Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 345

Marjani neither sweated nor strained as she carried Julian’s body away from the Place Congo. Her face—which had been heavy with dread since she witnessed Marie Laveau’s brutal attack on her friend and employer, finally brightened when she caught a glimpse of Cecil and Robert hurrying toward her.


“This is your fault!” Robert rasped at his brother as they approached. “All of your arguments! If you’d just kept quiet, I would have gone with them.”

“Perhaps you should keep quiet,” Cecil said sternly.

As they reached Marjani, Robert put his hand on Julian’s head and saw the large bruise which was beginning to form.

“Marie Laveau done hit him with a rock.” Marjani croaked.

“Put him down over here,” Robert pointed to a patch of grass which was illuminated by the moonlight which had finally begun to be revealed as the clouds and mist of the evening began to break.

Marjani did as instructed.

“He’s bound!” Robert gasped as he examined Julian.

“It was awful, Sir.” Marjani said, tears welling in her eyes.

“Take my knife,” Cecil said gently.

“My hands are shaking,” Robert answered.

“I’ll free him,” Cecil whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

“As am I.” Robert sighed. He studied Marjani’s face.

“Your cheek is swollen. Did she strike you, too?”

“No.” Marjani shook her head. “That was Iolanthe Evangeline. I’ll explain it all later, Sir. Now, we gotta look over His Grace.”

“He’s breathing,” Robert said, plaving his ear on Julian’s chest, but his heartbeat is slow. “Has he said anything?”

“Not a word. Neither His Grace nor Mr. Punch nor even Scaramouche.”

“Scaramouche?”

“He came out for awhile, Sir.” Marjani nodded. “I reckon His Grace thought perhaps Scaramouche’s madness would help somehow.”

“Is he lost to us?” Cecil whispered.

“I don’t know.” Robert shook his head. “Julian?” He said leaning into his friend. “Mr. Punch? Come back to us!”

Meanwhile, deep within his body, Julian was following the vision of Prince Albert through a cobweb lined maze of gray walls which were flecked with strange bits of color—pink, red, gold, orange and violet.

“Where are we?” Julian asked.

“We are venturing through layers of neglect.” Prince Albert replied coldly, his German accent growing thicker.

“Neglect?”

“Much neglect, Your Grace.” The Prince nodded gravely. “Ah, here we are. Help me, will you?” The Prince began to swat at the cobwebs which lined a door which was obscured by dust and soot.

“To where does this lead?” Julian asked.

Albert strained against the door handle, using his shoulder to push the door open.

Julian’s eyes widened as he saw the room within.

“Your nursery, Julian.” Prince Albert smiled. “After you…”



Did you miss Chapters 1-344? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday, September 19, 2011 for Chapter 346 of Punch’s Cousin.