Dalrymple knew, of course and Ducray and that émigré . I suspect it was the count. Somehow he’s got wind of the investigation
and hoped to divert attention from himself by murdering myself and Miss
Coombs.’
‘Are you suggesting he knows it’s
you who’s leading the search, my lord?’
‘No, I’m certain he does not. His
manner towards me is that of a fellow aristocrat. His behaviour, his
expression, would have revealed his suspicions.’
He kicked a lump of turf and
swore. He had forgotten he was still in his stockings. ‘I must remove these
sodden garments and put on some boots. If anyone sees me prancing about out
here dressed as I am, they’ll think I’m ready for Bedlam.’ He turned to go.
‘Reynolds, where have you sent the other men? Walk with me and explain.’
‘Perkins and Jones accompanied
the wagon that has gone to collect the balloon. If any of the labourers are not
what they say those two will soon discover it.’ The young man grinned. ‘I sent
Jed to scout around the grounds. It’s possible
intruders came in from outside during the night. If they left any evidence,
he’s the man to find it.’
‘Excellent! My information is that
the traitor we seek has close links with the free traders. Have you had a
chance to search the barn for gold?’
‘No, my lord; there’s always
someone in there. However, we’ve a chance to poke about whilst they’re all down
the beach salvaging the balloon.’
‘Give me ten minutes to change
and I’ll be back down – if the gold’s already in the barn this is the perfect
opportunity to discover it.’
The building was, as expected,
deserted. Ned glanced round. ‘Reynolds, take the far side where the men have
their belongings and I’ll examine the boxes and barrels.’ After twenty minutes
methodical searching neither of them had found anything suspicious.
‘If they have the gold it’s
certainly not in here, my lord.’
‘It must be arriving separately;
the highest tide is not for another two weeks. Plenty of time for them to have
it delivered. The count obviously has several accomplices working for him; it’s
those we have to apprehend before they succeed in harming Miss Coombs.’
Reynolds scratched his head.
‘It’s a rum do, sir. It don’t seem sensible to draw
attention to themselves like, by these attacks on your young lady. If it was
me, I’d keep me head down until the gold actually arrives.’
‘I believe they wish to keep the
militia and myself occupied. Whilst we’re chasing possible abductors and
potential killers we’re not watching the coast for smugglers, and the lanes for
a diligence filled with gold.’ He brushed the dust from his coat and, removing
a kerchief from his pocket, bent down to clean his top boots.
‘I reckon as you could be right,
my lord. Seeing as you’re the magistrate it don’t mean they know you’re a
government agent as well, do it?’
‘I sincerely hope they do not. I
have successfully maintained my cover for the past ten years and cannot
conceive that I’ve revealed myself this time. I’ll continue my enquiries
inside.’ He prepared to leave the gloom of the barn. ‘Remember, no one must
suspect that the narrow escape Miss Coombs and I had this morning was anything
more than an accident – I’ve no wish to alert the perpetrators. Let them
believe they’re safe from discovery.’
He returned to the house not
wishing to remain visible for any longer than was necessary. He glanced up at
the thirty or so windows that faced southwards and was relieved to see not one
of them had open shutters. The time was a little after 8 o’clock – far too
early for most of his guests to be up.
‘Reynolds, I’ll be in my study.
Let me know what Perkins has discovered.’
‘Please, Aunt Lucy, don’t fuss
so. I’m perfectly well. A hot bath was sufficient to restore me. The incident
was an accident that would have been a tragedy but for Lord Weston’s quick
thinking and courage.’
‘I
and hoped to divert attention from himself by murdering myself and Miss
Coombs.’
‘Are you suggesting he knows it’s
you who’s leading the search, my lord?’
‘No, I’m certain he does not. His
manner towards me is that of a fellow aristocrat. His behaviour, his
expression, would have revealed his suspicions.’
He kicked a lump of turf and
swore. He had forgotten he was still in his stockings. ‘I must remove these
sodden garments and put on some boots. If anyone sees me prancing about out
here dressed as I am, they’ll think I’m ready for Bedlam.’ He turned to go.
‘Reynolds, where have you sent the other men? Walk with me and explain.’
‘Perkins and Jones accompanied
the wagon that has gone to collect the balloon. If any of the labourers are not
what they say those two will soon discover it.’ The young man grinned. ‘I sent
Jed to scout around the grounds. It’s possible
intruders came in from outside during the night. If they left any evidence,
he’s the man to find it.’
‘Excellent! My information is that
the traitor we seek has close links with the free traders. Have you had a
chance to search the barn for gold?’
‘No, my lord; there’s always
someone in there. However, we’ve a chance to poke about whilst they’re all down
the beach salvaging the balloon.’
‘Give me ten minutes to change
and I’ll be back down – if the gold’s already in the barn this is the perfect
opportunity to discover it.’
The building was, as expected,
deserted. Ned glanced round. ‘Reynolds, take the far side where the men have
their belongings and I’ll examine the boxes and barrels.’ After twenty minutes
methodical searching neither of them had found anything suspicious.
‘If they have the gold it’s
certainly not in here, my lord.’
‘It must be arriving separately;
the highest tide is not for another two weeks. Plenty of time for them to have
it delivered. The count obviously has several accomplices working for him; it’s
those we have to apprehend before they succeed in harming Miss Coombs.’
Reynolds scratched his head.
‘It’s a rum do, sir. It don’t seem sensible to draw
attention to themselves like, by these attacks on your young lady. If it was
me, I’d keep me head down until the gold actually arrives.’
‘I believe they wish to keep the
militia and myself occupied. Whilst we’re chasing possible abductors and
potential killers we’re not watching the coast for smugglers, and the lanes for
a diligence filled with gold.’ He brushed the dust from his coat and, removing
a kerchief from his pocket, bent down to clean his top boots.
‘I reckon as you could be right,
my lord. Seeing as you’re the magistrate it don’t mean they know you’re a
government agent as well, do it?’
‘I sincerely hope they do not. I
have successfully maintained my cover for the past ten years and cannot
conceive that I’ve revealed myself this time. I’ll continue my enquiries
inside.’ He prepared to leave the gloom of the barn. ‘Remember, no one must
suspect that the narrow escape Miss Coombs and I had this morning was anything
more than an accident – I’ve no wish to alert the perpetrators. Let them
believe they’re safe from discovery.’
He returned to the house not
wishing to remain visible for any longer than was necessary. He glanced up at
the thirty or so windows that faced southwards and was relieved to see not one
of them had open shutters. The time was a little after 8 o’clock – far too
early for most of his guests to be up.
‘Reynolds, I’ll be in my study.
Let me know what Perkins has discovered.’
‘Please, Aunt Lucy, don’t fuss
so. I’m perfectly well. A hot bath was sufficient to restore me. The incident
was an accident that would have been a tragedy but for Lord Weston’s quick
thinking and courage.’
‘I
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