"Mysterious 'ints," Hunch said. "Lord Shoreham didn't say
no more than that "
"How like him," Mairelon murmured "Very well What
about Mr Laverham?"
"'E's a bit of a puzzle 'E lives in the rookery, but 'e dresses
and talks like one o' the ton And 'e went to 'Arrow "
"Harrow'" Mairelon looked startled "How did a boy rrom
St. Giles get into a school like that? He is from St Giles?"
"Far as Lord Shoreham knows," Hunch said, nodding "As
for 'Arrow, somebody paid 'is fees "
"He's probably the by-blow of someone with both a con-
science and the money to indulge it, then," Mairelon said
thoughtfully "Unfortunately, the combination is not so un-
182
usual that it is instantly apparent who Laverham's presumed
parent is "
That's what Lord Shoreham thought," Hunch said "'E said
'e'd talk to some of 'is friends in the City and see if one of 'em
could track the money, but it ain't much of a chance "
"I wonder how well Laverham did at Harrow? They're
strong in Latin and Greek and wizardry, as I recall "
Kim chocked "You mean Dan Laverham is a ipizard?"
"If he was educated at Harrow, he ought to know the
basics, at least," Mairelon replied "Don't let it trouble you "
"Easy enough for you to say," Kim muttered She didn't
know what a first-class frog-maker could do to someone, but
half-formed images of the horrible possibilities whirled
through her mind. Their very vagueness made them worse
than actual knowledge would have been
"Anything else?" Mairelon asked, turning back to Hunch
"Mr Laverham 'as a name in some parts as the man to see if
you want something done and you ain't fussy about 'ow 'E
ain't never been caught doing nothing wrong, though "
'That's Dan, all right," Kim said in an undertone
"Yes, thanks to Kim, we probably have more information
about Mr Laverham's criminal activities than Shoreham
does," Mairelon said "Did he have anything to say about
Marston or Fenton?"
"Mr Jasper Marston is 'ead over ears m debt," Hunch told
them '"E's supposed to be rusticating right now, to get away
from 'is creditors "
"And Lady Granleigh has promised to assist him to a rich
marriage if he helps her with whatever labyrinthine plans she
has set in motion," Mairelon said
Hunch looked startled "'Ow do you know that?"
"Kim overheard them talking," Mairelon said
"'E's Lady Cranleigh's younger brother, and Lord Shoreham
183
said 'e was a bit of a slow-top," Hunch resumed "When 'e
ain't wasting 'is money on cards and 'orses, 'e does what 'is
sister tells 'im "
"That has become fairly evident Shoreham didn't mention
Marston's man, Stuggs, did he?"
"No "
"Ah, well One can't have everything, and I didn't ask "
Mairelon stared pensively at the window for a moment Then
he looked up and said, "I believe that leaves James Fenton "
Hunch grinned The unaccustomed expression made him
look positively fiendish, and Kim was completely taken aback
by the change Maireion took one look and came to attention
like a skilled sharper sighting a promising dupe
"Fenton's the black sheep of 'is family," Hunch said, still
with that disturbing grin "They're mostly respectable trades-
men 'E seemed clever, so they 'ad 'im put into service 'E
started off as a footman "
"Indeed " Mairelon's eyes narrowed "And what house was
he in service to'>"
"Lord St Clairs," Hunch said with great satisfaction
"St Clain"
"And 'e was dismissed the day after the Colony Queen left the
docks," Hunch added
"Huh^" said Kim
"The Colony Quern was the ship Hunch and I took when we,
er, fled the country after the Saltash Set was stolen," Mair-
elon said "So Fenton was dismissed right after the theft was
blamed solidly on me, was he? I wonder if he knows some-
thing about it"
"Lord Shoreham thought 'e might," Hunch said "'E also
thought you'd be interested in knowing that on the night the
Saltash Set was stolen Fenton 'ad some unscheduled free
time "
"Unscheduled? You mean he took French leave?"
184
"No, 'e 'ad Lord St Clairs permission," Hunch said "'Ejust
wasn't supposed to 'ave that night off, Lord Shoreham says "
"Well, if Shoreham says Fenton was supposed to be work-
ing that night, he's probably right," Mairelon said "I don't
know how he comes up with these things, but he hasn't been
mistaken once in five years What has Fenton been doing
since he, er, left St Clair?"
"Mucking about 'ere and there 'E did a few jobs for some
of diem 'ousebreakers, but 'e ain't 'ad no honest work until six
weeks ago, when 'e upped and 'ired on at Meredith's 'ouse."
"Six weeks," Mairelon said, frowning "Time enough for
him to find out about the platter and notify St Clair, if that
was why he was here But if St Clair let him go—"
"Couldn't it have been a blind"?" Kim said "That Lord St
Clair, he sounds tike a fly cove; maybe he didn't want any ties
to a looby like Fenton If the two of them nabbed that silver
stuff you're always on about, then—"
Mairelon shook his head "No, no, I can't believe St Clair
was involved in the original theft He'd have to be completely
lost to all sense of honor "
"And 1 suppose he wasn't a Captain Sharp if all he did was
peach on you to the nabbing cults?" Kim said scornfully
"It's not the same thing," Mairelon said
"I don't see why not," Kim told him "Anyway, lords aren't
that different from other folks If they want somethin' bad
enough, they'll try to get it however they can, and never
mind the right and wrong of it "
"What a remarkably cynical philosophy to find in one so
young," Mairelon said, staring at Kim
Kim shrugged, only half understanding "I'm not that
young, I'm rising seventeen, I think And I don't see what my
age has to do with how people are "
The muscles in Mairelon's jaw tensed, and for a moment he
looked positively angry Then he said gently, "It's not a mat-
185
ter of how people are, Kim, it has to do with how they ought
to be We'll discuss it some other time, perhaps Though I
still don't think St Clair had anything to do with the theft, if
only because he'd have kept the Saltash Set for himself in-
stead of splitting it up and selling it He'd had his eye on it
for years; he wouldn't have given it up easily "
"Oh," Kim said, disappointed "Then we still don't know
who stole it^"
"Don't look so cast down," Mairelon said "We'll find out
eventually Meanwhile, we have a few other things to take
care of"
"What things^" Hunch asked, squinting suspiciously at his
master
"St Clair is staying at Bramingham Place," Mairelon said
"So is Renee D'Auber And it is evidently no secret that the
S
altash Platter—or rather, an exceedingly good copy—was
in Henry Bramingham's possession until the night before last
I doubt very much that all this is merely a coincidence "
"So?"
"So I want to know how Shoreham's secret information on
the whereabouts of the Saltash Platter managed to reach so
many people in so short a time," Mairelon said "Also, I'm
worried about Renee She was supposed to meet me at the
druids' hill over an hour and a half ago, but she never arrived
I'm going to Bramingham Place to see if I can find out why "
"1 thought you didn't want that Lord St Clair seem' you,"
Kim objected "Ain't—isn't that why you sent me over there
yesterday^"
"It is, which is why you're coming with me Don't argue,
Hunch, you've had a long ride and you should rest Keep the
shotgun handy in case that Slower fellow turns up again I'll
set up the warding spells when we get back."
"Now, see 'ere. Master Richardi" Hunch said. "You ain't a-
186
going to take that girl with you, not if I 'ave anything to say
about it Like as not, she's working for that Mr Laverham "
Kim scowled fiercely at Hunch to hide a sudden, strong
inclination to cry Stower's accusations hadn't gone un-
noticed, after all, and she had no way of proving that he was
wrong "I ain't'" she said, but she had little hope of being
believed
"Really, Hunch " Mairelon's tone was mild, but Hunch
stiffened and sat back, eyeing his master wanly. "You forget,"
Mairelon went on, "I questioned Kim myself, with the Saltash
Bowl to compel her to be truthful Or do you remember that,
and doubt my skill"?"
"I'd forgot," Hunch said, plainly chagrined "But—"
"No," Mairelon said in the same mild tone "No buts Spell
or no spell, Kim has earned the nght to be trusted You owe
her an apology "
"No, he don't," Kim said hastily Hunch looked at her in
surprise, and she hurried on, "I'd forgotten about that spell
myself I thought sure you'd take Stower's gab for truth. I
would have So he don't owe me nothin'"
"Doesn't," Mairelon said
"Whaf?" Kim said, momentarily at sea
"Hunch doesn't owe you anything. We'll leave it at that "
Hunch nodded, still wearing a faint expression of surprise
Mairelon looked at Kim and added in a severe tone, "You
have been doing well with your lessons, but you tend to fall
back on cant phrases and poor grammar when you get excited
about something Try to be more careful "
Kim fought down a desire to laugh in relief She felt
positively light-headed and didn't trust herself to say any-
thing, so she simply nodded
"Good We'll be going, then " Mairelon paused and looked
at Hunch, who was chewing on his mustache but wisely re-
187
trained from commenting Mairelon smiled "I'll send Kim
back if 1 need you for anything, but I doubt that I will And
perhaps you'd better pack while we're gone, we might want to
move the wagon in case Slower takes it into his head to come
back with a friend or two Assuming, of course, that he has a
friend or two Don't forget the shotgun "
"! won't," said Hunch "And don't you forget to watch for
that there Slower, neither 'E might follow you instead of
coming back 'ere "
Mairelon nodded and beckoned to Kim With some cau-
tion, he opened the wagon door, but there was no sign of
Jack Stower "Come along," Mairelon said to Kim, and
started briskly for the road Kim stared after him for a mo-
ment, realizing suddenly that she had let herself in for an-
other two-hour walk out to Bramingham Place and back
Cursing mentally, she ran to catch up
188
NINETEEN
'^JJ^' 'T^ he walk to Bramingham Place was every bit
Jff^^^^ 1 as long as Kim remembered To make mat-
f r ters worse, Mairelon decided that Kim needed
more practice with her speech lessons and drilled her mer-
cilessly as they hiked along He stopped only when an ap-
proaching rider or cart distracted his attention, but as they
saw only three during the entire trip this did not give Kim
much respite
At the edge of the manor grounds, Mairelon turned down a
narrow side lane along a tall hedge Kim followed, relieved
by the end of the lessons and equally glad that she would not
have to face the long trudge up the formal drive All those
rows of trees and carefully positioned shrubs made her un-
comfortable
"There ought to be a gap along here somewhere," Mairelon
muttered a few minutes later "I didn't think it was this far "
"Maybe they've plugged it up since you were here," Kim
said
Mairelon looked at her, then at the hedge "You know, I
189
think you may be right Well, we'll just have to push our way
through, then "
"Couldn't we go around?" Kim asked without much hope
When Mairelon took a notion, he was stubborn as a hackney
coachman wanting full fare in advance "This ain't—isn't the
way we came the other night "
"It isn't dark now, either," Mairelon pointed out "Unless
Bramingham has replanted the entire grounds since i was here
last, there's a wood on this side that will screen us from the
house The other way, there's a vista from the South Lawn
We'd be seen at once "
"Right," said Kim gloomily "What are you plannin' to do
when we get up by the house?"
"I'll work that out when we get there," Mairelon said "I
think the bushes are thinner here, follow me, and mind your
head "
With considerable difficulty and more than a few scratches,
they forced their way through the thin spot in the hedge
When they emerged into the tittle wood on the other side,
Maireton's clothes were covered with leaves and twigs, there
were several snags in the previously smooth surface of his
coat, and one sleeve sported a long smear of mud that ended
in a small tear Kim had fared little better, but she hadn't
been wearing gentry togs
"Hunch isn't going to be happy when he sees what you've
done to them clothes," Kim said
"Do you think so?" Mairelon said He brushed the leaves
and twigs from his shoulders, ignoring the ones caught in his
hair, and studied his mud-flecked sleeve "It is a tittle ex-
treme, I suppose Well, there's no help for it now 1 think the
house is—"
The echo of a shot from somewhere nearby cut Mairelon
off in mid-sentence His head whipped around and his eyes
190
widened 'That was a pistol," he said, and started running in
the direction of the noise
Kim choked back a shout of dismay and ran after him while
her mind listed in a remarkably clear fashion alt the reasons
why this was intensely foolish Shots were something you ran
away from, not toward Someone else might have heard and
roused the house They would be taken up for poachers
They should sherry off while
they had the chance She should
sherry off while she had the chance
The list came to a sudden end as she broke out of the
woods into one of the tree-lined alleys she so disliked Mair-
elon was several steps ahead of her, slowing to halt beside an
anonymous figure in a dark blue coat that lay sprawled on the
ground at the edge of the woods As Kim skidded to a stop
next to him, she caught a glimpse of someone running off
through the trees The distance was too great for her to get
more than a vague impression of a dark shape, but Kim didn't
care What mattered was that he was going in the right direc-
tion away
Mairelon went down on one knee and reached under the
collar of the blue coat with one hand "He's dead," he said
He shifted and bent to grip the corpse's shoulders, then
gently turned it over
"Fenton!" said Kim She felt very odd, looking down at the
empty, staring eyes and slack face She had seen dead men
before, and even robbed a few, but a fresh corpse in a shad-
Wrede, Patricia C. - Magician Series 1 - Mairelon the Magician Page 21