Read Online Corroboree by Graham Masterton - Free Book Online Page A

sir.’
    â€˜There was no question of abduction, sir. Charlotte came to meet me of her own free will.’
    Lathrop slowly turned his head to look at Eyre with small and shiny eyes.
    â€˜If I was the kind of father who was unaware of his daughter’s extreme wilfulness; and was not quite accustomed to tantrums and foot-stamping and deliberate disobedience, especially during discussions about which young men are suitable companions for a girl of her quality and which young men are not; then I would be quite minded to whip you. But as it is, I
am
aware, and I
am
accustomed, and consequently I shan’t.’
    Eyre climbed slowly and painfully to his feet, with Utyana staying close by in case he needed help. He wiped his bloody mouth with the back of his bloody hand.
    â€˜I think I should go now,’ he said. ‘I’d like to wash out these bites before they go septic, and bandage myself up.’
    Lathrop stared at him with a tight, forced smile. ‘Of course you would, of course you would. Bandage yourselfup, that’s right. But there’s one small aspect of this evening’s amusements which still concerns me.’
    Captain Henry called over, ‘Can I leash the dogs now, sir? Seems as if they’re growing restless.’
    â€˜In a moment,’ Lathrop told him; then turned back to Eyre. ‘What I’d like to know is, how was tonight’s tryst arranged? That’s what I’d like to know. And why is young Yanluga here? He was the one who drove you around with my own daughter in my own carriage while I was off in Sydney, wasn’t he? Could it have been
he
who helped you to meet my daughter in the woods, in the dark, under the most improper of circumstances?’
    Eyre glanced across the ha-ha. Yanluga had raised his arms now, and was chanting to the dogs, a long, repetitive chant. But there was no doubt that the hounds were beginning to twitch now, and lick their lips, and paw at the grass.
    Lathrop said, ‘I haven’t punished him, you know; and until I discovered him here tonight I wasn’t intending to. I like to think that I’m a forgiving employer, on occasions, as well as a stern one. But what he did tonight was really unforgivable.’
    â€˜He saved my life,’ Eyre repeated.
    â€˜Ah,’ said Lathrop. ‘But had you not been here; had Yanluga not arranged a sweetheart’s meeting for you; then there would have been no need for him to save your life, now would there? So, who do we have to blame for all of tonight’s distress? Why, Yanluga.’
    Eyre said, ‘Leave him be. Please, for Charlotte’s sake. For pity’s sake.’
    Lathrop peered at Eyre maliciously, as if he were trying to make out where he was in a particularly obnoxious fog. ‘Let me tell you something, sir. I am an exemplary husband, a benevolent father, and a trustworthy businessman. But, I am not a monkey. I have never been a monkey and I never will be a monkey, and you won’t make me one, I promise you.’
    With that, he lifted his musket from his shoulder; and,still smiling at Eyre, cocked it. Then he swung around, and aimed it directly at Yanluga.
    â€˜Boy!’ he called.
    Yanluga didn’t look up at first; couldn’t, because he was trying to keep the hounds calm. But then he glanced up quickly once; and then again and squinted at Lathrop in uncertainty and fear.
    â€˜What the devil are you doing?’ Eyre demanded. ‘You’re not going to shoot him, not in cold blood!’
    â€˜Of course not,’ said Lathrop. ‘I am simply giving the chap a chance to leave my property, and my employ, as smartly as he likes. Boy!’ he called again. ‘Stop that singing and chanting now, and be off with you! That’s it! Make yourself scarce!’
    â€˜Sir! called Yanluga. ‘Please ask Captain Henry to tie up the dogs first.’
    â€˜You just be off,’ said Lathrop. ‘Captain Henry will