The Body Thief by Stephen M. Giles

Author:Stephen M. Giles
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2010-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

13

Discovery

Dark clouds hung low over Sommerset, and it rained for the next three days. As a result, the children were largely confined to the house, unable to play in the gardens or ride the horses. Milo felt like he was going mad as he walked through the rooms of Sommerset House, longing to be outside so he could continue his investigation into Uncle Silas. Adele spent nearly all of the time bunkered down in the library occupied by her own troubles. And as for Isabella, she busied herself by barking orders at Hannah Spoon and doing just about anything to gain her uncle’s approval.

This proved to be difficult as Silas had taken to his bed with a fever and severe chest pains. The slow passing days at Sommerset came to an end one morning when the sun finally broke through the clouds. Isabella and Milo had a quick breakfast before heading outside. Only Adele remained at the breakfast table playing idly with a piece of toast.

Ever since her secret meeting with Silas in the library she had been lost in a fog of confusion. She truly hated herself for agreeing to become her uncle’s spy—yet what choice did she have? It was either betraying her cousins or risk being sent to Ratchet’s House for the next ten years.

Mrs. Hammer noticed Adele’s sullen mood. Putting down a silver tray stacked with breakfast bowls, she pulled up a chair at the breakfast table.

“Is everything all right, Miss Adele?”

Adele looked closely at the housekeeper. She had kind eyes, yet Adele could not get the eerie image of the cloaked figure from her mind. Who was it? And why were Mrs. Hammer and Bingle hiding the stranger away?

“Everything is fine, Mrs. Hammer,” said Adele. “Honestly.”

Mrs. Hammer smiled, but she did not seem entirely convinced. “Well, if you’re sure.”

Later, as Adele was leaving the breakfast room, she heard one of the serving maids whisperingly anxiously to Mrs. Hammer. What was so urgent? Adele wondered. She dropped down on one knee, pretending to tie up her shoelaces and heard the maid say something about a set of ivory dessert spoons.

“Oh, mercy!” responded Mrs. Hammer, clutching her chest. “Are you sure they’re gone—have you looked everywhere?”

“We have, Mrs. Hammer,” said the maid anxiously. “And that’s not all. Last night after dinner the silverware count was out by five pieces, and this morning one of the butlers reported a set of porcelain figures missing from the music room.”

Grabbing the serving maid by the arm, Mrs. Hammer led her away from the door. “Do not repeat a word of this,” she whispered. “If there is a thief working among us, then I intend to find the guilty party before Mr. Winterbottom ever hears a word of it. Is that clear?”

She nodded. “I won’t say a word, Mrs. Hammer.”

While the two servants hastily cleared the breakfast table, Adele slipped away unnoticed and headed straight for Isabella’s bedroom.

***

Staring into the darkness, her eyes roamed the area under her cousin’s bed. Nothing there apart from a few hair ribbons—certainly no sign of silverware or porcelain figures.

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