The Frog's Pad Collection Page 5
Lady Millicent stood and did as instructed. The door opened and two policemen brought in a large tin bath which they set down in the middle of the cell floor. Two large jugs of hot water were then produced and tipped into the bath. The policemen retired before Audrey came in, carrying a pile of clothes – and the Blueberry vanity case on top.
“All is present as instructed, m’am” said Audrey and nodded. She backed out from the cell. The police sergeant remained standing in the doorway.
“All is hopefully as you instructed, Lady Millicent. We will close the door – and the hatch – so you can undertake your washing. Your maid will be waiting in the corridor so she can retrieve your clothes and your vanity case when you have finished. I’m sorry though, but we had to check all the items for anything that could aid your escape.”
Lady Millicent shuddered at the thought of those grubby policemen fingering their way through her under things, but politely said
“Thank you Sergeant – you have been most generous”
Once the door closed and she was comfortable that she was now on her own, she set to removing the items of clothing which she had been wearing. It also seemed a shame to waste the hot water that had been prepared and so she spent some time having a comfortable, leisurely bath, using some of the products that she had within the vanity case.
About half an hour later, Lady Millicent prepared to dress. She held up the brand new dress and folding it on the cell bed, she undid the seam around the back of the dress – and pulled out a pair of tweed trousers which she pulled on quickly. She quickly undid further seams to the top of the dress and pulled away a linen shirt which she pulled on and tucked into her trousers. As she pulled on her Chelsea boots she thought to herself that it was a good job that as they checked the material for hidden items, they didn’t think to check the way that Audrey had stitched the dress – no-one could have worn it in that state, even old Lady Matilda!
Finally clothed, she opened up the bottom of the vanity case and pulled out an unusually shaped small pistol and a spray bottle. She stuffed the pistol into her trouser pockets and then stood to one side of the cell door and knocked on the door four times.
“I’m finished here now officer – you can take it away now”
Lady Millicent heard the lock on the door clunk open and the door swung open. As the policeman stepped forward, she sprayed the face of the officer twice. The mist quickly dispersed and the policeman’s face softened. Audrey stepped forward to catch the policemen and steady him.
“Oh, Officer, you do look faint. Officers – officers!” Cried Millicent.
Quickly looking at each other, the policemen ran the length of the corridor to the aid of their comrade. Without thinking, they ran into the cell. The last officer paused briefly and turned, realising what was happening. Audrey smiled at policeman and held up the jail keys. The officer then turned to Lady Millicent who smiled, then sprayed the face of the officer, before gently pushing him into the cell. She quickly grabbed the cell door and closed it. It closed with a clunk.
Audrey was already at the end of the corridor – and the keys were already in the cell door. She swung the barred door open and they walked through quickly. Audrey then closed the door and locked it, before leaving the keys on the desk. As the ladies got to the door of the cell room, Audrey passed a tweed coat and flat cap to Lady Millicent, who quickly slipped them on and they walked out the door.
As the door shut behind the two ladies, the door opposite opened and Sergeant Kimble stepped through, folding his copy of the Daily Bugle. As he laid it on his desk, he looked round and thought – it’s a little quiet round here. His eyes rested on the jail keys on the desk and a cold shudder of fear went through him as he recognised what may just have happened. He walked across to the table and as he picked up the keys, he heard the insistent banging on the door at the end of the corridor….
The Ventnor Club, London
Commander Franklin sat back in his chair, a lot less relaxed than he had been earlier that evening. Fortunately the waiters at the club were very experienced at picking up on their member’s moods and had prepared his drink and withdrew quickly to enable him to contemplate what he was going to do next. He already knew that word would have reached the Times and that even though the presses were rolling there would still be an opportunity to add another chapter to the tale – and that for the weekend Commander Franklin would once again be the subject of much discussion at dinner parties. Worse still, he knew that when he attended the party that Tailors had invited him to he would be asked to recount all the salacious information, reliving the experience of dealing with that most elusive of characters.
“Excuse me, Commander Franklin; do you have a moment I could take?”
Franklin turned and looked at the smartly turned out officer. Although the young man had obviously leant forward to speak to him, already he had moved away from the chair and straightened a little so as not to cause concern.
“I do apologise young man, but this not a period of time that I would like to discuss anything with anyone I do not know. If you will excuse me, I need to contemplate something of national importance.”
The young man stood calmly, before swiftly moving forward and perching on the edge of the chair facing the commander.
“Sir, I appreciate that you have matters which require your most urgent attention. However, I feel that my specific services will be of use in resolving that most complex of situations that have left you vexed and concerned.”
“What do you know of my concerns?” enquired the Commander, curious to the enthusiasms of the young man.
“Sir, I know that earlier this evening you captured the notorious celebrity pirate Lady Millicent and not three hours later she affected a daring escape from Scotland Yard. Whilst you were able to retrieve the Queen’s diamond that she stole from the Tower of London – a bold theft in itself – you have not been able to deduce why she would decide to risk her life and credibility by affecting such a theft.”
“And pray tell me young man, how would you know all that?”
“Simple, sir. Given Lady Millicent’s notoriety, I have taken the opportunity to be at all necessary places all this week in a variety of disguises. I have been your butler at the club when you have arrived at the end of the working day, so I could observe your routines; once lady Millicent was at the Scotland Yard I affected the disguise of policeman and witnessed her escape before changing into my correct uniform to present myself here to you.”
“So why did you not prevent Lady Millicent’s escape?”
“Two reasons sir; firstly for me to prevent the Lady’s escape it would mean revealing myself both to her and to your officers – and Sergeant Kimble would have no problems with claiming that he prevented the escape AND caught someone who was obviously trying to free Lady Millicent. Secondly – and possibly more importantly for me – Lady Millicent still had the container which she used to control the two officers. She would have escaped and I would have ended up talking to you under very difficult circumstances.”
“Before I consider asking you to assist me – and please note, I am still considering whether or not to ask you to leave a private member’s club – answer me this; who are you and who do you work for? I do not recognise the uniform at all.”
“Sir, my name is Charles de Grue. The uniform is unimportant at this time as I am a member of several organisations now, having assisted them in some way over the last few years. My card, sir. Contact me when you are ready.”
Charles de Grue presented the Commander with a small card. The card was handwritten in a careful, deliberate style.
Commander Franklin looked up from the card and straight into the eyes of a waiter.
“Sir, the young man thanks you for your interest and has bought you this drink.”
Commander Franklin then looked at the glass.
“He suggests that you try the Tobermory with slightly less spring water; i
t will allow the more delicate flavours to be released.”
Commander Franklin took a small sip. That boy was right, he thought.
OO - - OO
The NAVIGATION WATCH – Chapter 1
The second novel in my Black Crane series – I hope you enjoy it!
The Ventnor Club - London
Charles sat back in his leather chair, the final mouthful of whisky still releasing its flavours in his mouth. The London Gazette was open and Charles was considering the latest crossword – not as the puzzle had been written, but the coded message that lay within the criss-cross of letters. He wondered if anyone else had picked up that the editor was relaying messages to another newspaper to set up meetings to arrange what news would be covered by which paper. He smiled at the thought of the paper’s sub-banner comment “First and only truly newsworthy publication”. The interesting fact that Charles hadn’t followed up on was which newspaper was in cahoots.
Commander Kimble walked into the club, still visibly uncertain of himself in the club’s drawing room. He’d not been a member long and the novelty of the dark hardwood panelling, the soft leather and the waiters on hand was still exciting. He looked around and Charles lazily raised his hand. Brian’s head nodded in acknowledgement and headed over to Charles.
“Hello Charles!… oh, sorry, hello Charles” Brian realised that his voice was too loud for the quiet room, and quickly lowered it to a more acceptable level.
Charles waved Brian to the adjacent chair. Whilst the Commander was sitting down, a waiter appeared and Charles ordered two glasses of whisky.
“I thought you’d be interested in this item that I just bought at an auction”.
“Sorry Brian, did you say ‘auction’? It is very unlike you to be seen in a place like that!”
“Yes, Mrs Kimble has been very keen to redecorate our new accommodation and make our own mark – you know, now I’ve moved on to become Commander. Apparently, the old house in Old Lane isn’t considered appropriate for a Commander – although I quite liked the house myself.”
“Just to sidetrack Brian, what did you do with the house?”
“Actually Charles, we’ve kept it. Our intention is that when the children are old enough they can move in – or sell it to provide them with an initial income. Worst case, we can always move back if needed.”
“Good planning – although I doubt you’ll move back.”
“Thank you Charles! Anyway, in the interim we’re renting the property, so there’s an additional income coming from that too.”
“Hmm! Anyway, show me your purchase!”
Brian reached into his pocket and withdrew what looked like a Hunter watch. He pressed the crown twice and the case opened both front and back. He then passed it to Charles, saying,
“It looked like a pocket watch – something I need – but it’s obviously not just that. It looks like it also has a compass, but there’s something not right.”
“What a beautiful piece of engineering! A beautiful chronograph watch on one side and then this device on the other. It is a compass, but you’re right, it’s not right – I would expect it to point North, where the grandfather clock is, but it’s pointing about five degrees east. Even allowing for an automatic correction to bring it to point to true north rather than magnetic north it’s still not accurate. What interests me is the fact that it isn’t affected by other metal items – so it can’t be magnetised. Is there a story to this item?”
“Well, yes there is and that’s the reason why I wanted to show you. The tale itself is quite long so I hope you’re comfortable!”
“Well, before you start, we ought to have another whisky. Waiter!”
--------------
“… So that’s the story. What I wondered though is if there’s any accuracy in the tale – and if it would be something you would be interested in undertaking.”
Charles rubbed his hands.
“An adventure! Well, I’m certainly up for this – it sounds like something fun! I think I’ll have to put an article in the paper, as I’ve not had a crew for sometime.”
“Um, I’m not sure that I could fund a crew for this Charles.”
“Oh, don’t be silly, I wouldn’t dream of asking you for money! I quite like the idea of the adventure, but of course if there is any gold then I would consider taking some of it to offset my expenses.”
“I’m sure that we could come to an agreement Charles.”
“That’s great then! I hope you don’t mind Brian, but I’m going to need to hang onto your watch; I think it’s key to finding the treasure. In the meantime, why not hang on to my watch as an exchange? It’s an old watch, but it keeps perfect time.”
Charles passed his watch to Brian. Brian pressed the crown and the cover clipped open. The very ornate design of the watch showed an immaculate timepiece. Brian’s eyes were drawn to the inscription on the cover.
“To Charles, for exceptional service and devotion to our country’s safety. From a grateful nation.”
Brian looked up at Charles, who smiled humbly.
“I just did what needed to be done at the time. Just look after it please.”
Brian smiled and stood up. Charles also stood and they shook hands.
O O - - O O
Dear Reader,
Thank you for taking the time to download and read this small collection of my short stories. On a personal level, I hope that you enjoyed the collection I presented – and if you did, tell your friends; if you didn’t – drop me a line and politely tell me why!
If nothing else, I hope that this collection will present you with a single thought – that being creative is within all of us and we just need to be confident in going for it. Don’t worry if you think it’s not “perfect” or as good as the novels or paintings that are in the libraries and art galleries – that should not be the point; do it because it makes you happy.
With the very best wishes,
David