Part 6 (2/2)

Fulbright grudgingly had to admit that the man had a point. 'What do you suggest?'

'Let me make one attempt to capture it,' the Doctor offered. 'If that fails, then you can have a try at killing it.' He grinned. 'I'd let you have the first go, but your solution is a trifle more permanent than mine.'

Fulbright grunted. 'I'll consider it, Doctor,' he finally said. 'If you can come up with a scheme that sounds like it'll work, I'll go along with it.'

'More than fair,' the Doctor answered happily.

Perhaps he'd misjudged this fellow, after all. Fulbright had to concede that he hadn't been in the best of tempers the previous evening, and the chappie seemed to be pretty reasonable. 'Do you think you can help Sir Alexander with this mysterious death in the village?' he asked.

'I can but try,' the Doctor answered. 'I've some small acquaintance with matters of mystery.'

'And,' broke in Ross's voice, 'some contributions of your own to the cause of mystery. Your last name, for instance.'

Fulbright's brightening mood instantly started to cloud over once again. He hadn't even heard the man approaching.

'The Doctor is trying to help,' Fulbright pointed out. 'Which is more than you appear to be doing.'

Ross raised an eyebrow. 'I see. So my leading the hunt for that monster last night was no help at all?'

'I'm still not convinced that you've told us all that you know about that apparition,' Fulbright snapped. 'You have a secretive air about you.'

'And this Doctor doesn't?' asked Ross, mockingly. He turned to the stranger. 'You still haven't told us your last name.'

'No,' agreed the Doctor amiably. 'I haven't. And why are you here?'

'Counter-attack, eh?' Ross appeared to be amused. 'As a guest of Sir Edward's daughter and future son-in-law.'

The Doctor shook his head slowly. 'Oh, no. That's not it at all, Colonel. Sir Edward is perfectly correct there's something you know that you're not telling us.'

Ross smiled. 'I see. And you, of course, have been perfectly candid with everyone?'

The Doctor matched his smile. 'As much as I can be. Do you intend to take part in this autopsy today also?'

'Goodness me, no!' Ross shook his head. 'It all sounds very messy and quite disgusting. I had thought that my man Abercrombie and I would take a stroll on the moors.'

'Bird-watching?' asked Sir Edward acidly. 'Your man said he's no ornithologist.'

Ross didn't look at all embarra.s.sed. 'I doubt he could p.r.o.nounce the word. Actually, I had thought about collecting a few wild flowers.' He bowed to them both. 'If you'll excuse me?'

Fulbright watched the man leave, scowling. 'I don't trust him at all,' he admitted candidly. There was something about the Doctor, though, that made him seem to be trustworthy. And something about the way he dressed. Fulbright shuddered at the garish scarf and silly clothing. 'Do you intend to go along dressed like that?' he asked.

The Doctor appeared bemused, as though he'd never considered anything else. 'Why? Too flashy, you think?'

Fulbright snorted. 'Sir Alexander is rather . . . traditionally minded,' he commented. 'If you wish to make a good impression, you'd dress more conservatively.'

The Doctor looked confused. 'I'm afraid all of my luggage is stuck out on the moors right now.'

'Not a problem,' Fulbright a.s.sured him. 'You're about my size. I'm sure I can loan you a few items to tide you over.'

'Most generous,' the Doctor replied. 'I'd be very grateful.'

'This way, then.'

Sarah had polished off a plate of kippers and three cups of tea when the footman announced that the coach was ready. She felt much more prepared to face whatever the day would bring, and the news that she wouldn't be walking into the village cheered her even more. Saying goodbye to Alice, she followed the servant out of the large main doors. In front of the steps stood a landau, with a coachman already at the reins. Beside the carriage, chattering animatedly, stood the Doctor, Sir Edward and Sir Alexander. Sarah couldn't help smiling at the Doctor's appearance.

He'd put aside his normal attire for once, and actually looked rather das.h.i.+ng. He wore a chequered cape coat and a deerstalker hat. Sarah slipped up beside him. 'Didn't you get a pipe with that outfit?' she joked.

'It's in my pocket,' the Doctor replied gravely. 'Thankfully it isn't lit.'

'Ah, Miss Smith,' said the magistrate, bowing over her hand. He turned to Fulbright. 'Well, old man, it looks as though we're ready to go now.'

'You will all return for dinner, I trust?' asked Fulbright.

Sarah grinned. 'If it's half as good as breakfast, Sir Edward,' she a.s.sured him, 'wild horses couldn't keep me away.'

'Or wild hounds, either,' added the Doctor.

'Splendid.' Fulbright beamed at them both. 'Well, I mustn't keep you from your work. Good luck, all of you.'

Alice watched the carriage leave the driveway, smiling to herself. She was certain that she'd discovered a new friend in Sarah. She might be a trifle unusual, due to her nomadic lifestyle, but she was pleasant and personable, and Alice was glad of another woman her age about the house. It was nice to have men about, but she liked another woman to talk with.

She was about to move on from the window alcove she'd been observing the grounds from when she heard Edmund Ross's voice. She rather liked the young officer, whom Roger had known for several years, even though she knew her father was not so fond of the man. Before she could emerge to introduce herself into the conversation, however, she realized Ross was speaking to that strange little servant of his, Abercrombie.

'It's a shame that Sir Edward didn't go with the others, Abercrombie,' Ross commented. 'It would have made searching the house so much easier.'

Alice stopped still, shocked at what she had just heard. It would not be a wise move to show herself now, she decided.

Instead she waited, hoping to hear more.

'You want me to have a nose about?' asked Abercrombie.

'Yes,' replied Ross. 'And do try to be a little more circ.u.mspect. The maids have been noticing you, and not because of your debonair charms. I thought you were supposed to be the best burglar in the West End?'

'Yeah, but this ain't the West End,' Abercrombie complained. 'I'm doing my best.'

'I'm sure you are, but do better.' Ross paused a moment, then added, 'I'm going to search inside the house. If you see anything of value, you know how to contact me.'

Alice hardly dared breathe in case she was discovered. With relief, she heard the men move away from the alcove. She waited another couple of minutes, and then timidly peered around the corner. The corridor was empty; the men had gone.

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