have proof of this unusual claim, sir?'
Mr. Mackay's eyes never left the astounded official. With a dramatic flourish he held out his right arm, palm
open. Amy and her brother stepped forward. Picking up the weighty scroll, they unrolled it and placed it in the
lawyer's well-manicured hand. He grasped it firmly by its top. It was a huge thing, real calfskin vellum, with several
silk ribbons—blue, gold, and purple—hanging from it. These were sealed with blobs of scarlet wax with gold
medallions set into them.
The diminutive figure of the lawyer seemed to increase in stature. His voice boomed triumphantly forth, like a
town crier.
' 'Be it known to all my subjects, nobles, vassals, and yeomanry. I do acknowledge the valiant deeds of my
liege Captain Caran De Winn in the capture of the French fleet and our victory at Sluys. He served his sovereign and
country right worthily, no man braver than he.
' 'Hereby I grant unto him freely the acres of our good English land, to be known hereonin as Chapelvale. Caran
De Winn, his sons, daughters, and all who come after, bearing the name of Winn, will have squiredom over this place.
Without let or hindrance, tax or tithing, for as long as any monarch shall rule our fair land. Let no man raise his voice
or wrath-against my edict. May the family of Winn serve God and England with loyalty, faith, and forbearance. Given
by my hand on this Lammas Day in the year of Our Lord thirteen hundred and forty-one.
' 'By the grace of God. Edward III, King of England.' '
Ringing cheers and shouts of delight erupted throughout the village square. Hats flew in the air and the
cobblestones echoed to the stamping of feet. People hugged and kissed one another indiscriminately; it was a scene of
total jubilation. The black Labrador dodged to safety beneath the gig as Ben was surrounded by his friends, Will and
Jon shaking his hands, whilst Mrs. Winn and Amy seized him and kissed both his cheeks. Mr. Braithwaite pounded
the boy's back, shouting, 'We did it, boy. We did it!'
Catching his breath, Ben roared back. 'No, it was you who did it, friends. I only started the search, me and good
old Ned.'
The Labrador sent a thought from beneath the gig. 'Keep me out of this, mate. I don't want to be crushed,
battered, and slobbered over!'
When the blue-eyed boy managed to break free, he saw Alex, with a crowd of other young people
congratulating him. Among them was Regina Woodworthy and the former members of the Grange Gang. Amy
clasped Ben's hand. 'Look at my brother, the village hero, thanks to you, Ben.'
The boy warded off an embrace from Eileen and little Willum, who had painted his face with a toffee apple
somebody had given him.
'Don't be silly, pal. Look at Ned. He knows the safest place—under the cart. Come on, Amy!'
They scrambled beneath the gig, laughing at the sight of Blodwen Evans leaning out of the bedroom window,
waving a Union Jack and a Welsh red dragon flag, and hooting.
'Put those deeds back in my hat box, Dai, let's open the shop!'
Mr. Bowe's normally sallow face had taken on an ash-grey pallor as he turned his accusing gaze on Obadiah
Smithers. 'So, the old lady presents no problem, eh? Fool! I should never have listened to you and your harebrained
schemes. Do you realize what this'll cost my company?'
Smithers collapsed onto a vacant chair, his eyes wide in disbelief. 'I—I—I'm ruined!'
Bowe stood over him, jabbing a finger savagely into Smithers's arm to accentuate each word. 'If you aren't,
then I'll make sure you are. You'll be glad to get a job selling matches on street corners when I'm done with you!'
Straightening up, Bowe offered an arm to his daughter. 'Maud, I'll talk to you back in London. Come on, girl,
or we'll miss the train!'
They turned to go and walked straight into the sergeant, whose voice was flat and official. 'Mr. Percival Bowe
and Miss Maud Bowe, ah'd like ye tae come up tae the station house with me.'
Mr. Bowe, who tried stepping to one side, flinched as the strong arm of the law captured his shoulder.
Sergeant Patterson whispered confidentially in his ear. 'Now now, sir, don't want tae show ourselves up tae all
the folk around here, do we? You and the young lady come quietly, ah've got four of your employees in mah holding
cell on a vehicle theft charge. They're making all sorts of accusations against Bowe and company. Ah'm sure it's all
quite unsubstantiated, but Ah'd just like ye tae take a stroll up there and we'll sort it all out.'
Mr. Mackay folded the scroll and handed it to the old seaman. Mrs. Winn linked arms with the solicitor. 'Well,
seeing as all the business is done, let's go for lunch. Mrs. Evans has invited us all over to the Tea Shoppe for a
celebration!' Waving her gloves, the old lady called out to her young friends. 'Come on, you three, bring Ned, too.
It's free ice cream today!'
Mr. Mackay straightened his cravat. 'Just a moment, marm.' He turned to the magistrate. 'Excuse me, sir,
perhaps you'd like to join us.'
Distancing himself from the company shareholders, the magistrate smiled his approval. 'It would be a pleasure,
sir!'
46.
EVANS TEA SHOPPE PUT ON A WONDERFUL spread. Dai Evans pushed four tables close so the friends
could sit together. Blodwen brought tray after tray of sandwiches, tea, cakes, and ice cream, dismissing any offer of
payment.
'Look, you, 'tis the least we can do for the folk who saved our village. Indeed to goodness, put that money away.
Hoho, 'twas worth it just to see Obadiah Smithers's face. In the name of heavens, though, 'ow did you find
