Read Online Scotland Hard (Book 2 in the Tom & Laura Series) by John Booth - Free Book Online
Authors: John Booth
Ads: Link
amiably, but firmly.
Normally, they travelled with warrants issued by Military Magic. However, Trelawney had failed to provide them with tickets for this journey.
“We have come from Reading ,” Cam told the man imperiously. “We were let through without buying a ticket to catch our train because we are on important business. If you will tell us the fare we owe, I shall be glad to reimburse the Great Western Railway.”
The ticket collector grinned at her humorlessly. “That’s three penalty fares, as Reading has a ticket office and you could have bought your tickets there. It will cost you a guinea each, I’m afraid.”
“That’s daylight robbery,” Arnold spluttered in protest. The fare from Reading should have been no more that three shillings. They would be paying seven times that rate.
“Suit yerselves,” the ticket collector said. “There’s a copper walks passed this entrance every ten minutes and I shall be happy to let him escort you to the nearest police station to sort it out.”
“Here’s your money,” Cam said, handing over a five pound note. “I trust you can make the appropriate change?”
“Course I can, my dear. And it’s been a pleasure to do business with you.” The ticket collector wore a big smile as he sorted out their change.
As they approached the taxi rank outside the station, Arnold turned on Cam angrily. “You do realize he just robbed us, don’t you?”
“Yes I do, thank you very much Tompkins.. er… Arnold ,” Cam replied evenly. “But I expect he has a deal going with that policeman and we would have been arrested if we failed to pay up. We do not have the time to be arrested.”
“ Linden Lane ,” Daisy shouted up to the taxi driver as the others got into his cab. “Do you know where it is?”
“It’ll cost you, Miss,” the driver told her as he pulled on the reins to keep his frisky horse from starting off. “That’s a bit out of my bailiwick and no mistake. Bin a murder there too, just this night past, or so the papers say.”
“The murdered man was my father,” Daisy said without a moment’s hesitation. “My companions are my cousins, come to pay their respects and to help me dispose of the estate and see to the funeral arrangements.”
“My sincere condolences, Miss,” the taxi driver said solemnly. He took off his cap as a mark of respect. “It’ll still cost you a sovereign though.”
“We are happy to pay,” Cam said, sticking her head outside the coach door. She turned to glare at Arnold just in case he was about to make a fuss at being robbed again.
“In advance, Miss, if you don’t mind.”
Cam tossed a coin at the driver who bit it suspiciously before smiling at her through blackened teeth. He turned to Daisy.
“Best get aboard then, Miss. I haven’t got all day.”
8. Developments
Tom lay on his bed for some time, staring at the embossed plaster ceiling and considering their options. He heard his door being unbolted and Jane entered, carrying a tray laden with bread, cheese and a bottle of wine.
“I have brought you your luncheon, sir. Dinner will be served at seven this evening and Lord Smee sends his apologies for keeping you locked in, but he trusts that I can keep you entertained. If it be your pleasure, sir.” Jane’s face flushed as she finished talking in a manner that sounded as if the words had been hastily rehearsed.
“Bring the tray over to my bed and then come and sit with me, Jane,” Tom suggested, tapping the bed beside him. Jane put down the tray at Tom’s side and started to disrobe.
“That won’t be necessary,” Tom said firmly. He placed a hand on her arm and discovered the girl was shivering. “I only want to talk to you.”
“I don’t want you to think that I’m the sort of girl who spreads her legs for any man,” Jane said quietly as she stared into her lap. “But Mister Smith does lay on a powerful beating if a servant should disobey an order.”
“I heard some
Normally, they travelled with warrants issued by Military Magic. However, Trelawney had failed to provide them with tickets for this journey.
“We have come from Reading ,” Cam told the man imperiously. “We were let through without buying a ticket to catch our train because we are on important business. If you will tell us the fare we owe, I shall be glad to reimburse the Great Western Railway.”
The ticket collector grinned at her humorlessly. “That’s three penalty fares, as Reading has a ticket office and you could have bought your tickets there. It will cost you a guinea each, I’m afraid.”
“That’s daylight robbery,” Arnold spluttered in protest. The fare from Reading should have been no more that three shillings. They would be paying seven times that rate.
“Suit yerselves,” the ticket collector said. “There’s a copper walks passed this entrance every ten minutes and I shall be happy to let him escort you to the nearest police station to sort it out.”
“Here’s your money,” Cam said, handing over a five pound note. “I trust you can make the appropriate change?”
“Course I can, my dear. And it’s been a pleasure to do business with you.” The ticket collector wore a big smile as he sorted out their change.
As they approached the taxi rank outside the station, Arnold turned on Cam angrily. “You do realize he just robbed us, don’t you?”
“Yes I do, thank you very much Tompkins.. er… Arnold ,” Cam replied evenly. “But I expect he has a deal going with that policeman and we would have been arrested if we failed to pay up. We do not have the time to be arrested.”
“ Linden Lane ,” Daisy shouted up to the taxi driver as the others got into his cab. “Do you know where it is?”
“It’ll cost you, Miss,” the driver told her as he pulled on the reins to keep his frisky horse from starting off. “That’s a bit out of my bailiwick and no mistake. Bin a murder there too, just this night past, or so the papers say.”
“The murdered man was my father,” Daisy said without a moment’s hesitation. “My companions are my cousins, come to pay their respects and to help me dispose of the estate and see to the funeral arrangements.”
“My sincere condolences, Miss,” the taxi driver said solemnly. He took off his cap as a mark of respect. “It’ll still cost you a sovereign though.”
“We are happy to pay,” Cam said, sticking her head outside the coach door. She turned to glare at Arnold just in case he was about to make a fuss at being robbed again.
“In advance, Miss, if you don’t mind.”
Cam tossed a coin at the driver who bit it suspiciously before smiling at her through blackened teeth. He turned to Daisy.
“Best get aboard then, Miss. I haven’t got all day.”
8. Developments
Tom lay on his bed for some time, staring at the embossed plaster ceiling and considering their options. He heard his door being unbolted and Jane entered, carrying a tray laden with bread, cheese and a bottle of wine.
“I have brought you your luncheon, sir. Dinner will be served at seven this evening and Lord Smee sends his apologies for keeping you locked in, but he trusts that I can keep you entertained. If it be your pleasure, sir.” Jane’s face flushed as she finished talking in a manner that sounded as if the words had been hastily rehearsed.
“Bring the tray over to my bed and then come and sit with me, Jane,” Tom suggested, tapping the bed beside him. Jane put down the tray at Tom’s side and started to disrobe.
“That won’t be necessary,” Tom said firmly. He placed a hand on her arm and discovered the girl was shivering. “I only want to talk to you.”
“I don’t want you to think that I’m the sort of girl who spreads her legs for any man,” Jane said quietly as she stared into her lap. “But Mister Smith does lay on a powerful beating if a servant should disobey an order.”
“I heard some
Similar Books
