“I would not count on it. Look, I’ll come in with you.”
They rang and were admitted to the same room as before, and Mr Wiseman was not late in joining them. He smiled grimly in greeting. “Ah, gentlemen. How very good to see you again. So you’ve come around to my way of thinking, have you?”
Theodore’s heart sank. A good night’s sleep had strengthened Wiseman’s resolve rather than shaken it. He looked over to Robert to take the lead.
“No,” Robert said with firmness. “I am afraid, sir, that we are here to beg you to reconsider for the sake of your reputation, your sanity and your business. And for your safety.”
Mr Wiseman had only just sat down but he got straight back up to his feet. “There is nothing you can say to persuade me otherwise. An attempt has been made on my life and I cannot ignore it. Maybe you would feel differently had it happened to you; not that I wish such a thing. I will find proof as to who is behind this – Mrs Dymchurch, or another – and I will take that proof to the police. I may not be a celebrated detective such as yourself,” he said, bowing shallowly to Theodore, “but I am determined and I am not without resources.”
Robert balled up his fists and began to go pale. Theodore could not see this ending well. Both men were utterly determined to have their way. Theodore pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time. Before Robert could speak, Theodore held up his hand. “Mr Wiseman, Lord Lassiter – Robert, dear chap – things are tense. We are all wound up. May I propose that we retire to a local public house? We can have a drink, a smoke, perhaps a hot meat pie; let us talk of other matters for a short while, and get to know one another better.”
Mr Wiseman snorted in derision. “No. I have things to do. I have a crime to investigate.”
“Yes,” said Theodore smoothly. “And as to that, if you are so very set upon this course of action, then at least allow me to offer you some advice. As you yourself pointed out, I have experience in this field. We can tell you what we already know, for a start. It will save you some time.”
Robert burst out, “I say! You can’t help him now!”
Theodore fixed the younger man with as stern a gaze as he could manage. “Let us settle this in more congenial surroundings.” He had no intention of helping Mr Wiseman, of course, but he felt that a little bit of alcohol and relaxation could help them to argue their case. They needed to get Mr Wiseman on neutral ground first.
Theodore’s words had an effect on Mr Wiseman. He reluctantly agreed, and named a local hostelry, The Swan With Two Necks, as a relatively decent sort of place, fairly clean and not too rowdy during the day. He excused himself to dress appropriately and while he was gone, Theodore reassured Robert of his plan.
Within ten minutes, they were heading out of the house and down the damp grey street.
Within twelve minutes, they were fighting for their lives.
THE HORDE OF RUFFIANS had come out of nowhere. The street was fairly quiet due to the rain. Women especially were unlikely to venture outside in poor weather, as their many layers of clothing soaked up the moisture and a woollen overcoat would soon become twice its usual weight, and could take days to dry properly. Even with umbrellas to hire from shops, rain kept decent ladies inside. Men, too, hurried through the streets if they had unavoidable business, but this was not a day for lingering, loitering or chatting. Mr Wiseman, Robert and Theodore were walking briskly along the quiet street and Mr Wiseman was just saying that the public house was only another street away when three broad men in drab clothing, rough workmen’s jackets, shabby yellowing shirts, and mere scraps of fabric for cravats, appeared in front of them. The central man was holding a club.
Theodore stopped first and looked behind. Another man, slighter than the first three, but with a long leather tube in his hands, stood there. Theodore knew the tube would be filled with sand, packed hard to make it as rigid and deadly as an iron bar.
Robert put up his hands, palms outward, and laughed nervously. “I say, chaps, we’re not out for any trouble...”
Theodore was already digging into his jacket. “I have some money. You can have whatever I’ve got, and there’s no need for any violence. I have a pocket-watch, too. That’ll fetch a fair price.”
The ringleader laughed at them. “William Wiseman? Got anything to say?”
“How do you know my name?” Mr Wiseman squeaked.
“How do you think we know? Cos we’ve been asked to come and have a little chat with you, that’s why. Oh, put your watch away, mate. We’ve been paid already for this little jaunt.”
“Nah, Bill, I’ll have it as he’s giving it away,” said the thinner man who had come up close behind them all, and he snatched it out of Theodore’s hands before he could tuck it back into his pocket.
The ringleader shrugged almost apologetically at them. “Ah, well, you win some and you lose some. Right, I don’t know you –” he pointed with his club at Theodore, “And I don’t know you.” He jabbed his club at Robert. “So, hop it, the pair of you. Our business is only with this gentleman.”
“You have no business with me!” Mr Wiseman cried.
Theodore stepped closer to Mr Wiseman’s side. Robert stayed rooted to the spot but gesticulated vaguely
