by Cathy Bryant
James Haddon was delighted that he now had the information he had been hoping for. With the name of the town’s physician, Daniel Thompson, to present to the town’s residents for information regarding Sarah’s whereabouts, Mr. Haddon felt certain he would finally track down the young woman, and said as much to Mr. Harvey.
Mr. Harvey chuckled, “Did you not hear what I said? I know where the physician lives. If the supposed connection between Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Thompson turns out to be accurate, then Mrs. Swyndhurst is certain to be there. I am happy to direct you there.”
“I was just so overjoyed by your news that it didn’t occur to me that you meant you knew the location of Daniel Thompson’s residence. But if I go there and present myself and she is indeed there, she may run away again at the sight of me. We are acquainted, you see. She is fully aware that I work for her husband. And if she were to see me, in the time it takes for Mr. Swyndhurst to come to Boston, she might flee. I must speak with this Daniel Thompson to be certain that she is definitely residing with his family, but I have to go about it cautiously. If I could but arrange a meeting with the gentleman away from his home, I could explain the situation.”
“Yes, that might be best; otherwise, the Thompsons and Mr. Hoyt may be reluctant to reveal any information about Sarah, not knowing the circumstances surrounding her departure from Amesbury. For all we know, she may not have even revealed the reason she came away.”
“Well, I best be on my way. I am much obliged to you for contacting me, Mr. Harvey.”
“No need for thanks. I pray that it all works out for the best and that this is not merely a wild goose chase, sending you to speak with Daniel Thompson. As I said, I am not certain that he is indeed connected to the man who accompanied Mrs. Swyndhurst. It does seem likely, though.”
Following his meeting with Mr. Harvey, James went directly to the town ordinary, where he had stayed on previous occasions. That he was yet unmarried made it easy for him to travel about for his employer, which he had done many times before; although, in the past it had been for business purposes, not for personal reasons.
The next morning, James went to many of the local businesses to inquire whether anyone could tell him where Daniel Thompson frequented when he was in town. If he could but speak with the man away from his home, Sarah might not learn that he had come on behalf of her husband. But thus far, everyone with whom he had spoken was reluctant to reveal the information he sought. He assumed it was because he was a stranger and they were unsure of his reasons for searching for the physician. Because he couldn’t elaborate, he was unable to gain anyone’s confidence. As he thought about it, if he had been willing to lie—by suggesting he needed the physician for an illness or some sort of injury—he may have garnered the information he needed.
Frustrated, he returned to the ordinary that night, determined to find a way to speak with Mr. Thompson somewhere other than his home. However, just as he was about to set off the next morning, he stepped out onto a patch of ice and slipped—landing hard on his leg. Though winter was nearly over, ice was still often present in the early mornings, before the sun had warmed the ground. When James attempted to stand, he found he had injured himself. Two men from within the ordinary caught a glimpse out the window of the mishap. As they hastened out to assist the injured man, one of them called for someone to send for the physician. After hearing the directive, James felt as if he had just been blessed with the answer to his dilemma. This might just afford me the opportunity for which I have been hoping. All I have to do now is to wait for help to arrive, he reasoned.
Having been helped back to his room in the ordinary, James reclined on his bed while he awaited the man he was most eager to see. Although his leg throbbed, he took little notice of it. His mind was presently occupied with how he might speak with the man about Sarah without alarming him. If the physician didn’t trust that Mr. Swyndhurst only wanted his wife safely home, he may alert the young woman. If that happened, given her history, she would likely flee. He could not allow that to take place.
Within a couple of hours, Daniel Thompson stood rapping on the injured man’s door. One of the men, who had accompanied him to Mr. Haddon’s room, suggested that he simply open the door and go in, as the injured man was likely incapable of coming to the door.
As Daniel entered, he addressed the injured man. “Well, let us have a look at you. I am Mr. Thompson, the town’s physician.”
James looked intently at the rather tall gentleman moving in his direction. “I am much obliged to you for coming. I am James Haddon. I suppose I should have been more careful.”
Smiling, Daniel responded, “As I have just seen the melting icy patch where the unfortunate incident occurred, I would have to say that it is not entirely your fault. Anyone might have done the same, and may yet if someone does not see to sprinkling a bit of sand upon the spot. It is sure to ice back over after dark, making tomorrow morning treacherous once again for anyone stepping there.”
While the physician examined Mr. Haddon’s leg, the injured man wondered how he might obtain the information he required. Presently, he felt the direct approach should not be attempted, not yet anyway. But he had to know if Sarah was indeed staying with the gentleman and his family, so he decided to ask a question that might lead to the answer he sought. “As you made it here in so short a time, your residence must be close by.”
While looking over at the injured man, Daniel chuckled, “I am delighted that you consider nearly two hours a short wait. I was suturing a wound when someone came for me, stating that you required my assistance. Are you from the area? I have not seen you about. Or perhaps it is simply that you have been of sound body up to this point.”
James smiled at the gentleman. He sensed that the doctor was endeavoring to put him at ease. “Yes, I am usually more careful, and am rarely ill.” He hoped the medical man might leave it at that. He had no desire to give away his reason for being in town.
Daniel again questioned where the injured man was from. “As you are staying at the ordinary, I assume that you are either new to the town and have not as yet moved into a more permanent dwelling, or you are just passing through. Which is it?”
Seeing that the physician persisted in gaining more information about him, James answered, “Well, perhaps a little of both.” Which was true; he had considered moving to Boston. “I believe if I found just the right place, I should like living in this town. Just now, though, I am here on business. And you—have you lived in Boston long?”
Not wanting to pry, Daniel allowed the matter of why the injured man was in town to drop and simply answered the man’s question. “For some time now, yes.”
“A gentleman of your age must have a wife and children. Does your family care for the town as well? It is just that I hope to settle down at some point. I wouldn’t want to move somewhere that any future wife and children, I may have, disliked.” James hoped to keep the man talking that he might spill information concerning Sarah.
Feeling a little uncomfortable at this point, and not exactly sure why, Daniel evaded the question. “Umm-hmm…well, I best be off. I shall check back with you from time to time to see how the leg is faring. I do not believe anything is broken. Just a bit strained and bruised. You should stay off your feet as much as possible for a fortnight at least. You must allow the leg time to heal.”
After Mr. Thompson had finished instructing James on how best to care for his wounded leg and James had paid the fee, the physician took his leave. James, a little frustrated with his predicament, decided to send off a missive to his employer to inform him of what had occurred. He had to let Mr. Swyndhurst know that it would be a couple of weeks before he could pursue the matter of finding Mrs. Swyndhurst any further; nonetheless, he felt certain he would soon verify his employer’s wife’s whereabouts. When he had finished writing the missive, he decided that, for the time being, there was nothing more to be done.
Daniel returned home, a bit concerned that the injured man may have
come looking for Sarah. He had no real reason to suspect him, but suspect him he did. Not wanting to upset his guest, he took his father-in-law off to where they might speak privately. “Joseph, have you ever heard tell of a man by the name of James Haddon?”
After thinking a moment, his father-in-law responded, “Yes, I may have heard the name, but I cannot be certain. Why do you ask?”
“That is the name of the injured man I have just been to see. He is staying at the ordinary. He inquired as to how far I live from the ordinary, amongst other fairly personal things. They may have been innocent questions, but what if they weren’t? What if he is in town looking for Sarah? I couldn’t even get the man to say why he was actually here, in town.”
“I am not sure you can assume such a thing just because the man asked you some pointed questions and avoided some of yours,” replied the elderly gentleman.
“It isn’t only that; it is also a feeling I have about the man. I shall be checking in on him from time to time, so I may have an opportunity to learn more. As I said, he wouldn’t exactly say why he is even in Boston. All I could get out of him was that he was here on business, but his response was vague. I wonder just what business brought him here.”
“We may be getting ahead of ourselves, but let us keep our eyes and ears open. Then again, if the injured man is indeed here to find Sarah on her husband’s behalf, it may just be for the best. Still, it is more likely he has a good reason, other than Sarah, for being in town.”
“You are probably right. I may be reading too much into the situation. It is just that I dislike the idea of upsetting Sarah, if the man has in fact come searching for her. She has been through so much already.”
The two men agreed to keep watch over Sarah until Daniel could find out more about the new man in town.
Two days later, Daniel Thompson called for a second time upon the injured man. This time, however, the man was more persistent with his questions about Daniel’s family and home. Daniel avoided the queries as much as possible by directing the conversation back to the man and his reasons for coming to Boston. As they were at a standstill, neither gaining the information they desired—even more uneasy than he had been before—Daniel excused himself with a promise to return before the end of the week.
Back in Amesbury, Alexander received the missive from James concerning what he had learned of Sarah’s whereabouts. With excitement, he sent word that he would come as soon as James had confirmed that Sarah was with the physician’s family. If he went running off before they were certain, he knew that he may disrupt the search, should anyone learn that he was in town. Neither man wanted the name of “Mr. Swyndhurst” to be heard in Boston before they had located Sarah.
Being this close to finding Sarah and not setting off for Boston straight away was going to be a test of Alexander’s patience. As it was, his hired man was injured and would not be able to learn anything more until his leg had mended—that is, unless the physician was willing to reveal what he knew of Sarah and whether she was staying at his home.
Alexander had also come to a decision about the Strout children. He would allow them to live at the Swyndhurst estate; therefore, he desired to see the children settled before setting off for Boston. Having to wait might just have been in God’s plan, he had reasoned.
Needing to speak with Martha—after searching the house—Alexander found her in the kitchen. “Martha, I have come to a decision. I have resolved to permit Alice Strout’s children to live with us; consequently, I wish for you to send Peter, straight away, to collect Alice that I might speak with her. She has been awaiting my response. I feel no need to keep her in suspense any longer.”
Smiling, Martha assured him that Peter would be sent immediately. Within the half hour, the young man had returned with the woman. She had left the two younger children at home in the care of their older sibling. She didn’t want to bring them along where they might hear what she was considering. If Mr. Swyndhurst agreed to her proposal, she would then reveal her plan to them. If, however, he turned her down, she didn’t want to distress them unnecessarily.
Martha escorted Alice into the parlor. While she was on her way to tell Mr. Swyndhurst that Alice had arrived, she prayed about her attitude toward the young woman. As far as she could see, the woman was shirking her responsibilities, yet again, only this time it was Mr. Swyndhurst who would bear the burden. She then remembered how pleased Sarah would be to learn that the children had come there to live. Martha also thought once more about how it would be with Sarah and the children under one roof. Sarah would never again have to work herself sick, for she would have the servants at her disposal. If only my sweet girl would come home, the elderly servant thought, with tears welling up in her eyes.
While knocking on the door to Mr. Swyndhurst’s study, Martha sighed. She hoped he wouldn’t detect that she was a bit weepy. Alexander stuck his head out to see what the elderly woman wanted. As he suspected, Alice Strout had arrived. He followed Martha to the parlor.
Before long, all was settled. The children would come with all of their belongings within a couple of days. Alexander was glad he had remained at home, allowing James to handle things for the time being. As soon as he was sure of his wife’s whereabouts, however, nothing would stand in his way—not even the children.
That night, while Martha and Mr. Swyndhurst were having tea in the kitchen, Martha made a suggestion. “Mr. Swyndhurst, should you find Sarah, she is likely to be distraught and in need of solace. I was thinking, you might ask the Bleasdells to look after the children in the time leading up to Sarah’s arrival, and well after. I am not saying that they should stay with the Bleasdells forever, just until Sarah has had time to recover and settle in.”
“That is a wise suggestion, Martha. I shall go early tomorrow morning to speak with Jonathan. That way, if James does verify Sarah’s whereabouts, the children may be sent at once. I know Jonathan and Hannah would be happy to keep them for as long as necessary. In fact, having the children for a while might be good for them. It has only been a few years since they lost their beloved Henry. Little Mary is not much younger than he was at the time of his death, and as they have had eleven children in all, they are also quite experienced.”
Martha agreed. She had also felt the Bleasdells might benefit from the children’s company.
“Should Sarah return, I shall rely upon you to advise me as to when I should tell her about the children—that is to say, when you believe she has recovered enough to have them home again.” Alexander had always had faith in Martha’s opinions. Besides the fact that he knew her to be full of wisdom, she had demonstrated her selflessness by always putting his and Sarah’s interests above her own.
“Listen to us. I believe our faith—that she shall come home—is growing with this new bit of information from James.”
Smiling, Mr. Swyndhurst responded, “I believe you are right. I have more hope than I have had in some time.”
Early the next morning, Alexander set off for the Bleasdells’. Unbeknownst to him, however, Matthew Raymond had been keeping a close eye on his comings and goings. Watching out the window as Mr. Swyndhurst passed by, Matthew Raymond noted that the man was on horseback, and it did not look as though he had packed for a trip; thus, the impatient man did not follow after him.
Additionally, Mr. Raymond had seen a man a few months back arriving at the Swyndhurst estate. At the time, he had assumed that Mr. Swyndhurst had hired the man to find Sarah. This was confirmed when he heard around town that someone had been seeking information regarding an elderly gentleman. He assumed it was thought that Sarah had left with the elderly man. He would have asked a few questions of his own, though surreptitiously so as not to draw attention to himself, but the townspeople had made it known that there wasn’t much to tell. No one seemed to know where the elderly gentleman had gone. Matthew was also a bit anxious to learn who the man was, for he believed he was, in all probability, the person he had seen up ahead on the road with Sarah the nigh
t she had escaped him.
To Matthew Raymond’s mind, it appeared as though Sarah’s husband and his hired man had not had any success in finding her, but he felt certain they eventually would. Thus, as soon as Mr. Swyndhurst took leave of Amesbury, Matthew planned to follow. It was crucial that he reach Sarah first, for he believed that as soon as the elderly gentleman told Mr. Swyndhurst what had happened to his wife, he would certainly be captured and imprisoned. But if he could get his hands on the young woman, she would finally be his, and no one could ever make him pay for what he had done, once they were hidden away. He merely needed to bide his time until he could put his plan in motion.
When Alexander arrived at the Bleasdells’ home, as always, Jonathan and Hannah were delighted to see him. The Bleasdells were like family to Alexander, and he to them; thus, he enjoyed spending time in their company. After Alexander had explained that he would be taking in Alice Strout’s children, he inquired as to whether—should Sarah return—they might be of a mind to look after the children for a time, to which they quickly responded in the affirmative.
They then asked whether Alexander had heard from Sarah. He happily disclosed the latest news his hired man had uncovered in Boston. The Bleasdells assured that they would continue to keep the situation in prayer. As he had on many an occasion prior to his marriage to Sarah, Alexander remained for a few hours, taking his evening meal with his dear friends before starting for home.