Read Online Mister Creecher by Chris Priestley - Free Book Online

wagon and certainly felt the full force of the driver’s annoyance. A little ruffled, he continued on his way and, once safely across the filthy street, he made straight for a covered alleyway.
    Billy waited a few moments for him to disappear from sight and then crossed the street himself, stepping straight into a pile of horse dung, courtesy of the passing wagon. A few whispered curses and boot shakes later and he was peering into the alleyway.
    Frankenstein was in the courtyard beyond, seemingly eyeing up the place. One building in particular occupied his attention and he walked its length, looking at the walls and up at the roof, before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a bunch of keys.
    Frankenstein looked round, causing Billy to duck out of sight. When he felt he was able to look again, the Swiss had gone.
    Billy crept forward. The door was still swinging back and forth on whining hinges. He came as near as he dared and peered inside.
    There was no sign of Frankenstein, but he could see that there was a set of steps leading downwards just beyond the door. The building looked like a warehouse that would be filled with barrels and clutter, but from what little Billy could see of it – there were no windows save for greasy skylights high above – it was in fact surprisingly tidy and clear except for two or three large tables and several crates. What was Frankenstein doing in a place like this?
    While this question was still forming in Billy’s mind, Frankenstein suddenly began to ascend the staircase. Billy’s heart leapt into his mouth. He ran out of the alley as fast as he could and stood panting in a doorway nearby, his back pressed against the door, praying that the shadows would conceal him.
    A minute later, the Swiss emerged from the alley. Billy heard his familiar footsteps clip across the cobbles. After a nervous few moments, he peered round and saw Frankenstein’s silhouetted figure walking away and then disappear round a street corner. Billy waited a second and set off in pursuit.

CHAPTER XI.
    That evening, when the sun was setting and the clouds were blood-soaked swabs and the chill of night had begun to descend on the city streets, Billy and Creecher made their way back to Clerkenwell to collect their clothes from Gratz’s nephew.
    For the first time, Creecher had been pleased by one of Billy’s reports. When he had told the giant of Frankenstein’s mysterious visit to the warehouse, Creecher clapped his hands together.
    ‘Finally,’ he said. ‘This is good news, mon ami. This is excellent news!’
    But he had given Billy no clue as to why this was such excellent news. For his part, Billy was happy to enjoy the giant’s lighter mood and saw no reason to ruin it.
    Gratz’s nephew was standing outside as they arrived, his sharp shadowy form like a stick man drawing. There was a group of children with him.
    ‘All right, then, boys and girls,’ he said, seeing Billy and Creecher approach. ‘Off you go.’
    Billy looked at the ragged urchins who clustered around the doorway, with their tattered clothes and filthy, half-starved faces. A small boy turned to face him and Billy felt as though he were looking at his younger self. He smiled, but the boy simply stared back at him, dead-eyed. When the children noticed Creecher, a couple of them stared up in wonder, until they joined the others in running away as fast as their legs would carry them.
    ‘And make sure you work hard,’ Gratz’s nephew called after them, ‘or I might have to set the giant on you!’
    He cackled as the children disappeared. Billy stared after them. Was he ever that young? He felt a chill go through him, as if the blood was freezing in his veins.
    ‘Gentlemen,’ said the nephew, peering at Billy. ‘I’ve been expecting you.’
    He opened the door and they followed him through to the main room. Billy looked around for Gratz, but there was no sign of the old man. The air smelled of dust, damp clothes and