The Witching Pool: A Justice Belstrang Mystery (Justice Belstrang Mysteries Book 2) by John Pilkington (love letters to the dead .TXT) 📗

him. The way my mind was working, I might have resorted to force, which is why I decided to take Childers with me.

‘Once again,’ I told him that evening, ‘you will be my witness, as will Lockyer. We will be armed, but must draw no weapons. Leave the questioning to me. I mean to go early in the morning, and catch him unawares.’

He barely nodded; Jane’s testimony that day had affected him deeply. ‘And should you get some admission from Humphreys, what do you intend?’ He asked. ‘To take him by force?’

‘I’m uncertain,’ I admitted. ‘In truth, my powers are no different from those of any gentleman. But I believe I have right on my side. Let’s see what the day brings, shall we?’

Whereupon we parted, with my doing my best to appear calm and resolved. Yet I was in turmoil, and beset by doubt.

***

The day dawned fair, as the three of us got mounted and rode out of Thirldon. Hester was at the doors to see us leave; she was subdued, and had said little. Though she urged restraint on my part, she knew it was futile: she had always recognised my anger.

The way down to Powick was quiet, with few people about. I rode in front with Childers, the two of us wearing swords and poniards. Lockyer brought up the rear, armed with a dagger and an oak billet tied to his saddle. I had told him only as much as I needed to: that I intended to interrogate Humphreys for a suspected crime. He had taken in the news without expression, which caused me some disquiet: how much the Thirldon servants knew or speculated about our young guests, I did not know.

We clattered over the Teme bridge, and villagers stopped to observe us: an armed party, sober-faced and determined. In truth I felt like Justice Belstrang again, a magistrate with powers; whether Abel Humphreys would see it that way was a different matter. Yet matters would fall out, one way or another; and since the journey thereafter was quite short, it would be soon enough.

The farmyard was exactly as I had seen it last: untidy and deserted. Though the barn door was closed, and there was no-one watching. We rode up in a body, drew rein before the house and sat our horses in silence. But this time, nobody emerged.

A minute or more passed, and still all was quiet. Finally I dismounted, telling the others to do the same. Lockyer held the horses while Childers stood apart. Summoning my best authority, I strode to the house and knocked on the door.

At first there was no answer, though I fancied I heard sounds from within. Then came the scrape of a bolt being drawn, and at last the door opened - to reveal Mistress Humphreys in her black frock, gazing sightlessly past me.

‘My husband’s not here,’ she snapped.

‘It’s Robert Belstrang, mistress,’ I said, perhaps too loudly. ‘Formerly Justice Belstrang. I was here ten days ago-’

‘I remember,’ came the terse reply. ‘I may be blind, but I’m not a fool.’

‘Then perhaps you’ll tell me where he is.’

‘I cannot.’

I paused, thinking on my next move, which irritated the woman. ‘There’s nothing for you here,’ she said harshly – then she stiffened, as did I: there was a noise from within the house, as of a door closing. At once, I turned about.

‘The rear!’ I called to Childers. ‘He’s trying to flee.’

It was Lockyer who responded. Dropping the horses’ reins, he moved quickly to the side of the house where there was a fence and, beyond that, an open paddock. Vaulting the bars with an alacrity that surprised me, he disappeared from sight. Meanwhile, Childers came forward to stand beside me.

‘Will you accompany Mistress Humphreys inside?’ I asked him. ‘I fear she’s not been entirely truthful with me.’

At that, the woman caught her breath and would have spoken – then she felt my hand on my arm, and went rigid.

‘With your permission, madam,’ I said, bending close. ‘My servant is a gentleman… will you let him attend you?’

Leaving the two of them, I turned and made haste to follow Lockyer. I was unsure what to expect, but in the end the chase, if one could call it such, was short-lived. No sooner had I rounded the side of the farmhouse than the stout figure of Humphreys appeared, red-faced and out of breath, being marched forward by my servant.

‘It’s a while since I ran anywhere, Master Justice,’ Lockyer said, breathing hard. ‘But there was small need.’ With a jerk of his head, he indicated his captive. ‘The poor man is spent already.’

I waited until they were at the fence, noting with satisfaction that, this time, Humphreys’ grin was noticeable by its absence. Panting, his thick tongue hanging loose, he regarded me with a mixture of fear and anger.

‘Will you climb over?’ I invited, placing a hand on my sword-hilt. ‘Then we can enter your house by the main door. I’m eager to avail myself of your hospitality again.’

For a moment, it looked as if he would try to break free, but Lockyer was ready. Tightening his grip so that the man flinched, he spoke in his ear. ‘You heard my master. Can you do it alone, or do you need my help?’

With a savage look, Humphreys put a hand on the top rail and prepared to get his portly frame over it.

***

The interrogation began badly.

‘You have no right,’ Humphreys protested, more than once. ‘You’re not a Justice, nor any officer of the law. I could charge you with trespass and affray, and more besides. I want you out of my house!’

‘Believe me, nothing would give me more pleasure,’ I told him, in my best magisterial tone. ‘But let’s have a talk first, shall we?’

He was about to reply, but