Death's Long Shadow: An intriguing 18th century murder investigation... by R. M. Cullen

Author:R. M. Cullen [Cullen, R. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2025-06-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Sheridan was spending the evening at the club. George Hanger had arranged to meet him in the Subscription Room. There was little either could report on Dr Cardonnet. Sheridan assured the equerry that he had plans afoot but they would take a little time to organise and rehearse. He did not tell him about the disconcerting encounter with the mesmerist in his office. Whether something had occurred or not he was uncertain himself, so why trouble the major? Had he been subjected to artificial somnambulism? He was no longer sure. He had not slept the night previous, and perhaps he merely nodded off momentarily whilst Cardonnet discussed some aspect of his act, or ‘demonstration’, as he preferred it to be known. Only that one word — tiger — continued to nag at him. What the devil did that mean? Dr Cardonnet had perhaps said something else entirely in his heavy French accent. ‘You are tired, Monsieur Sheridan.’ The ears could play tricks on one. ‘Look, ahh, you see.’ Or ‘Look after Lucy.’ Well, there was a Lucy after all. But no tiger.

Major Hanger’s informants, it transpired, had followed Cardonnet from one fashionable salon to another. Clearly the mesmerist’s clientele was growing, but he seemed to favour no particular political colour. The government’s spy, Mrs Elliot, reporting from Paris, believed that the doctor had close connections to both Monsieurs Danton and Desmoulins of the Jacobins, but on the other hand he was vociferously despised by Monsieur Robespierre and his cronies.

‘One other nugget of note…’ Hanger leant in closely. ‘Cardonnet was earlier a protégé of the Marquis de Thiers-Auberet.’

Sheridan raised an eyebrow.

‘Yes. That has been something of interest.’ Hanger poured another glass of port. ‘It seems that Dr Cardonnet grew up on one of the marquis’ estates and, being an exceptionally bright boy, was sent for medical training. Apparently, the marquis had hopes that young Cardonnet might use his talents in the treatment and cure of the pox, particularly after his son and heir’s condition became apparent. Cardonnet has specialised in sexual therapies but at some stage became a devotee of Joseph Mesmer. That was not quite the object of the marquis’ investment and the rumours are that they had a falling out. Without stipend Cardonnet has been forced to live on his own wits, and being a widower with a young daughter, he appears to have opted for the exhibitionist career we now behold.’

‘Together with the rather lucrative spoils of blackmail, Major?’

Hanger snorted. ‘True — our little problem may be no more than that after all, and we have been chasing our tails all along.’ He grinned and, clicking his fingers, signalled for another bottle of port.

The two men enjoyed a half hour of court tittle-tattle before Hanger was tempted away to a gaming table. Sheridan could not keep still and roamed from room to room, presenting a cheerful aspect but avoiding conversation where he could. Now that his meeting with Major Hanger was concluded, his mind was free to

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