Julian—or Punch (he couldn’t be sure)—was curled up in a ball at one end of the long, narrow bed, still dressed in his bloodied collar, shirt and waistcoat. Robert raised his shoulders to his ears and stretched his aching back—tender from sleeping propped against the paneled wall of the cabin. He untangled his legs from the bedclothes, careful not to disturb the slumbering man at the other end of the bed.
The familiar scratching at the door signaled Arthur’s entrance. Robert groaned audibly. When had morning crept up on them?
“Mornin’, Doctor.” Arthur grinned—his hatred visible through the thick, ochre tombstones of his teeth.
“I must have fallen asleep here.” Robert responded, suddenly feeling the need to explain why he was still there. “I was looking after Lord Julian.”
“Must have done.” Arthur said. “Will you be wanting anything?”
“Some breakfast, I think. Something hot. Boiled eggs and toast.” Robert glanced at Julian who had not stirred. “And some coffee.”
“Very good, Sir.” Arthur answered, smirking. “I’d best be waking His Lordship so I can dress him.”
“That’ll do, Arthur. Just fetch us a tray. I’ll take care of His Lordship.”
“Only…” Arthur protested.
“That’ll do, Arthur.” Robert repeated.
Arthur shot an angry look to the doctor, but did as instructed, slamming the cabin door behind him.
The sound caused Julian (or Punch) to whimper like a napping dog.
Robert leaned over and put his hand on Julian’s shoulder.
The touch made Julian’s eyes dart open and he scrambled off of the bed, landing with a thud to the floor.
“You still here?”
“Yes, Mr. Punch.” Robert nodded.
“I was hoping to take my breakfast with Julian.”
“Julian’s got other things to occupy him right now.” Punch said, spreading out on the floor and stretching.
“Such as?” Robert asked.
“He’s in there, crying his eyes out. Only he doesn’t have eyes cuz I’ve got ‘em right now. Sad ‘bout his father, I ‘spect.” Punch answered.
“So, you’re aware of what Julian’s doing, where Julian is not aware of what you’re doing?”
“I ‘spose.” Punch shrugged, sitting up. “If anyone of us is the strongest, it’ll be me—even though I’m wounded what with me head bein’ cracked in two.” Punch sniffed the air. “I smell the valet. Was he here?”
“Yes.” Robert nodded. “He’s gone to fetch us some breakfast.”
“Vittles! I’m hungry.”
“That’s something, at least.” Robert thought to himself.
Punch smiled at the man. “You’re thinking things again.”
“Always.” Robert nodded.
“Too much thinkin’s what makes those crinkles at the corners of your eyes. You wouldn’t be a bad looking man if it weren’t for that.” Punch laughed. “You’ve got a nice face as far as human’s faces go, and you’re tall with a straight back and shoulders.”
“Thank you.” Robert chuckled.
“I’m not so tall, you know. I’ve got a hunchback.” Punch frowned. “Course my back is hunched what with the weight of my head and all.”
“Of course.” Robert agreed. “But, Julian doesn’t have a hunched back.”
“No. I ‘spose that’s one good thing about bein’ in here. Julian’s not so bad to look at either in his own pale way. Got a pleasant face even if he does look like Her Bleedin’ Grace.”
“Now, now, Mr. Punch.” Robert smiled.
“Wanna sing with me?” Punch jumped up and sat on the bed next to Robert. “Come on, we’ll sing of the ‘red rose and the briar.’”
“It’s a little too early to be singing—for me.” Robert shook his head.
“People.” Punch grunted.
“Any idea when Julian might be back?” Robert asked. “I would like to speak with him.”
“No telling.” Punch shrugged. “’Sides, I’ve got things what need doing today. Let him sit in there and cry.”
“Still, I would like to talk with him.”
“Talk with me. I’m much more interesting.” Punch winked.
“Very well,” Robert grinned. “Tell me about the Molliner Blue.”
“My mind!” Punch nodded eagerly. “Our father found it in India and bought it from some man what stole it from some kind of prince or somesuch.”
“Yes?”
“The Duchess had it changed and put in a necklace for herself to wear during the ‘season.’ She even started calling it ‘The Fallbridge Blue’ only we know it’s really a Molliner like me. Oh, my father didn’t like that. Only, Sir Colin went and replaced it with a sapphire when she weren’t lookin’. The mad thing didn’t even know the difference!” Punch laughed. “See, he mighta seemed like he was a weakling, that one, but he got his way even if it were sneaky.”
“What happened to the real diamond?” Robert asked.
“Sir Colin gave it to me for safekeeping—cuz everyone knows I’m the only one in the family what can be trusted.”
“And where did you keep it safe?” Robert asked.
“In me head!” Punch laughed. “Oh, but that hurt, it did. Sir Colin put it inside me head, just underneath me cap—sewed it right inside. All I could do not to cry out. But, I liked it once it were in. Gave me lots of thoughts and fire in my eyes. I ‘spect he figured no one would know it was in me head what with me just sittin’ in Julian’s cabinet all the time.”
“And, Julian knew about this?”
“Sure, he did. Probably forgot by now. He’s not right, that one. You know. But, sure he knew. It was long ago when that Barbara was just a child. Long before Julian left to live in Belgrave Square—left me at Fallbridge Hall, he did. I didn’t like that much. So, I went with him in his head and left me body in the case.”
Robert nodded, trying to sort out everything that Punch was saying.
“Someone took the diamond from your head? That’s why your head was split?” Robert asked.
“Yes.” Punch nodded. “’Twas Lady Barbara. Cruel Barbara.” Punch laughed and began to sing.
"Farewell," she said, "ye virgins all,
And shun the fault I fell in.
Henceforth take warning by the fall
Of cruel Barbara Allen."
“You know for a fact that it was Barbara who stole the diamond?”
“I’m singing.” Punch frowned.
“I know. But, we need to sort this out.”
“Musta done.” Punch shrugged. “Who else?”
“Did you see who took it?”
“Now how could I very well have seen if Julian were using our eyes?” Punch asked.
“But, you seem to know what Julian knows. So, if Julian saw Barbara take it, you must have seen it, too.”
“See, you’re thinking too much.” Punch smiled. “Don’t you ever just know something without thinking ‘bout it?”
“I guess that’s the difference between us, Mr. Punch.”
“Wait a tick,” Punch said. “I’ve an idea. Let’s go get Arthur and push him in the sea.”
“Then we won’t get our breakfast.” Robert answered quickly.
“Right.” Punch frowned again.
“However, I do have an idea that might amuse you—if you’re willing.”
“I’m listening.” Punch pulled Julian’s lips back into a grin.
“Why don’t we go see Nanny Rittenhouse?”
“And push her into the sea?” Punch widened Julian’s eyes.
“No.” Robert shook his head.
“But, we could play a game with her. A game that might help both of us.”
“Then, we could push her in the sea?”
“No.” Robert said again.
“But, we might be able to fix your head.”
Did you miss Chapters 1-28? If so, you can read them here.
6 comments:
Is it wrong that I liked Punch today? He's a funny little puppet. So what are they going to do and when will Julian be back already? Honey, this is good stuff. Keep it coming.
I'm so glad that Fran also sees Punch in a different light today. I was wondering why my own attitude was changing. I also agree that this is really good writing. How remarkable to be able to inject a smile into what it really a pretty scary situation. I'm glad that there's still one chapter before Sunday.
I agree with Fran and Dashwood, seems like Mr. Punch is going to help solve the mystery. He is more than a little bit strange, but at least he's on Julian's side, feeling a little pity for the man's mourning the murder of his father.
I don't see anything redeeming in Arthur or Nanny Rittenhouse.The puppet might have it right in thinking it might be fun to throw them into the sea.(lol)
I'm really enjoying this story.
Thanks, Fran. Punch is not really a bad fellow. He's a little dangerous because he feels trapped and lost all at once. But, being a puppet, he does have something of the clown in him. I really appreciate your comments! Have a great weekend!
You're very kind, Dashwood. Thank you for reading!
Yes, Darcy, Punch is more than a little bit strange. LOL. However, I can't help but think that he'd have a good time tossing Arthur and the Nanny overboard! Who knows? Maybe he'll get his wish.
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