Bernard Cornwell by Gallows Thief

Author:Gallows Thief
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-02-05T16:20:47+00:00

“I did not expect such kindness from Lord Robin,” Sandman said dryly.

“Every member of the Seraphim contributed,” the Marquess said, “and my friend Robin collated the funds. It is, of course, a gift, not a bribe.”

“A gift?” Sandman repeated the words bitterly. “Not a bribe?”

“Of course it’s not a bribe,” Skavadale said sternly. “Indeed not.” He stood and went to the window, where he watched the beer barrels being rolled down planks from the dray’s bed, then he turned and smiled. “I am offended, Captain Sandman, when I see a gentleman reduced to penury. Such a thing goes against the natural order, wouldn’t you say? And when that gentleman is an officer who has fought gallantly for his country, then the offense is all the greater. I told you that the Seraphim Club is composed of men who attempt to excel, who celebrate the higher achievements. What else are angels but beings that do good? So we should like to see you and your family restored to your proper place in society. That is all.” He shrugged as though the gesture was really very small.

Sandman wanted to believe him. Lord Skavadale had sounded so reasonable and calm, as though this transaction was something very ordinary. Yet Sandman knew better. “You’re offering me charity,” he said.

Lord Skavadale shook his head. “Merely a correction of blind fate, Captain.”

“And if I allow my fate to be corrected,” Sandman asked, “what would you want in return?” Lord Skavadale looked offended, as though it had not even occurred to him that Sandman might perform some small service in return for being given a small fortune. “I should only expect, Captain,” he spoke stiffly, “that you would behave like a gentleman.”

Sandman glanced at Lord Robin Holloway, who had not spoken. “I trust,” Sandman said frostily, “that I always behave thus.”

“Then you will know, Captain,” Skavadale said pointedly, “that gentlemen do not perform paid employment.” Sandman said nothing.

Lord Skavadale bridled slightly at Sandman’s silence. “So naturally, Captain, in return for accepting that draft, you will resign any paid offices that you might enjoy.”

Sandman looked down at the small fortune. “So I write to the Home Secretary and resign as his Investigator?”

“It would surely be the gentlemanly thing to do,” Skavadale observed.

“How gentlemanly is it,” Sandman asked, “to let an innocent man hang?”

“Is he innocent?” Lord Skavadale inquired. “You told the Sergeant you would bring proof from the countryside, and did you?” He waited, but it was plain from Sandman’s face that there was no proof. Lord Skavadale shrugged as if to suggest that Sandman might just as well abandon a hopeless hunt and accept the money.

And Sandman was tempted, he was so very tempted, but he was also ashamed of that temptation and so he nerved himself and then tore the draft into shreds. He saw Lord Skavadale blink with surprise when he made the first rip, and then his lordship looked furious and Sandman felt a pulse of fear. It was not fear of Lord Skavadale’s anger, but for his own future and for the enormity of the fortune he was rejecting.

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