Fugitive From the Grave

by Edward Marston

  Consumed by rage, Paul did everything he could to escape from his bonds, straining every muscle and rocking to and fro. But it was a futile exercise. He was held tight by his bonds. The man laughed.

  ‘I had a feeling that Miss Granville would choose a spirited lover for her bed,’ he said. ‘She’ll have another one tonight. And when it’s over, I’ll reward her with this.’

  Taking an opal pendant from his pocket, he let it dangle tauntingly in front of the prisoner’s face. Paul shuddered. It was the gift he’d once given to Hannah.

  ‘I leave you with an intriguing thought. Does Miss Granville love you enough to save your life?’

  Laughing all the way, he went back up the steps and took the lantern out through the door. Paul was plunged into darkness yet again.

  They took no chances. Aware of Scattergood’s reputation for avoiding arrest, the Runners had several men surrounding the tavern. Since it was Chevy Ruddock who’d actually followed the thief to The Mitre, they let him enter the building with them so that he could be directly involved in the capture. Micah Yeomans didn’t stand on ceremony. Issuing threats to the landlord if he failed to obey, he demanded the master key to the bedrooms, then led Hale and Ruddock upstairs. Most of the rooms were empty so the doors were already unlocked. Two that they let themselves into had only a single occupant. The last one was more promising because they could hear the creaking of a bed and the unmistakable sounds of passion. Yeomans turned the key in the lock, flung the door open and rushed in to see two bodies threshing around under the sheets.

  Ruddock turned away in embarrassment, but the others ran to the bed, grabbed the sheets and tore them back with a flourish. Primed to overpower Scattergood, they were instead looking at a wrinkly old man on top of a full-bodied, pale-skinned woman of middle years. The old man looked over his shoulder in dismay.

  ‘We’re doing nothing wrong,’ he said, plaintively. ‘We were married this morning.’

  Though he’d never seen the man before, Peter identified him at once.

  ‘You must be Edmund Haines.’

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘You were one of Mr Parry’s servants.’

  ‘I still am.’

  ‘You look more like his keeper to me.’

  ‘I’m responsible for saving his life,’ said Haines, angrily. ‘If it hadn’t been for me, he’d have starved to death.’

  ‘What’s wrong with him?’ asked Peter.

  ‘He went through a very bad time. It affected his mind. All that he remembers is how to work on one of his inventions.’ He nodded at the steam engine. ‘This is the latest one.’

  ‘Yes, but it’s not his, is it? Alderson stole it from him.’

  Haines levelled the gun at him. ‘I was warned that you were too clever for your own good. How did you find us?’

  ‘I followed Mr Alderson’s messenger,’ said Huckvale.

  ‘That was a big mistake.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘We can’t allow you to leave here.’

  Haines was a wiry man of middle years with a narrow face and dark eyes. The driver, meanwhile, picked up a weapon of his own, a large iron pipe that lay on the ground.

  ‘Does that mean you’re inviting us to stay?’ asked Peter.

  ‘Those are my orders,’ said Haines. ‘Yours won’t be the first bodies to be buried here. You’ll be joining the late George Parry.’

  ‘Are you talking about me?’ said Parry, confused.

  ‘Keep out of this.’

  ‘I don’t understand what’s going on.’

  ‘I think that I do,’ said Peter, as he realised what must have happened. ‘A fake George Parry had to die so that the real one could slave away here for someone else’s benefit. That other poor wretch was not stolen from his grave by bodysnatchers. He was dug up by you, wasn’t he?’

  Haines smirked. ‘We brought him back here for a second burial,’ he said. ‘Nobody will ever be able to find him.’

  ‘What was his real name?’

  ‘We’ve no idea. Mr Alderson needed someone on his last legs. I found him half-dead under a hedge. That much was true.’

  ‘Do you hear that Mr Parry?’ asked Peter. ‘Did you know that they lowered your coffin into a churchyard in Islington?’

  Parry was bemused. ‘None of this makes sense to me.’

  ‘You just do as you’re told,’ said Haines, harshly. ‘I’m not your servant any longer. You take orders from me.’

  The distraction was exactly what they’d been hoping for. While Haines was turned towards the old man, Peter leapt forward and grabbed the barrel of the pistol, turning it upwards and causing Haines to pull the trigger. The shot went harmlessly up into the air. Peter then tripped him up and twisted the weapon out of his hand before diving on top of Haines and pummelling him with both fists. Before the driver could move forward to help, he was intercepted by Huckvale, who dived head first at him, burrowing into his stomach and taking all the wind out of him.

  Haines, meanwhile, was fighting back and getting in a relay of punches, but Peter was younger and in far better condition. He was also infuriated by what they’d done to Parry, stealing his invention and virtually turning him into a slave. At the gallery, Peter gave lessons in boxing, but he was skilled at wrestling as well. He knew how to grapple and put an opponent in an excruciating hold. Once he’d quelled all resistance, he battered the man into submission.

  Huckvale, however, was up against a much stronger opponent. He’d ducked under the flailing pipe to struggle with the driver and even managed to make him drop his weapon to the ground. He, too, was fit and strong, but he could not hold off the bigger man for long. When the driver had shaken his arms free, he got his hands around his opponent’s neck and squeezed hard. All of Huckvale’s energy began to drain away. The pain was intense and his eyes began to mist over. Though he continued to fight, there was no power at all in his fists. He was on the point of passing out completely when there was a loud grunt and the driver’s fingers lost their grip instantly. Before Huckvale knew what was happening, the driver had sunk to the floor with blood pouring from a head wound.

  George Parry stood over him with a hammer in his hand.

  ‘I couldn’t let him kill you,’ he said, simply. ‘That was wrong.’

  Peter was back on his feet. ‘Are you all right, Jem?’

  ‘I am now,’ said Huckvale, massaging his throat.

  ‘I’ll take that, if you don’t mind, Mr Parry,’ said Peter, relieving him of the hammer. ‘Thank you for helping us.’ He looked down at the two bodies. ‘Let’s get the pair of them trussed up, Jem.’

  ‘Is it right, what you said earlier?’ asked Parry, hopefully. ‘They told me that Clemency hated me.’

  ‘It’s not true. She loves you and misses you and has come all the way from Amsterdam to find you.’

  Parry’s face lit up. ‘Is that true?’

  ‘Yes, it is,’ said Peter, gently. ‘Everything will be explained in due course. We’ll look after you now.’

  Having dispatched a courier, Hannah returned to her room at the hotel. Jenny was waiting to hear what had happened.

  ‘He’s in the saddle already,’ said Hannah, ‘and promises to get the letter into Peter’s hands as soon as is humanly possible.’

  ‘I still think there’s too long a delay.’

  ‘It simply means that I have to put off that ogre for a while. I’ve thought of one way of doing it.’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘I’ll refuse even to consider his demand until I have proof that Paul is still alive and unharmed.’

  ‘That’s very wise of you.’

  ‘I’d like you with me at the time, Jenny.’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ said the other. ‘I can’t say that I’m looking forward to seeing that hateful man again, but I’ll give whatever support you ask.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Have you considered that … well, that Paul might already be dead?’

  ‘I’d feel it here, if he was,’ replied
Hannah, putting a hand to her heart. ‘My only fear is that he might be hurt in some way. That’s why I’ll insist that he’s unharmed.’

  ‘And then what?’

  ‘I’ll do what I said and consider his demand.’

  ‘You could never agree to anything as disgusting as that.’

  ‘I didn’t say I was going to agree to it, Jenny. All I’m committing myself to is thinking it over – or, at least, of pretending to do so. I’m banking on the fact that it will buy me a night to make my decision.’

  ‘And then what?’

  ‘I’ll just pray that Peter can come to our rescue.’

  ‘What if he doesn’t get your message in time?’

  ‘He may already know that his brother is in trouble,’ said Hannah. ‘They are identical twins with a strange insight into each other’s minds and behaviour. When Peter was caught up in a crisis last year, Paul knew by instinct that he needed help and he provided it. I’m just hoping that the same thing may happen now with the roles in reverse. Before my courier even reaches him, Peter might be on his way to Bath.’

  The arrival of her husband had turned Clemency van Emden from a nervous and fearful young woman into a person with charm, poise and self-confidence. The more Charlotte got to know them, the more the age gap between husband and wife began to disappear. They were supremely happy in each other’s company. As the three of them chatted in the drawing room, serious discussion was relieved by bursts of laughter. Charlotte came to feel completely at ease. For their part, they found her a caring hostess and a friend in whom they could place absolute trust.

  ‘Clemency has been telling me about the shooting gallery,’ said van Emden. ‘It sounds like a remarkable place.’

  ‘Charlotte actually works there,’ said his wife. ‘She puts me to shame. I didn’t know that a woman could do such things.’

  ‘I’m not sure that it’s entirely suitable work for a woman,’ said her husband, ‘especially one as refined as Charlotte.’

  ‘My life has none of the excitement that she enjoys. Charlotte’s been involved in all kinds of adventures.’

  ‘Peter and Paul have the major share of adventure,’ said Charlotte, ‘so they court the greater amount of danger.’

  ‘Don’t you fret over Peter’s safety?’

  ‘I’ve managed to grow out of that over time.’

  ‘Your husband is a very courageous man,’ said van Emden, ‘and so is your brother-in-law. They seem to have chosen a life that keeps them in almost permanent jeopardy.’

  ‘Strangely enough,’ said Charlotte, ‘they prefer it that way.’

  When she heard the sound of hooves outside, she looked through the window and saw that Peter was riding towards the house and towing a horse behind him. Excusing herself, she went to open the front door herself. Peter dismounted and was given a welcoming hug. After summoning a servant, he handed over the animals and stepped into the hall with his wife.

  ‘What happened?’ she asked.

  ‘We found him at last.’

  ‘Where is he?’

  ‘I hired a gig so that Jem could bring him back in relative comfort. I’m not sure that Mr Parry could have ridden here. He’s not in the best of health,’ said Peter, ‘and his mind wanders a little. Before they meet him, you ought to prepare Clemency and her husband.’

  ‘Why can’t you do that, Peter?’

  ‘I have to leave immediately.’

  She was startled. ‘Where on earth are you going?’

  ‘I’ll take a fresh horse and ride off to Bath. Paul needs me.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘It’s the way I always know, Charlotte. He’s my brother and I sense that he’s in trouble. As for what happened to us,’ he went on, ‘Jem will explain when he gets here. Suffice it to say that Haines had betrayed his old master whose genius as an inventor was being cruelly exploited by Alderson. Haines and his assistant are now in custody. Thanks to an understanding local magistrate, Alderson is also behind bars.’

  ‘Is that all you can tell me?’

  ‘You’ll hear the rest from Jem. Meanwhile, advise Clemency to be very gentle with her father and not to expect too much from him.’

  ‘Is Mr Parry ill?’

  ‘You’ll see for yourself.’

  ‘What about—’

  ‘I must go, my love,’ he said, interrupting her and giving her a farewell kiss. ‘My brother is calling for me.’

  Now that his eyes had grown used to the gloom, Paul was able to make out more of the contents of his prison. From the size of the cellar, he reasoned that it was below a large house. Various things had been stored there, but the items that attracted his attention were the wine racks. All that he could see were fuzzy outlines of necks of bottles sticking out from them. He wished that he’d been able to explore the cellar to the full, but that was impossible. Paul could hardly flex his muscles, let alone move around. Sounds from above alerted him. The door was unbolted, then his captor came down the steps with the lantern again. In his other hand, he was carrying a letter. He waved it under Paul’s nose.

  ‘Your dear lady has replied to my demand,’ said the highwayman. ‘She refuses to consider it until she has evidence that you are alive and unharmed. See for yourself, Mr Skillen. I’m sure that you recognise her hand. The stationery has the faintest hint of her perfume.’

  To his disappointment, Paul saw that the letter was genuine. Before he could read it, it was whisked away from him.

  ‘We will have to arrange a sighting of you,’ said the man, ‘just to satisfy her. Then it will be my turn for satisfaction. Miss Granville cares for you enough to offer the most precious thing in her possession to effect your release.’ He stared into Paul’s blazing eyes. ‘Yes, I may have the predatory instincts of an animal but they are softened by a gentlemanly sense of restraint. Miss Granville was at my mercy once before, but why take something by force when I can have it willingly handed to me? Who knows?’ he went on, grinning broadly. ‘I might even let you watch.’

  By way of a punishment, they made Chevy Ruddock buy a round of drinks, then the three of them sat at their table in the Peacock Inn.

  ‘It was your fault,’ said Yeomans, jabbing a finger at him.

  ‘I swear that I watched him going into The Mitre,’ said Ruddock. ‘I followed him to the door.’

  ‘You should have kept watch on the place and sent for us.’

  ‘Don’t be too hard on him, Micah,’ said Hale. ‘When all is said and done, Chevy is the only one of us who actually saw Harry Scattergood in the flesh and he certainly did stay at The Mitre. When we described Harry to him, the landlord confirmed that. For obvious reasons, he didn’t give his real name.’

  ‘No,’ said Ruddock, chortling. ‘Fancy calling himself Micah Yeomans!’

  Hales laughed. ‘Harry always did like a jest.’

  ‘You can both stop sniggering,’ ordered Yeomans, as he raised a menacing fist. ‘I saw nothing funny in what he did.’

  ‘In a way,’ said Ruddock, ‘it was a sort of compliment to you.’

  ‘Yes,’ added Hale. ‘You’re such an important figure in his life.’

  ‘Shut up!’ growled Yeomans.

  ‘Be glad, Micah. The fact is that we almost caught him.’

  ‘It’s always a case of “almost” with Harry Scattergood.’

  ‘We may have failed at The Mitre, but we did have a big success at that church. With the help of Chevy and Bill Filbert, we caught two bodysnatchers and the surgeon who was paying them. That was a triumph.’

  ‘It certainly was,’ said Yeomans, ruefully. ‘But Kirkwood only ever remembers the things we do wrong.’

  ‘That’s not true, sir,’ said Ruddock. ‘There’s something I haven’t mentioned before.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘Mr Kirkwood wrote to thank me for what Bill and I did that night. My wife was so proud that I’d got praise from the chief magistrate. Agnes said that I deserved a promotion.’

  Yeomans glowered.
‘You get a letter and we get nothing?’

  ‘Didn’t he send you a commendation as well, sir?’

  ‘No, he didn’t.’

  ‘He never does,’ said Hale.

  ‘That’s not fair,’ said Ruddock.

  ‘It happens all the time,’ complained Yeomans. ‘Nothing we do can please Kirkwood. He’s far more likely to send his congratulations to the Skillen brothers than to me.’

  ‘Well, they are more successful than us, sir. The truth is that, if we don’t catch Harry Scattergood soon, they’ll do it for us. Truth will out. Peter and Paul Skillen are simply better than us.’

  Eyes like molten lava, Yeomans rose to his feet. ‘What did you say?’

  ‘Whatever it was, I was badly mistaken,’ said Ruddock, hastily backing away. ‘I won’t disturb you any further. Goodbye.’

  Clemency was so exhilarated by the news about her father that she was unable to remain seated. She stood at the window with her husband on one side of her and Charlotte on the other. It seemed an age before a trap finally came along the street.

  ‘That’s him!’ cried Clemency, excitement turning instantly to anxiety. ‘Oh dear!’ she exclaimed. ‘He looks so old.’

  ‘When I’ve shown Mr Parry in,’ said Charlotte, ‘I’ll get the full details from Jem.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Do you want to be alone with your father?’ asked van Emden.

  ‘No, Jan,’ she said. ‘You’re my husband and his son-in-law. You have a right to be here.’

  ‘Then I’ll stay.’

  Seeing the gig pull up outside the house, Charlotte went to open the front door and watched Huckvale helping his passenger out of the vehicle. She went forward to greet Parry, then took him by the arm to lead him into the house.

  ‘Clemency and her husband are in there,’ she said, pausing at the door. ‘They’ve been waiting a long time for this moment.’