Steps to the Gallows (29 page)

Sir Humphrey cocked his weapon and aimed it at Paul but it was never fired. Before he could pull the trigger, the blade of a sword was thrust into his back and through his heart with practised force. It came out through his chest. Shaking with terror, Hannah hurled herself into Paul’s arms. Everybody watched aghast as the lifeless body of Sir Humphrey Coote shuddered, sagged then fell forward on to the ground.

M. Pernelle stepped in close to extract his sword from its victim with a sudden pull. Though it was dripping with blood, he inserted the weapon back into the cane from which he’d taken it. After giving a polite bow to Hannah, her guardian angel turned on his heel and left.

Yeomans and Hale were inexperienced horsemen. Having ridden all the way to Paris on hired mounts, they were tired, woebegone and in considerable pain. The first place they went was the British Embassy. To their utter vexation, they saw Peter and Paul Skillen emerging blithely from the building.

‘Welcome to Paris!’ said Peter, raising his hat to them. ‘I hope that you enjoy your stay here.’

‘We’ll not be staying,’ said Hale. ‘We’ve come to make an arrest.’

‘Yes,’ added Yeomans, ‘we’re here to speak to Sir Humphrey Coote.’

‘You may find that rather difficult,’ warned Paul.

‘Why is that?’

‘He’s no longer in a mood for conversation.’

Gully Ackford and Virgil Paige were part of a huge crowd that gathered outside Newgate prison for the executions. As a rule, neither man would have attended such an event. They found it too barbaric and hated the savage baying of the mob. Whole families had gathered to watch Abel Fearon and Sim Higlett being hanged. It was a gruesome affair. The noise was deafening, the taunting was obscene and the execution itself was crude in the extreme. When the first of them was squirming wildly at the end of a rope, the cry of delight that went up was blood-curdling. It was a long time before the friends could make themselves heard.

‘Leo can rest in peace now,’ said Paige. ‘I’m only sorry that they didn’t string up Sir Humphrey Coote as well.’

‘He met a grisly enough end in Paris,’ said Ackford.

‘I still can’t believe that you’d all go to such lengths on our behalf.’

‘Leo was a friend of mine, remember.’

‘Yes, but the Skillen brothers didn’t know him. Even so, they took enormous risks to catch the rogues who killed him.’

‘Peter and Paul thrive on risks.’

‘They went all the way to Paris for our sakes.’

‘They had their rewards,’ said Ackford. ‘Peter went back to
a city that held fond memories for him and Paul was reunited with the woman he loves. Both of them witnessed the death of Sir Humphrey Coote. There’ll be financial reward as well, of course,’ he went on, ‘but that won’t bring them the greatest satisfaction.’

‘What will do that, do you think?’

‘It’s the knowledge that they beat their rivals yet again. That’s what drives them on. The Bow Street Runners used to rule the roost but Peter and Paul Skillen are the cocks of the walk now.’

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E
DWARD
M
ARSTON
was born and brought up in South Wales. A full-time writer for over forty years, he has worked in radio, film, television and theatre, and is a former chairman of the Crime Writers’ Association.

www.edwardmarston.com

T
HE
B
OW
S
TREET
R
IVALS
SERIES

Shadow of the Hangman • Steps to the Gallows

T
HE
R
AILWAY
D
ETECTIVE SERIES

The Railway Detective • The Excursion Train

The Railway Viaduct • The Iron Horse

Murder on the Brighton Express • The Silver Locomotive Mystery

Railway to the Grave • Blood on the Line

The Stationmaster’s Farewell • Peril on the Royal Train

A Ticket to Oblivion • Timetable of Death

Inspector Colbeck’s Casebook:

Thirteen Tales from the Railway Detective

The Railway Detective Omnibus:

The Railway Detective, The Excursion Train, The Railway Viaduct

T
HE
R
ESTORATION SERIES

The King’s Evil • The Amorous Nightingale • The Repentant Rake

The Frost Fair • The Parliament House • The Painted Lady

T
HE
C
APTAIN
R
AWSON SERIES

Soldier of Fortune • Drums of War • Fire and Sword

Under Siege • A Very Murdering Battle

T
HE
B
RACEWELL
M
YSTERIES

The Queen’s Head • The Merry Devils • The Trip to Jerusalem

The Nine Giants • The Mad Courtesan • The Silent Woman

The Roaring Boy • The Laughing Hangman • The Fair Maid of Bohemia

The Wanton Angel • The Devil’s Apprentice • The Bawdy Basket

The Vagabond Clown • The Counterfeit Crank

The Malevolent Comedy • The Princess of Denmark

T
HE
H
OME
F
RONT
D
ETECTIVE SERIES

A Bespoke Murder • Instrument of Slaughter

Five Dead Canaries • Deeds of Darkness • Dance of Death