Part 18 (1/2)

'There had better not be,' Doyle commented, closing his notepad with a snap and sliding it back into his pocket. 'I would hate to have to report further infractions.' Then he strode to the door, forcing Kinney to follow him. This allowed the Doctor a few seconds to scan the other open accounting books before following them.

As they left the factory and headed for the town, Doyle grinned at the Doctor. 'I was starting to rather enjoy the part,' he confessed. 'How did I do?'

'Rather admirably,' the Doctor replied. 'You distracted the poor chap perfectly, allowing me to make my own determinations.' His eyes sparkled. 'I am more convinced than ever that our missing friend Breckinridge is involved in this little business. Let's head along to the Pig and Thistle and grab a little lunch and liquid sustenance, and I'll tell you what I discovered.'

When they were suitably ensconced with a pint and a slice of pie, the Doctor started in on the food and his explanations.

'Young Billy was quite correct in his suspicions. There are signs of a burdened cart having arrived and departed this morning. About a dozen drums were unloaded and taken into one of the storage sheds.'

'You could tell that from the marks in the dirt?' asked Doyle. 'I saw no such drums in any of the sheds we examined.'

'They've been moved again already,' the Doctor answered. 'But there was the unmistakable scent of formaldehyde in the second shed we were shown.'

'And what possible use could that have for manufacturing wire?'

'None,' the Doctor said, grinning. 'But it's marvellous at preserving tissues, isn't it? There is something going on at that factory all right. And the s.h.i.+pping logs I examined don't have any entries concerning chemical deliveries.'

'Not entered yet, perhaps,' Doyle suggested, playing devil's advocate.

'Not even a s.h.i.+pping bill,' the Doctor replied. 'That delivery this morning didn't officially happen, which I find rather significant.'

'Then whatever answer there is to this mystery is to be found on the third floor?' asked Doyle eagerly.

'No.' The Doctor finished his pie, then looked up thoughtfully. 'Sarah's been shown that floor, and she didn't see anything significant. I suspect that the secrets are hidden below ground rather than above.'

'Below?'

The Doctor nodded. 'I was quite intrigued by the chips and grooves cut into the stone floor beside one of the lathes that doesn't appear to have been operated recently.'

Doyle's eyes lit up. 'Ah! You suspect a secret entrance to a cellar area.'

'I do indeed.' The Doctor grinned. 'I think Mister Breckinridge has a little more invested in the future of this village than he's let on to anyone.' He glanced around the half-empty pub. 'You know, this is rather a nice tavern, isn't it? I wonder if they have any rooms to let?'

Doyle frowned. 'I imagine so. Whatever for?'

'I'd like to stay in town this evening,' the Doctor replied. 'It'll be easier to slip into the factory that way.'

Doyle laughed. 'I like your manner of thinking, Doctor. I'm your man.'

'I rather thought I could rely on you to help.' The Doctor was abruptly serious. 'We may well be walking into grave danger, you know. These people would appear to have already killed to cover up their secrets. Do you possess a revolver?

And would you be willing to use it if the need arises?'

'Yes and yes,' Doyle answered eagerly. 'I'm very keen to see this mystery through to the end.'

'Fine. Then you'd better settle matters with Captain Gray. I'll meet you back here at the stroke of midnight.' The Doctor stood up, and sang: 'Come, friends, who plough the sea/Truce to navigation/Take another station/Let's vary piracee/With a little burglaree!' With a grin, he added, 'Gilbert and Sullivan. Trust me, it'll be all the rage later this year.'

Doyle, puzzled, simply shook his head.

'I don't know how I let you talk me into doing this,' said Alice worriedly.

'Stop complaining,' Sarah answered as she saddled a horse. 'I thought you'd agreed that you had to know the truth about matters.'

'Yes,' agreed Alice, working on her own saddle. 'But going off alone like this it could be very dangerous, you know.'

'Look,' said Sarah with a sigh, 'you can't hide behind men all your life, you know. Sometimes you've got to step out and face life full in the face. Otherwise what are you? A slave, a dish-rag or a wimp.'

'The Doctor will be annoyed,' Alice said, tightening the clinches. 'My father will be furious.'

'Let them be,' Sarah dismissed the problem. 'Look, if I'm right, we've got a good chance of getting a real lead on whoever's behind this whole plot. According to the Doctor, old Ben Tolliver was buried yesterday. Constable Faversham guarded the cemetery last night, but he can't pull night duty twice in a row. He has to sleep sometime. And the villains that nabbed Missus Bellaver's body took it on the second night last time. I'll bet that they'll try again tonight. All we have to do is follow them, then send for the authorities, who'll catch the gang red-handed. That's why I need a bit of help. I can't watch the crooks and go for help at the same time.' Her steed was ready, so she swung up into the saddle.

'I don't know that I'm up to this,' Alice confessed. 'I'm frightened.'

'You'd be daft if you weren't a bit scared.' Sarah patted her hand encouragingly. 'Honest, it won't be as bad as you think. And you'll be surprised how fast you can get used to this sort of escapade.'

'I'm sure you do it all the time,' agreed Alice, clambering onto her mount slowly. 'You're awfully brave, and I'm not.'

'It's just a matter of getting used to it,' Sarah a.s.sured her. 'Anything a man can do, a woman can do better. Believe me.'

'I'm starting to regret that I ever listened to you,' Alice commented.

Sarah grinned. 'Yeah, I know. I often wish I didn't listen to me, either. Let's get with the ”Hi-ho, Silver” routine, shall we?'

'I'm afraid I don't understand you.'

'Let's ride.'

Ross examined the factory through his eyegla.s.ses and then frowned down at Abercrombie. 'Eating again?' he chided. 'I'd ask where you got that sandwich, but I'm sure I probably don't want to hear the reply.'

'Likely not,' agreed his a.s.sistant, chomping down. 'It needs more bleeding chutney, mind you. Still, since I didn't pay for it, no sense in complaining.' He nodded his head toward the object of his boss's scrutiny. 'How's things?'

'Getting intriguing,' admitted Ross. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. 'The Doctor and his friends appear to have somehow survived their little expedition last night. He and that man Doyle have been in and out of the factory this morning.

And I very much doubt that this will be their last planned excursion of the day.'

'Me too,' agreed Abercrombie, licking his fingers of the last drips of chutney. 'I had a few words with a barmaid named Jen. She says that the Doctor rented a room at the Pig for tonight.'

'For once, you seem to have been doing your job,' Ross commented. 'So it looks as if the Doctor plans to make an unheralded visit to the factory this evening. I think we'd better be prepared to intercept him, don't you?'

Abercrombie groaned. 'Have a heart,' he complained. 'I needs me beauty sleep.'

'Far be it from me to argue with that a.s.sessment of your looks,' Ross answered with a hint of a smile. 'But you'll have to catch up on it later. Tonight there will be plenty of work for you to do.'

'Bleeding h.e.l.l,' muttered Abercrombie. 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, as me mum used to say.'

'Then it's a good thing your name isn't Jack,' the colonel said. 'It isn't, is it?'