The Parliament of Blood by Justin Richards

were members of the same club. In fact, that is partly why I came to find you. I took the opportunity to see Sir William too, but it was you I really wanted to speak to.’
    â€˜About Kingsley?’
    â€˜In a way. I said we were members of the same club. Membership is strictly limited, but there is now, sadly, a vacancy. I think that Christopher would like nothing better than for me to propose you as the man to take his place.’
    â€˜I …’ George was astonished. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
    â€˜No need to decide now.’ Some of Sir Harrison’s military bearing and brusqueness was back as they left themortuary. ‘You have a think about it. Let me know. But I’d be delighted to propose your name. Doesn’t mean you’ll be accepted, of course. Though I do have some influence. One thing though, we are a close-knit lot. I would appreciate it if you would tell no one of this invitation. Not least because they might be jealous. It’s quite an honour even to be considered.’
    â€˜Thank you. I am honoured, truly. And I’ll think about it,’ George promised. ‘I’m sorry – all this. Seeing Christopher like that. Well, it’s a shock.’
    â€˜Indeed it is.’
    â€˜This club,’ George asked as Sir Harrison bade him farewell. ‘Which club is it?’
    â€˜It is really a society,’ Sir Harrison told him. ‘But it is more usually called the Damnation Club.’

    When he woke the next morning, George’s mind was full of railways and trains and memories of Christopher Kingsley. He was surprised to find it was already after ten, but remembering Sir William’s advice to take some time and get over the shock he did not worry about hurrying in to work.
    When George did eventually make his way to the British Museum the afternoon was drawing in and it was almost dark. George cursed the heavy smog, clutching his handkerchief over his mouth in an effort to keep out the worst fumes. He did not go first to his office. Instead he made his way across the Great Court to the Reading Room. The large,round building wrought out of dark brick dominated the courtyard. Inside, the single circular reading room with its high domed ceiling was equally impressive, if slightly daunting.
    The librarian looked down his nose at George when asked to find the latest edition of the
Gentleman’s London Journal
. But he produced it a few minutes later without comment. The reading desks curved with the shape of the walls, and George found an empty area and set down the book. As he had hoped and expected, an appendix provided a brief description of all the London clubs. He soon found the one he was looking for.
    THE DAMNATION CLUB
    Of all the gentlemen’s clubs registered in London, the so-called Damnation Club is possibly the most exclusive. Its real name is
the Society of Diabolic and Mystic Nominees
, the rather melodramatic nickname by which it is usually known being taken from the initial letters DaMN. It is also referred to in its induction papers, which it is claimed date back to 1457, as The Parliament of Blood though there is no known explanation for this title.
    It is not clear that members have to demonstrate any aptitude for mysticism or indeed any interest in the Occult. But certainly, membership is exclusive and by nomination only. There are rumours of complicated and bizarre induction rites, but it is likely that these are fostered by the Club itself to bolster its esteem and exclusivity, and to add to the mythos.
    There is little point in applying to join the Damnation Club, though the legend that the third Earl Aldebourne actually went to the Club and demanded to be admitted the very night that he disappeared in 1723 seems to have no historical basis.
    At various times, the Home Secretary, the Governor of the Bank of England, and many other prominent people – including even Sir Harrison Judd Commissioner of the