Edgar Allan Poe and the London Monster by Karen Lee Street

Author:Karen Lee Street
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pegasus Books

“Of course you must not go,” Dupin said.

“Indeed? And why is that?”

“Mrs. Fontaine is most assuredly a fraud.”

Dupin’s words irritated me, and I felt the need to defend the lady. “There are mysteries in this world that the most renowned Analyst cannot fathom. She knew your name—I did not introduce you.”

Dupin puffed air through his lips. “That is not a difficult trick. I am not the ghost you imagine me to be. My presence in London has been observed, of that I am certain. Your presumptions regarding the limitation of Analysts may be correct, but I am not wrong regarding the limitations of your medium. And so I must try to dissuade you from attending her theatrical.”

“I am afraid you cannot.”

“Not if I tell you that your Mrs. Fontaine must be in league against you with Mr. Mackie and others of dubious character?”

“Your accusations sound rather desperate. Mrs. Fontaine showed no acquaintance with Mr. Mackie and vice versa—and I cannot think what ‘others’ you mean.”

“The man I pursued from the Institute.”

“Did you apprehend him?” I asked.

“No.”

“Then I am confused, Dupin. Why do you suppose he was with Mrs. Fontaine? They did not sit together or leave together. What gentleman would allow a lady to make her own way home?”

“I doubt very much that he is a gentleman, and while they did not leave together, I am quite certain they arrived together. I observed them enter the theater simultaneously, but after a brief glance into each other’s eyes, they chose seats in different parts of the audience. There was an understanding.”

“What kind of an understanding?”

“That I do not as yet know.”

“Well then, surely we should attempt to ascertain more by attending the séance,” I said, pleased with my own show of ratiocination. “If Mrs. Fontaine is in collusion with the darkhaired man as you claim, then we have the opportunity to discover their motives. Or perhaps Mrs. Fontaine’s motives are pure, and I will indeed receive a message from my grandmother. One thing is certain, Dupin. The lady has information I need, be it gleaned from the dead or the living, and I intend to find out what it is.”

“I notice you say that ‘we’ should attend the séance,” said Dupin coldly.

“I would very much welcome your company,” I said. “And your protection.”

Dupin was silent for a moment, most dissatisfied with my pronouncement and not entirely persuaded by my flattery. “Very well,” he said at last. “You are quite right. We must on occasion risk all we hold dear to discover the truth. Let us attend tomorrow’s séance, but let us also remain vigilant. Now shall we return to Brown’s or would you like to speak further with your audience?”

A few clusters of people remained in the room chatting, but they seemed to have little interest in speaking with me. “I am more than ready to leave.”

“Then let us.” Dupin gestured toward the door, inviting me to precede him.

It did not take us long to find a coach, and we settled in for the journey back to Brown’s Genteel Inn.

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