Read Online The Society of Thirteen by Gareth P. Jones - Free Book Online

witch.’
    â€˜Do we know what this book was used for?’ asked Lord Ringmore.
    â€˜I’m still looking into that, but the stories of
The Book of Thirteen
match the book in our possession. You see, it is named after the numbers which adorn its cover  …  the number thirteen.’
    â€˜None of this is much use if we can’t read it,’ said Clay.
    â€˜Hopefully Mr Symmonds will soon be able to help with that,’ said Lord Ringmore.
    John Symmonds gave a noncommittal grunt.
    â€˜Why thirteen?’ asked Sir Tyrrell.
    â€˜I don’t yet know,’ replied Mr G. Hayman. ‘Black cats, smashed mirrors, unlucky number thirteen. All of these things have real meaning and
The
Book of Thirteen
is our connection to them all.’
    â€˜I still haven’t heard anything but speculation,’ said Clay.
    â€˜Which must mean it’s your turn to step up, Harry,’ said Lord Ringmore. ‘While Mr Symmonds is delving into the book’s meaning and Mr Hayman continues to search for its place in our history, we need you to investigate the book’s qualities and ensure that it is not a fake.’
    â€˜With pleasure. Hand it over then,’ replied Clay.
    â€˜The book is currently under lock and key in my house,’ said Lord Ringmore. ‘You will accompany me there once our meeting has concluded to collect it. Then you can subject it to your most rigorous investigations.’
    â€˜Very well,’ said Clay, ‘but I warn you, I have never met a medium, magician or conjuror who has been able to convince me of the existence of anything genuinely magical. As you’re so enjoying this fantasy of yours, are you sure you want me to shatter it?’
    â€˜We seek the truth,’ said Lord Ringmore. ‘The truth about life, about death and about magic.’
    â€˜And what about me?’ said Sir Tyrrell. ‘You appear to have passed over all researching duties to this novelist.’
    â€˜If you wish to help me, Sir Tyrrell,’ said Mr G. Hayman, ‘I would warmly welcome your involvement. I am to meet one of my interview subjects tomorrow. Perhaps you could join me.’
    Sir Tyrrell let out a small harrumph in apparent acceptance of the invitation.
    â€˜Excellent. Then we all have our roles,’ said Lord Ringmore. ‘Every one of us will contribute and every one of us will benefit. We have in our possession a key that will unlock doors you haven’t even dared to dream exist. Let us progress wisely.’

Chapter 14
Betrayal
    The orphans looked up at the sliver of light from the gap between the thick velvet curtains of the gentlemen’s club study. Had there been time to slip inside, they would be benefitting from the warmth of the fire, but Tom had arrived late so they were stuck out in the cold, listening to each other’s chattering teeth.
    â€˜What do you think they’re talking about?’ asked Esther.
    â€˜Who cares?’ said Tom. ‘We need to get our money and move on.’
    â€˜Lord Ringmore said there would be more tasks.’
    â€˜I say we get out while we’re up and leave them to their silly society,’ said Tom.
    â€˜Are you completely Bedlam?’ demanded Esther. ‘This is a good thing we’re on to.’
    â€˜Running around London for a couple of coins whenever Lord Top Hat decides to throw them our way?’ said Tom. ‘It ain’t much better than begging.’
    â€˜Don’t you want to know about the book though?’ said Esther. ‘All that stuff we overhead them say before. What if it’s true?’
    â€˜What? Magic?’ scoffed Tom. ‘And you call
me
mad!’
    â€˜Why not? All them miracles the nuns used to bang on about, what were they if not magic?’
    â€˜That’s the Bible. It’s different,’ argued Tom. ‘And this business has got nothing to do with us.’
    â€˜Since when did we let that get in our