Sleepless Knights Read Online Free Page B

poured the cup’s contents into his open mouth. I closed his mouth again and took out my pocket watch.
    For twenty eight seconds, nothing happened.
    At thirty five seconds, his lips and chin glistened with a faint gleam where some of the liquid had spilled.
    After forty two seconds, Lance De Troyes coughed, spluttered, and took in a gasping lungful of air, like a half-drowned man breaking the surface of the sea. He opened his eyes and blinked hard. “That went rather well, don’t you think Lucas?” he said.
    â€œThere were no technical hitches to speak of, Sir Lancelot,” I replied, somewhat relieved. Sir Lancelot flexed his muscles and stretched his arms. He picked up a suitcase from the floor of the car, opening it on the seat beside him.
    â€œA pretty commonplace death. Slow-acting poison. Almost makes me nostalgic for all those arrows,” he said.
    â€œI really am sorry about that —”
    â€œRelax, Lucas, I’m pulling your leg. They can’t all be showstoppers, especially these days. It had to be done. Lance De Troyes was getting a reputation as something of a Dorian Gray. Some of the old dears were asking awkward questions about where their investment money was going. Still, onwards and upwards. Scotland next. Been working on a character called Connor MacRitchie. A laird. Ginger.You’ll like him. Same plan as before. Set up a charity, under the guise of building a hedgehog sanctuary or some such rubbish. Charm dotty millionaires out of their cash and give it to the people who really need it.
    â€œI take it I can rely on you to find a suitable house and get the staff up and running, Lucas? Once my funeral’s over and the dust has settled.” Sir Lancelot pulled out a tie from the suitcase and held it against his collar.
    â€œExcuse me for saying so, Sir Lancelot, but Scotland is…”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œScotland strikes me as…”
    â€œGo on.”
    â€œSomewhat removed from our base of operations.”
    â€œSo was France.”
    â€œIndeed, but that was some time ago.”
    â€œI follow the Eternal Quest how I choose, Lucas. You know that.
He
knows that.” The hoot of an owl broke a silence that was seconds away from becoming uncomfortable.
    â€œForgive me, Sir Lancelot. I shall assist in any way I can.”
    â€œGood.” A second hoot followed, as if to clear the air. “Shame I can’t bring old Crossley with me. How did he take it, at the end?”
    â€œStoically, but not without an appropriate measure of sorrow.”
    â€œYes. Yes, of course. Good old Crossley.” Sir Lancelot seemed to be having great difficulty deciding which jacket to wear, for his eyes were downcast, as if mesmerised by the contents of the suitcase. I was about to suggest charcoal grey, when he made his choice and plumped for black. I started the car and returned to the road.
    â€œTell me, Lucas. And be honest. How was I tonight, performance-wise?”
    â€œI have no notes to give, save your choice of day, Sir Lancelot.”
    â€œDon’t flap, I haven’t forgotten what night it is. We have plenty of time. Besides, I thought it was rather fitting. Death and rebirth, the circle of life?”
    â€œI appreciate the dramatic irony. But today has seen a more demanding timetable than usual.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œThe Master is suffering from his recurring condition.”
    We had reached the turning that led back to the Once & Future Inn. I stopped at the crossroads and regarded Sir Lancelot in the rear view mirror. The light cast by the full moon gave his face the appearance of being hewn from stone.
    â€œThen he’ll just have to drink it through a straw,” he said.
    â€œHe is also in the grip of a wandering variation,” I said. A deep sigh wafted over my shoulder.
    â€œGrant me mercy… I suppose you want me to help search for him?”
    â€œIt is not that straightforward. There is also