Punch's Cousin, Chapter 269

Mr. Punch walked into the back parlor and immediately sniffed the air as a dog might. As he made Julian’s nostrils quiver, he snorted and shook his head. “They ain’t been gone long.”


“How can you tell?” Cecil asked.

“That Arthur’s got a funny smell ‘bout him what hangs in the air.” Mr. Punch sighed.

“Perhaps they’ve just gone to the kitchen.” Cecil suggested.

“Not likely.” Mr. Punch sighed.

“They could just be talking,” Robert said, fully aware that his statement was false.

Mr. Punch chuckled. “In the time you’ve known Arthur, have you ever known him to want to talk about anything?”

“No, he’s not prone to discussion” Robert muttered.

“I’ll ring for Meridian,” Cecil suggested, turning the crank on the far end of the wall.

Meridian hurried into the parlor.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Have you seen Miss Allen and those two men?” Robert asked.

“No.” Meridian shook her head. “But, I done heard the back door squeak open ‘bout half an hour ago, just after you went upstairs.”

“He must have forced her out,” Robert suggested.

“I don’t think there was any coercion involved,” Cecil shook his head.

“No,” Mr. Punch grunted. “I think she went willingly.”

Meanwhile, Adrienne stepped backward as she studied the masked faces of the men who stood in front of her. The feathers and rhinestones of their masks belied their usual festiveness and took on an evil, monstrous form.

“Who are you?” Adrienne asked.

“Never mind,” One of the men said.

“You’re clearly English.” Adrienne replied.

“Just give us the boy.” Another of the men ordered.

Adrienne studied the third man. “You’ve not said a word.” She smiled. “You’re smaller than the others. Don’t they let you talk?”

The third person shifted uncomfortably in heavy, black boots. Adrienne inspected the figure. “You’re too slight to be a man. You’re a woman.”

The figure was silent.

“I know exactly who you are,” Adrienne shouted. “And, if you think you’re going to get that child, you’re sorely mistaken. You’ll have to kill me first.”

“That won’t be a problem,” one them replied.



Did you miss Chapters 1-268? If so, you can read them here.