The Stone of Destiny by Richard T. Ryan

Author:Richard T. Ryan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery, sherlock holmes novel, Crime, sherlock holmes fiction, british crime, sherlock holmes
ISBN: 9781787050846
Publisher: MX Publishing
Published: 2017-06-06T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23 – Clonakilty, Feb. 17

“I don’t know what’s to be done,” said Lyons. He was sitting with the men who had helped him steal the stone. The only one missing was Michael Collins, who had not been asked to attend.

“I think we have a stalemate,” said Santry. “They won’t give us our freedom, and we will most definitely not return the stone. However, I do see a glimmer of hope.”

“And what might that be?” asked O’Brien.

“There has been no news about the coronation,” replied Santry. “Surely, that bodes well for us. If they had the stone, I should think they would be announcing a date for King Edward to assume the throne. Without the stone, they find themselves waiting just as we are. And we have everything to gain.”

“And everything to lose,” interjected Lyons.

“How’s that?” asked O’Brien.

Lyons replied, “We have done all that we can do. From now on, we must be passive. At the same time, the British have hired Sherlock Holmes and possibly other agents in an effort to recover the stone.”

“We know that it’s well-hidden,” said Nesbitt, “and that’s a fact. The only way they can possibly find the stone is if one of us talks.”

“And that won’t happen,” said Santry. “We swore an oath when we joined the Brotherhood. Let us right now reaffirm that pledge that we will never betray our cause or reveal the hiding place of the stone.”

They all agreed and pledged their sacred honor to the cause and the secret.

“And that is why I stressed that we must be ever vigilant,” said Lyons. “Are there any strangers in town besides the sweep that Barnewell mentioned?”

“Yes,” said Santry. “There’s a fellow calls himself George Ward. He says he’s here looking for his people. He claims his mother was an O’Sullivan.”

“Do you believe his story?” asked Lyons.

“Well, I know he visited four O’Sullivan families today, so for the moment, I would say that he appears to be what he says he is.”

“And how about the sweep? What do we make of him?” asked Lyons.

“He cleaned my neighbor’s chimney,” said Nesbitt, “and they were quite satisfied with the work. I was thinking of hiring him myself.”

“Why don’t you do that,” said Lyons. “Be discreet, but see what you can find out about him. I don’t like it when there’s one outsider in Clonakilty, and the notion of two truly vexes me.”

“We’ll watch them,” said Santry, “but they may be exactly what they say they are. After all Denis, there was a time when you were a newcomer to our village.”

“True enough,” said Lyons, “but I didn’t show up in the weeks after one of the greatest robberies in the history of England – a robbery about which no one is talking – at least not publicly.”

“Well, we know what to do with such men,” said O’Brien. “Now, I’ve got to get on my way. I’ve a nice ride back to Cork and the comfort of my bed.”

“Best to the family,” said Lyons.

“I’ll be on my way as well,” said Nesbitt.

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