Steps to the Gallows Read Online Free Page B

sir.’
    ‘Yes, sir,’ echoed Hale.
    The chief magistrate dismissed them with a lordly flick of his wrist. Once outside the room, Yeomans looked at the details he’d been given.
    ‘We can walk there easily.’
    ‘Wasn’t that a strange coincidence, Micah?’ said Hale. ‘The dead man might have been behind that caricature we saw of Sir Humphrey Coote – when he was alive, that is. Paige, I mean, not Sir Humphrey.’
    ‘Stop blabbering.’
    ‘But the cartoon was part of that series about Parliament.’
    Yeomans was rueful. ‘I don’t need reminding of that, Alfred.’
    While his colleague was thinking about the promiscuous politician, all that Yeomans could remember was his ownappearance in the caricature. Everyone who saw it would laugh heartily at his expense. The Runner was vengeful. If Paige was indeed responsible for it, he deserved to die.
    ‘Come on, Alfred,’ he said, setting off. ‘We’ve a murder to solve.’
    Hale fell in beside him. ‘I’m with you, Micah.’
    ‘Before we catch the killer and make him face justice, there’s something I must do to him first.’
    ‘What’s that?’
    ‘I mean to shake his hand in gratitude. He’s done me a great favour.’

CHAPTER THREE
    Shuttling between guilt and self-pity, Jem Huckvale was close to tears. He blamed himself for Paige’s death and he shuddered when he looked into a future without a place at the gallery. What would he do and who would look after him? Where else could he find such friendship and fulfilment? He’d be an outcast, carrying his abject failure like an irremovable brand upon his forehead. He wallowed in anxiety until fatigue finally closed his eyes and made him doze off. Waking after a few minutes, he took time to realise where he was, then saw that Gully Ackford was looming over him. Huckvale put up both arms protectively and cowered before his erstwhile employer.
    ‘Don’t hit me,’ he pleaded. ‘I’ve already punished myself enough.’
    ‘Why the devil should I hurt you?’ asked Ackford, mildly.
    ‘You must be disgusted with me.’
    ‘I’m nothing of the kind. I’m just glad that you’re still alive, Jem. If you were outwitted, you’ll incur no blame from me. We all make mistakes. Mine was to give you an assignment far more hazardous than I’d ever imagined.’ He sat on the bed and put a gentle hand on Huckvale’s arm. ‘How do you feel?’
    ‘I’m frightened, Gully.’
    ‘Why? You’re perfectly safe now.’
    ‘I’m frightened of you .’
    Ackford’s smile was paternal. ‘There’s no need,’ he said. ‘I applaud your bravery in taking on the task I set you. Only something very serious could have forced Leo Paige to come looking for a bodyguard. I picked you out at once. You’re quicker on your feet than Peter and far less ostentatious than Paul. Unlike either of them, you can merge into nothingness.’
    ‘What I merged into today was a dark alley. All at once, it got even darker.’
    ‘Peter has told me what the surgeon said. You were lucky to survive.’
    ‘I don’t feel lucky.’
    ‘When he had the chance to kill you, your assailant didn’t take it. Leo Paige was the destined target. You just happened to get in the way.’
    ‘Are we still friends, then?’ asked Huckvale, hopefully.
    ‘We always will be, Jem.’ He squeezed the other’s arm then looked around. ‘This is a palace compared to the room you have at the gallery. Make the most of it while you can. I’m told you even have a maid to fetch and carry.’
    ‘I hate putting Peter and his wife to any trouble.’
    ‘They’re only too glad to take you in. Charlotte tells me that you can stay as long as you wish. Now, then,’ said Ackford, standing up, ‘let’s go back to the attack. You followed that man for some time, I gather. What can you remember about him?’
    Huckvale indicated his head. ‘He can strike a fearsome blow, Gully.’
    ‘How tall was he?’
    ‘I’d say he was about your height.’
    ‘What age would he