Deliverance: A Justice Belstrang Mystery by John Pilkington (top 10 most read books in the world .TXT) 📗

sail now,’ he said. ‘But there’s no reason you can’t tell your tale as we go, is there? I hope it’s worth the hearing – and more, I hope it’ll set my mind at rest a little. For I’ve never had a would-be murderer for a passenger before… nor do I intend to carry one again.’ He paused, then: ‘So, Master Pride, will you get yourself out of the way, and leave us to our business?’

‘I will, Master Darrett, and gladly,’ I answered. ‘But henceforth you may call me by my true name. I’m not William Pride – and I’m relieved to bid the man farewell as we speak. I’m Robert Belstrang, of Thirldon by Worcester: former Justice, and in pursuit of the same. And I’m in your debt.’

Whereupon I moved to the stern, out of his way. As I went, I saw him gazing after me in astonishment.

An hour or so later, after a riverman’s breakfast and a mouthful of ale, the two of us sat close together under the awning. And while the Severn’s banks drifted by in September sunshine, I gave the man a brief account of my business from first arrival at Lydney. Already it seemed an age ago, and yet my purpose was unfulfilled. It took less time than I feared, and I was heard in silence. Finally, the trow-master fixed me with one of his gloomy looks.

‘So… when all’s said and done, sir, you’re a man of the law,’ he murmured. ‘In which case, I’ll be mighty glad to hand the prisoner over to your charge. And the sooner the pair of you are off my vessel, the easier I shall be.’

‘I understand,’ I said. ‘You have my thanks, now and always. Moreover, I shall try to arrange some reward for what you’ve done.’ But as the other took in the words, I looked away; a different sort of burden was upon me. Once ashore and alone, I wondered, how was I to deal with my would-be assassin – let alone question him?

Yet question him I must: for here, I suspected, I would at last find some answers to the conundrum that gnawed at me. It was a sobering thought – then as I turned it about, a solution arose that lifted my spirits.

‘Captain,’ I said, turning to him. ‘Supposing I had a proposition for you? A business one, I mean.’ And ignoring the frown that appeared, I ploughed on. ‘What if I prevailed upon you to take me a deal further upriver – past Purton, all the way to Gloucester. You make the voyage often, do you not? There you can discharge your present cargo - the prisoner, that is – into my keeping. In the meantime, I will swear out a warrant for his arrest. I’m acquainted with the Justice there - Thomas March, a good man. Hence you’ll have performed a public service, and will be paid for it. What do you say?’

And I waited in trepidation while the other merely stared… before relief arrived, along with his sigh of acceptance.

‘By the Lord,’ Darrett groaned. ‘I knew there was some doom hovering about, before I even left Purton. Now I’m conveying a man to the gallows… and there’s rain on the way too. By the time we get to Gloucester we’ll be swamped.’

But I was smiling, for I could not help it. And my smile merely widened when the man got stiffly to his feet, thrust aside the sheeting and gestured vaguely to the heavens.

‘That whoreson comet’s brought naught but trouble to the world,’ he muttered. ‘I’ll be glad to see the back of that, too.’

NINE

Two days later, on a wet Monday afternoon, the Last Hope sailed into Gloucester.

The rain, as Darrett predicted, had begun the previous day – a very gloomy Sabbath. By the time we drifted up the narrowing river and past the tiny island that divides it, everyone on board was wet to the bone. Though it barely troubled captain and crew, who were accustomed to all weathers. Finally we struck sail and eased alongside the city quay, where men stood to catch the thrown ropes. A short while later I was stepping on to solid ground, relieved that this part of my adventure, at least, was ended. When I finally returned to Lydney, I resolved it would be on horseback.

But for now, there was work ahead – chiefly with regard to my prisoner, his hands bound tightly behind him, who was being escorted off the boat by Darrett’s crewmen. Having asked them to stay a moment, I quickly found a boy and paid him to fetch a constable. After he had scurried off, I turned to take farewell of the captain. As we shook hands, watched by curious onlookers, he jerked his head towards the sullen-faced Yakup.

‘I’m curious to know what you find out about him – if he ever speaks,’ he said. ‘I marvel at his boldness, to do what he did. Likely he meant to knock you out cold with the billet and heave you overboard. Come morning, who could say what had happened, you being a clumsy landsman and all? And no spring chicken either - I’ll wager he never expected you’d put up a fight.’

I gave him a wry smile. ‘True enough. I thank you most heartily - and I will seek you out when I return to Lydney. But for now, here’s the reckoning for my passage, with a little for the crew on top.’

I opened my purse and proffered the shillings, which Darrett took with a nod. As he turned to go back to his vessel, he paused. ‘See now, will you not need witnesses to what occurred? Or is the word of an ex-Justice enough?’

‘I believe it will be, in this case,’ I answered, after a moment’s thought. ‘Once he’s confessed who ordered him to put an end to my