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

riding the mile or so to the quay in silence. On arrival, we found a trow moored up - but it was not the Lady Ann. Instead, I was surprised to encounter my one-time rescuer, glum-faced Captain Darrett, standing on the quayside with other men. At sight of us he stood aside, waited for Parry and I to dismount, then came forward.

‘I do hear you’ve been in a tussle, sir,’ he murmured. ‘Blood and thunder on the marshes, and men slain. Yet here you are again, and unharmed… a lucky man, I’ve decided.’

His greeting was warm enough, however, whereupon I made him and the sergeant known to each other. Seeing we were on business Darrett would have left us, until the name Spry was mentioned.

‘Well now,’ he said, ‘As to that, I fear you’re too late.’

‘How so?’ Parry asked at once.

‘Spry’s up and gone,’ came the reply. ‘Sailed two days ago in a hurry.’ His doleful look, that I recalled so well, was soon in place. ‘He had to make do with just one crewman, I heard… the others left him. Some dark business afoot… then, I never trusted the fellow.’ He paused, then: ‘What did you want him for? Was it that business of the Turk?’

But he received no answer. Parry and I exchanged looks: he had now lost the second man for whom he held a warrant. With a sigh, I glanced past the Captain to the other men on the quayside, and thought one or two of them looked familiar.

‘Not that I care much,’ Darrett went on. ‘Though I pity the foundrymen… Cricklepit’s been abandoned, did you know?’ And when we both turned to him: ‘They haven’t been paid for weeks, and now their master’s gone, they’re somewhat adrift.’

He gave a sigh, then: ‘I suppose there won’t be any cannons to ship for a while. Strange times, eh? I still say it’s due to that blasted star.’ He pointed at the heavens, as if the Great Comet were somehow visible in clear blue sky.

‘Do you know where Spry is gone?’ Parry asked, to which Darrett gave one of his shrugs.

‘From what I hear, he didn’t say. Likely he’ll head for Bristol, but who knows?’

‘Well, to blazes with him,’ I said, in a burst of anger. And yet, my disappointment was tinged with relief. There was no possibility of pursuing the errant Spry now, nor had I much desire for it. But Parry, I knew, thought differently.

‘See now, it’s only to be expected that the man would take flight,’ I told him. ‘He knew he was in peril if he stayed here. In time he may take a wrong step and be caught, yet just now you and I have more pressing business. Once my report is delivered, Justice March can decide what course to take.’ I nodded towards the knot of men, who were watching us with interest. ‘Do you see your informant there – Master Lowman? Perhaps it’s worth your speaking to him.’

A moment passed while Parry considered my words. In truth, I saw, he was close to despair. But he gave a nod and walked off towards the group. Darrett watched him go, then eyed me.

‘What became of the Turk – that villain Yakup?’ He asked. ‘Is he for the gallows?’

‘I believe so,’ I said, not wishing to pursue the topic. ‘But what of you? Are you for Worcester again soon?’

‘I might be,’ the captain answered. ‘I’ve a load of timber due…’ he paused, then bent closer. ‘I did hear talk, that there might be a different kind of cargo needs carrying upriver… somewhat more precious. Word gets round quick, you see… I had half a notion that’s what you came down here for today. In which case, Master Belstrang sir, I would have to refuse. With respect, that is.’

I met his eye, and understood. ‘You’re mistaken,’ I said. ‘The cargo you speak of will be taken on horseback, escorted by the sergeant and myself. Though in truth, I’d be glad to engage you for the task before I would any other man.’

To that Darrett nodded, with his habitually melancholy face. Soon after, he and I took our farewells for what could be the last time. Though I do harbour a notion I may see the Last Hope one day, moored beside the quay at Worcester.

I would not go aboard, however. I believe now that I’ll never view a Severn trow in the same way, ever again.

A short while later, Parry and I got ourselves mounted and took the road back to Lydney. The sergeant had spoken briefly with Master Lowman who, it transpired, had decided to forgo the promised promotion and come to the harbour to seek work, along with the other men. The foundry, now masterless, had indeed been abandoned, its furnace allowed to cool for the first time in years. There would be no cannons cast at Cricklepit for the foreseeable future - whatever their intended destination might have been.

It seemed fitting enough.

***

Early the next morning our party left Lydney, with a long day’s ride ahead back to Worcester.

There had been few farewells, nor were any villagers there to see us ride out. My feelings on leaving The Comfort were mainly of relief, tinged with a foreboding of what I might find when I at last got home to Thirldon. I had used the previous evening to finish my report for March, sparing no details save one: Tobias Russell, I said, had died in a deathly struggle with Sergeant Parry, who slew him in self-defence. That dealt with, I was most restless to depart.

Henry Hawes, having taken his fee, busied himself at once and left me to carry my bag out to the stable, where Leucippus was eager to be outdoors. The boy had him saddled and readied, whereupon I lost no time in leading him out