Sgt. Janus, Spirit-Breaker by Jim Beard

Author:Jim Beard [Beard, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Horror
ISBN: 9780615645605
Google: LWJXLwEACAAJ
Amazon: 0615645607
Goodreads: 14739574
Publisher: Flinch Books
Published: 2020-05-01T05:00:00+00:00

We all looked at each other once our host had finished his tale and then again at him. Confusion reigned; it was evident on everyone’s faces.

“Well,” I ventured. “On that quite cheery little note, I think I shall be off to sweet slumber and pleasant dreams!” And with that I stood up and prepared to make my exit.

Shell nodded and wiping his mouth and taking one last swig of the fruit of the vine, bowed humbly and mumbled his bonsoir. Arturo rolled his eyes and, mumbling to himself in Italian, stalked away from the table. That left only Janus, Corkworth and his secretary and Tristan LaPlante. Tristy stared solemnly at old Berty for quite a long moment, but then he too ascended to his bed.

Amazingly, Corkworth walked off with Janus, beckoning Fetters to follow. Yes, I wondered at that. I had suspected for a goodly amount of time that our rotund friend was, well, conspiring with our host somehow…oh, if I must say consulting, then I must, though I don’t care much for it. Something altogether untoward was going on between them and it sat poorly with me. Rumor was that Corkworth owed his considerable fortune to the advice of Janus, although in what fashion, I cannot say for certain. Was the good sergeant raising the freshly and filthy rich dead to whisper investment advice in Corkworth’s ear? The mind boggles!

The very thought hurt my head. My own business struggled while…ah well. If wishes were fishes and all that rot. I shan’t wish to sound so soundly rum, you know. And petty. I am many, many things – and have been called a few things, too – but I will not stand for being called petty. I observed Corkworth lean into Janus as they walked away and gesticulate as he regaled the man with heaven-knows-what sort of sallies and rejoinders. Let them keep their own council, said I. The man could afford to be an ass, I suppose.

Shrugging off the dire tale with which we were saddled and the annoying habits and confidences of Monsieur Corkworth, Esq., I made my way upstairs. Now, I am a wonderful guest and observe all the decorum that one should as a guest in another’s home, but, I will admit to partaking of the particularly heady pleasures of traipsing around Janus House at night.

The house itself is a most singular structure, perhaps the most unique dwelling in the world. They say the sprawling mansion was not design and constructed as one unit, but actually assembled from several other houses. One can truly appreciate such gossip when one gazes at Janus House’s façade; eclectic and varied, there are no two stretches of it that are similar. Bless me, it is the most wondrous of mansions, I dare say. To walk its halls and corridors and rooms is to fancy yourself a Cook or a Columbus – but beware! Here there be dragons!

That evening I loped through the great house, taking in its nooks and crannies, its parlors and galleries.

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