The Casebook of Newbury & Hobbes by George Mann

Author:George Mann
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781781167434
Publisher: Titan
Published: 2013-08-05T22:39:00+00:00

THE SACRIFICIAL PAWN

LONDON, OCTOBER 1902

“Unhand me, you darned scoundrel!”

The familiar voice reverberated throughout the old manor house like the bark of a cornered dog. Sir Maurice Newbury looked up from where he slumped against the wall of his makeshift cell, and smiled.

Despite the circumstances, he was relieved to hear the voice of his old friend, Charles Bainbridge, to know that the chief inspector was still alive. He’d been worried that the people responsible for their capture might have proved less inclined to keep Bainbridge alive when they’d discovered he didn’t have what they were looking for. Thankfully, that seemed not to be the case. So far, at least.

Newbury heard boots thundering in the hallway on the other side of the door. There were at least three of them, he estimated, along with their uncooperative prisoner. Consequently, he decided it wasn’t the time to try to make a break for it, especially given his own rather beleaguered condition. He’d have to bide his time for a while longer.

The bolt grated in the lock, and then the door to the room was flung open and Bainbridge was shoved rudely inside.

“God damn you!” he exclaimed loudly, as he stumbled and caught himself on the edge of the fire surround, barely managing to keep himself upright. The door slammed shut behind him, allowing Newbury only the slightest glimpse of their black-robed captors.

Bainbridge glanced around warily, taking in his surroundings. His eyes fixed on Newbury, who remained slumped in the corner on the other side of the room. Bainbridge’s relief was immediately evident from the look on his face. “Newbury! Thank goodness you’re still alive!”

Newbury grinned, and then winced as the gesture set off a series of sharp pains in his head. He’d taken quite a beating as he’d tried to evade capture, and even after three days, he could barely move without being reminded of it. Then, of course, there were the further beatings he’d received twice daily ever since he’d been holed up in the room. “I see the rescue attempt is going exactly as planned, Charles?” he said, with a chuckle.

Bainbridge sighed and crossed the room to stand over him, limping ever so slightly as he walked. Newbury realised Bainbridge wasn’t carrying his cane. That meant yet another hope of escape was dashed. He must have lost it in the fight or had it confiscated by their captors.

Newbury glanced up at his old friend. Bainbridge looked as if he’d put up a good fight, which was entirely in keeping with what Newbury would have expected; Bainbridge wouldn’t have taken lightly to being set upon and bundled into a hansom in the dead of night. The front of his shirt was torn and he was sporting a bruised and swollen eyelid. Newbury felt a brief pang of remorse.

“I’m sorry, old chap. Miss Hobbes and I have been searching for you for days,” said Bainbridge. He sounded a little sheepish, and he unconsciously stroked his bushy moustache as he spoke; a nervous gesture Newbury had seen a hundred times before.

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