. ‘I thought he was genuine. Now?’
‘Now you have a chance to show him how you feel by believing him,’ Archer said. ‘I’m prepared to let him into our inner circle, and he’s practically a stranger.’
‘You work on intuition,’ Thomas said. ‘I prefer realism.’
‘You saw how hard it was for him to admit. He did it because he cares about you. Yes, my intuition tells me he is sincere. I don’t know what Tripp promised him nor what his motives were, but I am certain that man is falling in love with you. Don’t throw away the chance. Take a risk.’
‘We’re not all as brave as you, Archer.’ Thomas returned to the book he was studying.
‘Oh, Tom, you’re as stubborn as an ox and as blind as a mole.’ Archer left him and poured himself a small whisky. ‘Sort it out, would you?’ he said. ‘If we’re going into battle against Quill, I need my first officer on point.’
‘I will be.’
‘I want you to be happy, Tom. I meant what I said. You are my best friend.’
‘Thank you, Sir. It is an honour.’
Archer threw up his hands. ‘Have it your way,’ he said, slumping into his chair.
James returned with the newspaper a few minutes later, his face white. He stood at the door, and making sure Thomas didn’t see, showed the viscount a page.
Archer understood his con
cern immediately and beckoned him closer. He had forgotten that he had ringed certain passages relating to the Ripper murders, a story which had not died despite the lack of new victims.
James raised his eyebrows questioningly, a shocked expression on his face. He pointed to the words, “The Ripper” and Archer nodded.
‘The same,’ he said. ‘Are you happy to continue?’
He expected James to be horrified, but the opposite happened. He smiled as if he was impressed and said, ‘Definitely.’
Archer nodded to Thomas’ back. ‘Some things are worth fighting for,’ he said, and James understood.
‘Rotterdam, wasn’t it?’ the footman asked before taking the newspaper to his place at the table and laying it open.
‘That would be the nearest port to the asylum,’ Archer said. ‘Look for cargo ships as well as any passenger steamers.’
‘Right you are, Sir.’
James set about his new task with diligence, only occasionally raising his eyes to look at Thomas. Each time, he found him comparing the postcard to the plates in the book, or turning a page, his gaze anywhere but on James.
‘Nothing that looks remotely like any church, abbey or monastery near Inglestone,’ Thomas announced, throwing the book to one side and reaching for another.
‘Try widening the field,’ Archer suggested. ‘Look coastwards rather than inland. I think James has hit on a good idea.’
Thomas continued his research and silence descended on the room, broken only by the ticking clock and the turning of pages.
‘Nothing sailing from Littleborough,’ James said at length. ‘Nor Haverpool which is also nearby.’
‘I still think it’s a correct assumption,’ Archer encouraged. ‘Broaden your search too.’
The work continued until Silas returned.
‘Afternoon all,’ he said, as he waltzed into the study brandishing an envelope. ‘Tickets as requested, Archer. The night train leaves at ten.’
‘Stopping at Barrenmoor?’
‘That it does, and several other places. It’s not the express, so we won’t pass Barrenmoor until gone five, but I checked with the ticket man, and he confirmed it will stop there.’
‘Did he ask questions?’
‘Yeah, but I said we were a party of bird-watchers, ’cos apparently it’s a pastime. I told him we were keen to get off there to see a rare breed that’s only found nearby.’
‘He believed you?’
‘Not only that, he offered to inform the guard who would bring steps. I said there was no need. Apparently…’ He affected the air and voice of an older man, mimicking the ticket seller’s superciliousness. ‘It is not uncommon for passengers to alight at halts if they are closer to their desired destinations than a station if they don’t mind the inconvenience of the dismount — or something equally as naff. He still charged me full whack to the next stop.’
‘And you bought five tickets?’
‘All returns too,’ Silas said. He glanced at the others before leaning over the desk and kissing Archer firmly on the mouth. ‘I did think about only getting four returns, just in case, you don’t make it, but…’ He grinned impishly.
‘Shut up.’ Archer knew he was teasing, but it was a reminder to himself that his relaxed attitude to the mission needed to be tightened. He refused to allow nervousness, however, and was confident he would be coming back alive. ‘This could be our last chance to catch Quill,’ he said. ‘One way or the other, he’s not to get away from us.’
‘You really are prepared to kill him?’ Thomas asked, without looking up.
‘If I must.’
Silas laughed. ‘Kill Quill,’ he chanted, heading to the door. ‘I’m going to change.’
‘Who will look after the house?’ Thomas asked, closing another book. ‘We can’t leave Lucy on her own.’
‘A good point, Tom.’ Archer considered leaving Fecker to guard the house, not that he expected any trouble at Clearwater, but he wanted his strongest man beside him. ‘Maybe you should stay.’
‘Now that’s not going to happen.’ Thomas stood and stretched his back. ‘James is too new. Silas?’
‘Could you imagine the riot that would cause?’ Archer laughed. ‘No. Perhaps you would deliver a message to Lady Marshall. I’ll ask her to put one of her stevedore-cum-footmen people in the house. He can give the silver a good going over.’
‘And what reason will you give for our absence?’
‘I’ll think of something.’
‘If I might, Sir,’ James piped up. ‘Her Ladyship told me last night to come to her should I suspect you had any problems. I had the impression she was suspicious of something. You might not want to add fuel to her fire.’
‘Don’t speak to His Lordship that way,’ Thomas chided. ‘And don’t presume to know Her Ladyship as he does.’
‘Yes, thank you, Payne.’ Archer was annoyed at Thomas’ tone. ‘James is right to warn me.’
Thomas dropped his next book onto the desk with a thud, saying nothing, itself an impertinence which Archer ignored.
He wrote a short note explaining he was taking his men with him on a trip to the country and left it vague.
‘Will you deliver this?’
‘Yes, Sir.’ James replied.
‘Not you. Thomas.’
Thomas glared.
‘You know her better than James,’ Archer reasoned. ‘She may ask questions, and I can trust you to evade them. Not that I don’t trust you, James, but you’re new to her, and she will manipulate you. God knows she tries it on enough with me.’
Thomas took the note, gave it and Archer a cursory glance, collected his tailcoat and flounced from the room. Archer watched him go. Saddened at his behaviour, but understanding of it, he addressed James.
‘I am right to trust you, aren’t I, Jimmy?’ he asked, inflecting mild cynicism.
‘Yes, Sir,’ James replied, looking up from the newspaper after placing a finger on it so as not to lose his place.
‘I’m not sure Thomas does.’
James’ face fell. ‘Understandable,’ he said. ‘I haven’t been honest with him.’
‘How do you feel about him?’
James shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
‘You’re not used to being asked such a thing?’
‘No, Sir, though I’ve asked it of myself a lot these past few days. To be honest, this whole set-up is new to me, and I don’t just mean the job. I’m more than honoured that you’ve taken to me so quick, and I meant my words last night when I said I felt welcomed here, but… Well, I don’t know what to do about Thomas.’
‘May I be embarrassingly frank?’
James nodded, swallowing.
‘When you came for the interview, I immediately saw that you were in awe of Tom. He is, let’s face it, a handsome man, but he has other qualities which you will discover in time. I wouldn’t normally have appointed someone such as yourself — without experience, I mean. I’m not questioning your character. But I saw in Thomas the same look of awe and admiration towards you as you have for him. Now, don’t tell him I said this, but what you feel may be new to you, but it is equally new to him. It has taken him a long time to reach this place, and he only recently found the confidence to accept himself. Give him time while you learn your job and allow him room.’
‘I don’t know what to say to him.’ James shrugged helplessly. ‘My head’s in a whirl, and my feet aren’t on the ground what with the position, Your Lordship’s kindness, the way you are with us and now all this.’
‘Something of a shock?’
‘On many fronts, but I can cope, Sir. I’ll take your advice, and I won’t let our situation interfere with the task you have graciously allowed me to assist with.’
‘Bloody hell, Jim
my,’ Archer laughed. ‘How much schooling did Tripp give you?’
‘Only an hour or two.’
‘Then you must be a natural at obsequiousness. Remember, out there you’re a footman, in here you’re a member of my crew, no need to grovel.’
‘Sorry.’
‘Think nothing of it, but be yourself, not Tripp. By the way, do you know what he intended to do?’
‘Do?’
‘With whatever information you were going to give him?’
‘No, Sir. He told me that… How did he put it?’ He withdrew his finger from the newspaper so he could fully face the viscount. ‘Something about unnatural vices or unspeakable acts, but he was alluding to men sleeping together, which of course immediately made me want to work here. Not because I wanted to be a spy, but because I’m… well… the same. You know.’
‘What was he offering in return?’
‘A lot. I got some money off him in advance which I gave straight to my mum, and he said when I furnished him with information he could use, he’d give me another twenty. I mean, that was like a year’s wages.’
‘Probably sold the hideous centrepiece,’ Archer said. ‘Good riddance to both. Are you to see him again?’
‘Not straight away. I told him it would take time.’
‘Do you know where he is?’
‘No, Sir. He said he would be at the Crown and Anchor regular and look for me.’
Archer shuddered. All he’d done was sack the man for acting above his station, because he reminded him of his father. That was not a good enough reason to dismiss a servant so long in his post. Tripp knew that as well as he knew that Archer’s behaviour was not gentlemanly.
‘I am right to put my trust in a man I hardly know, aren’t I, James?’ he asked again. ‘Reassure me one last time.’
James sucked in his cheeks as he thought, scanning the room to find the words. He nodded to himself and returned his puppy gaze to the viscount.
Twisted Tracks (The Clearwater Mysteries Book 2) Page 21