[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.I wish you would tell anyone when you’re going to change your plans like that.You might stop people getting worked up into thinking the worst.’‘I’m so sorry,’ Eve said, sarcastically.‘I didn’t realize every move I made had to be reported to you and logged in.For future reference I intend going to the toilet in seventeen minutes’ time, if that meets with your approval.’I flushed with annoyance.I could feel my cheeks getting hotter as the anger spread through me.I thought of several replies: a killer roaming loose, the history of the place, the recent murders, and rejected all of them.Instead I turned on my heel and walked out of the room.Even Becky was so taken by surprise at my sudden withdrawal that she failed to follow me.I walked downstairs, through the dining hall and the kitchen and out of the castle.I paused only to stick my feet into a pair of wellington boots, thrust a flat cap on my head, and collect a Barbour jacket.I knew there was something I had to examine urgently before it was too late.I didn’t stop to think that I was now outside the building, alone.Only two others had ventured outside Mulgrave Castle on their own: and neither had returned …I owe my life to fortune; fortune and Becky Rowe.I reached the chapel after blundering through the fog for a while.To be honest I was seething with anger; anger at Eve for her unreasonable and careless attitude.It had provoked me into a recklessness I didn’t know I possessed.I reached the chapel and began inspecting the footprints in the snow.This time I looked far more carefully.On the previous visit I had only looked at the prints to see how many people had come and gone from the chapel.This time I wanted to find out more.I wanted to know if the footprints were those of a man; a woman, or a child.I was kneeling down peering at the mass of interposed prints in dismay; the thaw had blurred the edges and they were now indistinguishable one from the other.The prints could have been those of a man, a woman, or a child; equally they could have been those of a Yeti.It was as I was looking at the footprints that I heard Becky calling my name.That sound helped to save me.I looked up and saw a dark shadow swooping towards me.I ducked instinctively and the blow that was intended to kill me only glanced my temple.It was enough.In my weakened state I would have been defenceless against further attack had my bodyguard not appeared on the scene.I felt my senses swim and knew I was losing consciousness.As I crumpled to the ground I heard Becky close by, calling me; imploring me to answer.I felt hands on my body dragging me; and as if from far away I heard Becky’s voice again.Then everything went black.I felt myself returning to consciousness.Something in my poor, abused brain was sending out a warning against so rash a course of action.Unfortunately, the rest of my body ignored this sensible advice.Pain was the first sensation.Naturally; what else? I tried opening my eyes.They attempted to focus.They tried hard.I wished they wouldn’t; but they did.When my surroundings came into some semblance of focus I realized I was in my room.‘Gran,’ I heard a voice cry out, ‘Adam’s waking up.’I recognized it as Becky’s voice.I wished she wouldn’t shout.Or, if she did shout, would she please shout at the person hammering six-inch nails into the side of my head and tell them to stop.A face came into view, bending over me; then another.Becky and Sammy, I thought and congratulated myself on the feat.I thought it would be a good idea to speak.They looked worried and perhaps if I spoke it would reassure them, ‘Hello Sammy; hello Becky,’ I spoke.Or rather I shouted.Why was I shouting too? Why was everyone shouting?Then I realized, they weren’t shouting; it was my feeble condition that made it seem as if they were.My plan to reassure them by speaking didn’t seem to have worked because both girls appeared more concerned rather than less.Then Sammy vanished and I saw Charlotte bending over me in her place.‘Hello, Your Ladyship,’ I greeted her.‘How did I get here; what happened?’‘You were attacked outside the chapel,’ she told me, ‘you’ve got a bump the size of an egg on the side of your head; a goose egg,’ she added.‘You’re lucky to be alive.’‘I don’t feel lucky,’ I told her.Memory of the event began to return, though not in a flood, more in a trickle.‘Becky saved my life,’ I said, smiling.‘Not once but twice.She called out and I looked up in time to see what was about to hit me and ducked.Otherwise I don’t think I’d be here.After they hit me I felt myself being dragged along.I think they were planning on taking me somewhere out of the way to finish me off.The last thing I remember is Becky’s voice calling out again.She must have been close by because they dropped me.Then I passed out.’ I closed my eyes; after all it had been a long speech for me.Harriet took up the tale.‘Becky set off after you, realized you’d gone outside, and followed.She found you unconscious and bleeding.At first she thought you were dead; then she saw you were breathing and started screaming for help.’I looked up at Becky.‘You must have screamed very loud for it to be heard inside the castle.’‘It wasn’t, not in that sense of the word,’ Harriet told me calmly.‘Sammy sensed there was something wrong and insisted we set off to find you.You know how it is with twins sometimes.’‘Where’s Eve?’ I asked.‘She was upset; furious as well.She said she didn’t see the point in trying to nurse you and get you better when you insist on continuously taking such foolish risks and breaking your own rules.She stalked off in a huff and was last seen heading for her room.To be honest, the girls told me what happened and I reckon she’s feeling guilty because she provoked it.The problem is you’ll never get Eve to admit she’s guilty of anything, let alone apologize for it.’I opened my eyes and smiled at Becky.‘Thank you seems inadequate,’ I told her.‘I owe my life to you.’‘Perhaps that helps even the score,’ Harriet said with a smile.‘After all, none of us believe Charlie would have survived had it not been for you, so Becky’s just paying a bit of our debt to you back.’‘Would you help me sit up?’ I asked them.‘I can’t stay an invalid for ever.’‘Are you sure?’ Harriet asked.‘Remember you’ve only just recovered from your last bout of concussion.What about a relapse?’Strangely enough that didn’t worry me.Apart from the headache I felt OK.‘I think I’ll be all right.All I need is some painkillers for my head and I should be able to get up.It must have been no more than a glancing blow.’‘Some glance,’ Harriet commented, as she and Becky helped me into a sitting position.I closed my eyes for a moment and waited for the pain to subside.After a moment or two I pretended that it had, and opened my eyes.My vision was clear and there was no lack of focus.I actually felt better for sitting up.‘I’m fine,’ I reassured them.‘Just give me a few minutes and I’ll get off this bed.’‘Do you really think that’s wise?’ Harriet was still dubious.‘Harry, I’m getting a bit tired of being the target for some maniac.I want to find out who’s behind this and why, and I can’t do that lying in a darkened room.’Sammy had been sent on ahead to tell Tony we were coming downstairs.The twins mounted guard outside his study door whilst I discussed matters with their parents.‘The sooner we get to grips with our problems the better,’ I told them.‘I’m more and more convinced that the secret of what’s been happening is something to do with the old chapel.It’s where Beaumont and Rathbone were killed and close to where I was attacked [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]