Tom Derringer in the Tunnels of Terror by Lawrence Watt-Evans

Author:Lawrence Watt-Evans
Format: epub

Chapter Six

The Grand Chamberlain

The next morning we visited another dressmaker and a milliner, then frittered away the remainder of the morning in casual exploration of the city and in conversation with some of its inhabitants – pleasant enough, but in no way advancing our search for Mr. Trask.

Shortly before noon we found our way to Portsmouth Square again and quickly spotted our informant; he was standing near the bench where we had spoken, deep in conversation with an elderly Oriental gentleman in a faded black frock coat. We approached deliberately, and our man spotted us.

“Here’s the feller,” he said to his companion.

They both turned to face us, and the Chinaman bowed, in the fashion of his homeland. I essayed a small bow in return, then held out my hand.

“Tom Derringer,” I said. “I don’t think I thought to introduce myself yesterday.”

The Chinaman took my hand and bowed again. “I am called Ah How,” he said, in slightly accented English. I recognized the name as that of Emperor Norton’s so-called Grand Chamberlain. Before I could respond, he continued, “Derringer? Have I heard that name before?”

“It’s possible,” I admitted.

“I have, but it was not in reference to yourself,” he said, raising a hand. “Do you know a Jackie Derringer? An adventurer?”

“He was my father,” I said, startled.

“You say ‘was’?”

“He has been dead these thirteen years.”

“I am sorry to hear it. You are pursuing the same trade as he?”

“I am.” I realized that we had by this time exchanged several sentences, and he had asked me several questions, while I, who had come seeking information, had asked none. I started to open my mouth to inquire about Mr. Trask, but the other man spoke before I could.

“Satisfied, Mr. Derringer?”

“Absolutely, sir,” I said, as I drew forth the promised half-dollar. He closed his hand around it, tipped his hat, wished us a good day, and strolled away.

Ah How, Betsy, and I watched him go. When he was perhaps twenty feet away I turned back to Ah How, but before I had gathered my thoughts he asked, “Are you aware you are being followed?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I blinked, astonished. Then I said, “I am?”

“Yes. There are two of them – a man behind you to your right, in a string tie and flat-brimmed hat, and another to your left, in a red vest and dented bowler hat. I do not believe they can hear us, so if you do not look at them they will not realize they have been spotted.”

I kept my eyes focused on Ah How’s face while I considered his words and realized that I had seen individuals matching those descriptions more than once since arriving in the city, but had paid them no particular attention. “Interesting,” I said. “Have you any idea who they are, or why they might be watching me?”

“I have seen them before. The man in the string tie calls himself Smith, but I do not believe that is his real name. He can be hired for a variety of services, not all of them legal, and often works with adventurers.

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