The Alarming Career of Sir Richard Blackstone by Lisa Doan

Author:Lisa Doan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Published: 2017-03-30T04:00:00+00:00

Henry woke on a sofa in the laboratory. He lay on his stomach and his back stung as if he had rolled in a nettle patch. He cautiously reached around to feel for the barbs, but they were gone. A bright fire burned high, warming the room. On the floor next to him, Harold lay curled tight on a pile of blankets. Matilda lay next to the sick puppy, occasionally giving his ear a lick for good measure.

“Ah,” Sir Richard said. “You are awake.” He held a tray in front of Henry. Five barbs, each a half-foot long, were lined up in a row. “Just as well that Bertram and I removed them while you were out cold,” he said. “We had to dig them out. I’m sorry to say you’ll have some scars from it.”

Henry wiggled his toes, then sighed with relief. Nobody had removed his shoes while he was unconscious. His secret was safe.

Mrs. Splunket bustled in, seeming recovered from her recent shock. “I see the patient is awake,” she said brightly. “Sir Richard, I will take it from here. I’ve already set Bertram up with a generous cup of brandy and I suggest you sip the same.” She helped Henry sit up and held a bowl of bone broth to his lips. “There now, we’ll build up your strength in no time. Who’d have thought these devil highwaymen are out there inventin’ new weapons? I never saw the likes of them,” she said, glancing at the barbs on the tray.

Sir Richard cleared his throat and said, “Yes, indeed. The criminal element never rests.”

“The puppy?” Henry asked, peering down at Harold. “Will he live?”

Harold had woken from the noise and stretched out. Matilda snuggled next to him.

“I believe so. He is weak, no question. But he was strong to begin, so I think we might be confident in his recovery. Matilda instinctively knows to keep him warm by staying near him, which is kindhearted of her. She was the runt and so would have been picked on and bullied by the other puppies, including Harold. If he is alive by morning, he can thank Matilda for it, and I daresay we could tell the duchess he has been found.”

“’Tis just a shame that a person who would need an extra ten pounds of reward money didn’t stumble across him,” Mrs. Splunket noted.

“Ah, but that’s exactly how it was,” Sir Richard said. “It was Henry, not I, who found the rascal. Harold would have succumbed to the elements if Henry hadn’t spotted him lying at the base of tree.”

Mrs. Splunket looked pleased. Henry was stunned. Ten pounds? His wages were only six pounds a year. “But, sir—”

“Nonsense, Henry. We won’t say another word about it,” Sir Richard said in a firm tone.

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