Part 60 (1/2)
Matthew nodded. ”Oh... have you finished your examination of Linch's body?”
”I have. I calculate from the thickness of blood that he had been dead some five to seven hours before discovery. His throat wound was the most glaring, but he was also stabbed twice in the back. It was a downward thrust, both stabs piercing his lung on the right side.”
”So he was stabbed by someone standing behind and over him?”
”It would appear so. Then I believe his head was pulled backward and the throat wound administered.”
”He must have been sitting at his desk, ” Matthew said. ”Talking to whoever killed him. Then, when he lay dying on the floor, the slash marks were applied.”
”Yes, by Satan's claws. Or by the claws of some unknown demon.”
Matthew was not going to argue the matter with Dr. s.h.i.+elds. Instead, he changed the subject. ”And what of Mr. Bidwell? Has he recovered?”
”Sadly, no. He sits at the tavern with Winston as we speak, getting drunker than I've ever seen him. I can't blame him. Everything is crumbling around him, and with more witches yet to be identified... the town will soon be empty. I slept last night-the little I did sleep-with a Bible at both ends of my bed and a dagger in my hand.”
Matthew's thought was that s.h.i.+elds could use a lancet with far deadlier effect than a dagger. ”You needn't fear. The damage has been done, and there's no need for the fox now to do anything but wait.”
”The fox? Satan, you mean?”
”I mean what I said. Pardon me, doctor. I have some things to tend to.”
”Certainly. I shall see you later this evening.”
Matthew retired to his room. He drank a cup of water and picked up the ebony-wood compa.s.s he'd found in Paine's house early this morning. It was a splendid instrument, the size of his palm, with a blued steel needle on a printed paper card indicating the degrees of direction. He'd realized the compa.s.s was a prime example of the process of magnetism, the needle having been magnetized-by a method he didn't fully understand-so as to point north.
Matthew had made other discoveries in Paine's bloodless house, not including the body-sized area of floorboards that had been pulled up and then hastily laid down again underneath the pallet. A brown cotton bag with a shoulder strap served to hold his other finds: a knife with a seven-inch-long blade and an ivory handle; a buckskin bladesheath and waistbelt; and a pair of knee-high boots that could be made useable by an inch of padding at the toes. He also found Paine's pistol and the wheel-lock spanner, but as he knew absolutely nothing about loading, preparing, and firing the temperamental weapon, its use would probably result in his shooting himself in the head.
Matthew had much to do, now that he'd decided.
Near midday, his decision-which up until that point had been wavering-was made solid. He had walked to the execution field and actually gone fight up to the pyre and the stake. He'd stood there imagining the horror of it, yet his imagination was not so deranged as to permit him a full and complete picture. He could not save Fount Royal, but at least he might cheat the fox of Rachel's life.
It was possible, and he was going to do it.
He had been on his way to the gaol, to inform Rachel, when his steps had slowed. Of course she needed to know beforehand... or did she? If his resolve failed tonight, should she be waiting in the dark for a champion who never arrived? If he tried with all his intelligence and might and could not get the key from Green, should Rachel be waiting, hopeful of freedom?
No. He would spare her that torment. He had turned away from the gaol, long before he'd reached its door.
Now, in his room, Matthew sat down in his chair with the doc.u.ment box. He opened it and arranged before him three clean sheets of paper, a quill, and the inkpot.
He spent a moment arranging his thoughts as well. Then he began writing.
Dear Isaac: By now you have discovered that I have taken Rachel from the gaol. I regret any distress this action may cause you, but I have done such because I know her to be innocent yet I cannot offer proof.
It is my knowledge that Rachel has been the p.a.w.n in a scheme designed to destroy Fount Royal. This was done by a manipulation of the mind called ”animal magnetism” which I understand will be as much of a puzzle to you as it was to me. Fount Royal's ratcatcher was not who he appeared to be, but indeed was a master at this process of manipulation. He had the ability to paint pictures in the air, as it were. Pictures that would seem to be true to life, except for the lack of several important details such as I have pointed out in our conversations. Alas, I have no proof of this. I learned Linch's true ident.i.ty from Mr. David Smythe, of the Red Bull Players, who knew him from a- Matthew stopped. This sounded like utter madness! What was the magistrate going to think when he read these ramblings! Go on he told himself. Just go on.
-circus in England several years ago; I do not wish to ramble any further and alarm you. Suffice it to say I was devastated when Mr. Smythe and the players left town, as he was my last hope at proving Rachel guiltless.
I have a great concern for the safety of Mr. Bidwell. The person who murdered Linch did so before that true ident.i.ty could be revealed. That same person has been behind the scheme to destroy Fount Royal all along. I believe I know the reason, but as I have no proof it matters not. Now about Mr. Bidwell's safety: if Fount Royal is not soon totally abandoned, Mr. Bidwell's life may be in jeopardy. To save himself, he may have to leave his creation. I am sorry to pa.s.s this news on, but it is vital that Mr. Winston remain at Mr. Bidwell's side day and night. I do trust Mr. Winston.
Please believe me, sir, when I tell you I am neither out of my mind nor bewitched. However, I cannot and will not bear to see justice so brutally raped. I am taking Rachel to the Florida country, where she might proclaim herself a runaway slave or English captive and thereby receive sanctuary by the Spanish.
Yes, I can hear your bellow, sir. Please calm yourself and let me explain. I plan on returning. When, I do not know. What will happen to me when I do return, I do not know either. It will be your judgment, and I bow before your mercy. At the same time, I would hope that Mr. Smythe might be found and encouraged to speak, as he will make everything clear to you. And, sir, this is very important: make certain you ask Mr. Smythe to explain why his family left the circus. You will understand much.
As I said, I do plan on returning. I am an English subject, and I do not wish to give up that privilege.
Matthew paused. He had to think about the next part.
Sir, if by some chance or the decision of G.o.d that I should not return, I wish to here and now thank you for your intercession in my life. I wish to thank you for your lessons, your labors, and- Go on, he told himself.
-your love. Perhaps you did not come to the almshouse that day in search of a son. Nevertheless, you found one.
Or, more accurately, sir, you crafted one. I would like to think that I made as good a son as Thomas might have been. You see, sir, you have been a magnificent success at crafting a human being, if I may speak so grandly of myself. You have given me what I consider to be the greatest gifts: that of self-worth and a knowledge of the worth of others.
It is because I understand such worth that I choose to free Rachel from her prison and her unjust fate. No one has made this decision but myself. When I go to the gaol tonight to free her, she will be unaware of my intentions.
There is no way you could have known that Rachel was not guilty. You have steadfastly followed the rules and tenets of law as outlined for cases of this nature. Therefore you came to the only conclusion available to you, and performed the necessary action. In doing what I have done this night, I have put on my own iron cloak and performed the only action available to me.
I suppose that is everything I need to say. I will close by saying that I wish you good health, a long life, and excellent fortunes, sir. I intend to see you again, at some future date. Again, please attend to Mr. Bidwell's safety.
I remain Sincerely Your Servant, Matthew- He was about to sign his last name, but instead he made one final dot.
Matthew.
Folding the pages carefully, he slid them into an envelope he'd taken from the desk in Bidwell's study. He wrote on the front of the envelope To Magistrate Woodward, then he lit a candle and sealed the letter with a few drops of white wax.
It was done.
The evening crept up, as evenings will. In the fading purple twilight, with the last bold artist's stroke of red sun painting the bellies of clouds across the western horizon, Matthew took a lantern and went walking.
Though his pace was leisurely, he had a purpose other than taking in a sunset view of the dying town. He had at dinner inquired of Mrs. Nettles where Hannibal Green lived, and had been directed to it by a single clipped and disapproving sentence. The small whitewashed house stood on Industry Street, very near the intersection and the fount. Thankfully it wasn't as far down the street as Jerusalem's firelit camp, from which hollering and shrill lamentations issued forth to hold back the devils of night. To the right of Green's house was a neatly arranged garden of flowers and herbs, indicating either that the giant gaol-keeper was a man of varied interests or he was graced with a wife who had-yes, it was true-a green thumb.
The shutters were cracked open only a few inches. Yellow lamplight could be seen within. Matthew had noticed that the shutters of most of the still-occupied houses were closed, presumably on this warm evening to guard against the invasion of those same demons Reverend Jerusalem currently flailed. The streets were all but deserted, save for a few wandering dogs and the occasional figure hurrying from here to there. Matthew also couldn't fail to note the alarming number of wagons that were packed with furniture, household goods, baskets, and the like, in preparation for a sunrise departure. He wondered how many families would lie on bare floors tonight, restless until the dawn.
Matthew stood in the middle of Industry Street and looked from Green's house toward Bidwell's mansion, studying the windows that could be seen from this perspective. Then, satisfied with his findings, he walked back the way he'd come.
Winston and Bidwell were in the parlor when he arrived, the former reading over figures in a ledgerbook while the latter slumped gray-faced in a chair, his eyes closed and an empty bottle on the floor beside him. Matthew approached with the intention to ask how Bidwell was feeling but Winston lifted a hand in warning, his expression telling Matthew that the master of Fount Royal would not be pleased to awaken and set eyes upon him. Matthew retreated and quietly climbed the stairs.
When he entered his room, he found on his dresser a package wrapped in white waxed paper. Opening it he discovered a loaf of dense dark bread, a fist-sized chunk of dried beef, a dozen slices of salted ham, and four sausages. Matthew saw also that on his bed lay three candles, a package of matches and a flint, a corked gla.s.s bottle filled with water, and-lo and behold-a coil of cat-gut line with a small lead ballweight and a hook already tied, a small bit of cork pressed onto the sharp point. Mrs. Nettles had done all she could; it was up to him to find the stick.
Later that night, Dr. s.h.i.+elds arrived to give the magistrate his third dose. Matthew remained in his room, lying on the bed with his gaze directed to the ceiling. Perhaps an hour after that, the sound of Bidwell's intoxicated raging came up the stairs along with the sound of his footsteps and those of the person-two persons, it sounded to be-a.s.sisting him. Matthew heard Rachel's name hurled like a curse, and G.o.d's name taken in vain. Bidwell's voice gradually quieted, until at last it faded to nothing.
The house slept, fitfully, on this execution eve.
Matthew waited. Finally, when there were no more noises for a long while and his inner clock sensed the midnight hour had been pa.s.sed, Matthew drew a breath, exhaled it, and stood up.
He was terrified, but he was ready.