The Light Beneath the Cauldron by European P. Douglas

Author:European P. Douglas [Douglas, European P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, murder, thriller
Publisher: Ghost Creative
Published: 2019-02-24T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

When the eyes opened, he knew at once it was different this time. The walls stayed where they had been built, the darkness of the room did not oppress and the flickering fire did not reveal the face of some leering demon as before. He felt warm and damp and felt the weight of a blanket on his chest. He looked around unsure where he was and then a familiar voice said,

“Lazarus is risen!” followed by a laugh. Lord Muc turned his head behind him and saw Mullins sitting at the table eating a sandwich.

“What am I doing here?” Muc asked.

“You don’t remember?” Muc shook his head. “Seems you got some poison inside you somehow.”

“Poison? What poison?”

“The poison of kings,” Mullins laughed, “Only fitting for a Lord such as yourself!”

“What are you blathering on about,” Muc said testily as he sat up. His body felt stiff and strained as though he was in need of his joints being greased.

“Arsenic is what the doctor said it was.”

“Arsenic,” Muc repeated, his mind instantly going to the idea it had been deliberate. Mullins nodded,

“The doctor also said you took it like a little bit of a woman,” he laughed again.

“What are you laughing so much about?” Muc said glaring at him now.

“Sorry, Muc,” Mullins said holding up a hand in apology, “I’m just glad to see you awake. It wasn’t looking good for a long time there.”

“How long have I been out?”

“Well, you haven't been what I would call awake in over a week.”

“A week! Jaysus!” Mullins nodded. “Do you know who did this?” Muc asked.

“No, do you?”

“I have an idea.”

“You were drinking in the cabin when you got sick; the doctor says it can't have been given to you too long before you keeled over.”

“In the whiskey no doubt,” Muc mused, “That’s the trouble when it’s so poor it tastes different every time you drink it.”

“Who do you think it was?” Mullins asked. Muc didn’t answer, didn’t know if he should tell what he knew or suspected or keep it all to himself. It was probably time to come clean, but he did not feel the time was right. He could sort this out; avenge himself and stop everything that was going on all in one go once he had his strength back.

“Never mind,” he said finally, “Best we keep the fact that I’m up and about to ourselves for now, though, eh? It will be easier to get to them if they think I’m still asleep here.” Mullins nodded; he seemed to know there was no point in asking for any more detail from Muc.

“You must be hungry?” Mullins asked.

“I don’t feel it yet but I’m sure I must be,” Muc agreed.

“I’ll make up one of these,” Mullins said holding his sandwich up and getting up to go to the kitchen.

“Appreciated,” Muc said. “Did I miss anything exciting?” he asked when Mullins was making the food up.

“The new Alderman was appointed.”

“Who is he?”

“Someone called Aldershot, I never heard of him.”

“The name’s not familiar to me either,” Muc said.

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