Death in the Dark Walk Read Online Free Page A

even know the girl.’
    â€˜As you have probably guessed, Sir,’ answered the lively one, ‘we are not constables but attached to the Public Office at Bow Street. We must, therefore, request you to come with us to tell your tale to Mr Fielding personally. It is his expressed wish to question important witnesses himself.’
    Putting his hand in his pocket to check that the piece of material still lay safely within his handkerchief, John decided that he would indeed have more chance of proving his innocence with the great John Fielding, London’s Principal Justice of the Peace, a man whose wit and intelligence were a thing of legend.
    â€˜I should be delighted to meet him,’ he answered calmly, though his mobile eyebrows inadvertently drew into a frown.
    â€˜Then we will go now, if you please, Sir. And you two young people as well,’ replied the Beak Runner, bowing politely to the couple, who looked aghast.
    John drew Samuel to one side. ‘I’m suspected, I know it. For God’s sake go to my home and tell my father what’s afoot.’
    His friend rolled his eyes. The road to the city was fraught with hazard to those who left the Pleasure Gardens late, and he had no means of transport other than to go by water, which would take too long.
    â€˜I’ll do my best,’ he said through gritted teeth.
    â€˜Then we’ll be on our way, lady and gentlemen,’ the dark man announced, sounding very courteous but very firm.
    Looking round, John saw that the crowd had dispersed, that only a few stragglers remained at Vaux Hall, a blight having fallen on the entire evening. He also saw, as the ragged group set off towards the main entrance, that two soberly dressed men carrying what looked like a stretcher were making their way down The Dark Walk.
    â€˜It’s all right,’ the lively Beak Runner called to them, ‘we’ve seen all there is to see. Take her away.’
    Bowing his head as a mark of respect, the Apothecary, in a terrible parody of his arrival at the Pleasure Gardens, passed through the swing doors, this time escorted by Mr Fielding’s Brave Fellows, on his way to the Public Office at Bow Street. While down at the water’s edge, the Beauty also departed Vaux Hall, her earthly shell loaded on to a wherry to make its last tragic journey to the city mortuary, leaving behind for ever the scene of what only a few short hours before had been her final triumph.

Chapter Two
    Samuel’s dilemma as to how to get to London in the small hours of the morning, yet remain unrobbed and alive, was solved by two gentlemen who were just leaving Vaux Hall by the Kennington entrance, clambering into a coach accompanied by three young ladies, their direction Back Lane and the city.
    â€˜Room for one more,’ called one of them jovially. ‘Jump in, young Sir.’
    â€˜Gladly,’ answered Samuel, scrambling aboard and cramming his large frame between two of the girls.
    The man who had offered assistance held out his hand. ‘Frobisher, the Honourable Frederick. And these are the Misses Carter, Miss Bealieu and Lord Bramcote.’
    â€˜Damme,’ said his Lordship, ‘rum do tonight, what? Who’d have thought poor Lizzie would have gone like that.’
    â€˜Lizzie?’ repeated Samuel in astonishment. ‘Did you then know the victim, Sir?’
    â€˜Me, and half of London. She was, that is until two months or so ago, when she left mysteriously, the favourite of the Leicester Fields brothel.’ His Lordship cleared his throat and added, ‘Forgive frank talk, ladies. Forgot myself.’
    â€˜Not a Duchess then!’ Samuel exclaimed, and everyone laughed.
    â€˜A Duchess in her way,’ put in the Honourable Frederick, suddenly solemn. ‘The usual story, I’m afraid. An innocent country girl looking for work in London and snatched up by a procuress. Then taking to the life, alas.’
    â€˜You’re