Chocolate House Treason by David Fairer

Author:David Fairer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2019-07-19T00:00:00+00:00

*

‘The man is a hero!’ declared Tom as they emerged from the filthy wards of the Common Side back into the prison lodge. ‘Such courage and good humour – and thoughtfulness too. We must succeed, Will. We cannot let him go to his death! It’s too terrible.’

‘And what a death-in-life he’s already enduring! How does he keep up his spirits? Before today, Newgate was just a grim idea to me – but the reality is insupportable.’

Both of them were taking deep breaths, as if they had just risen to the surface of some noxious pool.

‘We brought him a little cheer I think,’ said Will, ‘and we’ve learned something important too.’

‘Yes, the connection with Maynwaring is stronger. The links run from Buller to Voyce, to him…’

‘And up to the Duchess,’ said Will solemnly.

‘And when you add Hopkins and Sunderland… Altogether it’s a formidable Junto corporation, strong enough to crush anyone who gets in their way.’

The two of them stood and looked at each other. It was Will who posed the inevitable question:

‘So, are we thinking it’s a political murder? To put it simply… a Whig plot?…’

He said it tentatively, almost nervously.

‘… Or a deed arranged by a devoted agent?’

‘Who will rid me of this turbulent priest? said Tom. ‘Yes, that’s a possibility… Emmet and Morphew skewered on a single spear!… But are we really in that Machiavellian world?’

‘Well, policy always rules in matters of State. Remember that somewhere, in this very prison…’

‘Ah yes – William Greg of course! I had forgotten him.’

‘Being kept alive in the condemned cell, only to face the hardest possible temptation; offered the gift of liberty, of a pension, his family, and his life – the greatest gift of all. A simple signature may be all that is required of him. It’s a kind of torture… Now that’s policy for you!’

A few minutes later a glass of Mrs Spurling’s citron cordial was helping suppress the nausea of the place, and Will was taking the opportunity to chat with the Deputy Keeper about his most notorious prisoner. It appeared the traitor was being kept in a more secluded part of the gaol, away from the other prisoners.

‘There’s certainly comings and goings, I have to say. Everything is on hold with Mr Greg at the moment… but the matter is out of my hands. I simply act on the Keeper’s directions.’

Will was informal and entirely at ease. He smiled and took a sip of the cordial.

‘Could you tell us who has been visiting him?’

Mr Chandler looked at Will as if he were a schoolboy who had just asked after the headmaster’s wife.

‘That Sir, to put it as politely as I can, is none of your… business…’

The man made a pause before the final word – whether from hesitation or delicacy it was impossible to say.

‘… It’s a Ministry matter, and I know nothing of such things.’

‘I ask no names, Sir,’ said Will, who was now turning a florin deftly in his fingers, and playing with it nonchalantly. ‘The merest hint…’

The man gave him a conspiratorial twinkle.

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