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Authors: Late for the Wedding
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I were colleagues
of a sort and we exchanged information, but we did not work
together."
When did you become suspicious of him?"
In the months following the victory at Waterloo, the series of
suicides and accidents I mentioned occurred in a fairly short span of
time. At that point I was on my way to establishing my new career
as a private-inquiry agent. I began to notice some of the similar
details of the deaths, as I told you."
And you eventually tracked down Zachary Elland," she
concluded.
Yes. In the course of the investigation I showed the death's-head
rings to Crackenburne. He remembered old rumors of a professional
murderer who had once used the same signature. They called him
the Memento-Mori Man. It was said that no one who met him and
learned his true identity ever lived to tell the tale. Elland obviously
had heard the stories and decided to pattern himself on a legend."
Tobias, listen to me. Elland's decision to become a professional
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murderer had nothing whatsoever to do with the work he did for
you."
There was a note in the safe where I discovered the rings and the
journal. It was addressed to me. In it Zachary said that if I found the
letter it meant that I had won. He congratulated me as though I
were the victor in a chess match."
Such villainy is almost incomprehensible."
In the note he informed me that I was a worthy opponent. The
last line of the letter read, It is the thrill of the hunt that I will miss
the most."
He was truly a monster."
I must tell you," Tobias said in a low voice, there are times when
I can comprehend his passion for the hunt all too well."
Tobias."
There is a very intense sensation that comes over me when I
know that I have picked up the scent of the quarry. There is no deny
ing that there is a certain dark thrill attached to the business." He
looked at her across the candle. In the light of flaring flame, his eyes
glowed like those of some great beast of the night. Elland once told
me that he thought the two of us had a great deal in common. He
may have been right."
Stop it at once, Tobias." She squeezed his arm very fiercely. Do
not dare to suggest that you and Elland were alike in any way. To
take satisfaction in the hunt is one thing. It is your nature to seek
answers and to see that justice is done. It is quite another matter
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
altogether to take pleasure in death. We both know that you could
never do that."
Sometimes late at night, I have wondered if the difference
between Elland and myself is only a matter of degree."
Damnation, Tobias, I will not abide such foolish talk. Do you hear
me, sir?"
He smiled humorlessly. Yes, Misses Lake, I hear you."
I never met your old acquaintance, but I can assure you that you
and Zachary Elland are as different as night and day."
Are you quite certain of that, madam?" he asked much too softly.
I am absolutely positive of that fact. My intuition, as you well
know, is extremely keen." She wanted to shake him. You are no
killer, Tobias March."
Tobias did not say a word, but his gaze was disconcertingly
steady. Belatedly, she thought about their last case, the one she had
privately titled the Affair of the Mad Mesmerist in her journal.
She cleared her throat. Yes, well, there may have been one or two
unfortunate incidents along the way over the years, but they were
accidents, as it were."
Accidents," Tobias repeated neutrally.
No, not accidents," she corrected instantly. Desperate acts of
great bravery required to save the lives of others such as myself.
Most definitely not cold-blooded murder. There is a vast difference,
Tobias." She drew a breath. Now, then, enough of that subject. Tell
me where Aspasia Gray fits into this affair."
Aspasia?" He frowned. Did I not explain?"
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter,
of a sort and we exchanged information, but we did not work
together."
When did you become suspicious of him?"
In the months following the victory at Waterloo, the series of
suicides and accidents I mentioned occurred in a fairly short span of
time. At that point I was on my way to establishing my new career
as a private-inquiry agent. I began to notice some of the similar
details of the deaths, as I told you."
And you eventually tracked down Zachary Elland," she
concluded.
Yes. In the course of the investigation I showed the death's-head
rings to Crackenburne. He remembered old rumors of a professional
murderer who had once used the same signature. They called him
the Memento-Mori Man. It was said that no one who met him and
learned his true identity ever lived to tell the tale. Elland obviously
had heard the stories and decided to pattern himself on a legend."
Tobias, listen to me. Elland's decision to become a professional
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
murderer had nothing whatsoever to do with the work he did for
you."
There was a note in the safe where I discovered the rings and the
journal. It was addressed to me. In it Zachary said that if I found the
letter it meant that I had won. He congratulated me as though I
were the victor in a chess match."
Such villainy is almost incomprehensible."
In the note he informed me that I was a worthy opponent. The
last line of the letter read, It is the thrill of the hunt that I will miss
the most."
He was truly a monster."
I must tell you," Tobias said in a low voice, there are times when
I can comprehend his passion for the hunt all too well."
Tobias."
There is a very intense sensation that comes over me when I
know that I have picked up the scent of the quarry. There is no deny
ing that there is a certain dark thrill attached to the business." He
looked at her across the candle. In the light of flaring flame, his eyes
glowed like those of some great beast of the night. Elland once told
me that he thought the two of us had a great deal in common. He
may have been right."
Stop it at once, Tobias." She squeezed his arm very fiercely. Do
not dare to suggest that you and Elland were alike in any way. To
take satisfaction in the hunt is one thing. It is your nature to seek
answers and to see that justice is done. It is quite another matter
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
altogether to take pleasure in death. We both know that you could
never do that."
Sometimes late at night, I have wondered if the difference
between Elland and myself is only a matter of degree."
Damnation, Tobias, I will not abide such foolish talk. Do you hear
me, sir?"
He smiled humorlessly. Yes, Misses Lake, I hear you."
I never met your old acquaintance, but I can assure you that you
and Zachary Elland are as different as night and day."
Are you quite certain of that, madam?" he asked much too softly.
I am absolutely positive of that fact. My intuition, as you well
know, is extremely keen." She wanted to shake him. You are no
killer, Tobias March."
Tobias did not say a word, but his gaze was disconcertingly
steady. Belatedly, she thought about their last case, the one she had
privately titled the Affair of the Mad Mesmerist in her journal.
She cleared her throat. Yes, well, there may have been one or two
unfortunate incidents along the way over the years, but they were
accidents, as it were."
Accidents," Tobias repeated neutrally.
No, not accidents," she corrected instantly. Desperate acts of
great bravery required to save the lives of others such as myself.
Most definitely not cold-blooded murder. There is a vast difference,
Tobias." She drew a breath. Now, then, enough of that subject. Tell
me where Aspasia Gray fits into this affair."
Aspasia?" He frowned. Did I not explain?"
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter,
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