A Certain Threat (The Merriman Chronicles Book 1)

by Roger Burnage

  Merriman smiled briefly, “I don’t think they were directly involved in murdering the Revenue men, so when we have them aboard I think it will be a fair punishment for them to be pressed into service. We need extra hands now Mr Andrews and they are all prime seamen.”

  “Aye-aye Sir. I’d like that. One of them is the man calling himself John Trevor that I met on the ship I boarded some time ago. You remember Sir, he was with the fat man and the small wizened little man you were interested in. And there is another man aboard, not a seaman, a fat man wearing grey breeches and coat. He may be the man you told us of, the card cheat.”

  “You’re right Lieutenant, he is. It seems certain that the man Trevor is the leader of the smugglers. Owen will be able to identify him for sure, so if it is he, we must turn him over to the justices together with the other fellow.”

  Andrews looked at the state of the ship and the corpses still lying amidships. “Your plans succeeded Sir, the French are defeated and we have the fishing boat and the cargo of graphite it was carrying. We’ve been lucky, Sir.”

  “Lucky, yes I suppose so, but remember David, an ounce of luck is worth a pound of wisdom.”

  “One other thing Sir, it is perhaps inappropriate at this time, but may I wish you a happy Christmas.”

  Merriman suddenly realized it was Christmas day tomorrow.

  Chapter 28: Trial and execution

  A week later Aphrodite lay to her anchor off the Point of Air under the command of Lieutenant Laing. Six more of the badly wounded had succumbed but the rest, even two amputees were recovering well. The Master, old Mr. Cuthbert, was still weak but recovering so well that McBride was beginning to boast of his skill. Lieutenant Jeavons, suffering from the blow to the head when the spar fell on him, was hovering between life and death, sometimes raving and babbling incoherently, at other times quiet and staring into space not responding to attempts to talk to him.

  “I can do no more for him Sir,” reported the Surgeon. “The actual wound to his head is healing well but the blow has affected his mind. I can only hope that time will help him.”

  The Pilote, under a temporary rig had been taken to Parkgate and moored alongside the fishing boat with a skeleton crew aboard, but until he received orders he could not hand her over to the Revenue service. The Navy might decide to treat her as a prize of war and keep her or even to give her back to the Revenue.

  Merriman’s report was ready to send to Admiral Edwards at the Admiralty, but it was urgent that Merriman first reported events back to Mr Grahame who was still in nominal command of Merriman’s services. And so, once again he was on the way back home, driven as before, in the same shabby carriage by the same scruffy individual with the evil breath, but this time accompanied by Lieutenants Andrews and St James. That languid individual had his left arm in a sling but in spite of that was remarkably cheerful.

  “Fine view of the Welsh coast and hills Sir,” he commented, reminds me of the Northumberland coast near to where I grew up.”

  “Really, I never realized that you were from the north Edward. I’d always assumed that you were from the south somewhere.”

  “Truth is Sir, I was only eleven when my mother died and my father decided to sell his property and move to London, where he set up in business as agent for the coal owners and manufacturers of the north east. Did very well for himself I must say. Then he concentrated on turning me into a fashionable gentleman.”

  “He provided the best tutors, tailors, fencing instructors that he could find, but by the time I was eighteen I was liking the life too well. Oh I liked the fine clothes and the company of the ladies at parties but in some quarters I was looked down on as only the son of a tradesman. The drinking and gambling was getting to be compulsive so my father decided he had had enough, paid my debts and bought my commission in the marines. So I could see something of life and the world d’you see, beside the gaming tables and bordellos of the city. He told me that my future debts were my own and he would provide nothing but a reasonable allowance per annum.”

  “Strange thing is Sir, I took to the life right away and am happier in the service than I ever was ashore.”

  “As I am happy to have you in my ship’s company Edward.”

  “Thank you Sir, I appreciate that.”

  As they finished talking, the disreputable carriage turned into the gateway of the Merriman residence, crunched over the gravel driveway and stopped by the front steps. The three officers alighted and entered the house.

  There was almost a party atmosphere in the Merriman household. He found that Doctor Simpson and his daughter Helen and Mrs. Prentice were there combining a social visit with the need to attend to Mr. Grahame who was now staying at the Merriman household. Grahame was still weak but recovering well under the doctor’s careful ministrations. Even Captain Saville was there.

  Merriman introduced his officers to the gathering and after the usual polite courtesies were exchanged Captain Merriman turned to the two lieutenants. “I’ve heard a lot about you Mr. Andrews, the fight with the corsairs and all that. You did well, very well.”

  Before Andrews could reply, the Captain said, “And you Mr. St James, what happened to you?” indicating the sling round the marine’s neck.

  “A small sword thrust Sir, from a damned Frenchman who was better with his sword than I could believe. I thought I had him but his last riposte was faster than my parry and he pierced my shoulder. And of course he had a longer blade than my shorter regulation sword.”

  Captain Saville who had been listening with interest to this conversation, added, “I’m reminded of our conversation about swords and swordplay the last time we all met here James, I believe you said that a shorter blade was better for shipboard fighting than a rapier.”

  “That is true, and I still believe that to be the case, but obviously here is the exception that proves the rule.”

  After more general conversation, Merriman, his father and Grahame retired to a quiet room where Merriman reported everything that had happened since Grahame had been wounded.

  “So Sir, in short, the Lord Lieutenant and his party are safe and the plot to seize the graphite was foiled, indeed, we found a cargo of stolen graphite on the fishing boat. Some Irish rebels were caught and will be tried for piracy and murder but I failed to capture the French vessel and I fear that the man Moreau, who appears to have been the ringleader, will likely be a trouble to us in the future.”

  “Nevertheless Lieutenant, thanks to you and your men events have concluded better than we could have hoped and I have you to thank for saving my life by bringing me to the good Doctor Simpson.”

  “The ship’s doctor did the best he could but I believe you would have died if left aboard ship Sir.”

  “Well, I shall be sending a most favourable report to Lord Stevenage. I am sure that he will be well pleased. If you have completed your report for Admiral Edwards, perhaps they could be despatched together?”

  “Thank you Sir. There is one other thing to report. You recall that you told us that you believed someone of the Quality could be involved in treason, well, I believe it to be Sir William Forrester.” Merriman went on to relate what he knew and suspected about Forrester’s connection with the smugglers and also the French.

  “Doesn’t really surprise me,” said Grahame, “We’ve had our suspicions about him too. With this information we shall be able to convict him.”

  “James,” asked his father, “what happened to the smugglers left adrift?”

  “When the weather cleared we saw them not too far off and we were able to capture them again very quickly. They were struggling to make a sail out of fishing net with scraps of old canvas woven into it.. The fishing boat, a handy two masted smack is alongside the Pilote at Parkgate and as for the men, they are now pressed into my crew in Aphrodite, to replace some of my losses. That will be punishment enough I think.”

  “Yes James, serves them right, a good move on your part and if you mentioned it in your report the A
dmiralty won’t worry. Always glad to find more good seamen for the navy.”

  “Father, what of the lawyer, Robinson and his clerk, have they been apprehended?”

  “No,” replied his father, “Mr. Flitwick and some of his men went with myself and the Chester constables to Robinson’s premises but they weren’t there. We went to his house where we found his wife barely alive, suffering from some fearful head injuries. A serving girl had also been badly beaten but she was able to tell us that Robinson had been there with his clerk. They had ransacked the house and beaten the women until they told where the money and jewellery was hidden. The wife died soon after.”

  “So, not only are they to be arrested for treason and other villainy we can only guess at, but they are now wanted for murder as well,” said Merriman.

  “Indeed so, Mr. Grahame and I have taken steps to inform various authorities, and handbills with their description are being issued round the county. I hope to have news of them soon.”

  “Surely their only hope is to leave the country, once aboard a ship they may never be caught. I would think that they would probably head for the ferry across to Liverpool to find a ship there to take them to France or even to America. Only the gallows awaits them here and they have money and valuables enough to bribe a not too fussy captain to take them and keep quiet about it.”

  “That is so I’m afraid James; we thought of that and sent constables over there but with no luck.. Anyway, it’s out of our hands now.”

  “Mr. Grahame, now that this matter is concluded, do you have any further orders for me Sir?” enquired Merriman.

  “Not at present Lieutenant. If we send our reports to London tomorrow by courier we may hear from our superiors within the week. In the meanwhile, you must be in Dublin to give evidence in the trial of the rebels you caught. I expect that the trial will be speedily arranged once you present yourself over there. You should leave for Ireland tomorrow Lieutenant and I will sail with you.”

  “Yes Sir, but are you sure that you are recovered enough to face the journey.”

  “Tut man, of course I’m well enough, even though your excellent Doctor Simpson may not agree. I must go and see how many of my people have survived. Certainly two of them were killed and I must know if my network of agents is still capable of sniffing out plots by the King’s enemies.”

  “I suggest that we ask for further orders to be sent to us here, to await our return from Ireland.” He turned to Merriman’s father. “My apologies Captain, for assuming that you are agreeable to your house being used as a sort of relay station for messages.”

  “No need to apologize Sir, I’m only too happy to help.”

  “Thank you. Now, as our business is finished, perhaps we should join your other guests.”

  When they rejoined the others, Merriman was dismayed to see his two officers paying close attention to Helen, who was laughing at something one of them had said. By the window his sister Emily was deep in conversation with Captain Saville, watched closely by her mother.

  “I hope that young man is going to make his intentions clear,” she said to Mrs. Prentice, “If he is the right one for her there could soon be a wedding,” She looked over at her eldest son who was glowering in the direction of Helen and her admirers. Just then Helen caught sight of Merriman and with a word of excuse left them and went across to him.

  “Do stop frowning James, from what I hear you have everything to be pleased about. What makes you so gloomy?” she said coquettishly.

  “Nothing Ma’am, it is just that I hoped, I mean, I would like you to, that is – if you could see ---.” He stopped, realizing that once again she had reduced him to stammering inadequacy.

  She took his hands in hers and the look in her eyes told him all he wanted to know. Mrs. Prentice leaned nearer to Merriman’s mother with a smile, “There might be two weddings to plan for.”

  Chapter 29: The Lawyer flees

  The trial of the rebels was concluded within a week of Merriman’s arrival in Dublin. His clear evidence, supported by an affidavit from Grahame who declined to appear in public, was sufficient for the court to declare the men guilty and pass sentence of death upon them.

  The sentence was carried out in public the next day but Merriman did not attend, confiding to Grahame that he had no stomach for that kind of thing. Grahame then disappeared for most of a week about his own mysterious affairs leaving Merriman to his own devices.

  The time passed agreeably enough, as there was plenty to do aboard a ship of war. There were still some repairs to be completed and Merriman, with lieutenants Laing and Andrews, had to re-organise the watch bill to include the pressed men, to fill some of the gaps caused by the ship’s losses. The new men had tried to object to their situation but after Merriman had offered to put them ashore to be tried for piracy and murder and share the fate of the Irish rebels they had quickly settled down. The fat man was indeed the card cheat. Merriman recognized him immediately and when questioned he confessed to being one the men responsible for the theft of graphite being transported to London.

  When Laing was told that the man was to be pressed with the others, his only comment was “Good, we’ll soon have some of the fat and tallow off him Sir,” rubbing his hands in satisfaction.

  Gunner’s mate Salmon was promoted to replace the dead Mr. Hodges.

  Merriman spent a pleasant evening with Colonel Sir Henry White and his officers of the garrison telling them all about the capture of the cutter and the rebels, and the inconclusive fight with the French ship.

  Dublin society made heroes of Merriman and his officers when the trial and the circumstances of the Viceroy’s escape from capture became public knowledge. They were invited to a ball at the Viceroy’s residence and almost every day there were invitations to dinners and dances from hostesses determined to have the gallant Lieutenant and officers at their function; especially from ladies with unmarried daughters.

  It was all pleasant enough at first and Merriman had to arrange a sort of roster to give each officer equal chances to go ashore, even the two midshipmen. But it soon began to pall and a certain reluctance to accept invitations became apparent.

  Lieutenant St. James, with his arm in a sling, playing the part of the wounded hero to perfection, had always been the centre of a group of young ladies wherever they went, but finally even he had to admit to Merriman that enough was enough.

  “Daren’t go ashore again Sir, positively daren’t. I’ll find myself up at the altar if I do. I had no idea of the lengths some girls will go to, to trap a fellow. A kiss and a squeeze behind the drapes seems little enough but one looses interest in even that when the girl’s mother is sighted bearing down under full sail.”

  “Same with me Sir, admitted Laing morosely. “Can’t wait to get back to sea. I had no idea that women could talk so much.”

  “Well Colin, you’ve learned the truth of the old dictum ‘A woman’s chief weapon is her tongue and she won’t let it rust!”

  They all laughed. Merriman’s officers were well used to their captain’s use of proverbs and sometimes bets were quietly laid as to which he would use next. Privately Merriman wondered if he should even say things like that, given his feelings and intentions towards Helen.

  Fortunately Mr. Grahame soon returned and with his reappearance Aphrodite was at last able to leave.

  Meanwhile, aboard a trading vessel at the dockside in Liverpool, Jeremiah Robinson was negotiating with a ship’s captain for passage to America for himself and Beadle. They had tried several ships but this was the first one where the captain was prepared to bargain. The captain, a villainous looking individual, stared at the two men in front of him, thinking hard. They were unshaven and disheveled and it was obvious that they were desperate to leave the country and might be prepared to pay a good price for his help. On the other hand, if there was a sheriff’s warrant out for them there might be a good reward for turning them in.

  “What will you pay,” he asked with a sly look at the b
ag the fat man clutched tightly.

  “We are in a hurry to reach America and would normally travel by one of the ships which usually carry passengers. However, there are none sailing for three or four days and as our business is urgent we cannot wait. We will pay the same price as we would normally pay,” said Robinson. Beadle nodded his head in agreement.

  “Seems fair enough, you can have this cabin of mine but there’s nothing fancy on my ship and one of you must sleep in a hammock. You’ll have to eat with the rest of us. We’ll deal with the money later, I must get under way now or we’ll miss the tide.”

  Left alone, the two fugitives relaxed for the first time in days. Robinson even managed a feeble smile at his companion. “We’ve done it, we’re away free and clear.” Little did the fugitives know that their relief was to be short lived. Later that night, with the ship well out to sea, the captain and some of his crew burst into the cabin and overpowered them. Once they were tied hand and foot the captain dismissed his men.

  “Now then, let’s see what you have in this bag of yours,” he said with relish. “O-ho, what’s this?” He pulled out a cloth bag and tipped the contents out. “Jewellery eh! I’ll wager it’s stolen, that’s why you had to leave so quickly. And there’s more money here than you were going to pay me. Well it’s mine now and I have to decide what to do with you two fine specimens.”

  “What are you going to do,” asked a terrified Beadle, “You can’t put us ashore in America with no money.”

  “Oh but we’re not going to America, not directly that is. No we’re bound for Africa, the Slave Coast to trade for slaves and then we takes them to America but most likely the West Indies for sale to the plantation owners. Until then you can work your passage. You might fetch a good price over there, or maybe I’ll drop you over the side first.”